Dirk Carter looked at Dahlia Hughes.

Dahlia Hughes also nodded.

This meant that regarding this matter, she supported Dirk Carter.

To uncover what was behind that phone call, it was necessary to confront Sherman Summers directly.

But would Sherman Summers tell the truth?

Obviously not.

For Dirk Carter, becoming the secretary to Donal Lewis not only helped in understanding what happened with Dylan Tate but also served as a form of self-preservation.

Just as Donal Lewis mentioned.

Sherman Summers would definitely retaliate.

Once he seized control of Stillwater County and then moved against Dirk Carter, Dirk would be as helpless as a lamb to the slaughter.

With this thought, Dirk Carter asked, "Secretary Lewis, if I may ask, among the County Committee members, who is on your side?"

Donal Lewis gave a bitter smile and said, "I used to have Shane Vincent, but you took him down, so I'm basically a lone wolf now."

There were always rumors that Shane Vincent was a close associate of Donal Lewis.

It seems to be a fact.

Shane Vincent and Dylan Tate did not get along.

And in people's eyes, Donal Lewis and Dylan Tate also don't get along.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

It's not surprising that Shane Vincent aligned himself with Donal Lewis.

But reflecting on it, when Shane Vincent was "facing off" with Dirk Carter, Donal Lewis didn't show up. Back then Dirk couldn't understand, but now it all makes sense.

"Aren't I also here?"

Dahlia Hughes said.

Dirk Carter shook his head and said, "Not enough, far from enough. There are eleven members in Stillwater County's standing committee. We need to win over at least half of them. Plus, we have to bring the People's Congress and the Political Consultative Conference over. Otherwise, it won't be easy to gain a solid footing."

Donal Lewis said self-deprecatingly, "It's hard, really hard. In the four years I've been in Stillwater County, I've always been suppressed by Dylan Tate. Although I'm in charge, frankly speaking, people don't really respect me, and the chances of them siding with me are slim."

Dirk Carter laughed.

He said, "It's all about human effort. If we address the issues correctly, there's no problem that can't be solved. Right now, we have a very easy candidate to win over."

"Who?"

Dahlia Hughes asked.

Dirk Carter tapped the table and said, "County Committee Deputy Secretary, Augustus Hendrix."

"Augustus Hendrix? No way. No way. He's always been self-righteous and rarely gets involved in political fights. Counting on his support is practically a wild dream."

Donal Lewis waved dismissively.

Dirk Carter smiled and said, "I'll handle Deputy Secretary Hendrix. Give me two days, and I'll get back to you by next Monday."

Two days?

Settle Augustus Hendrix in two days?

If Dirk Carter hadn't done some incredible things in the past, Donal Lewis might really think he was bragging.

After the meal ended.

Dirk Carter saw off Donal Lewis and Dahlia Hughes one after another.

He was just about to find a taxi at the corner of the hotel to head home.

Suddenly, an off-road vehicle stopped in front of him.

The window rolled down, and a burly man's face appeared in front of him.

"Hey buddy, can I ask you how to get to The Argent Grand Hotel?"

Dirk Carter was taken aback.

He turned around, pointed behind him, and said, "It's right here."

The burly man smiled with delight.

Suddenly, he seemed to think of something.

He handed a pack of cigarettes to Dirk Carter and asked, "Hey buddy, can I ask you another question? How far is the nearest police station from The Argent Grand Hotel?"

What kind of question was this?

Dirk Carter curiously glanced inside the car through the window.

There were five people in total in the car.

Three more in the back seat.

Each one had a fierce expression on their face.

More importantly, there was a knife, a machete, on the armrest box of the passenger seat.

"Uh, not far, about a hundred meters or so, less than a minute drive from that direction."

Dirk Carter realized these people were not locals.

And judging by their appearance and their questions, they didn't seem to be up to any good.

So he made up an answer offhandedly.

The burly man, upon hearing Dirk Carter's words, immediately turned back to discuss something with the three people in the back.

Next.

The window slowly rolled up.

The car started and drove into The Argent Grand Hotel's parking lot.

After some consideration.

He still felt something was amiss.

Dirk Carter, feeling uneasy, turned around and followed them in, hiding quietly in a corner, keeping an eye on the vehicle.

The SUV parked in the space, but no one got out.

He waited for a good fifteen minutes or so.

The driver's door finally opened.

The skinny driver from earlier entered the hotel, said something to the front desk clerk, and then returned to the car.

What on earth were these people up to?

Dirk Carter snuck into the lobby through a side entrance.

He walked to the front desk and asked, "Hello, I'm just asking, what did that tall skinny guy come here to inquire about?"

The front desk clerk, although unfamiliar with Dirk Carter, knew Donal Lewis and understood that Dirk was with Donal Lewis for dinner.

She immediately smiled warmly and said, "Hello sir, they just asked if this was the hotel where the guests for tomorrow's Apex Gardens ribbon-cutting ceremony would be staying."

"Ribbon-cutting ceremony? What ribbon-cutting ceremony?"

Dirk Carter asked.

The front desk clerk asked, "Sir, you still don't know? Recently, Apex Gardens was ordered by the Work Safety Administration to halt and rectify issues. This month's rectification just ended, and Apex Group plans to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony, inviting a big celebrity to reduce negative impact."

How could Dirk Carter not know about the order to halt and rectify?

He was the one behind it.

But the ribbon-cutting ceremony was indeed something he hadn't heard about.

On reflection, it wasn't surprising.

Since they were building the most upscale residential complex in Stillwater County, being fined by the Work Safety Administration during construction was bound to affect future sales.

After all, the common people wouldn't know why the Work Safety Administration penalized Apex Gardens.

Having a celebrity create buzz would also boost the complex's visibility and positively impact future sales.

"Oh, is that so? So who did they invite?"

Dirk Carter asked.

The front desk clerk looked around, leaned in close to Dirk Carter, and said mysteriously, "This information is supposed to be confidential as requested by Apex Gardens. Promise you won't tell anyone, okay? It's Miss Corrine Quance."

"Corrine Quance? The popular starlet Corrine Quance?"

Dirk Carter asked.

The front desk clerk nodded, then gestured a shushing motion, saying, "Our hotel signed a confidentiality agreement, so if you blab, I could get in trouble."

"Don't worry, I won't say a word. How did you respond to them just now?"

Dirk Carter asked.

The front desk clerk said seriously, "I said I didn't know."

Didn't know?

What kind of answer was that?

Isn't that like stating the obvious?

Since Corrine Quance's participation in the event in Stillwater County was confidential.

How did the people in the SUV know about it?

Something's not right, something's really not right.

Dirk Carter had a gut feeling that something might happen.

He pulled out his phone, just about to call Caleb Ford to give him a heads-up, when he saw four of the people from the car had gotten out, two of them carrying large backpacks, walking into the hotel and heading straight for the elevator.

"Which room is Miss Corrine Quance staying in?"

Dirk Carter asked nervously.

The front desk clerk put on airs, shaking her head, saying, "Sir, that's someone else's privacy. I can't disclose it to you."

Damn it!

Dirk cursed inwardly.

No other choice.

He had to tackle it head-on.

Gritting his teeth, he dashed into the elevator just before the door closed...

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