A Bumpy Road to Power

Chapter 553 553: The Root Cause

Although he disliked Aurelius Hughes's attitude.

This trip to Argentum was very important for Dirk Carter.

Whether he could return to the political arena depended on this opportunity.

He cleared his throat, took a sip of the tea Nora Hughes had prepared, looked in Aurelius Hughes's direction, and asked, "Secretary Hughes, in your view, what is the fundamental reason that the Hughes Family is not as strong as the Houseman Family?"

"What else could it be? Everyone knows the family elders are at different levels, Jethro Houseman is half a rank higher than my father."

Aurelius Hughes replied with irritation.

Dirk Carter smiled slightly and said, "That's just the most superficial reason. In my opinion, the fundamental reason the Houseman Family is stronger than the Hughes Family is that the second generation of the Houseman Family is generally involved in politics. From the perspective of branching out, the Hughes Family can't compare to the Houseman Family."

Indeed.

The Houseman Family consists of four siblings.

The eldest, Elston Houseman, serves as governor of a northern province, the second, Cullen Houseman, is a deputy minister in a department, the third, Vernon Houseman, is the president of a university, and the fourth, Jeanette Houseman, is a CEO in a state-owned enterprise.

These four people have almost encompassed the local, ministerial, academic, and state-owned sectors.

They complement each other.

For example, Vernon Houseman being a university president ensures that the Houseman Family can cultivate future forces. These newly graduated students are sent to the territories of Elston, Cullen, or even Jeanette for training, and they continue to branch out nationwide, holding power in various fields. In this way, is there any faction's power that can compare with the Houseman Family?

In contrast, the Hughes Family.

Aurelius Hughes serves as the head in a department.

Grant Hughes is a senior executive in a large state-owned enterprise.

The third and fourth siblings are in private enterprises.

Although economics is also an extension of politics, comparatively, the overall strength lacks significantly.

"Little Yan and Little Nora have no interest in politics, there's nothing we can do about it, and as the eldest, we can't force them."

Aurelius Hughes said.

Dirk Carter nodded.

He said, "What I just pointed out is only the current situation of your generation. In the long run, the Hughes Family might surpass the Houseman Family."

Aurelius Hughes was stunned and asked, "What do you mean?"

Dirk Carter continued, "With the further development of the economy, the political landscape across the country has shifted to an era where the economy reigns supreme. Although the Houseman Family holds half the sky in the political arena, they have made little achievement economically. This is also why the next generation of Elston Houseman and others have started to engage in business."

"On the contrary, the commercial empires of the Hughes Family's two ladies are already beginning to take shape. The Houseman Family keenly noticed this, so they want to be straightforward and ruthless, by directly cutting off the third generation of the Hughes Family!"

This sentence made Aurelius Hughes's heart skip a beat.

Dirk Carter continued, "I found the case of Teresa Thorne unreasonable from beginning to end. A dancer from a theater who can mobilize so many resources, kill at will, silence others, and still control someone like Bennett Kane, not to mention having many political resources in Rexton City at her disposal. I always thought it was because of Teresa Thorne's brilliant methods, but an incident later completely changed my perspective..."

"What incident?"

"While I was in custody, I was assassinated by a killer. Later, I learned from this killer that the person who wanted to assassinate me was none other than Elston Houseman's eldest son, Elihu Houseman, the eldest grandson of the Houseman Family."

Once Dirk Carter said this.

Aurelius Hughes and Nora Hughes, who was brewing tea, exchanged glances.

Obviously, they were also quite shocked by this news.

They naturally already knew about Teresa Thorne's actions, but they didn't know why the Houseman Family became involved in it.

"Are you saying the whole thing was actually orchestrated by the Houseman Family?"

Aurelius Hughes asked.

Dirk Carter nodded.

Aurelius Hughes continued to ask, "What benefit do they gain from doing such a thing?"

"Let's discuss this step by step, starting with a question for Secretary Hughes. In your opinion, who has a better background, Cassandra Ford or Teresa Thorne?"

"Of course, it's Cassandra."

Aurelius Hughes said without hesitation.

