4:30 PM.

That's when the city police's criminal investigation team arrived for support.

Dirk Carter received a call from County Mayor Simon Lewis, asking him to come over to the county government.

He had just gotten out of the car at the entrance of The County Committee compound.

Simon Lewis's secretary, Dimitri Dutton, was already waiting at the gate.

Under his guidance,

Dirk Carter went to Simon Lewis's office once again.

After pushing the door open, he realized that inside were not one, but six people.

In the center of the sofa sat a middle-aged man in his fifties, looking grim. This person was none other than Warren Young, the secretary of the Kenton County Committee.

To Warren Young's left was Simon Lewis.

Opposite Simon Lewis sat a middle-aged woman, who seemed to also be in her fifties, and she was Emmeline Carter, the deputy secretary of the Kenton County Committee.

Next to Simon Lewis was the executive deputy county mayor, Caden Dixon.

Opposite Caden Dixon was the head of the Organization Department, Cecil Ford.

Another person.

Sitting directly opposite Warren Young, wearing a police uniform, was Troy Kane, the secretary of the Political and Legal Committee and director of the Kenton County Public Security Bureau.

Kenton County has a total of 13 Standing Committee members, and six of them were in the office at this moment.

"Okay, Comrade Dirk Carter is here, let's start the meeting."

Simon Lewis said with a stern expression.

Then he cleared his throat and said, "I think everyone already knows about what happened today. This incident is the biggest disgrace in the history of Kenton County, as well as the biggest disgrace in Kenton County's education system. We have gathered everyone here today to discuss the aftermath. Comrade Kane, why don't you outline the situation?"

Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee, Troy Kane, nodded.

He said, "After receiving the call from the city bureau, the city's Public Security Bureau criminal investigation team immediately took action, and with cooperation from the Education Bureau, they controlled Principal Buckley Quill of School Number Three. Additionally, they conducted a preliminary investigation of Yorke Payne's suicide scene. It is currently confirmed that Comrade Yorke Payne died by suicide. Lastly, the city's Public Security Bureau has issued a wanted order for Comrade Rand Quance and is now conducting a comprehensive search..."

As soon as Troy Kane finished speaking,

Executive Deputy County Mayor Caden Dixon looked in the direction of Dirk Carter and said, "Comrade Dirk Carter, I think you owe the County Committee and county government an explanation for this matter? Why didn't you report in advance for such a significant operation?"

The situation had developed to such a point.

It was already completely out of control.

Dirk Carter knew well that the county was bound to erupt.

After all, Dirk Carter's actions were like giving the county leaders a slap in the face with no prior warning.

This involved not only acting without permission but also skipping hierarchical reporting.

Either of which is a grave taboo in the officialdom.

Just as Dirk Carter was about to speak,

Deputy Secretary Emmeline Carter calmly said, "Now is not the time to hold people accountable, but to deal with the aftermath. Such a scandal in School Number Three has already seriously affected normal teaching. Calling Comrade Dirk Carter here is to ensure he promptly handles the stability work at School Number Three."

Caden Dixon seemed quite displeased.

He said, "He caused this mess, let him fix it himself. If he can't manage the Education Bureau directorate, what else is there to say?"

Emmeline Carter smiled slightly.

She said, "Deputy County Mayor Dixon, that statement is incorrect. How can you say Comrade Dirk Carter caused this mess? Isn't this a case of putting the cart before the horse? Shouldn't all the problems stem from Yorke Payne and Rand Quance? Comrade Dirk Carter merely clarified the issue."

"Alright, alright, stop arguing."

The two sides exchanged a few words back and forth.

Warren Young grew somewhat impatient and interrupted their conversation.

After a pause, he said, "County Mayor Simon clearly stated at the beginning that today's meeting is about the aftermath, not arguing over who is right or wrong."

After finishing,

he looked at Dirk Carter.

