A Bumpy Road to Power

Chapter 561 561: Alliance of Dong and Xu Families

With a loud slam.

Miles Hughes finally couldn't hold it in, sweeping a water cup off the table.

The glass cup fell to the ground with a crash, shattering instantly.

Seeing this.

Campbell Donovan, who was also quick-tempered, suddenly stood up, pointed at Miles Hughes, and shouted, "You old fool, what are you doing going crazy at our house? Get out of here right now!"

Miles Hughes was equally enraged.

Sitting in his wheelchair, he assumed a defiant posture and angrily retorted, "I'm not leaving, what can you do about it?"

Campbell Donovan, also fuming, raised another water cup, seemingly about to throw it.

Just at that moment.

A voice came from behind: "Dad, stop!"

Both of them shivered slightly and turned to look in the direction of the voice.

A man and a woman walked in from the doorway.

The woman was Yvonne Donovan, and the man was Dirk Carter. However, their clothes were extremely inappropriate, especially Yvonne, who was dressed almost like a rural peasant woman.

When they left the forest cabin.

Dirk Carter only had a pair of shorts, and Yvonne Donovan only had a coat that Dirk Carter had taken off to use as a blanket.

In this state of insufficient clothing,

they emerged from the woods.

They happened to encounter a peasant woman working in the fields at the foot of the mountain, and shamelessly bargained for these two sets of clothes.

Although they looked quite ugly,

at least they were presentable.

"Yvonne, why are you dressed like that?"

Campbell Donovan asked, looking puzzled.

Yvonne Donovan took Campbell Donovan's arm and said, "Dad, let's talk about this later. Dirk Carter has something to say to you all."

"Dirk Carter?"

Only then did Campbell Donovan notice the unfamiliar man.

Though he was dressed plainly and his clothes seemed short, he exuded a confident aura. Noticing that Miles Hughes's gaze was fixed on him, Campbell Donovan understood a bit more.

Dirk Carter stepped forward a few paces.

He came before the two elders and said, "Esteemed leaders, can you calmly listen to what I have to say?"

Neither Campbell Donovan nor Miles Hughes spoke, exchanging a glance filled with disdain.

Dirk Carter said, "Both of you are remarkable figures, renowned as the heads of The Three Great Families of Argentum. However, in recent years, you must have noticed that the gaps between the so-called Three Great Families have widened. Especially the Houseman Family, which has nearly reached a point where they overwhelm you entirely. I think, within five to ten years, there might not even be the notion of Three Great Families of Argentum anymore. You will gradually be devoured by the Houseman Family, and by then, Argentum will be left with only the Houseman Family."

"Aren't you being a bit alarmist?"

Andre Donovan interrupted.

Dirk Carter glanced at Miles Hughes.

He said, "It seems you still don't know about what The Hughes Family has experienced..."

After speaking, without waiting for Miles Hughes's consent, Dirk Carter recounted the incidents involving Teresa Thorne and shared his deductions in front of the Donovan Family.

Both Campbell Donovan and Andre Donovan listened with wide eyes, completely shocked.

"Old Hughes, is this true?"

After a long pause, Campbell Donovan asked Miles Hughes.

At this point, Miles Hughes felt there was no need to hide, so he nodded reluctantly.

With Miles Hughes's acknowledgment, Campbell Donovan took a sharp intake of breath and, with a sigh, remarked, "I see now, that old fox of the Houseman Family intends to root out the next generation of The Hughes Family through this Teresa Thorne incident, while also dividing our relationship with the old Hughes family. After all, if it weren't for the Solara incident back then, we would have been in-laws."

Dirk Carter nodded slightly.

He said, "The Houseman Family's strategy is simple: divide and conquer. After the Teresa Thorne incident, The Hughes Family is significantly weakened. Offspring have always been the lifeblood of these great families, and in the short term, it's hard for The Hughes Family to achieve much in the third generation."

"Old Hughes, so you want to pull this young man into your fold?"

