A Bumpy Road to Power

Chapter 584 584:

Fifteen minutes later.

Fitzroy, Party Secretary of Clear-sky Lake Town, and Isandro Sharp, the mayor, hurried to the scene.

The weather wasn't hot.

Yet both were drenched in sweat.

It was obvious that they hadn't delayed a minute after receiving the call and had rushed over anxiously.

Upon arriving at the scene.

They first inquired about the situation.

Then they bowed and scraped as they apologized to Dirk Carter.

Dirk Carter said nothing.

He walked straight over to the edge of Clear-sky Lake.

The others could only follow in silence.

The discharge from the sewage pipe had already stopped; one had to admit, Arturo Golding moved quickly.

But the pollution on the lake's surface remained.

The stench rolled towards them in waves, making anyone who smelled it feel nauseous.

"Comrade Fitzroy, I remember when I first came to Koryn City, someone told me that the water of Clear-sky Lake had reached the standard for Grade 3 drinking water, meaning that you could scoop up a ladle of water from the lake and drink it directly. I wonder, do the two main officials of Clear-sky Lake Town dare to drink it now?"

Dirk Carter turned to ask Fitzroy, who had his head lowered.

Fitzroy looked clueless.

After a pause, he exclaimed, "Executive Carter..."

Before he could finish, Dirk Carter raised his voice, demanding, "Answer my question!"

The mayor, Isandro Sharp, took a step forward.

About to speak.

Dirk Carter pointed a finger at him, glaring and snapping, "I didn't ask you. Let him answer!"

Sweat dripped more and more from Fitzroy's forehead.

He pursed his lips and said, "Executive Carter, the town's party committee wasn't aware of this issue. Once we're back, we will certainly handle this seriously!"

"Unaware? What a fine excuse of being unaware, pushing responsibility away. Since you claim to be unaware, there seems to be no need for you to continue as the town leader."

Dirk Carter said.

Hearing this.

Fitzroy lifted his head.

Looking at Dirk Carter, he gathered courage and said, "Executive Carter, the city cannot handle things like this. Previously, you wanted us to deliver results, now you rush to control pollution. We deal with new orders every day, leaving us frantic. While you simply issue commands from above, what are we supposed to do?"

Hearing this, Dirk Carter was taken aback.

He asked, "What do you mean by saying previously you were asked to deliver results?"

Fitzroy was about to speak.

Then they heard the sound of a siren from behind.

Two cars sped over, kicking up a cloud of dust.

They quickly came to a stop by the lake.

The person stepping out of the first car was Vice Mayor Lincoln Griffin.

When the door of the second car opened, Environmental Protection Bureau Chief Elton Hall followed out.

Seeing Lincoln Griffin.

Fitzroy and Arturo Golding both visibly relaxed, as if clinging to a life-saving straw.

Lincoln Griffin walked straight up to Dirk Carter, glanced at the lake water, and said, "Executive Carter, let's talk over there."

With no clear understanding of the situation, Dirk Carter.

Followed Lincoln Griffin to the large tree by the lake.

He took out a cigarette for Dirk Carter, which Dirk Carter declined.

Lincoln Griffin lit a cigarette, saying, "Executive Carter, I have been aware of the pollution in Clear-sky Lake for some time, but the electroplating factory cannot stop. It must fully ramp up production until the month's end."

Dirk Carter frowned and asked, "What do you mean? You knew about the severe pollution yet allowed the electroplating factory to continue production?"

Lincoln Griffin nodded.

He said, "Executive Carter, don't get the wrong idea. I haven't taken any benefits from the electroplating factory. I'm not that kind of person. The decision to continue production takes into account the second quarter GDP. Now that Koryn City is under provincial management as a county-level city, out of 21 county-level cities managed by the province, it's important for Koryn City, having just entered the provincial ranks, not to present too poor a GDP. Stopping the electroplating factory would cause many Apex Group operations to halt, impacting the second quarter GDP data significantly."

"For GDP, are you willing to sacrifice the environment? Look at the lake water, what has it become? Aren't you just deceiving yourself? Besides, you want GDP in the second quarter; what about the third quarter? You can't disregard everything for GDP, can you?"

Dirk Carter asked sharply.

Lincoln Griffin laughed lightly.

He said, "Executive Carter, please don't be angry. First, I'm thinking about Koryn City's well-being; second, this decision isn't mine alone."

He left many things unsaid.

But Dirk Carter picked up on the implications.

He paused slightly.

And asked, "Was this order given by Mayor Douglas?"

"You know, Mayor Douglas has just arrived in Koryn City and wants to achieve some results. I believe it's understandable. A lake as large as Clear-sky Lake—a little discharge won't have a significant impact. You see, the water by the scenic area is still clear."

Lincoln Griffin said.

Dirk Carter's mouth fell open.

He stared incredulously at Lincoln Griffin, took a deep breath, and said, "Mayor Griffin, how could you even say such a thing? Did you not see the masses of dead fish in the lake? And sure, the scenic area water is clear now, but do you know how much toxic material is in there? Do you realize how soon the whole Clear-sky Lake could be polluted? Aren't you destroying the overall image of Koryn City?"

"The Environmental Protection Bureau has already calculated. To pollute the entire Clear-sky Lake, it would at least require..."

Lincoln Griffin attempted to justify further.

He hadn't finished his sentence.

Dirk Carter shouted harshly, "Don't say any more; I don't want to hear it."

After leaving these words.

Dirk Carter returned to the group.

He said to Arturo Golding, "From now on, Lodestar Electroplating must immediately cease work and production. Beyond clarifying the wastewater treatment system, you must also invest money and effort in cleaning up all the pollution you have caused. The Environmental Protection Bureau will handle and penalize as necessary. I want to see who still takes environmental protection lightly."

"Do not stop production!"

At this moment, Lincoln Griffin also returned to the group and said to Arturo Golding, "Continue production no matter what; the second-quarter GDP data must be secured."

At the scene, there was an executive vice mayor and a vice mayor.

Clearly, Dirk Carter held a higher rank.

But just after he issued his command, Lincoln Griffin dared to contest it, indicating he didn't take Dirk Carter seriously at all.

"I said, stop production right away; otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite."

Dirk Carter repeated.

Lincoln Griffin snorted coldly and said, "Arturo Golding, continue with your work. No matter what happens, Mayor Douglas and I will back you up."

With such support.

Arturo Golding's previous look of fear vanished instantly.

He looked at Dirk Carter with a provocative gaze and said, "Executive Carter, apologies, but I can't defy Mayor Douglas. So, I won't stop production. If you visit Lodestar Factory again, give us a call in advance, and I assure you, I'll personally greet you myself..."