A Bumpy Road to Power

Chapter 673:

This news hit Dirk Carter like a buzz.

He picked up the remote and glanced at it.

The light on it was blinking.

It seemed that Eve Vincent wasn't joking.

You know, not just anyone can get their hands on explosives.

Blowing up the dam would lead to flooding, resulting in serious consequences. Such actions, ordinary people wouldn't dare to do, or even think about.

But The Maplewood Gang showed no signs of apprehension.

Dirk took a deep breath.

He asked, "What exactly is The Maplewood Gang?"

Eve hesitated for a moment.

"How should I put it, it's essentially a community of interest. The Maplewood Gang isn't big, it has over thirty members, but every one of these members is a second-generation official."

Another explosive revelation.

"Second-generation official? Like you?"

Dirk asked.

Eve nodded and said, "Apart from me, there are children of leaders from other surrounding counties and cities, and of course, some are children of provincial leaders. Do you remember that Turkey from before? His dad is the vice-chairman of the Rylos City Political Consultative Conference."

The Maplewood Gang has strict requirements on rank.

Even high-ranking officials' children aren't just admitted — the minimum rank requirement is deputy director level.

Depending on the parents' rank, positions within The Maplewood Gang are sorted.

There's severe class stratification.

"I recall you mentioned you were the Gang's second-in-command. Does that mean Mayor Vincent ranks second in this organization?"

Dirk asked.

Eve waved her hand and replied, "It's not like that. Besides rank being a mandatory criterion, it's based on the contributions we make to the organization. Ranking second means I've done considerable harm within The Maplewood Gang."

She had no qualms about it.

Directly used the word "heinous atrocities."

It's evident The Maplewood Gang is involved in some shady business.

Beyond safeguarding these officials' children's parents' circle of interests.

The Maplewood Gang attracted a bunch of eccentric individuals, who aren't after money or power but exhilaration. Usually, they take some gigs outside, these gigs involve settling matters for others. Once you approach The Maplewood Gang, no matter what the issue is, they'll take it on, filling their inner void with these chaotic situations.

Eve told Dirk.

She grew up in a family envied by everyone.

But only she knows living in such a family is painfully lonely.

Her parents were busy, hardly accompanying her while growing up.

She never lacked new clothes, any food, and certainly money wasn't a shortage.

She could have anything she wanted.

In such an environment, her personality started to warp.

From a young age, deriving pleasure from bullying classmates, knowing however big the issue arose, someone would resolve it.

At this point, she laughed self-deprecatingly and said, "Perhaps others believe people like us lack nothing, but they don't know our spiritual realm is always empty. Some enjoy peeking at female classmates, watching porn, some steal petty things, some admire the rebelliousness of gangsters, and some, like me, find solace in bullying other people..."

Upon hearing these words.

Honestly.

Dirk was quite astounded.

"Did you join The Maplewood Gang voluntarily?"

Dirk asked.

Eve shook her head and said, "Some did, some didn't. I wasn't willing; my father sent me in. Now I want to leave but can't. Who dares risk reputational ruin to break away from The Maplewood Gang? Considering all the bad deeds done back then, getting locked up for several years wouldn't be excessive."

While saying this.

Eve's eyes showed resentment.

Clearly, she regretted it deeply.

In this community of interest.

The children's parents support each other, essentially a resource exchange.

The trust between them exists because of mutual restraint among the children.

Simply put.

These children of The Maplewood Gang.

Are like ancient "hostages."

Everything serves their parents' career and interests.

"So who founded The Maplewood Gang?"

Dirk asked.

Eve shook her head and said, "I don't know. Typically, The Maplewood Gang's affairs are managed by a woman named Sister Yin. We don't know her identity, but we all have to follow her orders because she holds our weaknesses and secrets. I've heard someone behind Sister Yin named Brother Bao, possibly the founder, but we've never met him."

"Brother Bao..."

Dirk murmured the name to himself.

Of course, this name was unfamiliar to him as well.

What Eve spoke of.

Still greatly shocked Dirk.

He never imagined in the realm of Riverton State there existed such a twisted and perverse organization, wreaking havoc behind the scenes.

This is a malignant tumor.

It certainly can't be left alone.

He reflected for a while, then raised his head to ask, "Given this is a task assigned to you by the organization, failing to complete it would incur punishment. Why not just destroy me instead of telling me the truth?"

"Because of you!"

Eve answered.

"Before coming, I was prepared to ruin you, but after seeing your actions in Goldridge County, I don't know why, but I had an awakening. I used to think there were no good people in politics, but my view has changed. You're entirely different from my father; he only sees power and interests, while you see them."

She pointed to the dam in the distance.

Dirk sighed with relief.

He asked, "Then what about you?"

Eve laughed heartily.

"You needn't worry about me, after all, my dad still has his reputation. They dare not truly harm me, but it's different for you. Though I haven't acted against you, it doesn't mean they won't. They've noticed everything you've done in Goldridge County, and next, they'll certainly use it against you. You've got lots of trouble ahead…"

This warning.

For Dirk, was timely.

Otherwise, he'd have been completely unprepared.

Who knows what kind of mess he'd have faced then.

"Thank you."

Dirk dressed up, stood up, and said.

Eve covered her mouth and laughed, "You should thank yourself instead. Perhaps you are my redemption."

After saying this.

She placed the explosives remote in Dirk's palm.

She said, "The rain outside has eased; I should be going now. This is all I can do. From here on, take care of yourself."

After saying this.

Eve walked out of the tent.

Soon, disappeared into the misty rain.

Dirk had just reached the tent's entrance.

Arlo Yarbrough rushed over breathlessly.

"What's going on? So flustered?"

Dirk asked.