novelraw Chapter 615 615
Chapter 615 615
"Of course it's important. Secretary Hall has struggled in the political arena for so many years, and must have seen various people rise and fall. Which one of them didn't fall because they trampled on the interests of the people?"
Dirk Carter asked.
Michael Hall pondered for a while.
He said, "Go on."
Dirk Carter nodded.
He said, "In the Standing Committee, both you and I have disadvantages. These disadvantages cannot be remedied in a short period, so what we can strive for is public support. Especially for you, as the head figure, someone like Grantland Shelby wouldn't enhance his power by harming your reputation. Considering the persistent gossip, among the public, they always think Grantland Shelby is a bastard, thus naturally, Secretary Hall could be…"
The latter words weren't spoken by Dirk Carter, but they were enough for Michael Hall to understand.
"Koryn City is vibrant and full of development hope nowadays, but bureaucratic practices are rampant. If Secretary Hall could voluntarily reform the bureaucracy and return a clear sky to the people of Koryn City, these accolades would spread like wildfire. Eventually, they would reach the ears of the provincial leaders. By that time, even ten Elliot Douglases wouldn't be able to rival you, Secretary Hall…"
Dirk Carter eloquently delivered a long speech.
Everything he said revolved around the benefits Michael Hall could gain.
Finally, the anger on Michael Hall's face gradually dissipated.
It was replaced by constant nodding.
It seemed he had been swayed by Dirk Carter.
Reaching such a point, Dirk Carter decided to deliver a final powerful dose.
After a pause, he said, "Secretary Hall, regarding the matter with Grantland Shelby, it wasn't intentional on my part, but rather someone setting traps for both of us."
"Oh? Who is it?"
Michael Hall was taken aback and asked.
Dirk Carter's gaze was sharp as he replied, "It's Elliot Douglas…"
In the ensuing time, Dirk Carter laid out Elliot Douglas's plan to sow discord.
If his earlier words appealed to emotions and reason.
Now this analysis targeted the heart.
Sure enough, after hearing the course of events, Michael Hall slammed the table and exclaimed in anger, "Elliot Douglas is indeed a wicked villain. We almost got caught in his trap. Luckily, my dear brother Dirk saw through it; otherwise, we might have turned against each other."
A single "my dear brother Dirk" indicated to Dirk Carter that the rift between them had been thoroughly mended.
Upon leaving the Secretary's office.
Michael Hall even personally escorted Dirk Carter out.
This was a treatment Dirk Carter had never experienced before.
"Did you talk it through?"
As Dirk Carter returned to his office.
Irving Pace eagerly followed him in to ask.
Dirk Carter nodded and said, "There's no issue for the time being."
"What do you mean 'no issue for the time being'?"
Irving Pace scratched his head and said.
Dirk Carter smiled slightly and said, "As they say, in politics, there are no permanent friends, nor permanent interests. Take Michael Hall, for instance; his sincere capitulation today was simply a compromise made when there was no other choice. If one day a greater interest leans in his favor, requiring him to step on me, he will do so without hesitation. Regardless, the immediate issue has been resolved."
Irving Pace nodded, seemingly understanding but not fully grasping.
He asked, "There's less than ten days left until your bet with Elliot Douglas. How's your preparation?"
Dirk Carter chuckled and said, "I'll start preparing this afternoon. First, I'll visit Grant Technologies, then The Greatflow. Both of these companies previously came to The Economic Development District for inspections and have shown considerable interest. I'll secure them first."
Dirk Carter referred to Grant Technologies and The Greatflow, both high-tech enterprises headquartered in Rexton City.
When The Economic Development District was first established.
Both companies showed strong interest.
Especially Grant Technologies, which also signed a letter of intent with The Economic Development District to invest 150 million yuan in establishing a product research and development headquarters there. If successful, Dirk Carter would have a good start.
Grant Technologies is a company specializing in the production of electric bicycles.
Currently, Grant electric bicycles sell quite well nationwide and hold a high market share, making it a new-tech enterprise.
The Greatflow is an online shopping platform established less than five years ago.
Though not long, its growth rate is rapid.
Compared to leading online shopping platforms, it does have some gaps, but the trend is positive. When The Economic Development District was first established, The Greatflow's founder, Gonzalo Locke, visited several times, all hosted by Dirk Carter. Their conversations went well.
At that time, Gonzalo Locke verbally agreed to invest 200 million yuan in establishing a data center in The Economic Development District.
The choice of these two companies.
Was also grounded in Dirk Carter's confidence.
In the following days.
There were many companies on Dirk Carter's list to visit.
Although, summing up these companies, even though there's still some way to go to 6 billion, it's not too far off. If they could persuade these bosses to invest a bit more.
6 billion isn't impossible.
However, while the ideal is rich, reality is stark.
As Dirk Carter and Irving Pace chatted in the office, at Wyvern River Port in Rexton City, a luxury cruise ship slowly docked.
This cruise ship was large.
It seemed to have at least three levels.
Moreover, the decor was extremely luxurious, indicating a high value.
About ten minutes after docking.
A line of luxury cars drove from afar, parking beside the port.
Once the car doors opened, each vehicle saw a man dressed in a suit stepping out.
What these men looked like was unknown due to the black party masks covering their faces.
The masks varied in shape but shared a common trait: the upper half of the face was covered, making it impossible to discern who's who.
At this moment, two people wearing white masks descended from the cruise ship deck, standing on either side of the door.
The first man in a black mask stepped onto the cruise ship, pulled out a golden invitation card from his pocket.
The white-masked person checked it and nodded, allowing him in.
Following this pattern.
16 men with black masks smoothly boarded the ship.
Once everyone was on board.
The cruise ship sounded its horn, slowly started, left the port, sailing toward the vast Wyvern River.
At this moment.
Among the line of parked vehicles.
One vehicle's door remained unopened.
In the car's backseat, sat a man and a woman.
The man was none other than Rexton City's mayor, Fabian Vincent.
The woman beside him was Jeanette Houseman, intently watching as the cruise ship gradually disappeared on the river surface, coldly commanding, "Drive."
"Can it be done, Ms. Houseman?"
Fabian Vincent uncertainly asked Jeanette Houseman.
Jeanette Houseman faintly smiled and said, "In this world, no man can resist the hospitality of the Houseman Family…"