"You've changed."

Looking at Dirk Carter in front of her, Dahlia Hughes remarked with a sense of nostalgia.

Dirk Carter zipped up his jacket and asked, "How have I changed?"

Dahlia Hughes pondered for a moment and said, "How to put it—you used to be like a general charging at the front, but now, you seem more like a strategist manipulating power."

Dirk Carter chuckled.

He said, "It's not that I've changed, but after going through some things, I've grown up. Everyone has to grow up, right?"

"Yes, everyone has to grow up."

As she watched Dirk Carter walk out of the office door.

Dahlia Hughes wasn't sure whether growing up was a good or bad thing for someone like Dirk Carter.

Two o'clock in the afternoon.

Municipal Government Building.

Mayor's office.

Kelton Levin had just emerged from the lounge when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Kelton Levin called out, and the secretary, Edmund Yule, came in and said, "Leader, Dirk Carter from Kenton County says he has something to discuss with you."

He was momentarily stunned.

He asked, "Who?"

"The Director of Education in Kenton County, the same Dirk Carter you nominated for Deputy Mayor."

Edmund Yule repeated.

Kelton Levin was a bit confused, paused, and said, "Alright, let him in."

A little over a minute later, Edmund Yule led Dirk Carter into the office.

By this time, Kelton Levin was already sitting behind the desk, engrossed in reading documents.

"Hello, Mayor Levin."

Dirk Carter said respectfully.

Kelton Levin pretended not to hear and Edmund Yule led Dirk Carter to sit on the sofa, poured him a glass of water, and then discreetly left.

Soon after Edmund Yule left.

Kelton Levin put down the documents in his hand, looked up, and feigned surprise, asking, "Are you Dirk Carter?"

Dirk Carter quickly stood up, slightly bowed, and said, "Mayor Levin, I apologize for the sudden interruption."

Kelton Levin took off his reading glasses.

He sat across from Dirk Carter, scrutinized him carefully, and asked, "Comrade Dirk Carter, is there something you wanted to discuss with me?"

Dirk Carter seemed a bit uneasy.

He said, "Mayor Levin, um... I heard it was you who promoted me to the position of Deputy Mayor... so... so I wanted to express my gratitude to you..."

"Oh, that matter, well, doing a good job in your position is the best thanks you can give me."

Kelton Levin waved it off.

Dirk Carter became anxious.

He said, "Rest assured, Mayor Levin, I will do my utmost in Kenton County not to let you down. Actually, I came here with something else I wanted to give you."

"Oh? What is it?"

Kelton Levin asked with curiosity.

Dirk Carter took out a ledger from his bag.

He respectfully pushed it in front of Kelton Levin.

"What's this?"

Kelton Levin opened it to find a jumble of numbers.

Dirk Carter immediately said, "To be honest, Mayor Levin, this ledger details the income of The Tonight Club in Kenton County. Previously, when Declan Newhart was in charge, it could only make about a hundred thousand per month. Since my people took over, it has managed to make three hundred thousand per month, and that's pure profit."

"What do you mean by giving me this ledger?"

Kelton Levin asked again.

With his head lowered, Dirk Carter said, "Leader, the 108 case caused you considerable trouble, and I'm sure you were displeased with me. At the time, I thought my career had ended, but unexpectedly, you gave me another chance without holding a grudge. I'm eternally grateful and have nothing to offer but this: from now on, 80% of the income from The Tonight Club, I will hand over to you monthly, as a way to repay your nurturing kindness. I also hope for your protection in the future."

These words.

Made Kelton Levin shiver slightly.

He said sternly, "Dirk Carter, are you trying to bribe me? And by giving me this ledger, I could immediately bring in the disciplinary committee to charge you with embezzlement and abuse of power. Do you believe that?"

"I believe!"

Dirk Carter nodded.

He said loudly, "By giving this to you, Mayor Levin, I want nothing to hide from the leader who values me. With this ledger, if you want to take action against me, you can do so anytime. After all, my career was granted by you, and if you want to take it back, it would only take a word from you."

Upon these words.

Kelton Levin's mind began to calculate.

If Dirk Carter were merely offering profits from The Tonight Club, he might not have believed it, considering that in his view, Dirk Carter is quite shrewd.

But now, handing over the ledger that concerns his own fate is akin to self-destruction, making Dirk Carter's attitude seemingly "sincere" under these circumstances.

Before the 108 case.

Kelton Levin's reach had never extended into Kenton County.

After the 108 case, he finally found an opportunity to place his loyalist, Bjorn Dixon, there.

If it were only Bjorn Dixon alone, he certainly wouldn't have taken any interest in Dirk Carter. But now, things were different, with Caden Dixon, who is also adept at assessing situations, having joined him, diminishing Bjorn Dixon's importance.

Moreover, since returning, Elsie Eames had been whispering about how Bjorn Dixon "bullied" her, though he remains one of the top choices, a crack had already formed in his heart.

Although Dirk Carter is young.

He also has some brains.

The future holds immense possibilities.

Suppressing him outright is not as practical as bringing him into the fold.

Besides, a monthly income of three hundred thousand is not a small amount.

Why would anyone in their right mind pass up money?

Kelton Levin, after all, is an old fox.

He doesn't easily trust anyone.

He tapped the ledger with his fingers and said, "To tell you the truth, nominating you as the Deputy Mayor wasn't my idea; it was proposed by Comrade Bjorn Dixon. So, the person you should most thank is him."

Dirk Carter nodded slightly, and said with a stern face, "I know."

"You know?"

Kelton Levin was taken aback, but there was not a hint of surprise in his face.

Dirk Carter nodded again and said, "As soon as County Mayor Dixon arrived at Kenton County, he approached me, saying that as long as The Tonight Club gave him some profit, he could promote me to Deputy Mayor. I felt grateful yet quite terrified because County Mayor Dixon merely nominated me, but it was truly Mayor Levin who promoted me, and I also know that County Mayor Dixon is your person. I'm sure he'd be happy for the majority to go to the leader."

"Did you lie to me about any of this?"

Kelton Levin inquired.

Dirk Carter immediately said, "Leader, today I've given you the ledger, and you can call County Mayor Dixon to question him about this. If there is the slightest falsehood from me, you can take this ledger and deal with me right now. I assure you, I'll have nothing to say."

Such resolute words.

Finally convinced Kelton Levin.

He let out a long sigh and nodded.

He said, "Alright, since you have a filial heart, I'll temporarily keep this ledger for you. For the rest of the matters, just coordinate with Secretary Yule. There's no need for me to explain the other rules; I believe you understand them."

Upon hearing this.

Dirk Carter was overjoyed.

He repeatedly said, "Thank you, Mayor Levin, for the promotion. I will spare no effort, with Mayor Levin's guidance as my beacon. No matter what Mayor Levin needs me to do, I will do it superbly."

After some more small talk.

Dirk Carter found an opportunity to leave.

After watching Dirk Carter leave, Edmund Yule returned to the office, closed the door, and said to Kelton Levin, "Leader, I've seen off Comrade Dirk Carter."

Kelton Levin pointed at the ledger on the table and said, "You have an economics background, come, take a look at this ledger, see if there are any problems."

Edmund Yule picked up the ledger, carefully examined it for a good while, and said with a frown, "There doesn't seem to be any issues. It includes detailed records of income, expenses, and losses, making it quite a complete ledger."

This answer.

Allowed Kelton Levin to breathe a sigh of relief.

Edmund Yule asked, "Leader, do you think I should give County Mayor Dixon a heads-up about this?"

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