A Bumpy Road to Power

He told Dirk Carter that the person he wanted to marry was his own wife.

Therefore, the entire process should be as grand as he can manage. If he can't make it more extravagant, then he won't have any regrets.

Fortunately, Elaine Nolan was used to big events.

And she thought Arlo Yarbrough was quite thoughtful.

The wedding car was arranged by Arlo himself, and there wasn't a single luxury car.

The Ronan Grand Hotel hosted a total of six tables.

Mostly relatives and colleagues from Elaine's side; as for Arlo's side, apart from Dirk and his sister, there was no one else.

In fact.

He really didn't have many relatives left.

If it weren't for George Carter back then, he might have ended up like many others from his village, working odd jobs and learning a trade, living an ordinary life.

So for everything he has now.

Arlo Yarbrough is still very grateful.

After the wedding ended.

Dirk Carter stayed with the child for a few days.

Took her to the amusement park and the zoo.

After not seeing her for more than half a year, Penny was already toddling around.

The only regret was that she wasn't close to Dirk.

This was the price he had to pay for being away from home for so long.

Warm and joyous times always fly by quickly.

A week passed in the blink of an eye.

Several phone calls from the Novaria State Committee urged Dirk to take office.

There was no way around it.

Dirk had to bid farewell to his wife, Dorothy Zechariah, and set off for Novaria State.

It was mentioned before that Novaria State borders Serenity State, located to the north of Serenity. Dirk's new appointment, Silverwood City, also borders Ardmore City in Serenity State.

Let's focus on Silverwood City here.

Silverwood City is located at the junction of three provinces.

Since ancient times, it has been known as the "strategic point of three provinces."

South of Serenity State's Ardmore City, east of Kendale City in Pretona State.

Silverwood City's total population is about seven million, with four districts and seven counties, and it administers a county-level city.

Aside from that.

Silverwood City is a standard tourist city.

It has four 5A-level scenic spots, not to mention numerous other tourist attractions.

Logically, the city's economy should be good, but it is not.

In the scope of Novaria State, Silverwood City's economic ranking is fifth. On a national scale, it's not ranked at all.

Of course.

Apart from Silverwood City's lackluster economic performance.

Novaria State's economy isn't competitive nationwide either.

Looking at the map, the top ten economic provinces in the country happen to encircle Novaria State, which suggests the issue isn't geographic but likely a matter of policy and governance.

Or more bluntly, it's an issue with Novaria State's leadership.

Such a result is hardly surprising.

Novaria State has long been under the influence of the Houseman Family, turning it into a blood bank replenishing the Houseman Family's resources.

With such a greedy parasite in place, how can Novaria State's economy thrive?

Dirk's reassignment to Novaria State by Bohdan Sherwood.

Besides training him, there was another reason: to hope that Dirk could break through the political scene in Novaria State.

Only if one city achieves success and experience in purging corruption can widespread reforms be implemented in Novaria State.

But all this is easier said than done.

Dirk knew it too.

As soon as he arrived in Novaria State, he would face resistance and suppression, making this appointment full of uncertainty, leaving even someone as confident as him feeling a bit uneasy.

It's about six hundred kilometers from Ronan City to the provincial capital, Prospera City, in Novaria State.

The train journey takes a full six hours.

Fortunately, Dorothy reserved a first-class soft sleeper for him; otherwise, this six-hour journey would've been quite unbearable.

Six hours' journey.

Not many people book soft sleeper cabins.

When Dirk opened the door and entered, he found that the cabin, which could accommodate four, had only him alone, but that was good. At least he wouldn't be disturbed along the way.

Just as he set down his luggage and took out a book to read, he heard a scratching sound behind him.

That was the sound of the cabin door opening.

Turning his head sharply, he saw a woman wearing a mask and a baseball cap at the door.

The woman was quite tall.

Probably over one meter seventy.

Her whole face was covered, making it impossible to see, but from her eyes, which were exposed, he could tell her eyelashes were long.

Her large eyes flickered, indeed quite beautiful.

The woman wore a black designer shirt, clearly very high-end.

She wore a long skirt resembling a horse face skirt.

Carried a luxury handbag, looking clean, neat and elegant.

Upon seeing Dirk, she paused for a moment.

She seemed surprised to find someone else in the cabin.

"Why don't you go in?"

A man's voice suddenly came from behind the woman.

At this point, the speaking man also appeared.

The man appeared to be in his thirties.

Wearing a baseball cap identical to the woman's, sunglasses perched on his nose.

His height was about one meter seventy as well, but visually, he looked even shorter than the woman.

The man pushed a suitcase, glanced inside the cabin. Upon seeing Dirk sitting on the bed, he couldn't help but frown.

"What did Xiao Zhang do wrong? Didn't I tell him to book a private compartment? Why is there someone else here?"

After the woman sat down.

The man complained while pushing the suitcase inside.

The woman was obviously more sensible, saying, "It's okay, it's just a six-hour journey, it'll be over soon."

"I'm not used to being under the same roof with others."

The man muttered.

Sat opposite Dirk.

Tapped the table with his hand, speaking to Dirk who was reading: "Hey, you..."

Dirk paused.

Pointed at himself with his finger, asking, "Are you talking to me?"

"There's just the three of us here. If not you, who else am I talking to—a ghost?"

The man spoke quite rudely.

Dirk didn't mind.

Asked, "Is there something you need?"

"Let's discuss something. How about I cover your ticket cost today? You leave this compartment and ask the attendant to arrange another one for you."

The man said somewhat high-handedly.

Dirk was taken aback, chuckled, "I think this compartment is fine, no need to change."

"Hey man, are you not understanding my words? My girlfriend and I want to stay in this compartment, you—go find another one!"

"Why? I bought a ticket for this compartment."

Dirk responded.

Hearing this, the man looked a bit frustrated, about to raise his hand to slam the table, when the woman stopped him: "I told you, it's just six hours, it'll be over soon, don't be so unreasonable, okay?"

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