A Bumpy Road to Power

Before the car drove in, Dirk Carter's mood was somewhat "excited".

But as the vehicle slowly drove through the gate, his mood surprisingly calmed down.

There was no imagined feeling of foes meeting with blood boiling in anger.

The door of the coaster opened.

A young man walked in first.

He looked around thirty years old.

Judging by his attire, he was undoubtedly a secretary.

Rasco Shaw's former secretary was Barry Ford, whom Dirk Carter knew, and it was clearly not this person.

Then, under the expectant eyes of the crowd.

Rasco Shaw slowly stepped out of the car.

Several years had passed since they last met.

Rasco Shaw did not appear aged.

He seemed even more vigorous and energetic.

It was evident that a favorable tide in life indeed made one appear younger.

Wearing an executive jacket, he had a faint smile on his face, exuding an affable demeanor.

"Governor Shaw, welcome to Veridia City for research."

Jamal Palmer, the municipal party secretary, was the first to greet him.

Rasco Shaw politely shook his hand.

Then.

Mayor Norman Ross quickly stepped forward.

"Hello, Governor Shaw."

Facing Jamal Palmer, Rasco Shaw merely nodded.

But when facing Norman Ross,

his attitude was completely different.

Grasping his hand, patting it, he said, "Comrade Norman, why do you look much more haggard than the last time we met?"

This gesture conveyed a different message.

"The last time we met" indicated their previous encounters.

"Much more haggard" showed concern for his health.

This small detail let everyone present know that Norman Ross had an unusual relationship with him.

"Thank you, Governor Shaw, for your concern. City affairs have indeed been busy lately."

"Make sure to rest, health is the capital of revolution."

"Certainly, Governor Shaw."

This brief conversation.

Made Norman Ross feel proud.

His eyebrows even raised.

It seemed like he was telling everyone that he also had a strong backing now.

"Governor Shaw, I am Thayer Burke."

Thayer Burke, Chairman of the Political Consultative Conference, also stepped forward.

Of course, the treatment he received was akin to Jamal Palmer, just a handshake without further conversation.

"Comrade Norman, show me around to meet everyone."

Rasco Shaw gestured and said to Norman Ross.

In this situation, the introducer should undoubtedly be the municipal party secretary, the top leader.

However, Rasco Shaw overlooked this point, directly asking Norman Ross to lead the way, which served as another slap to Jamal Palmer's face.

Under Norman Ross's guidance.

Rasco Shaw shook hands with the principal leaders of the four main groups.

As everyone was immersed in a harmonious atmosphere.

Suddenly.

Rasco Shaw looked at Dirk Carter standing among the crowd.

At the moment when their eyes met,

memories from back in the day began to plague them.

"Oh, isn't this Comrade Dirk Carter..."

Rasco Shaw wore a faux surprised expression.

Norman Ross quickly said, "Governor Shaw, do you know Comrade Dirk Carter? He is now the vice-mayor of our Veridia City."

"Of course I know him, not only know him, back in the day Comrade Dirk Carter was once my student for a while, wasn't he?"

Rasco Shaw said with a smile.

During that time, Dirk Carter was studying at the Party School.

And the then president of the Party School was Rasco Shaw himself.

"Indeed, though it's a pity the signature on the graduation certificate wasn't Governor Shaw's, otherwise I would be truly honored to be your student."

No one expected Dirk Carter to respond, but he not only answered but also brought up a past sore spot for Rasco Shaw in one sentence.

A trace of displeasure flashed across Rasco Shaw's face.

However, it quickly vanished.

"Governor Shaw, shall we head to the meeting room now?"

Norman Ross asked.

Rasco Shaw waved his hand, saying, "It's really sentimental to see former colleagues, Comrade Norman, you go ahead and take everyone to the meeting room, I'd like to chat with Comrade Dirk Carter."

"Oh, alright, everyone, let's go to the meeting room, Dirk Carter stays!"

After Norman Ross gave a shout.

Everyone left the building entrance.

Of course.

In this scenario, there were still doubts in everyone's hearts.

After all, the governor came for research.

Instead of holding a meeting first, he called the vice-mayor aside, which was abnormal in itself.

Dahlia Hughes felt worried.

But in such a venue, she could do nothing.

After the crowd dispersed.

Without saying a word, Rasco Shaw turned and got back on the coaster.

The young man who had been the first to get out of the car and stand by Rasco Shaw's side approached Dirk Carter.

"Hello Mayor Carter, I am Edgardo Houseman."

The young man extended his hand to Dirk Carter.

Edgardo Houseman?

Dirk Carter felt a jolt upon hearing the name.

He indeed had never seen this face.

But the name wasn't resounding like thunder, yet he had heard it several times.

Edgardo Houseman belonged to the Houseman Family.

However, he wasn't from the direct line but was the youngest son of Jethro Houseman's brother, Dash Houseman.

Why did Dirk Carter hear of Edgardo Houseman's name?

Because Dirk Carter had thoroughly examined the Houseman Family's information, which indicated that among the third generation, most had not achieved much, seemingly lacking political acumen; only Edgardo Houseman showed a knack for politics.

At 29, he was already at the county level.

Now aged 32, roughly the same age as Dirk Carter.

He suddenly became Rasco Shaw's secretary.

Presumably, first, to leverage Rasco Shaw to leap from county to department level.

Then, to establish himself in Janton State.

Additionally, his role at Rasco Shaw's side should be as a strategist or supervisor.

Mobilizing such a promising third-generation leader from the Houseman Family to Rasco Shaw's side, what does this indicate?

It indicates the Houseman Family's emphasis on Rasco Shaw and on Janton State.

"Hello, I've heard your name."

Dirk Carter replied blandly.

Edgardo Houseman smiled politely and said, "Mayor Carter's name is also resounding to me. Please, the leader is waiting for you in the car."

The point of no return had been reached.

Dirk Carter took a deep breath.

Boarded the coaster.

Then.

The car door was shut from the outside.

Rasco Shaw sat at a small table in the middle.

Pouring a cup of tea from a thermos, leisurely sipping it.

"Meeting again, please sit."

Rasco Shaw pointed to the seat opposite.

Dirk Carter didn't flinch.

He sat down boldly.

"Sorry, there's only one cup, so I won't pour you any water."

"The leader's tea is always premium, I'm not used to it."

Dirk Carter remarked.

Rasco Shaw sneered with contempt.

Said, "Alright, let's not waste words, cut to the chase. You probably don't need me to elaborate on the current situation. With your intelligence, you should be able to guess what happened with Terrence Hall and the consequences it might lead to, correct?"

"Indeed, such matters are Governor Shaw's forte, hard for me not to guess."

Dirk Carter snorted coldly.

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