A Bumpy Road to Power

Chapter 477 477: Give an Explanation

Dirk Carter chuckled and said, "Cornell Morgan thinks the same way."

9:30 AM.

The conference room for the Party Committee Standing Committee meeting at the Municipal Committee Building.

When Dirk Carter entered, aside from Secretary Hughes and Mayor Robert Shepherd, who had not yet arrived, the other members of the Standing Committee were all present.

Initially, everyone was whispering among themselves.

As Dirk Carter walked in, the meeting room instantly fell silent.

Everyone had a different expression.

Unconcerned, those aligned with Jeff Hughes nodded slightly in acknowledgment to Dirk.

Those aligned with Robert Shepherd showed little reaction.

Those aligned with Cornell Morgan, however, stared at Dirk with an unfriendly demeanor.

Executive Deputy Mayor Cletus Lane was lying on the table, asleep.

Deputy Secretary Carly Lambert was busy reviewing documents.

As for Disciplinary Secretary Josias Rayburn, his face was indifferent, as if completely uninterested in Dirk's entrance.

"Oh, isn't this Minister Carter? I heard the minister has been quite busy these past few days. Indeed, it's as if the new broom sweeps clean, leaving our bewildered Koryn City in disarray."

The tone was sarcastic and ambiguous.

It was Bertrand Levin, the Municipal Office Director, speaking.

Just as Bertrand finished speaking.

Wade Quincy, the Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee, said, "Of course, Minister Carter is young and vigorous, always needing to make a mark; otherwise, what's the point of being a city leader?"

Dirk Carter chuckled, standing at his position.

He looked towards Bertrand Levin's direction and asked, "Director Levin, just returned from a grave visit?"

Bertrand's face darkened, and he asked, "What do you mean?"

"The way you're speaking, so full of sarcasm, I thought you'd just come back from visiting a grave."

As soon as Dirk said this.

The Minister of the Armed Forces Division, Leo Zane, burst into laughter.

Bertrand, feeling humiliated, turned red and scolded, "Dirk Carter, watch your words. Even if we are equals, I am your elder. You ought to show some respect."

"Elder? Shouldn't I then respect the old and care for the young? Would you like to take my seat?"

Dirk Carter pointed to his own seat.

Within the system, seating order is very particular.

Each member of the Standing Committee has a ranking within the system.

Dirk Carter, as the Minister of Organization, ranks sixth, right after Disciplinary Secretary Josias Rayburn.

Meanwhile, Bertrand Levin as the Municipal Office Director ranks twelfth.

Already sitting in the corner of the meeting table.

With this question, Bertrand was left speechless.

Who among those present couldn't hear the subtext in Dirk Carter's words? He was hinting to Bertrand that by ranking, Dirk Carter ranks higher, so Bertrand should show him some respect.

Just as he was preparing a retort, Jeff Hughes and Robert Shepherd walked in, one after the other.

"Let's start the meeting."

Jeff Hughes casually tossed a folder onto the table.

This gesture made everyone realize that today's meeting might not be so smooth.

Jeff Hughes' eyes swept around the meeting room.

Cleared his throat and said, "Routine Standing Committee meeting, two topics, the first one regarding the situation of Ding Jianmu, the village chief of Cranhilla Village in Havenbrook Town. Comrade Robert Shepherd, would you please report?"

Robert Shepherd nodded.

He said, "Next, I will report on the situation of Comrade Bennettson Dixon."

He picked up a document.

Read aloud the criminal issues involving Bennettson Dixon, word for word.

There was little surprise among those present.

It seemed that over the weekend, everyone who needed to be informed had already received the news.

"Comrades, aren't you surprised? Aren't you terrified? A mere village chief managed to oppress the common people to such an extent; it's simply unfathomable. Before this, did none of the regulatory bodies notice anything? Are you all just useless?"

Jeff Hughes became more agitated as he spoke.

Especially Josias Rayburn, whose face turned from pale to flushed.

It was clear that he was holding in a lot of anger.

In contrast.

On Cornell Morgan's face, there was sheer satisfaction.

The angrier Jeff Hughes got, the more it suited him.

When it was time for him to speak.

Cornell quickly said, "Secretary Hughes, I believe this has nothing to do with regulatory oversight. It's solely the personal actions of Comrade Ilario Sinclair."

After saying this, he glanced at Josias Rayburn.

Josias returned a grateful look.

In such a situation, it was most inconvenient for Josias Rayburn to defend himself. Providing help in times of need is something anyone would be grateful for.

Receiving Josias' response.

Cornell felt even more pleased.

Everything was unfolding as he had planned.

Cornell said, "The situation with Comrade Bennettson Dixon indeed requires self-reflection from all of us. However, there's another issue at play here. If Comrade Dirk Carter had already grasped the criminal evidence, why didn't he report to Secretary Hughes? Even Secretary Rayburn wasn't informed; doesn't this indicate some ulterior motives? I wouldn't know."

What a tactic.

In one sentence, he directly pitted Dirk Carter against Jeff Hughes and Josias Rayburn.

Plus, considering Dirk had Robert Shepherd make a move in this matter.

It's hard not to suspect that Dirk has already sided with Robert Shepherd.

Dirk Carter looked over at Cornell, who also looked back, eyes wild and challenging, as if telling Dirk, even if I gave you the position of district chief of The Economic Development District, I won't let you off easy.

"Exactly, Minister Carter, I believe you owe the Standing Committee an explanation for this matter, particularly to Secretary Rayburn."

The opportunity to kick someone when they're down should not be missed in leadership.

A simmering Bertrand Levin immediately stood up and questioned Dirk Carter.

The purpose was simple, to provoke animosity between Dirk Carter and Josias Rayburn.

Wade Quincy wasn't to be outdone either.

He said, "Indeed, Minister Carter, you should explain this properly. Otherwise, if the public doesn't know the situation, they might genuinely think Secretary Rayburn isn't as capable as you, Minister Carter."

More oil to the fire.

Everyone's eyes turned to Dirk, seeming to await his explanation.

Seeing Cornell's confident demeanor.

Dirk Carter slowly stood up.

He asked, "Must I say it?"

"Of course, you owe an explanation to the Standing Committee, right? Otherwise, if the higher-ups pursue this, you, Dirk Carter, might get credited, but what about Secretary Rayburn? He might end up with a reprimand, right?"

Cornell's words brought the ploy of diverting trouble to its peak.

Before the meeting began.

Cornell and his two allies had already conspired.

The goal of this Standing Committee meeting was simply to amplify the discord between Dirk Carter and Josias Rayburn. This way, they could both attack Dirk and bring Josias under their wing, achieving two goals with one act.

This strategy was devised by Cornell.

At this moment, naturally, he was feeling triumphant.

Dirk was cornered.

He had no choice but to respond.

After pausing, he said, "Alright, since I have to say it, I might as well. Actually, none of you know, I didn't obtain any criminal evidence against Bennettson Dixon; all this evidence was given to me by Secretary Rayburn. He said the case involved internal staff from the disciplinary committee, and Comrade Ilario Sinclair was someone he personally promoted. If he handled it, there might be a suspicion of covering up, so on the day Secretary Rayburn went to the city for a meeting, I was simply following his prearranged instructions."

As soon as the words were spoken.

The room was stunned.

Jeff Hughes was dumbfounded; Robert Shepherd was dumbfounded; Cornell was also dumbfounded.

The most surprised of all was Josias Rayburn.

He was filled with anger, suddenly struck silent, mouth agape in astonishment.

Even Cletus Lane, who had been asleep, raised his head…