A Bumpy Road to Power

Chapter 724 724:

"Hello, Secretary Houseman."

Armand Crawford said respectfully.

According to administrative levels.

Armand Crawford is a deputy departmental level cadre.

And the head of Kenning Forestry University is of departmental level.

Armand Crawford showing respect was indeed reasonable.

More importantly, it's not Vernon Houseman's level, but the Houseman Family behind him.

"Just brewed some Lapsang Souchong, come and have a taste."

Vernon Houseman pushed a cup of tea in front of Armand Crawford.

After Armand Crawford sat down, he sipped the tea and said, "It's indeed good tea, only here with Secretary Houseman can I enjoy such a premium."

"John, your Uncle Crawford likes it. Later, when he goes downstairs, take two boxes to his car."

Vernon Houseman gestured.

John Houseman, who was serving at the side, nodded.

He said, "Dad, I understand."

"How can I accept this? Just being able to drink tea personally brewed by Secretary Houseman is already overwhelming."

Armand Crawford quickly said politely.

Vernon Houseman said, "What are you talking about? Director Crawford, you helping me with this favor is something I appreciate, my son gets along well with that Javier Summers, they call each other brothers, now that the whole family has suddenly hit trouble, in reason and emotion, I have to intervene."

Armand Crawford nodded.

He said, "Secretary Houseman is indeed a man of loyalty. I've already sent Deputy Captain Cuthbert Lewis to investigate this matter. Rest assured, Secretary Houseman, Dirk Carter cannot escape this no matter how he tries."

"With what Director Crawford just said, I am relieved."

Vernon Houseman said, laughing heartily.

This scene.

Already reveals some signs.

For things to have become like this.

Someone is manipulating factors behind the scenes.

And the culprit is the Houseman father and son.

This is not surprising.

First, after years of dealings with The Maplewood Gang being wiped out, Vernon Houseman's reputation suffered greatly. He originally didn't want to provoke Dirk Carter, but at this crucial moment, such a thing occurred.

Of course, he wouldn't miss this opportunity.

Even if he couldn't crush Dirk Carter entirely, he had to show him the power of the Houseman Family.

Leveraging Armand Crawford to act.

There's another reason.

Armand Crawford was previously the protégé of Boston Wright, the former Secretary of the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission and Chief of Police.

When Boston Wright fell.

Armand Crawford's backing vanished.

He naturally bore deep resentment towards Dirk Carter.

Their mutual understanding to pressure Dirk Carter became inevitable.

None were more delighted than John Houseman.

Of course, he wouldn't reveal how he bullied Javier Summers.

But using this event to suppress Dirk Carter brought him immense satisfaction.

He couldn't help but feel slightly smug.

The scene shifts back to the Rexton City Police Department.

Cuthbert Lewis came with a mission this time.

So regardless of Dirk Carter's wedding plans tomorrow, she needed to take stringent measures against him, much to his distress.

After arguing for nearly half an hour.

Cuthbert Lewis remained unmoved.

Having no other options, Dirk Carter could only call for help.

Just as he took out his phone and before he could dial, the interrogation room door flung open with a loud bang.

Jacinto Wadsworth, panting, said, "Captain Li, we've cleared some things up."

"What have you cleared up?"

Cuthbert Lewis asked.

Jacinto Wadsworth swallowed, glanced at Dirk Carter, and said, "Someone came in outside, claiming to know how Javier Summers died."

Cuthbert Lewis was startled.

Dirk Carter stood up as well.

Without further ado.

The group quickly rushed out.

Under Jacinto Wadsworth's lead.

The three arrived at the door of a reception room in the police department.

At this time, Deputy Commissioner Pierce Griffin was already waiting at the door.

"It's the manager of the catering department at Sterling Hotel, named Lilian Taylor. She claims she knows the cause of Javier Summers' death."

Pierce Griffin said.

Dirk Carter was taken aback and asked, "Lilian Taylor?"

"You know her?"

Cuthbert Lewis asked.

Dirk Carter nodded and said, "The conflict between Javier Summers and me arose because Lilian Taylor wanted to give The Celebration Hall to someone else. It's possible she's in the know."

"Let's go in and see."

Cuthbert Lewis nodded.

Once the door was pushed open.

They saw Lilian Taylor cowering on the sofa.

A female police officer was trying to calm her emotions.

Yesterday, she had appeared overbearing, but today, she looked very haggard, almost sickly.

Hearing the door open.

She instinctively lifted her head.

It was evident she had been severely frightened.

Especially when she saw Dirk Carter, her eyes grew even more complex.

"Ms. Lilian Taylor, hello, let me introduce myself first. I am Cuthbert Lewis, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department at the Rhovan Provincial Police Department."

After introducing herself.

Cuthbert Lewis looked at Dirk Carter.

Dirk Carter said, "There's no need to introduce myself, we know each other."

"Ms. Taylor, you claim to know the cause of Javier Summers' family's sudden death, right? I am here specifically to investigate this."

Just as Cuthbert Lewis finished speaking.

Lilian Taylor suddenly stood up.

Her lips trembled.

In a stammering voice, she said, "It was John Houseman, it must have been John Houseman."

John Houseman?

Hearing this name.

Both Dirk Carter and Cuthbert Lewis shuddered.

The two exchanged a glance.

Just moments ago in the interrogation room, Dirk Carter had considered John Houseman's potential, but thought that the conflict between John Houseman and Javier Summers wouldn't escalate to such actions.

After all, it hadn't reached that point.

"Ms. Taylor, you say it was John Houseman. Do you have evidence?"

Cuthbert Lewis asked.

Lilian Taylor's eyes appeared empty as she shook her head and said, "No..."

Both felt a wave of disappointment.

Especially Cuthbert Lewis, who said, "Ms. Taylor, matters like this cannot be guessed loosely. Without evidence, you mustn't randomly say it was John Houseman; there are legal responsibilities for such claims."

"I'm not making random accusations. I don't have evidence he killed President Summers, but I have evidence of him hurting me."

"Hurting you? How did he hurt you?"

Cuthbert Lewis inquired.

Lilian Taylor suddenly placed her hand on her jacket's zipper.

With a ripping sound.

The zipper was pulled open immediately.

Everyone present was stunned.

Because besides the jacket, Lilian Taylor wore nothing inside, not even a bra.

That wasn't the most shocking part.

The most horrifying was the various wounds covering her fair skin, there were nail scratches and bite marks.

Lilian Taylor gritted her teeth and said, "These are the evidence. That day he... he took me to a construction site... raped... raped me... and that day he... he even said to be careful of President Summers, claiming he is very petty-minded..."

It was like a bolt from the blue.

Cuthbert Lewis and Dirk Carter were both stunned.

Although John Houseman had lost face that day.

But grievances have a source.

If John Houseman wanted revenge, he should target Dirk Carter.

Why would he go after Lilian Taylor?