"Haha, from Director Quance's words, it seems I have no choice but to reconcile with Director Pitts?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Rand Quance flicked his index finger, sending the cigarette butt directly flying out, landing in the grass at the entrance of the auditorium.

He said, "Director Carter, today's meeting will start in a few minutes. All logistics work is handled by the Education Department. Preparing a nameplate and seat for Director Carter is a quick thing, so Director Carter should hurry up."

Initially, Dirk Carter thought there was no seat prepared for him today simply because he had not yet assumed office, so it was overlooked.

But upon hearing this.

Dirk Carter understood.

This was a blatant threat.

It meant to tell Dirk Carter that if he didn't reconcile with Ivan Pitts today, he would be publicly embarrassed at today's meeting.

After all, Dirk Carter was an authority figure.

And a newly appointed one at that.

Even someone as arrogant as Sherman Summers wouldn't embarrass a leader on their first day in office.

It was evident that Rand Quance inherently held no regard for Dirk Carter.

"Alright then, in that case, I'll just accompany and have a look at the prestige of Kenton County's education system."

Dirk Carter let out a cold snort.

He turned around and went in.

Rand Quance was momentarily stunned in place.

A bit unable to react.

It's said that those who recognize the situation are wise.

He had never encountered someone as unyielding as Dirk Carter.

"How did it go?"

Just when he was in bewilderment.

Yorke Payne walked out.

Rand Quance shook his head, murmuring, "Too young, not much sense, still thinks he's the first secretary of the County Committee."

"Oh?"

Hearing this answer, Yorke Payne was also somewhat surprised and mockingly said, "Such a person can become a director? I really overestimated him."

"So, what's the next move?"

Rand Quance asked.

Yorke Payne thought for a moment and said, "What move? The meeting will proceed as usual. Such people need to be hammered down, or they'll get cocky."

Rand Quance chuckled and said to Yorke Payne, "Don't worry, boss, with me here, no one can overthrow anything; the education system is still yours and will remain in your name."

Yorke Payne patted Rand Quance on the shoulder.

With a satisfied look, he said, "Let's go for the meeting, I want to see where Dirk Carter would place his public face once this meeting is over."

The scheduled meeting time was eleven-thirty.

There were still about two or three minutes left.

All attendees were present.

Whether intentionally or not, the host of this meeting was Ivan Pitts.

He picked up the microphone.

His gaze roamed around the auditorium.

Finally landing on Dirk Carter in the far corner.

Disdain arose in his eyes.

Just as he was about to speak, suddenly, Deputy Mayor Ramey shouted, "Wait a second."

Ivan Pitts quickly went to her and respectfully asked, "Deputy Mayor Ramey, is there anything else?"

Charlotte Ramey asked, "Where is Director Carter?"

Ivan Pitts was taken aback and looked somewhat flustered at Rand Quance.

Seeing this, Rand Quance immediately stood up, bent down beside Charlotte Ramey, and said, "Deputy Mayor Ramey, today's inspection was arranged a while ago. At that time, Director Carter hadn't taken office, and the school didn't know he would be coming today, so no table or nameplate was prepared for him."

Charlotte Ramey nodded.

She said, "Oh, so that's what happened."

Originally, it was thought to be over.

Unexpectedly, Charlotte Ramey paused and said, "In that case, remove your nameplate, step down, and invite Director Carter up."

"Deputy Mayor Ramey, this doesn't seem right, after all, Director Quance was arranged first."

Yorke Payne quickly leaned in and whispered.

Charlotte Ramey glared.

She said, "The head stays below, while the deputy righteously sits above; is there no sense of order?"

Yorke Payne and Rand Quance's faces turned pale all at once.

Seeing neither of them had any intention to move.

Charlotte Ramey asked, "Then shall I and Director Sutton sit below while you two leaders sit above?"

The words already carried a sense of anger.

Yorke Payne was taken aback.

He quickly glanced at Rand Quance, who could only dejectedly step down from the stage.

Noticing that Rand Quance did not invite Dirk Carter over.

Charlotte Ramey turned on the microphone in front of her and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, before we start the meeting, let me formally introduce to everyone, our newly appointed Director of the Kenton County Education Bureau, Dirk Carter."

After speaking.

She took the lead in applauding.

With Charlotte Ramey clapping.

No one else dared to remain idle.

Everyone followed suit and started applauding.

Dirk Carter walked across the seating area and went onto the stage.

He took the place where Rand Quance previously sat and bowed to everyone.

In this way.

Dirk Carter made his first official appearance in the Kenton County education system.

With the introduction over.

Ivan Pitts began to conduct the meeting.

Dirk Carter took a look at the meeting agenda placed on the table and discovered that this meeting was actually an award ceremony for the selection of the city's key elementary school.

Among the awardees, Ivan Pitts' name was prominently listed.

Someone like him could still be selected as an outstanding contributor to the education system; it seemed there were many hidden agendas involved.

The preceding speech was filled with grandiloquent words.

When it was time for the Deputy Director of the Municipal Education Bureau, Timothy Sutton, to speak.

Yorke Payne suddenly said beside Dirk Carter, "Director Carter, how about you read the award list during the awards ceremony later?"

On hearing this.

Dirk Carter shivered.

Him read the award list?

According to the program itinerary.

Wasn't this supposed to be read by Yorke Payne?

Suddenly, everything became clear to him.

No wonder Rand Quance was so confident; he must have received Yorke Payne's approval.

The two have worked as partners for several years, it's not surprising they're on the same wavelength.

Letting him read the award list meant that when Ivan Pitts was announced as an awardee, it would be from his mouth. Once he was showered with accolades, issued by Dirk Carter himself, dealing with him later would entail slapping his own face.

No one would pull such a foolish stunt.

This truly was forcing him into a corner.

Seeing the ill-intentioned smile in Yorke Payne's eyes.

Dirk Carter knew, this difficulty couldn't be avoided today.

The next step was announcing the award list.

Amidst everyone's expectant gazes, Dirk Carter walked to the podium.

Sitting below, Rand Quance saw him pick up the microphone, and smirked internally, saying, "Alright, let's see how you'll embarrass yourself later."

As the County Education Bureau Director.

Dirk Carter began to read from the prepared notes.

With full knowledge of the result, Ivan Pitts wore a smile.

After all, to him, as long as Dirk Carter read his name out, his previous crisis would be resolved.

"Alright, the reading of the award list is complete, everyone, congratulations!"

In a daze.

Dirk Carter had finished reading the list.

Warm applause arose.

Ivan Pitts was suddenly stunned and looked nervously at Yorke Payne.

Yorke Payne's previously smug expression was also frozen.

Because during the reading, Dirk Carter didn't mention Ivan Pitts at all.

After the applause settled.

Yorke Payne immediately turned on the microphone.

He said, "Director Carter, please check again to see if any names were omitted?"

"No, I read them all out."

Dirk Carter responded with an innocent look.

Yorke Payne said, "Impossible, you must have missed something, check again carefully."

Dirk Carter picked up his script and flipped through it, squinting and examining it several times, and said, "No, I read all of it."

"Impossible, there's no mention of Director Pitts of the Seventh Elementary School Education Department."

Yorke Payne couldn't hold back.

Finally blurting out.

Dirk Carter feigned realization, "Oh, so this spot covered with ink is that name, my apologies, everyone, I'm new here and unfamiliar with the list, plus the script is stained with ink, my apologies, since Deputy County Head Payne has already announced it, there's no need for me to add anything."

After saying this.

He raised his script in front of everyone.

Sure enough.

In the middle part, there was a large blot of ink, precisely covering a name.

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