A Bumpy Road to Power

Chapter 464 464: Fraud and Deception

"Well, I can't really come forward for this matter."

Cornell thought for a while before he spoke.

Ilario grew anxious upon hearing that.

He quickly said, "Mayor Morgan, you must save me. If you help me, I promise I'll pay you back."

"It's not about repayment, Minister Sinclair. I'm just a minor deputy mayor, while Minister Carter is the organizational minister, ranking higher than me. In a sense, he's my superior, right?"

He thought Cornell was refusing.

Ilario looked helpless.

He was just about to stand up.

Cornell suddenly grabbed his hand and said, "Minister Sinclair, I've heard you have a lady friend working at the bank. She's quite impressive, isn't she?"

This remark made Ilario shiver.

The woman Cornell mentioned was Níngo, Ilario's kept mistress.

Being in the political circle, everyone is quite shrewd.

Ilario immediately grasped Cornell's intention.

This is a negotiation.

Given the dire situation, there's no time to worry about women.

He quickly nodded and said, "Mayor Morgan, if you appreciate her, how about I act as the intermediary this noon?"

"It's not appreciation, but admiration. Having a meal together sometime isn't out of the question."

Cornell smiled warmly as he spoke.

Ilario cursed an old fox in his heart, but he forced a smile and said, "Please enlighten me, Mayor Morgan."

Cornell crossed his legs.

With an air of ease, he said, "Cranhilla Village is a remote, impoverished area. The village leader wouldn't typically interact with city officials. So if any person randomly claims to be a city leader there, wouldn't it be a big joke?"

Ilario was taken aback.

He asked, "Is this doable?"

Ilario lit a cigarette and said leisurely, "What's doable or not doable? Pretending to be a city leader is deception and can lead to a lawsuit. But still, we need to caution the people below. If someone acts recklessly and accidentally kills someone, the police won't let them off easily."

The words weren't explicit.

But they gave Ilario a hint.

Right now, there's no other choice.

He could only grit his teeth and take this path.

About five minutes later.

Bennettson, accompanied by Bastien, returned to Dirk Carter.

Seeing his hands empty, Dirk asked, "Director Dixon, didn't you say you'd return with the documents for me to see? Where are your documents?"

Bennettson suddenly sneered, looked at Dirk, and said, "Who do you think you are? Why should village committee documents be shown to you?"

Attitude dramatically changed.

Bear in mind, before leaving, he was still timid, akin to a lap dog.

Yet in less than ten minutes, his demeanor was unrecognizable—a village leader daring to speak in such a tone to a city official was tantamount to courting death.

Genevieve angrily said, "Bennettson, what's wrong with you? Are you tired of being the village leader?"

Bennettson turned to his son Bastien and asked, "Who is this woman?"

Bastien shook his head and said, "I don't know her."

"And who is this man?"

Bennettson asked again.

Bastien's gaze was malicious as he said, "Pretending to be a city official—probably a deceiver."

"Oh, a deceiver, so we shouldn't be polite, right? Shall we beat him first and then send him to the station? Isn't that the process?"

Bennettson asked.

The father and son were playing off each other.

Dirk understood.

Since a breakthrough was impossible, they decided to pretend not to recognize "the leader."

If they don't recognize, even if beaten, it's futile.

Moreover, Dirk knew that once choosing this path, what happens next is beyond control.

"Hehe, Bennettson, you're just a fool. Those above are pushing you into the fire pit."

Dirk coldly laughed and said.

Bennettson looked arrogant.

He said, "What fire pit are you talking about? I don't know what you're saying. Come on, folks, grab this deceiver for me."

The security team usually takes cues from the Dixon family father and son. Moreover, during the short absence, plans were made and someone was already positioned to act ruthlessly among them.

Orders were given.

A few security members rushed forward.

Dirk shielded Genevieve and Arden Rivers behind him.

The Leopard Cat charged forward to meet them.

In the blink of an eye, the fight began.

Three to five people couldn't capture Dirk, nor could two or three capture The Leopard Cat.

Not to say they could take on ten.

A battle with seven or eight was manageable.

In an instant, the first wave of approaching security members was knocked down.

More people surged forward.

No matter how strong, two fists cannot match four hands; even a fierce tiger cannot withstand a pack of wolves.

Plus, the opponents held rubber batons, after a few rounds, The Leopard Cat was struggling.

Finding an opening.

He glared at Dirk and asked, "Are you still planning to watch?"

Dirk chuckled and said, "I thought you could handle it."

After this, he quickly joined the fray.

The two teamed up, putting the security team at a disadvantage again.

Bastien wasn't idle either; he called for reinforcements as soon as the fight started.

Gradually, more people gathered.

Not only were Dirk and The Leopard Cat getting overwhelmed.

A few others encircled Genevieve and Arden Rivers.

These two women, although not exceptionally strong, were much tougher than weaklings. After withstanding for a while, Genevieve was knocked down first.

Then, Arden was captured by two men.

Dirk was hit on the back by a baton, stumbled a few steps, and fell to the ground, only to be swarmed and pinned down.

To save Dirk.

The Leopard Cat was surrounded by a few men too, unable to break free.

By this time, Dirk knew they were overwhelmed; the opponent's numbers had suddenly jumped from ten to over twenty. With just him and The Leopard Cat, unless reborn as war gods, they were truly defeated.

"Dirk, why haven't they come yet?"

Genevieve, her arms restrained, asked.

Dirk, his face pressed to the ground, had been watching the distance. At this point, dust began to billow from the remote dirt road. He exhaled deeply and said, "They're here."

They've arrived.

Indeed, they've arrived.

Just as Bennettson prepared to signal someone to commit murder.

Sirens blared.

Next, a convoy of police cars roared through.

With a screech.

A series of emergency stops.

The car doors opened.

Fully armed police officers swiftly got out, guns drawn, surrounding the scene.

Then.

Accompanied by several policemen.

Robert Shepherd, the mayor of Koryn City, and Irving Pace, the deputy mayor and director of public security bureau, walked over briskly.

Under the severe deterrence of the police.

Dirk was released.

He climbed off the ground, brushing off the dust.

He said, "Mayor Shepherd, you really came in the nick of time."

Robert glanced at him and teasingly said, "It's only fair to let Minister Carter experience the anxiety, right?"

There was a hidden meaning.

Dirk had held Sydney Tanner hostage, making Robert anxious these past few days.

An eye for an eye, after all.

Upon seeing Robert.

Bennettson was dumbfounded.

Even his lips started trembling.

He stammered, "Mayor... Mayor Shepherd... Why... why are you here?"