This is indeed the truth.

Although Gwendolyn Lewis considers herself above others and looks down on people, she never shirks her responsibilities.

Tigron Hill Elementary School is originally under the jurisdiction of her as the deputy director.

After her last research visit, she went back and filed a report requesting funds.

However, the report was like a stone sinking into the sea, without causing any ripples.

Later, Gwendolyn filed a second report. This time, the response from the former Director Yorke Payne was that the Education Bureau's budget was also tight, and there was temporarily no extra money to allocate to Tigron Hill Elementary School.

With no other options, Gwendolyn had to drop the matter.

"Is there really no funding in the Bureau?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Gwendolyn Lewis sneered and said, "Our Kenton County has always attached great importance to education. Every year, the education budget is the highest among the nearby counties and cities. It's not that there is no money, but rather the leaders just don't want to allocate it here."

"Why?"

"There are many reasons. First, Tigron Hill Elementary School is in a remote area, out of reach for the leaders. Spending money here won't result in achievements they can be praised for."

"Secondly, money spent here would be like a stone sinking into the sea; they wouldn't get any benefits. But giving it to a few fixed schools is different, they can receive some kickbacks here and there."

Hearing this, Dirk Carter felt a rising anger.

He said, "Summarizing, there are two main points: firstly, political achievements; secondly, personal interests, right?"

Gwendolyn nodded.

She said, "Yorke Payne has been the director of this education bureau for eleven years, and the entire education system is under his control. Why does he hold the system so tightly? Because he knows there are too many interests involved. This is also why you faced exclusion right after you arrived; they don't want to share their pie with you."

"You know all this?"

Dirk Carter asked in surprise.

Gwendolyn smiled and said, "I'm not stupid, how could I not know? I just can't fight against them, nor will I join their corrupt dealings."

Dirk Carter nodded.

He asked, "Isn't the county leadership or the disciplinary committee doing anything about it?"

Gwendolyn snorted, saying, "Do something? Why should they? Do you think Yorke Payne can have such a large bite of the cake all by himself? There are definitely people above involved as well."

True enough.

This is a very simple logic.

Eleven years without any issues in the education system.

Countless interests must be involved here.

If Yorke Payne took everything for himself, those above wouldn't permit it.

Thinking of this,

Dirk Carter turned to Fergus Vincent and asked, "Mayor Zhao, how much would it cost to build a brand-new school?"

"Brand-new?"

Fergus Vincent hesitated and asked.

Dirk Carter replied, "Yes, brand-new, with a football field, basketball court, multimedia classrooms, a library, and all essential facilities."

Fergus Vincent thought for a while.

He said, "I haven't calculated it exactly, but I think at least 500,000 would be needed, maybe even more."

Dirk Carter nodded.

He said, "Later, calculate it in detail. I'll have Director Lewis coordinate with you. I'll handle the funding. Also, once we return, I'll find a way to send teachers to Tigron Hill Township. We can't let education suffer, and we can't let the children suffer."

Fergus Vincent was overjoyed.

He shook hands with Dirk Carter repeatedly, saying, "Director Carter, thank you so much. If you really solve the school's problem, the people of Tigron Hill Township will all thank you."

"Alright, that's it. Director Lewis and I will go back now, and you'll wait for my news."

"Director Carter, why not rest a day after dinner before leaving?"

Fergus Vincent suggested politely.

Dirk Carter waved and said, "No need, the children are waiting for class. I'll return today; give me a week to ten days, and I'll try to have this matter resolved."

Amidst Fergus Vincent's profuse thanks, Dirk Carter set off on his return journey.

When they came, Dirk Carter drove, with Gwendolyn Lewis sitting in the back.

On the return trip, Dirk Carter was still driving, but Gwendolyn Lewis was now in the front passenger seat.

"Just now in front of Mayor Zhao, I didn't say that although you're the director, the top leader, it's unlikely that you'll get this money allocated."

Gwendolyn voiced her concerns.

Dirk Carter smiled and said, "How do you know unless you try?"

"Trying is useless. Although Yorke Payne is gone, the financial power of the education bureau is still in his grip. Do you know Damon Stafford, the deputy director in charge of finance? He's Yorke Payne's nephew."

Hearing this,

Dirk Carter's eyes gradually darkened.

He said, "Then let's start with Damon Stafford…"

By the time they returned to the education bureau, it was four in the afternoon.

As their vehicle entered,

Rand Quance had already gotten the news.

They left last night and returned today, which was faster than he anticipated.

He felt a bit puzzled.

So when Dirk Carter returned to the office, he casually wandered over.

"Oh, Director Carter, you're back?"

Feigning surprise, he called from the doorway.

Dirk Carter gulped down a glass of water and said, "Oh, it's Director Quance."

"Director Carter, I'm really sorry. I had something yesterday afternoon, and I should have gone to Tigron Hill Township. Having you handle it right after taking office is really regrettable."

"No worries at all, it's all part of the job, all the same."

Dirk Carter replied, waving his hand.

Rand Quance walked into the office.

He asked, "How are the conditions of the school buildings in Tigron Hill Township?"

"Quite severe, I estimate it will need a complete overhaul."

Dirk Carter replied.

Rand Quance paused, frowning, and said, "That would be troublesome. Our bureau's budget is really tight right now, and spending such a large sum of money would be impossible."

As he said this, he kept watching Dirk Carter, trying to gauge his response.

Dirk Carter smiled and said, "Let's have a meeting tomorrow morning to discuss the issue and see how to solve it."

A meeting to discuss?

Hearing this,

Rand Quance sneered.

Even with ten meetings, there would be no result.

He knew that Dirk Carter, having just arrived, must be eager to prove himself. This was the perfect opportunity to suppress his enthusiasm and show him who's really in charge of the education bureau.

Thinking this,

He nodded and said, "Let's set it for tomorrow morning at nine-thirty. I'll inform everyone."

"Okay, then I'll trouble you, Director Quance."

"What trouble? It's all part of the work."

Rand Quance replied politely.

Turning to leave,

Rand Quance called the other committee members to his office.

He briefed them on the content for the meeting the next day.

Instructing them to have consistent opinions.

After arranging all this, Rand Quance was quite pleased.

As a deputy director, he enjoyed more freedom than the director himself.

Near the end of the workday,

Gwendolyn Lewis knocked on Damon Stafford's office door.

Damon Stafford was reviewing documents. Seeing Gwendolyn enter, he paused and asked, "Director Lewis, what brings you here?"

Gwendolyn smiled slightly.

She opened a paper bag she was carrying, pulled out a box, and placed it in front of Damon Stafford, saying, "Director Stafford, a little gift for you, to share some joy."

Damon Stafford was taken aback.

When he opened the box, there was a Tissot watch inside.

Frowning, he pushed it back and said, "Director Lewis, what does this mean?"

Gwendolyn made a "shh" gesture, looking around, and said, "Don't overthink it. It's not just for you. Except for Director Quance, each member of our leadership team gets a watch, the men get a belt, and the women get a bottle of perfume. Everyone gets something."

"Everyone?"

Damon Stafford was startled.

Thinking about it, he said, "That many? Did Director Lewis win the lottery? You're quite generous."

Gwendolyn smiled and said, "Wasn't I foul-tempered before, making everyone unhappy? I came into a bit of money recently, so I thought I'd buy some gifts to apologize. But keep your mouth shut. Rand Quance isn't getting one. Alright, gift delivered, I'm off to find Director Gao."

With that,

she left with a cheerful expression.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.