A Bumpy Road to Power

"I won't leave; I won't leave today until I meet the leader."

"Why are you so stubborn? I know what you're here for today to see the leader. It's pointless. For the sake of your future, don't get involved, okay?"

Anton Lewis was completely well-intentioned.

As Bohdan Sherwood's secretary, no one understood his leader better than he did.

Stopping Dirk Carter was also to prevent him from offending the leader in this matter.

"Let him in."

Just as Dirk Carter was about to continue insisting.

A voice came from the yard.

It was undoubtedly Bohdan Sherwood's voice.

Anton Lewis glared at Dirk Carter.

The look was a warning for him not to speak recklessly.

Then, he pushed the door open and said, "Go in."

The yard wasn't very large.

There was no luxurious decoration.

The entire yard was divided into four patches of vegetable plots.

Each patch grew some seasonal vegetables.

Although it was already dark.

Bohdan Sherwood was still busy in the vegetable plots.

He seemed to be turning the soil for the vegetables.

When Dirk Carter came in.

He didn't get up.

It was only when Dirk Carter had stood behind him for a moment.

He put down the hoe in his hand, patted the dust off his body, and said, "Anton, go boil some water."

"Okay."

Anton Lewis walked straight into a room beside him.

Bohdan Sherwood said, "Follow me inside."

The two walked one after the other into the room Anton had entered first.

The room seemed to be a study, not very large, but the decor looked old, with some places where the plaster had fallen off and only newspaper pasted over as cover, which was in stark contrast to the Houseman's mansion, a real sky-and-earth difference.

"Top-grade rock tea, I don't entertain others with it easily, but since you're here, I'll let you drink some. It's your hometown's tea, isn't it?"

After sitting down.

Bohdan Sherwood started busying himself with the tea set.

At this moment.

Anton Lewis brought over the kettle.

He bowed slightly and then closed the door and went out.

When a steaming cup of tea was placed in front of Dirk Carter, he couldn't hold back anymore and called out, "Secretary Sherwood..."

Bohdan Sherwood directly interrupted him.

Pointing at the teacup, he said, "Drink the tea first; the first brew of rock tea is the best—don't waste it."

After saying this, he picked up his cup and took a sip.

Helplessly.

Dirk Carter had no choice but to comply.

Though the taste of the tea was indeed good, he had no interest in savoring it at the moment.

Just after finishing his tea.

Bohdan Sherwood poured him some more.

He asked, "How do you find the tea?"

"Very good, Secretary Sherwood..."

Opening his mouth again.

Bohdan Sherwood interrupted him once more.

He said, "Since it's good, have another sip; you've come rushing from Janton State, you must be thirsty."

This time.

Dirk Carter didn't drink.

He pushed the teacup slightly forward.

He said, "Secretary Sherwood, I'm here for a reason you are aware of. Even if you don't allow me to speak, I must say, regarding the Houseman affair, Jeanette wasn't wrong; not only was she not wrong, she has achievements, so..."

"So, you want me to release her?"

"Yes!"

"Impossible!"

Bohdan Sherwood said directly.

Dirk Carter wanted to explain.

Bohdan Sherwood said languidly, "The things the Houseman Family has done over the years, you should be aware of. While Jeanette has merits in this matter, she has also held the position of CEO in a major state-owned enterprise, during which she procured substantial benefits for the Houseman Family; based on this, I cannot release her."

"But..."

"Dirk Carter, you're too emotional; that's an error a qualified political figure shouldn't make. Politics is ruthless, without room for emotions, even if I do have high hopes for you, unless you change on this point, you won't achieve much in the future."

Bohdan Sherwood said with some regret.

Dirk Carter gritted his teeth and said, "I don't seek any great achievements; my role in this affair wasn't to curry favor with Secretary Sherwood; I'm just acting according to my conscience. I know the Houseman's evil deeds are endless, but Jeanette is different. On major issues, she knows what can be done and what cannot. If she made the right choice and yet ends up punished, won't it discourage some people? Who would dare stand out then?"

After Dirk Carter finished speaking.

Bohdan Sherwood did not react.

He continued sipping tea, pondering something.

After a moment of silence.

He looked up at Dirk Carter and asked, "If you have to give up what you currently have for Jeanette, are you willing?"

Dirk Carter didn't even think.

He nodded directly.

He said, "If Secretary Sherwood requires me to resign to save her, then I am willing, I can write the resignation letter right now."

This decision.

Evidently surprised Bohdan Sherwood.

A hint of astonishment flashed across his face.

Then he took a deep breath.

He said, "Letting her go is not impossible; I have two conditions. If you agree, I will release her."

"Please tell me."

Dirk Carter nodded excitedly.

Bohdan Sherwood sipped his tea.

He said, "The first condition, Jeanette must go abroad and renounce her citizenship, never returning to the country. Hear me clearly, I said never returning to the country."

This maneuver was ruthless.

Once Jeanette renounces her citizenship.

She can never participate in domestic politics again.

Even if she wants to rally Houseman followers later, it will be impossible.

Moreover.

Nevetheless ever returning to the country.

Means Jeanette becomes a loner; even seeing her family would be impossible.

Thinking of the more disastrous outcome.

Dirk Carter still nodded.

He said, "I agree on her behalf."

"Then the second condition, you leave Janton State and go to Novaria State."

Upon hearing this condition.

Dirk Carter felt a jolt inside.

Why this emotion?

It's quite simple.

The Novaria State is the Houseman's base; in the early days, Jethro Houseman rose from Novaria State, steadily reaching the position of State Committee Secretary, using this as a stepping stone, eventually reaching the pinnacle of power.

Before Elston Houseman became Governor, he had a tenure in Novaria State lasting over a decade.

Similarly.

Before Cullen Houseman joined the ministries, he served as Mayor in Novaria State for a period.

In other words.

Novaria State is the Houseman's stronghold.

Though the Houseman Family has sought expansion over the years, it has never relinquished control over Novaria State.

Many Houseman disciples are sent to Novaria State for training before being dispatched nationwide.

Although the Veridia City affair is confidential.

It can't be hidden from the Houseman's inner circle.

If Dirk Carter goes to Novaria State, they will hold him accountable for everything.

Thus, he would find himself besieged on all fronts.

Ruthless!

Too ruthless!

Such is Bohdan Sherwood.

No move ever goes to waste.

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