Dirk Carter nodded slightly and said, "Indeed, Cassandra Ford's death is a blow to the Hughes Family. Based on Mrs. Ford's strength back then, if she were still alive, she would likely have secured a position in the Ministry of Commerce. Her future achievements might not necessarily be lower than... than Miss Nora Hughes..."

"I admit, my sister-in-law was always a strong woman."

Nora Hughes nodded, not showing any anger.

"With Mrs. Ford's death, Teresa Thorne skilfully entered the Hughes Family. Once she joined, your son Ashton Hughes also died. This move was brilliant—not only did it cut off your lineage, but because of Ashton Hughes's death, conflicts arose between the Hughes Family and the Donovan Family. As a result, the Hughes and Donovan Families can't unite, can they?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Aurelius Hughes pondered for a while and said, "Indeed, after Ashton's death, the relationship between the Hughes and Donovan Families worsened."

"Currently in the Hughes Family, your political standing is the highest, and unless something unexpected happens, your future achievements will also be substantial. Your eldest son Ashton Hughes died suddenly, your second daughter, Snow, is congenitally weak, leaving only your third daughter, Jennifer Hughes. Don't blame me for being blunt, but if Jennifer becomes your successor, the Hughes Family is truly finished."

Having interacted with Jennifer Hughes several times.

Dirk Carter, aside from seeing her as promiscuous and wanton, really didn't see any other admirable traits. This Jennifer Hughes was most likely intentionally nurtured by Teresa Thorne or the people behind her.

After all, with the Hughes Family's upbringing, such a daughter would not exist.

With a smack.

Aurelius Hughes slammed the tea table.

He said to Dirk Carter, "Nonsense, do you have evidence? Without it, can I consider this as deliberate slander?"

"I believe what he says!"

As soon as the words were spoken.

A hoarse voice came from behind.

Hearing this voice.

Aurelius Hughes and Nora Hughes both stood up abruptly, looking towards the doorway.

Dirk Carter followed the sound.

At the door stood an old man with white hair, looking frail, sitting in a wheelchair, pushed by Grant Hughes himself.

"Dad..."

Upon seeing this, Aurelius Hughes furrowed his brows, running over in a hurry.

Similarly, Nora Hughes admonished, "I told you to rest in bed, why did you get up?"

Unsurprisingly, this person was likely Miles Hughes, the head of the Hughes Family.

Dirk Carter immediately stood up, respectfully looking towards Miles Hughes.

"Hello, sir."

Dirk Carter bowed slightly and greeted.

Miles Hughes nodded to him, gesturing with his hand, "Sit, everyone sit, continue with what you were saying."

With the elder's assurance.

Dirk Carter grew more confident.

He sat down again, sweeping his gaze over everyone present, and said, "The entire conspiracy was already in execution from the day Mrs. Ford died. I can call this the 'Extermination Plan.' If it wasn't for Snow's runaway incident, the whole affair wouldn't likely have come to light. Once I learned the cause of Cassandra Ford's death from Bennett Kane's mouth, the Houseman Family feared exposure, so they sent someone to eliminate Teresa Thorne, ensuring that all their malicious plans would sink like stones in the sea and remain unknown."

"Dad, this is too far-fetched. You don't actually believe in this kid's nonsense, do you?"

Aurelius Hughes asked Miles Hughes.

Miles Hughes paid him no mind, while his eyes sparkled, he looked at Dirk Carter and asked, "What do you think their next move will be?"

"Riverton State!"

Dirk Carter stated emphatically.

Miles Hughes paused and asked, "Riverton State? What do you mean?"

"The Houseman Family's next plot is in Riverton State. As I initially stated, in an age where economics reign supreme, the Houseman Family has clearly seen its own shortcomings. They don't lack political resources; they lack financial power. If I'm correct, Elihu Houseman's Apex Investments will proceed to annex Bennett Kane's Apex Group. Additionally, The Economic Development District is a tempting piece of meat, and the Houseman Family will surely not miss it. Koryn City will mark the beginning of the Houseman Family's rise in economics…"

Dirk Carter said.