A Bumpy Road to Power

Chapter 436 436: Finding a Patron

So after he walked out the gate, he entered a snack shop located opposite the Municipal Committee Compound.

This shop being located opposite the Municipal Committee Compound indicated that its main clientele were the staff from the Committee Compound. Here, Dirk Carter was sure to obtain the news he wanted.

It wasn't mealtime yet.

There wasn't a single customer inside the shop.

The shop owner was a woman in her thirties, quite attractive.

Upon seeing Dirk Carter enter with a bag on his back, she immediately greeted him with a smile.

Dirk Carter ordered a bowl of noodles.

In about five minutes or so, steaming hot marinated noodles were served.

He lifted a chopstick full and stuffed it into his mouth.

He couldn't help but exclaim aloud, "Hmm? Delicious, surprisingly delicious indeed."

Upon hearing Dirk Carter's praise, the shop owner also became interested and laughed, "Is it that exaggerated, sir?"

Dirk Carter pretended to be surprised, saying, "Oh no, don't misunderstand me, I thought a young lady like you couldn't possibly make such delicious noodles. But I dare say, this place really has something hidden in its depths."

"Young? Where am I young? I'm already 38."

No woman dislikes hearing compliments.

Dirk Carter froze for a moment and asked, "38? You're 38?"

"What? Don't I look it?"

The shop owner asked with a flirtatious smile.

Dirk Carter vigorously shook his head and said, "38? Even if you said 28, I'd believe it. By my estimate, you're only about twenty-five or six."

After all, Dirk Carter is quite handsome.

The shop owner blushed upon hearing such praise from a handsome man.

She took a bottle of drink off the shelf and placed it before Dirk Carter, saying, "Your accent sounds like you're not from around here, right?"

"Yes, I'm from Serenity State, here to handle some affairs, but it hasn't been very smooth!"

The conversation had begun.

The shop owner glanced around and sat down across from Dirk Carter, asking, "Handling affairs in the city?"

"Yeah!"

Dirk Carter feigned a devouring manner, nodded, and said.

"Handling affairs in our city isn't that difficult. You probably don't understand the rules here, do you?"

Again, "rules" were mentioned.

Dirk understood and said, "Of course I understand the rules, but Secretary Zhao doesn't accept gifts."

"Secretary Zhao? Fabian Vincent?"

The shop owner was evidently quite familiar with the people of the Committee.

Dirk Carter nodded and said, "Yes, Fabian Vincent, Deputy Secretary."

The shop owner's brow furrowed, and she said, "Indeed, Secretary Zhao doesn't usually accept gifts. Asking him to handle affairs is troublesome."

"Sis, do you know Secretary Zhao?"

Calling her "sis" instantly closed the distance, pleasing the shop owner.

"Many cadres come to our shop every day for meals, bits and pieces can be heard. This Secretary Zhao sure is a unique character, it's said many trying to curry favor with him end up unsuccessful, and no one up or down seems to like him much."

Those words were Dirk Carter probing.

The evaluation within official circles isn't necessarily true.

But civilian evaluations tend to be more realistic.

It seemed Fabian Vincent could be trusted.

"Sis, I just heard at the Committee there was talk about Secretary Zhao investigating a leader in Koryn City. What did that leader do wrong?"

Dirk Carter intentionally lowered his voice to ask.

The shop owner was also very alert, glancing toward the door and saying, "Take it as gossip, don't say it came from me, a while ago there was a leader in Koryn City who used his position to force his female subordinate into relations, then the lady went and reported him. Secretary Zhao was going to deal with him, but that leader in Koryn City isn't a small figure. He was once a secretary to a state leader."

"When things blew up, just this morning, not long ago, the female subordinate went to the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, admitting she willingly had relations with the leader. I figure such an outcome isn't what Secretary Zhao wanted to see."

The leader in Koryn City mentioned by the shop owner.

No surprise, it was Cornell Morgan.

Last night, Wayne Ford from the Commission for Discipline Inspection and Sister Hua discussed this matter.

This morning early, the victim recanted, clearly the result of some intervention.

After knowing the rough situation.

Dirk Carter got the gist.

After finishing the noodles.

He wiped his mouth.

Took out his phone.

Dialed a number.

Roughly ten minutes later.

Dirk Carter returned to the Municipal Committee Compound, this time, knocking on Deputy Secretary Fabian Vincent's door.

Behind the desk sat a middle-aged man appearing around forty-five or six years old, not exactly old by rough estimate, yet half his hair had turned white.

After Dirk Carter was brought in by his secretary.

Fabian Vincent slowly raised his head.

And asked, "You say you're the one who called to report last night?"

"Yes!"

Dirk Carter nodded and said.

On Fabian Vincent's face was a hint of anger, since last night's empty-handed return felt like being played, but he held it in.

And asked, "Dirk Carter, was it fun?"

"Secretary Zhao, I wasn't playing, there was a reason last night..."

At this point.

Dirk Carter recounted his experiences from last night.

Initially, Fabian Vincent's face had a trace of disdain, but the more he listened to Dirk Carter's explanation, the more interested he seemed.

At last, he put down the pen in his hand.

Walked over to the sofa to sit down, gestured for Dirk Carter to sit too, and asked, "You mean Cornell Morgan's matter is being orchestrated by Sister Hua of Marriott International behind the scenes?"

"Yes, I saw it with my own eyes."

Dirk Carter said.

Fabian Vincent furrowed his brows and asked, "Why are you telling me this? Hoping for some benefit?"

"I want Secretary Zhao's protection."

"Why? You just arrived in Rexton City, didn't you?"

Fabian Vincent asked.

Dirk Carter said, "Last night, I ruined Secretary Zhang's good thing and offended Sister Hua. This means trouble is inevitable for me, so I definitely need to find someone to rely on."

"So you want me to be your backer?"

Fabian Vincent asked.

Dirk Carter smiled slightly and said, "Not exactly, after all, I am also of use to Secretary Zhao, so it's more mutual assistance."

"How can you help me?"

Dirk Carter sat down opposite Fabian Vincent.

And said, "Secretary Zhao, let me analyze my speculation, see if it makes sense. Last year, you proposed to establish an Economic Development District in Koryn City. At the beginning of this year, the idea was approved, and the Provincial Development and Reform Commission agreed to set up the Economic Development District in Koryn City. Shortly after the approval, the secretary of a provincial leader was transferred to Koryn City as a Municipal Committee Standing Member, Deputy County Head, and concurrently as the District Committee Secretary, and this person was Cornell Morgan, right?"

"Go on."

Fabian Vincent said.

Dirk Carter nodded slightly, saying, "I don't know the exact interests involved, but I know you certainly wouldn't want someone like Cornell Morgan as the head of the Economic Development District, which is why you wouldn't let go when Cornell Morgan had an incident."

Fabian Vincent didn't deny Dirk Carter's words.

He paused, and asked, "You still haven't said how you can help me?"