A Bumpy Road to Power

Jamal Palmer gave Dirk Carter a sidelong glance.

He said irritably, "What's so complicated about it? Isn't it just talking without restraint? People like him in the political arena are nothing but street rats."

Emilian Everett smiled slightly.

He said, "You want to deflect the blame, but although his words were foolish, they did defuse the situation. When your conflict with Norman Ross surfaced, what he did—is it still that important?"

Hearing this.

Jamal Palmer was taken aback.

He looked at Emilian Everett and asked, "You mean to say, his words imply he's trying to get involved in this thing between me and Norman..."

Jamal Palmer didn't finish his sentence.

But Emilian Everett knew exactly what he wanted to say.

He nodded.

And said, "Johann Holloway left because of the pressure you exerted. It sends a signal to everyone that you have the upper hand over Norman Ross. You managed to get the City Government Secretary removed; other positions would be a cinch. But why would Dirk Carter imply such a thing? It's simple—he wants to side with you."

Hearing this.

Jamal Palmer suddenly understood.

Perception shapes reality, and when looking at Dirk Carter again, the fool seemed to have turned wise.

Just as everyone was enjoying themselves, toasting and exchanging drinks.

Suddenly.

The door to the private room opened a crack.

A man in a police uniform appeared at the doorway.

Then.

Deputy Mayor and Police Chief Kent Hamilton got up and hurried over.

The two talked about something outside.

A short while later.

Kent Hamilton returned.

The banquet was still somewhat noisy.

No one noticed this detail.

But just as Kent Hamilton came back, Faron Walsh, the Municipal Standing Committee member and Deputy Mayor, suddenly asked, "Chief Kent, what's up? Did something happen?"

Kent Hamilton's face showed a hint of difficulty.

He glanced in Dirk Carter's direction and said, "No, it's nothing major; everyone keep drinking."

Faron Walsh, however, was relentless, jokingly saying, "Chief Kent, we're all insiders here; what's there that you can't say?"

At this moment.

First Deputy Mayor Ashlyn Grant saw the situation and quickly chimed in, "Yeah, Chief Kent, all the leaders are here. If there's a problem, why not discuss it?"

Kent Hamilton hesitated.

He stood up.

Looked towards Jamal Palmer's position.

And said, "Secretary Palmer, last night, our command center received a report that three sports cars were smashed by gangsters on Crestwood Avenue. The criminal investigation team began their investigation overnight, and it's only now that we've got a lead."

"That's good news!"

Jamal Palmer said.

But there wasn't a trace of excitement on Kent Hamilton's face.

Instead, he appeared hesitant.

Norman Ross asked, "Chief Kent, from your expression, did you encounter any difficulty?"

"In fact, it's not really a difficulty, just that the criminal investigation team recently assessed and found that among the group involved in smashing the cars, there was someone from the leaders present here. So... so I don't know what to do."

"Oh? A leader? Who is it?"

Norman Ross asked.

This question was asked very dramatically.

From his tone, it was clear he already knew who Kent Hamilton was referring to.

Kent Hamilton slowly raised his hand, pointing toward Dirk Carter.

He asked, "Mayor Carter, around ten-thirty last night, did you have a conflict with some young people on Crestwood Avenue?"

This question was posed.

All eyes once again turned to Dirk Carter.

In fact, from the very beginning, Dirk Carter had a premonition that this matter was directed at him.

This must be Norman Ross's backup plan.

He seized on the Derick Walsh incident to attack.

Even when Kent Hamilton asked this question.

He was holding a USB drive in his hand, ready to play a surveillance video in front of everyone if Dirk Carter didn't admit it.

Dirk Carter just sat up straight.

In a very casual tone, he said, "Yes, that did happen."

When Dirk Carter admitted it outright.

A flicker of disbelief crossed Norman Ross's face.

Then.

The corners of his mouth curled up in a smile.

This smile was full of smugness.

"And was it you who ordered the car smashing?"

Kent Hamilton continued to ask.

In full view of everyone, Dirk Carter showed no hesitation at all, directly saying, "Yes, it was me who ordered it. But those people aren't gangsters; they are my friends, who I specifically called over to smash the cars."

The room was filled with gasps.

A Deputy Mayor, calling a group of people in the dead of night to smash three sports cars.

The nature of this is extremely serious.

On the mild side, it shows a lack of party discipline and disregard for organization.

On the severe side, it is a criminal act, willfully damaging both public and private property.

Just from Carter's admission, the police or the Commission for Discipline Inspection could take him away directly.

"Ha ha, our Mayor Carter really is quite mighty. Not sleeping at night, going on the streets to cause trouble, why? Do you think that just because you're young and became Deputy Mayor, you can bully the common people?"

As soon as he finished speaking.

Faron Walsh coldly snorted, using a sarcastic tone to speak.

After all, the "victim" was his son; staying silent on this would be intolerable.

At this time.

Jamal Palmer's face was also extremely unsightly.

To know, this was a welcome banquet for two newly appointed cadres organized by him.

If at such a banquet the Deputy Mayor were taken away, the embarrassment would be his.

Seeing Jamal Palmer not expressing himself.

Faron Walsh asked, "Secretary Palmer, since Dirk Carter has admitted to it, my suggestion is that the police department conduct an investigation first, and if it involves a crime, then the State Commission for Discipline Inspection should intervene. What do you think?"

Just after having a bit of goodwill towards Dirk Carter.

Now such a thing happened.

Jamal Palmer's mood was like riding a roller coaster.

Looking at Norman Ross again, he was sitting with his arms folded, watching the show with the stance of watching tigers fight, his face nearly bursting with smugness.

"Comrade Dirk Carter, do you have anything to explain?"

Jamal Palmer asked.

Dirk Carter shook his head woodenly and said, "Actually, there's not much to explain because what I just said is the truth."

Hearing this.

Faron Walsh stood up directly.

Said to the people present, "Everyone heard it just now; Comrade Dirk Carter admitted it himself. Chief Kent, you know what to do, right?"

Faron Walsh is also a Municipal Standing Committee member.

A solid city leader.

His words are essentially an order.

When he said this, he kept staring at Dirk Carter.

As if telling Dirk Carter with his gaze, "Thinking you're so arrogant? Let's see how arrogant you can be now."

Why did Faron Walsh suddenly attack.

It certainly isn't groundless.

But there was a small spat between him and Dirk Carter during the height of the banquet.

And the trigger for this small spat was last night's conflict between Dirk Carter and Derick Walsh.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!