A Bumpy Road to Power

Chapter 497 497

Around ten in the morning.

The Joint Special Task Force arrived in Koryn City.

They borrowed a venue at the Koryn City Procuratorate and began their investigation work.

On the first day, many peripheral personnel were called to assist with the investigation, which left everyone in Cornell Morgan's faction on edge.

After all, the deceased was a member of the municipal committee, and the higher-ups were sure to take it seriously.

In the afternoon, Robert Shepherd was also called by the Special Task Force.

He wasn't released until four in the afternoon.

This meant he passed the first hurdle.

At this moment.

In the office of Secretary Jeff Hughes.

Secretary Wade Quincy and Office Director Bertrand Levin were a bit restless.

They were key members of Cornell Morgan's faction and knew it was only a matter of time before they were investigated by the task force. Just as they were feeling anxious, Secretary Hughes' assistant, Carla Vance, called, asking them to go to Jeff Hughes' office.

When they hurriedly arrived, they were informed that Hughes was still with the task force and had not returned, so they should wait a while.

And wait they did, for a full hour.

Wade Quincy was getting impatient.

He stood up and said to Bertrand Levin, "I can't wait any longer. If you want to stay, you stay. I'm heading back."

Just as he finished speaking.

The office door opened.

Jeff Hughes walked in and said, "Secretary Quincy, if you're busy, feel free to leave first. I'll have a chat with Director Levin."

Wade Quincy was taken aback.

Immediately, he replied, "No, no, now that you're back, Secretary Hughes, I wouldn't leave, ha ha..."

Jeff Hughes could easily see through his little scheme.

With a slight smile, he said, "Since Secretary Quincy is not in a hurry, how about we sit down and chat together?"

And they did.

For a full hour.

When the two of them emerged from Jeff Hughes' office, the gloom on their faces had lessened considerably.

It was clear that these two storm-tossed ships had found a new harbor to dock at.

That night.

At half-past seven.

In the upscale seafood restaurant, Taste of Elegance, in Koryn City.

Flower Sister was sitting in a private room, anxiously waiting.

The agreed meeting time was half-past six, and now she had been waiting for an hour.

After checking her watch countless times, the door to the private room finally opened, and Jeff Hughes arrived late.

"What's going on with you? You're a whole hour late. Do you have no sense of time?"

Flower Sister said irritably.

Jeff Hughes smiled slightly and said, "What? Flower Sister is getting impatient? If you don't want to wait, you didn't have to. After all, I'm busy too."

Flower Sister was taken aback.

She asked, "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing, really. I'm just afraid that if you wait too long, Flower Sister, you might waste your time, and that wouldn't be polite of me."

Jeff Hughes said.

Between the lines, there seemed to be a hint of sarcasm.

Flower Sister furrowed her brows and said, "Fine, but this is the last time. Let's get to business. I have someone I want you to arrange for the top position in the Economic Development District."

Saying this.

She handed a folded note to Jeff Hughes.

After Jeff Hughes opened it and took a glance, he pushed it back in front of Flower Sister, saying, "Sorry, Flower Sister, I've already arranged the top position in the Economic Development District, so you don't need to bother about it."

"You've arranged it? Who is it? Why didn't it go through me?"

Flower Sister asked in surprise.

Jeff Hughes laughed heartily and said, "Flower Sister, you must have misunderstood the situation. I am the top official in Koryn City. The position in the Economic Development District should be decided by me, so why should it have gone through you?"

Boom!

Flower Sister was jolted.

At that moment, she realized something.

With a cold laugh, she said, "What's this? Have your wings grown strong enough for you to fly solo? Don't forget, you are where you are because of my planning. Otherwise, how much clout would you have as the Party Secretary?"

As she spoke, Jeff Hughes' face remained indifferent.

He paused and said, "Flower Sister, you helped me just for the benefit in the Economic Development District. Now that it's in my hands, if you behave, I can still give you a piece of the pie. But if you're disobedient, then sorry, any benefits in the Economic Development District have nothing to do with you."

"Bang!"

Flower Sister slapped the table in anger.

"Jeff Hughes, I can elevate you, and I can also bring you down."

"Feel free to try."

Jeff Hughes said with an expressionless face.

Flower Sister sneered.

She picked up her phone and dialed a number. Once connected, Flower Sister said, "Boone Jacobson, come in here."

After hanging up, just a minute later.

Boone Jacobson walked into the private room.

Flower Sister looked coldly at Jeff Hughes and said to Boone Jacobson, "Inform everyone that, from now on, we're withdrawing all support for Jeff Hughes. I'd like to see how much he amounts to without my backing."

Boone Jacobson didn't move.

Not even a single movement.

Flower Sister froze and scolded, "Did you not hear what I said?"

Still, Boone Jacobson showed no reaction.

Jeff Hughes lit a cigarette and said, "Mr. Jacobson, I heard you quite fancy Flower Sister, right?"

"Heh heh, I do quite like her."

Boone Jacobson's eyes greedily scanned Flower Sister's body.

Infuriated, Flower Sister swung a slap toward Boone Jacobson.

But after all, she was just a woman, and Boone Jacobson easily caught her hand mid-air.

With a strong push, Flower Sister staggered and sat back onto her chair.

"Flower Sister, don't be hasty. Secretary Hughes hasn't finished speaking, so let's take our time and talk."

With those words, Flower Sister felt her heart leap into her throat.

Jeff Hughes exhaled a smoke ring and said, "Flower Sister, do you think with the current situation, anyone in Koryn City would dare not to listen to me? Now that I have control over Koryn City, why should I let you manipulate me?"

The situation was clear now.

Jeff Hughes had lost control.

This was something Flower Sister had not anticipated from the start.

Not only had he lost control, but everyone else had as well. Those she had painstakingly won over had now all pledged allegiance to Jeff Hughes, which meant she was merely making a wedding dress for others.

Actually, this wasn't surprising.

Human nature is inherently greedy.

Especially for someone like Jeff Hughes.

A man who had been impoverished all his life suddenly experiencing success and wealth—this was a dangerous sign.

If he could monopolize everything, why would he let others have a share of the most significant portions?

Flower Sister's entire strategy revolved around Jeff Hughes. Now that Cornell Morgan was dead and Robert Shepherd was about to be sanctioned, Jeff Hughes essentially had sole control over Koryn City, so why would he allow himself to be manipulated?

Every plan was flawless.

Except they overlooked the base instincts of human nature.

Right now, it was too late for regrets.

"Jeff Hughes, Boone Jacobson, you ungrateful bastards, I've always wondered why Geraldine would kill Cornell Morgan. Now I understand, it's your doing, isn't it?"

Flower Sister rebuked.

Boone Jacobson grinned sleazily and said, "You are mistaken. Sending Fridolin Golding and Geraldine to Cornell Morgan's side was your doing, Flower Sister, what does it have to do with us?"

With this statement, Boone Jacobson essentially admitted it indirectly.