A Bumpy Road to Power

"Secretary Zechariah, may I ask you a question?"

Dirk Carter suddenly asked.

Randall Zechariah nodded and said, "Go ahead."

Dirk Carter let out a long sigh.

He said, "Secretary Zechariah, even with Gwendolyn Lewis confessing, you're taking the risk of offending Governor Braddock Yarbrough by making a special trip to Veridia City. You must have your reasons, don't you?"

Randall Zechariah's expression turned serious.

After a pause, he said, "In principle, I don't have to tell you the reasons, but since you're asking, I don't mind saying a few words. If I'm involved, I surely have gotten what I wanted. After all, as you know, interests come first. You're lucky to have someone cleaning up your mess while you get into trouble outside. Well, that's all I can say. Still, you have only four days. If you can't uncover the cause of Terrence Hall's death in four days, then I will have no choice but to handle Comrade Gwendolyn Lewis in accordance with the law and regulations."

After saying this.

Randall Zechariah left.

Standing in the pavilion.

Dirk Carter thought for a long time, unable to figure out who the person cleaning up after him might be.

He really wanted to find Dahlia Hughes to clarify the truth.

She must know something.

But what would be gained from doing so?

Isn't solving the case more important right now?

Investigating the case is something he's not in a position to handle directly.

He has to rely on Elbert Rivers.

Though he can't directly participate.

He can still support Elbert Rivers indirectly.

After Elbert Rivers returns to the precinct, he will certainly be troubled by Braddock Yarbrough.

What Dirk Carter can do is help Elbert Rivers establish his footing at Alba Spire Precinct.

As a deputy mayor, he clearly has no authority to interfere with internal personnel adjustments at the police bureau, but there is someone who can, and that is Director Kent Hamilton.

Now.

The gifts given to Kent Hamilton should start taking effect.

With this thought.

Dirk Carter knocked on Secretary Cora Young's office door.

Cora Young these days was completely absent-minded and distracted.

No wonder.

After losing a lifetime's worth of "money," anyone would feel the pain.

"Ah, Mayor Carter, is there something you need?"

Seeing Dirk Carter, Cora Young was somewhat surprised.

Dirk Carter smiled and said, "Apologies, Secretary Young, for disturbing your work."

"You're here to ask about the Terrence Hall case, aren't you? Our Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection isn't involved with this case. The State Commission for Discipline Inspection has already taken the documents, so I can't provide you with any answers."

Cora Young, being sharp, immediately discerned Dirk Carter's intention and cut off his hopes before he could speak.

Regardless, Cora Young is part of the Norman Ross faction.

Dirk Carter waved his hands repeatedly and said, "Secretary Young, you've misunderstood. Even if our commission were investigating, I am not entitled to inquire, I understand organizational discipline."

"Oh? Then what is it about?"

Cora Young asked.

Dirk Carter smiled broadly, reached into his pocket, and pulled out an envelope, pushing it towards Cora Young, saying, "There's a small issue I would like Secretary Young to help handle."

Cora Young paused.

Took the envelope, opened it, and glanced inside.

It was a supermarket gift card.

However, the card's value was quite high, a full fifty thousand yuan.

For a "greatly suffering" Cora Young.

Seeing an "income" again, her eyes shone brightly.

But her face still maintained a righteous demeanor and she asked, "Mayor Carter, what do you mean by this?"

Dirk Carter kept smiling as he said, "I have a friend who works at the police bureau. Recently, he made a small mistake and is under suspension and review. In a few days, it might get handed over to the commission. I was wondering if..."

The rest of the words, Dirk Carter didn't say directly, dragging out his tone to see Cora Young's reaction.

Cora Young, being experienced.

Immediately grasped the gist of it from a cursory listen.

She asked, "What exactly is this about?"

"It's actually nothing major, just went to a nightspot after hours, and got into a disagreement with someone over a hostess. The other party wasn't easygoing and reported him directly."

After Dirk Carter explained.

Cora Young secretly let out a sigh of relief.

Indeed, it wasn't anything major.

She furrowed her brows and asked, "Mayor Carter, what do you think is the best way to handle this?"

Cleverly, she tossed the burden back to Dirk Carter.

But Dirk Carter didn't mind.

He laughed and said, "Secretary Young, this matter isn't really that significant. I was hoping Secretary Young could speak to Director Kent about it. After all, Secretary Young knows I haven't been here long, and my relations aren't fully established. If Secretary Young is willing to help, my friend even said this is just half; after it's done, there's another half."

Such a small matter, just a few words could earn her ten thousand yuan. Cora Young was tempted.

She quickly said, "Mayor Carter, aren't we all colleagues here? If there's help to be given, certainly it should be extended. Since Mayor Carter has asked, if I don't agree, wouldn't that seem ungracious? Fine, if that's the case, I'll make the trip. I have a good relationship with Director Kent. Let's see what the actual situation is when I get there."

Cora Young agreed.

This meant Dirk Carter's plan was halfway successful.

She promptly arranged for a vehicle, driving directly into the gates of the municipal police bureau.

Upon knocking on the door of Kent Hamilton's office.

A disheveled female police assistant hurriedly ran out.

Kent Hamilton was the same.

There was a faint lipstick mark on his neck.

It was not hard to imagine what had just happened between them.

For Cora Young's sudden arrival.

Kent Hamilton was also surprised.

He hastily tidied up his clothes.

And said, "Secretary Young, please have a seat. I'll make you some tea."

With that, he quickly got up to fetch tea leaves.

At this moment.

As Cora Young's eyes scanned the office, her gaze landed on a porcelain vase by the bookshelf.

There was no need to say it, this porcelain vase was the one Dirk Carter had "given" to Kent Hamilton.

Others might not recognize it.

But Cora Young, with just a glance.

Recognized it immediately. Wasn't this the same vase that had disappeared from her "vault"?

She shuddered.

Then stood up.

Walked straight to the vase, and asked Kent Hamilton, "Director Kent, this is a lovely vase. Where did you get it?"

Kent Hamilton, just about to make tea.

When asked by Cora Young, he thought she was interested in the vase and, feeling flustered, said, "Oh, it was a gift from a friend—just a worthless piece, so I displayed it in my office."

"Oh? A friend gave it? Could Director Kent introduce this friend to me?"

Cora Young asked, suppressing her inner agitation.

To say it was given by Dirk Carter?

Of course not!

After all, everyone knew the relationship between Norman Ross and Dirk Carter. If he admitted receiving something from Dirk Carter, how would he explain it to Norman Ross?

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