A Bumpy Road to Power

Time rewinds to a little over an hour ago.

Right when Dirk Carter and Dahlia Hughes were secretly flirting in the car.

Over in Veridia City, preparations for the welcome meeting had already begun.

In Mayor Norman Ross's office.

Executive Vice Mayor Ashlyn Grant and Municipal Government Office Secretary-General Johann Holloway were drinking tea with Norman Ross.

"Norman, Dirk is about to officially take office in a bit. That kid's a troublemaker. You pulling him over to your side—aren't you just asking for trouble?"

Ashlyn Grant grumbled.

Johann Holloway also nodded.

He said, "Executive Grant is right. After Old Zolan fell, our side took a heavy hit. Jamal Palmer seized the chance to press us step by step. The situation's not looking good."

The "Old Zolan" Johann referred to.

Was Deputy Party Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee Zolan Summers.

The political landscape in Veridia City was one where the No.1 and No.2 leaders were evenly matched, splitting the arena.

Neither side could gain the upper hand.

More than half a year ago.

Jamal Palmer had been forcefully pushing the renewal of Veridia's old urban districts.

Norman Ross, however, advocated expanding the main urban area outward and postponing the renewal of old districts.

The two both wanted to concentrate their efforts on building up their own political achievements, and with conflicting policy lines, the disagreement grew huge.

It even got to the point of slapping the table and openly challenging each other.

Back then, Norman Ross still had the support of Deputy Party Secretary Zolan Summers.

Nobody expected that at this critical juncture Zolan Summers would suddenly fall.

Jamal Palmer reacted quickly.

He rushed to the State Committee to work his connections.

The new Deputy Party Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, Axel Dixon, had taken office half a month ago.

And the moment this Axel Dixon took his post, he started frequent interactions with Jamal Palmer; it was obvious he had already chosen Jamal's camp.

With that.

The old district renewal plan was pushed through at lightning speed.

Norman Ross swallowed his grievances in silence, feeling extremely stifled.

If you trace all of this from the very beginning.

It all had to do with Zolan Summers's fall.

Why did Zolan Summers fall?

That takes us back to Dirk Carter.

So Ashlyn Grant and Johann Holloway couldn't figure out why Norman Ross would take the initiative to suggest to the State Committee that Dirk Carter be transferred to Veridia City as vice mayor.

Norman Ross only gave a faint smile.

He picked up a cup of tea.

And asked, "Have either of you thought about this—after I made the suggestion to the State Committee, the proposal was approved very quickly. Don't you find that strange?"

Ashlyn Grant and Johann Holloway were both stunned.

They instantly felt they'd missed the key point.

Norman Ross's backing in the State Committee was mediocre at best.

Otherwise, after Zolan Summers fell, he wouldn't have passively watched the No.3 position be taken by someone else.

Although Dirk Carter wasn't on the Standing Committee.

He was still a vice–department-level cadre.

Did Norman Ross really have that kind of pull?

It was still Ashlyn Grant who reacted faster.

He asked, "So this wasn't your idea, but an idea from higher up, right?"

Norman Ross smiled mysteriously.

He pointed up at the ceiling and said, "The instruction came from the one who hasn't arrived yet."

The one who hasn't arrived yet?

The one above who hadn't arrived yet—wasn't that the new governor of Janton State, Rasco Shaw, whose appointment had been announced but who hadn't taken office?

Ashlyn Grant shivered.

He asked somewhat excitedly, "He hasn't even arrived and you've already made contact with him? Norman, impressive."

"I didn't make contact with him. He came to me. This whole thing was his idea."

"Don't tell me this Rasco Shaw is Dirk Carter's backing?"

Ashlyn Grant asked.

Johann Holloway suddenly saw the light.

He said, "Rasco Shaw previously served as Deputy Party Secretary of Serenity State, and Dirk was also transferred over from Serenity State. They knew each other before. That's very possible."

"You're wrong again."

Norman Ross said slowly.

This time.

Both their eyes fixed on his face.

They looked quite puzzled.

"Rasco Shaw isn't Dirk's backing. On the contrary, Dirk offended Rasco back in the day. Our new Governor Rasco really can't stand Dirk."

Norman Ross said.

Johann Holloway scratched his head.

Muttering, "If he can't stand him, then why promote him?"

"You don't get it. Dirk used to be The County Committee Secretary, a cadre managed at the municipal level, and the top leader in Helios County. As long as he didn't make a mistake, it would be very hard to move against him. But now it's different. As vice mayor, he's a cadre managed at the provincial level, and he doesn't hold much real power. If they want to make things difficult for him, that's effortless."

It was still Ashlyn Grant who had the sharper mind.

He cut through the appearance and saw the essence at once.

Norman Ross nodded approvingly.

He said, "After the Brett Summers incident, everyone up and down Helios County is united as one. It's already impossible to groom a county magistrate to counterbalance Dirk. Transferring him to Veridia makes dealing with him much easier."

Ashlyn Grant chuckled.

He said, "Norman, you mean that as long as we take care of Dirk, we'll become Governor Rasco's people?"

Norman Ross's face carried a smile.

He said, "Rasco Shaw was personally promoted by the Houseman Family. His coming to our Janton State this time has a goal far beyond just being governor. If we can latch onto this line, taking a step forward in the future will be an easy thing. So now you see my good intentions?"

"We get it, we get it. You really have some moves, Norman."

Ashlyn Grant said.

Norman Ross let out a long breath.

He glanced at his watch.

And said, "They'll be here in a bit. Today two cadres are taking office, and with Jamal Palmer away, we'll put all our energy on Caroline Lynch. As for Dirk—give him a slap in the face, put him in his place. Once Rasco hears about it, we'll have earned merit, won't we?"

The previous Organization Minister had also fallen not long ago because of the Brett Summers affair.

For Brett Summers to be able to shuffle the deck of cadres in Helios County.

He naturally needed the cooperation of Veridia City's Organization Minister.

That guy had also taken a lot of bribes from Brett and was brought down.

He had been a neutral.

And with Jamal Palmer out on an inspection trip today.

Norman Ross was naturally very eager to secure Caroline Lynch and pull her into his own system.

"Norman, I have an idea—once Dirk arrives, we can give him a loud slap in the face."

Johann Holloway suddenly said.

Norman Ross became interested.

He asked, "Let's hear it."

"Today Minister Earl Carter is personally bringing them down. Minister Earl is the leader, and Comrade Caroline Lynch is also a member of the Municipal Party Standing Committee. Those two will definitely sit in the back seat, and Dirk will definitely sit in the front, right?"

Norman Ross nodded.

He said, "That's right."

Johann Holloway continued, "With Jamal away today, you're the top leader present. As soon as the car arrives, you hurry over and personally open Minister Carter's door. Ashlyn goes to open Comrade Caroline Lynch's door. Then the two of you pretend not to see Dirk at all, don't bother with him, don't greet him. In front of all four big leadership groups, won't Dirk lose face completely?"

"That's a good idea, Johann. Give him the cold shoulder first, and it also clearly shows our stance. That way, even if we don't say anything, everyone knows where we stand on Dirk, and he'll naturally be isolated."

Ashlyn Grant said excitedly.

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