Campbell Donovan caught the gist of it.

He asked Miles Hughes.

Miles Hughes sulked. Though he didn't answer, Campbell Donovan already knew the answer.

Dirk Carter looked at Campbell Donovan and said, "Mr. Donovan, now that The Hughes Family's matter is basically settled, the Houseman Family's next focus will likely be on your family."

Hearing this.

Worry gradually appeared on Campbell Donovan's face.

Evidently, he believed what Dirk Carter said.

But the Houseman Family is very powerful. Even if their intentions are evident, for the Donovan Family to withstand it would be difficult.

"What should we do next, then?"

Campbell Donovan asked.

Dirk Carter let out a long sigh.

Looking at Miles Hughes's stern face, he said, "The Donovan-Hughes alliance, take the initiative."

With these words.

Campbell Donovan and Miles Hughes exchanged a glance.

"Between your two families, there was no real grudge. Now it seems that all this animosity was manufactured by the Houseman Family. If you two leaders continue holding onto these grudges, it plays right into the Houseman Family's hands. Why not let go of past grievances and unite once more? That way, perhaps there is still a slim chance of survival."

Dirk Carter spoke earnestly.

Finally, Miles Hughes spoke.

He asked Dirk Carter, "We understand the alliance part, but what does 'take the initiative' mean?"

Dirk Carter smiled slightly and said, "The Houseman Family's next goal is surely to make money, taking over Apex Group and securing The Economic Development District are their next steps. If we can cut off this path for them and wipe out their underground network in Rexton City, then all their years of arrangements in Rexton City will become obsolete."

"Are you suggesting we back you in Rexton City for your comeback?"

Miles Hughes scoffed.

Dirk Carter heard the sarcasm in his tone.

He said, "Mr. Hughes, Mr. Donovan, there's an old saying: the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Although I, Dirk Carter, may not be particularly capable, our goals align. My words are merely suggestions; the final decision rests with the two of you..."

After he finished speaking.

Everyone present fell silent.

It seemed that the sound of a pin dropping could be heard.

Nobody knew how much time passed.

Campbell Donovan said, "I'm willing to give it a try."

Hearing this, Miles Hughes immediately said, "What do you mean you're willing to give it a try? Dirk Carter is someone we, The Hughes Family, brought in. If anyone's to lead, it should be us, The Hughes Family."

The two old men had indeed competed all their lives.

Neither willing to show weakness.

Seeing as Campbell Donovan agreed.

Miles Hughes didn't hesitate, quickly countered.

Watching this scene, Dirk Carter smiled.

It seemed his trip to Argentum was indeed fruitful.

Two days later.

Outside Argentum Airport.

Nora Hughes handed the ticket to Dirk Carter. It was clear from her eyes that she was a little reluctant.

"Xiaoxue didn't come, but she wanted me to tell you to take good care of yourself in Riverton State."

Nora Hughes said.

Dirk Carter shuddered and asked, "I refused our engagement, did she... did she..."

Nora Hughes knew what Dirk Carter wanted to ask.

She smiled and said, "She's quite sad, but I'll console her."

"Thank you."

Dirk Carter said sincerely.

Nora Hughes took a deep breath and said, "Alright, it's about time. You should go in. I'll try to visit you in Riverton State."

After saying this.

Nora Hughes turned and got into the car.

She didn't hesitate at all, leaving immediately.

Around eleven in the morning.

The flight Dirk Carter was on landed at Rexton City Airport.

Returning once more to this familiar land, Dirk Carter knew he would be facing even bigger challenges.

At the same time, this return also marked his comeback as a king.

From being detained to now, ten days had passed. In these ten days, Koryn City's political landscape had undergone drastic changes.

It's just that the Houseman Family acted quickly.

The Communist Party members who were affected by the Teresa Thorne incident in Koryn City were either transferred or replaced. Many vacant positions were filled based on decisions Dirk Carter made when he went to Argentum.

The purpose of these actions was also to block Dirk Carter's path to a "comeback."