He said, "Comrade Dirk Carter, the incident has already occurred. At School Number Three, stability must be maintained at all costs. Quickly appease the parents and students and restore normal school order."

"Understood, Secretary Young, I will,"

Dirk Carter nodded and said.

Once Warren Young finished speaking,

Simon Lewis said, "What you've accomplished is commendable, but your methods have been too drastic, leaving an indelible impact on the entire Kenton County. Thus, in this matter, the County Committee will not commend you. Otherwise, the entire Kenton County would descend into chaos. I hope you go back and reflect on your actions properly. That's my advice to you."

While these words were spoken in a calm tone,

Dirk Carter could still discern,

that Simon Lewis was very displeased with him.

He only refrained from expressing it due to the presence of others.

"Alright, you should return and get back to your work. We'll continue the meeting."

Simon Lewis waved him off.

Dirk Carter exhaled deeply, greeted everyone, and turned to leave.

The meeting was very brief for Dirk Carter today.

Lasting only about ten minutes altogether.

But in those brief ten minutes, Dirk Carter seemed to perceive the leaders' attitudes.

On the county government side, including County Mayor Simon Lewis and Executive Deputy County Mayor Caden Dixon, there was intense resentment against his actions, while Deputy Secretary Emmeline Carter apparently endorsed what he had done.

Only the attitude of the primary leader, Warren Young, remained unclear.

Of course.

As the secretary of the County Committee,

concealing one's stance is an essential skill.

One thing is certain.

Among the six present senior officials, there must be a backer for Yorke Payne, possibly one, or two, or perhaps more. Additionally, these individuals seem to be tacitly aware of each other's identities.

But who, exactly, is this person?

Upon returning to the Education Bureau,

Dirk Carter immediately called a meeting of the bureau's leadership.

A task force, headed by deputy director Gwendolyn Lewis, was formed to enter School Number Three and handle the aftermath, as the incident had the most significant impact on School Number Three.

The entire Education Bureau was in a state of panic.

Everyone seemed to have a sword hanging over their heads, poised to fall at any moment.

After all, nearly everyone here was a supporter of Yorke Payne and Rand Quance.

Now with one dead and the other escaped,

who wouldn't feel a chill down their spine?

Just as he returned to his office,

a knock was heard at the door behind him.

Dirk Carter turned around.

He saw the office director, Russell Sadler, standing at the door with a fawning smile.

"Oh, it's Director Sadler. Is there something you need?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Russell Sadler nervously entered, carrying a set of keys, and said, "Director Carter, you see, I've been really busy and muddled lately. You've been in office for nearly half a month, and I still haven't arranged a dormitory room for you..."

Finished speaking,

he pretended to slap his own face.

He said, "Director Carter, these are your keys. I'll show you the dormitory after work today."

"It's fine. Just leave the keys. I'll go myself when I have time,"

Dirk Carter replied.

Upon hearing this, Russell Sadler immediately said, "Director Carter, let me take you. If there's anything missing, it would be easier for the office to prepare in advance."

As a supporter of Yorke Payne and Rand Quance,

now that both have fallen from power, he should be the most anxious.

Dirk Carter smiled knowingly.

He said, "Director Sadler, about the secretary I asked you to arrange for me earlier, how is that coming along?"

Russell Sadler was startled.

He quickly replied, "Yves Quill, right? All the formalities are arranged, and he can start work tomorrow."

"Then could you please call Comrade Yves Quill for me?"

Dirk Carter said.

Russell Sadler replied with trepidation, "Director Carter, what are you saying? It's my duty to do so."

Dirk Carter nodded.

He approached Russell Sadler and patted him on the shoulder, saying, "Director Sadler, there's no need to be so nervous. I'm not a monster, ready to devour you whole..."

What does that mean?

Not devour whole, so perhaps chew thoroughly before swallowing?

Russell Sadler shivered.

He replied in a trembling voice, "Director Carter, I... I..."

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.