A Bumpy Road to Power

Chapter 732:

"Herman Bates suffered because of Starlight Night Market, and Fabian Vincent because of The Maplewood Gang. Both of them have suffered heavy losses, and I was behind both incidents. They attended my wedding only to wash their hands of these matters, trying to detach themselves from any association. Quite a clever scheme they've concocted."

Dirk Carter sneered and said.

As he spoke.

Herman Bates and Fabian Vincent, one on the left and the other on the right,

had already walked in through the main entrance.

"Secretary Bates, Mayor Vincent, why have you come without telling me in advance? I could have met you at the gate."

Dirk Carter hurried over and said.

Herman Bates waved his hand and said, "We came uninvited, how could we possibly make the groom come out to greet us personally?"

"Hahaha, Secretary Bates is right. Dirk, you're my Secretary General, how could I not come?"

Fabian Vincent's words clearly aimed to foster a closer relationship with Dirk Carter.

Herman Bates naturally noticed the subtlety.

He chuckled and said, "Yes, yes, it's good for the two of you to turn hostility into friendship, and grow closer."

There's a hidden meaning in his words.

Reminding the two of them.

Not to forget their past conflicts.

And that, apart from the Starlight Night Market issue, he had no direct conflicts with Dirk Carter.

With just a couple of sentences.

The atmosphere became tense as gunpowder.

Seeing neither of the two intended to concede.

Dirk Carter smiled slightly and said, "Secretary Bates, Mayor Vincent, please come in. I have some distinguished guests to introduce to you."

"Distinguished guests?"

Upon hearing this.

Herman Bates seemed a bit displeased.

Could it be that the highest officials in Rexton City don't count as distinguished guests?

Under Dirk Carter's lead, the two of them walked towards the most central table.

From a distance, Herman Bates saw Alphonso Forrest and shuddered.

He immediately jogged forward, respectfully calling out, "Secretary Forrest, you're here too."

Alphonso Forrest shot Herman Bates a glance, showing no respect, and said, "What, you think you can come but I can't?"

"Of course, I didn't mean it that way..."

Snubbed with a retort.

Daring not to get angry.

Herman Bates was somewhat aggrieved.

The scene caused Fabian Vincent to snicker.

"Secretary Bates, Mayor Vincent, allow me to introduce you, this is Mr. Yale Quill and Mr. Gage Nolan."

Dirk Carter pointed to Yale Quill and Gage Nolan as he spoke.

To Herman Bates and Fabian Vincent, these two were relatively unfamiliar.

Seeming like two ordinary old men, they paid no mind.

They merely smiled, nodded, and sat down at the empty seats.

"What's this? No manners? No greetings? People who don't know might think our cadres in Rexton City have no civility."

Seeing the two showed no courtesy.

Alphonso Forrest was displeased.

He reproached the two of them.

Fabian Vincent, still quick-witted, immediately stood up, taking the initiative to shake hands with Yale Quill and Gage Nolan.

Herman Bates was disgruntled at heart.

Seemingly wanting to show his discontent.

He made no move whatsoever.

Just as Alphonso Forrest was about to get angry.

Yale Quill stopped him.

He said, "It's alright, I'm already an old man, long retired from the military. It's normal for others to look down on me."

This short statement.

Caused Herman Bates to shudder suddenly.

Yale Quill?

Could it be that military big shot?

He stood up as if electrified.

Hurriedly waddled over to Yale Quill, saying, "Mr. Yale, my apologies, I was so happy about Dirk's wedding that I got a bit confused. My disrespect, my sincere apologies."

"Hahaha, old Gage, it seems I, Yale Quill, still have some reputation."

Faced with Herman Bates's outstretched hand.

Yale Quill didn't bother to shake it.

Instead, he turned and gave Gage Nolan a smirk.

Seeing both Alphonso Forrest and Yale Quill were courteous to Gage Nolan.

Herman Bates broke out in a cold sweat.

It seems this Gage Nolan wasn't ordinary either. Assuming superiority as the City Committee Secretary, putting on airs—now it seemed that being seated at this table was only because of Dirk's kindness.

He hadn't yet had the chance to express himself.

When he heard a commotion behind him.

He looked back.

Only to see at the main entrance.

A young man brazenly striding in.

Trailing behind him were five subordinates.

The group was dressed in black suits with white shirts, with a small white flower pinned to the left chest.

Aren't these the clothes worn to funerals?

Perhaps such attire was why people at the entrance started gossiping.

Barron Zechariah saw it.

He was just about to send someone to drive them away.

But Dirk Carter stopped him.

The young man swaggered over to Dirk Carter.

Their eyes met, and sparks flew.

The young man, looking defiant, extended his hand as one of his subordinates retrieved a microphone from the emcee.

He tapped the microphone, checking the sound.

Raising the microphone, the young man said, "Hello everyone, let me introduce myself, I'm John Houseman, the president of Janton State's Auran-Glory Auto Trading Co., Ltd. Like everyone else, I'm here to celebrate Secretary General Carter's wedding."

Having said this.

John Houseman handed the microphone to someone behind him.

He asked, "Secretary General Carter, you wouldn't be unwelcome, would you?"

John Houseman appearing at this moment surely spelled no good.

Dirk Carter knew this well.

But it was, after all, a wedding banquet.

No unpleasant incidents should arise.

So he said, "Welcome, of course. All guests are welcome."

"Hahaha… They say a prime minister's stomach can hold a ship, it seems Secretary General Carter's magnanimity rivals that of a prime minister, I like it."

John Houseman laughed heartily and then suddenly stopped.

He said, "Secretary General Carter, I need to explain something to you. A friend passed away today whom you also know, called… What's the name again?"

He turned to Ah Diao and asked.

Ah Diao answered, "Javier Summers."

John Houseman seemed to have an epiphany, saying, "Right, right, President Summers, Secretary General Carter also knows him. You see, offending anyone else would have been fine, but he offended Secretary General Carter. And now, look, the whole family is dead. I felt bad thinking about it, so I went to pay my respects and then rushed here for Secretary General Carter's wedding. I didn't have time to change my clothes. I suppose Secretary General Carter wouldn't mind, right?"

"Of course not, Master Houseman's presence is an honor as far as I'm concerned."

Dirk Carter said.

This remark.

Prompted a riotous laughter from John Houseman and his men.

Especially John Houseman, who laughed so exaggeratedly.

After pausing.

His gaze shifted to Dorothy Zechariah.

He asked, "This must be the bride, wow, she's so beautiful—what a face, what a figure! I bet she feels amazing under the sheets, huh?"

"John Houseman, you son of a bitch, if you want trouble, take it outside, I'll accompany you."

Arlo Yarbrough finally lost his composure.

He shouted at John Houseman.

Aziel Grant grabbed him in a tight hold.

Not wanting him to do anything outrageous at Dirk Carter's wedding.