A Bumpy Road to Power

Chapter 546 546:

Koryn City Detention Center entrance.

A police car slowly drove in.

Dirk Carter, wearing handcuffs, was escorted out of the vehicle.

The officers from the Rexton City Police Department officially handed Dirk over to the detention center staff.

First, after a medical examination in the clinic, Dirk's belt and shoelaces were taken away, and he was dressed in a red vest.

From now on.

He was officially a detained criminal suspect.

On the way from the clinic to the cell.

Dirk felt indifferent.

Suddenly, the young correctional officer beside him whispered, "Secretary General Carter, I'm appointed by Director Pei. If you have any message, I can help pass it on."

Dirk was taken aback.

Understandingly, he squatted down.

The officer glanced around, pretending to scold, "What are you doing? Stand up."

"Officer, I have a stomachache."

Seizing the opportunity, Dirk also glanced around.

The young officer swiftly squatted down as well, and Dirk whispered something to him.

Then.

The officer forcibly pulled him up from the ground.

Escorted him into Cell 1012 of Block 1.

Detention centers are quite different from prisons.

Although both hold people, prisons incarcerate those sentenced and undergoing correction, that is, convicted criminals.

Detention centers hold suspects who haven't been tried or convicted yet.

There's a significant difference between the two.

Moreover, the living conditions vary greatly.

Detention centers mostly have shared sleeping platforms, with an aisle beside them for walking. Usually, a dozen or more inmates sit cross-legged on the platforms, spending most of their time either awaiting interrogation, meeting lawyers, or attending court sessions, while the rest is spent learning rules and regulations.

Upon entering the cell.

Dirk's handcuffs were also removed.

An intense-looking fellow with bushy eyebrows immediately stood up.

He walked up to Dirk and barked, "What crime are you in for?"

Without needing introduction, it was clear that this man was the cell leader.

Dirk ignored him and walked to the back of the platform, just about to take off his shoes and sit down.

The fellow nudged Dirk and asked, "I'm talking to you, what crime are you in for, and what's your name?"

"What's it to you?"

Dirk retorted.

"Oh, got quite the attitude, I like people with stiff attitudes, they're more challenging. Let me introduce myself, I'm Bill Bates, they call me Brother Bates. From now on, you'll stand as a penalty until your attitude softens, then we'll talk properly."

Bill Bates said commandingly.

"Penalty stand? Why?"

Dirk asked.

Bill Bates sneered, "Kid, I don't care who you were outside, here you damn well listen to me. I tell you to stand, you stand, no questions asked."

"Sorry, I'm tired, don't feel like standing!"

Dirk said, then took off his shoes, stood on the platform, and sat cross-legged.

"Oh, such a troublemaker, fine, don't stand, huh? Well, I'll make you lie down properly, fellas, let's teach him!"

Bill Bates gave the order.

Four or five people on the platform stood up in unison.

They closed in on Dirk.

Each stared at Dirk, like they were about to tear him apart.

"Will you stand?"

Bill Bates asked again.

Dirk glanced at those around him and said, "I'm in a bad mood, stay away."

"Oh, such arrogance, fellas, get him!"

Seeing Dirk doesn't regard him.

Four or five men rushed forward.

Though the space is tight at a detention center, difficult to use martial skills.

Dirk knocked down two men but was pinned by someone from behind onto the platform; the others joined in, pressing down, Dirk's strength couldn't match so many.

Swiftly restrained.

Bill Bates commanded, fists and kicks rained down.

Dirk soon exhausted.

Cuts and bruises all over, as Bill Bates said, unable to even stand.

Watching Dirk wincing and rolling on the platform.

Bill Bates stomped his face triumphantly, "Told you, through this door, you listen to me, go east when I say east, or your days won't be easy in here."

There were nearly twenty people in the cell.

As Dirk was beaten, the others didn't dare speak up for him.

Being beaten was one thing.

Bill Bates also denied Dirk food.

By evening, dinner was delivered to the cell, hungry Dirk didn't get a grain, clearly Bill Bates wanted him to submit.

As night fell.

Everyone lay down to sleep.

Bill Bates denied Dirk sleep, had him stand guard on duty.

Watching everyone sleep deeply.

Dirk took off his red vest, walked up to Bill Bates, twisted the vest into a rope and choked his neck.

The fierce suffocation instantly awakened Bill Bates.

Neck seized, only his limbs could scratch Dirk desperately, Dirk kept choking, couldn't pry Dirk's grip off, his henchmen kicked and punched Dirk till he couldn't hold, loosened the vest.

Only then did Bill Bates sit up, cough violently.

Took over ten minutes.

To recover from the scare.

Not yet appeased.

He kicked Dirk several times in angst.

"Damn, seeking death, try again and I'll kill you."

Seeing Dirk nearly immobile on the floor.

Bill Bates uneasily laid back on the bed.

Just dozed off, another deadly choking sensation came.

Opened eyes, Dirk's bloodshot eyes met again, the vest around his neck.

Henchmen punched and kicked again, laid Dirk out.

Experiencing a second round of death threat.

Bill Bates dared not sleep.

He lay watching Dirk curled on the floor, fear rising within him.

Couldn't resist sleepiness eventually.

Near dawn, Bill Bates drifted off again.

Snoring ensued.

Dirk on the ground suddenly opened eyes.

Propped hands, staggered up.

Took his red vest, wrapping it on wrists, looked up, Bill Bates already on bed staring wide-eyed.

Dirk braced for a third beating.

Unexpectedly, Bill Bates got off, knelt before Dirk, voice trembling, "Buddy, I'm wrong, won't mess with you again, spare me, from now you're the cell leader, I'll obey, alright..."

So it's true, soft fears hard, hard fears ruthless, ruthless fears daring, daring fears reckless.

Bill Bates at most was ruthless.

One night's ordeal.

Completely intimidated by Dirk.

Following week.

Life improved for Dirk.

Bill Bates was harsh to others, but reverent to Dirk.

During this time, Dirk gradually learned about Bill Bates.

More unexpectedly, he gained insights.

Bill Bates aged 36, notorious in Koryn City, favored loyalty, followed by a group of henchmen, gaining some "underworld" reputation.