"Today's meeting agenda is about the collapse of the Tigron Hill Township primary school building. The night before last, the walls of the primary school suddenly collapsed, leaving a hundred students without a school to attend. This is a very serious issue, so we've convened a meeting today to discuss it."

Rand Quance had just finished speaking.

Deputy Director Cairo Grant cleared his throat and said, "This is an old problem. The bureau is not avoiding helping solve it, but the key issue lies in the school's funding. It shouldn't all fall on our education bureau to resolve. Tigron Hill Township should bear the brunt of it. If they're not investing money, what does it mean for us just to discuss this?"

"Exactly. When Deputy County Head Payne was around, they had discussed this issue with Tigron Hill Township more than once. Tigron Hill itself doesn't pay attention to it. Are we, the education bureau, just a scapegoat?"

Irene Lowell also snorted coldly and said.

Dirk Carter hadn't said anything yet.

The others began to voice their opposition.

Rand Quance appeared to be in a difficult position and said to Dirk Carter, "Director Carter, the issue with the Tigron Hill primary school has always been a top priority for our education bureau. It's just that Tigron Hill hasn't shown their sincerity in this matter, and coupled with our bureau's funding difficulties, the chances of solving this problem are not high."

From the outset.

Rand Quance and the others blocked what Dirk Carter intended to say next.

This meeting ending without any result was already a foregone conclusion.

Dirk Carter nodded and asked, "Is our bureau's financial shortfall very large?"

Rand Quance immediately looked at Damon Stafford, as Damon Stafford was in charge of finances.

Damon Stafford understood and said, "Director Carter, there is no financial shortfall, but these funds have all been reviewed by the two sessions this year and have specific uses. As for the Tigron Hill primary school, I can't spare a single cent from here."

Dirk Carter asked, "Are there specific target plans?"

"Yes."

After Damon Stafford finished speaking.

He handed a folder to Dirk Carter.

And said, "You can take a look. Every amount is allocated, and there's truly no spare money."

Dirk Carter opened the folder.

Quickly scanned it.

Pointed to one of the items and said, "Here is an equipment procurement expense for the education bureau, valued at 540,000. Let's divert this money first for the Tigron Hill primary school."

"That's not possible!"

Damon Stafford immediately refused upon hearing this.

He said with a serious tone, "A lot of the education bureau's equipment is old and needs replacement, which was also approved by the General Assembly. Arbitrarily changing the use is impossible."

"Just go ahead and divert it. I'll handle the rest."

Dirk Carter said.

Damon Stafford looked at Rand Quance and asked, "Director Quance, what do you think?"

Rand Quance furrowed his brow and said, "Director Carter, it's not that we can't divert this money for Tigron Hill, but it was decided long ago in a party committee meeting. Changing its use arbitrarily doesn't make sense."

"What's so nonsensical about it? In extraordinary circumstances, extraordinary measures, this money is arranged like this. Do I, as a director, have no say?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Just as the words left his mouth.

Damon Stafford sneered and said, "Sorry, Director Carter, what you say doesn't count."

"Oh? What I say doesn't count? Does what you say count then?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Damon Stafford looked disdainful.

And said, "The financial power of the education bureau is in my hands. If I say it's usable, it's usable. If I say it's not, then it's not."

"So, you're saying, your power as deputy director is greater than mine as the director?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Damon Stafford waved his hand, saying, "Don't try to use power against me. It may work elsewhere, but not with me. Unless Deputy County Head Payne nods, there's nothing to discuss."

"Oh, I seem to understand now that even though Deputy County Head Payne has left, the financial power of the education bureau is still in his hands, right?"

Dirk Carter asked severely.

Damon Stafford said disdainfully, "So what if it is? I'm telling you clearly, I only listen to Deputy County Head Payne. If you have the guts, fire me!"

"Do you think I can't deal with you?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Damon Stafford leaned back in his chair and said, "I'm sitting right here. Go ahead and try to move me if you dare."

At this point in the conversation.

The tension was already palpable.

Rand Quance said nothing.

After all, the situation right now was exactly what he wanted to see.

In his view, Dirk Carter didn't realize what was good for him, thinking that as the director, he could clash with Damon Stafford but ultimately achieve nothing. Once word gets out, naturally he would lose face.

As a result.

His authority in the education bureau would naturally be completely lost.

Damon Stafford became complacent.

Crossed his legs and stared at Dirk Carter, as if telling him, "Go ahead and try to move me, I'm right here waiting for you."

Knock knock knock.

A sudden knock on the door sounded.

Deputy Director of the Office Giovanni Caldwell walked in and said, "Reporting to the leadership, the people from the audit bureau have arrived."

Dirk Carter waved his hand and said, "Alright, take them directly to the finance side."

"Yes, leader."

Giovanni Caldwell was just about to leave.

Damon Stafford suddenly stood up and asked, "What are the audit bureau people here for?"

Giovanni Caldwell glanced at Dirk Carter and said, "Director Carter called them over, saying it was a routine financial audit requested proactively."

Boom!

Damon Stafford was momentarily dumbfounded.

Paused and asked, "Dirk Carter, what do you mean?"

Dirk Carter shrugged and said, "I don't mean anything. As the newly appointed director, I must understand the financial state of our education bureau, right? Requesting a financial audit proactively isn't quite a normal thing to do?"

"Did you get my consent?"

Damon Stafford asked, slightly flustered.

Dirk Carter chuckled and said, "Do I need your permission to request a financial audit? Besides, I've reported this to County Head Li. Are you so arrogant that you don't even listen to County Head Li's orders?"

"You..."

Damon Stafford was momentarily speechless.

Rand Quance stood up.

Walked to Damon Stafford's side, patting him on the shoulder, saying, "Director Stafford, if Director Carter wants to investigate, let him. What's the big deal? Since every bit of money has been approved from above, what is there to fear?"

Damon Stafford had been managing the finances of the education bureau for many years without any issues.

In this, Rand Quance was entirely confident.

It was precisely for this reason that he said what he did.

Seeing Damon Stafford still looking worried.

Dirk Carter sneered, "Director Stafford, have you done something dodgy in the finances?"

"How... how is that possible?"

Damon Stafford visibly showed signs of panic.

Dirk Carter continued, "Since you're not guilty, sit down and behave. I estimate it won't take long to have results."

Though Damon Stafford sat down.

He still looked incredibly uneasy.

Sweat began to slightly bead on his forehead.

About twenty minutes later.

The meeting room door opened again.

This time, it wasn't Giovanni Caldwell or the audit bureau people who entered, but rather the disciplinary commission personnel.

They entered the meeting room, scanned the room, and asked, "Who is Comrade Damon Stafford?"

"I... I am."

Damon Stafford stood up, trembling.

The discipline personnel nodded and said, "Comrade Damon Stafford, there are some situations we need you to come with us to verify. Let's go."

After speaking.

Two personnel from the disciplinary commission approached Damon Stafford from behind.

Leading away the dejected Damon Stafford.

What is happening.

Everyone else, until now, was still bewildered.

Especially Rand Quance.

He completely didn't understand how a meeting led to Damon Stafford being taken away?

This kind of situation had never happened before.

Once Damon Stafford was taken away.

Rand Quance hurriedly ran out of the meeting room and grabbed the discipline commission member, asking, "Chief Jiang, what's going on? What happened with Director Stafford?"

Chief Jiang shook his head and said, "Director Quance, the case hasn't been clarified yet, so we can't reveal anything to you for the time being."

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