The plot progresses to this point.

Whether others understood or not is unknown.

But Bjorn Dixon seems to have sniffed out something unusual.

The card that Dirk Carter received was directly handed over to Helen Fletcher, which means that Dirk Carter has nothing to do with Templeton Quill in this matter.

He pondered it carefully and suddenly realized.

This matter, when all is said and done, is Dirk Carter's "using others to do the dirty work."

After comprehending this segment, a chill surged in his heart.

If this is truly the case, Dirk Carter's mind is somewhat terrifying.

Leonard Bates, who has been in the political scene all his life.

Upon hearing Helen Fletcher's words, he also began to realize.

He leaned close to Dirk Carter, discreetly turned off the microphone, and asked, "Deputy Magistrate Carter, did you go after my son for this moment?"

"From the way you're saying this, regarding what happened to your son, I am truly sorry. Please don't take offense, Chairman Bates."

Dirk Carter's calm and collected response made Leonard Bates even more certain.

He subtly gave a thumbs-up and said, "Well played. I didn't expect to be used as a pawn by you."

Dirk Carter chuckled and said, "Once the gun goes off and the bullet is fired, there's no turning back for you, Chairman Bates."

A mute swallows bitter medicine, unable to express the pain.

Originally intended to target Dirk Carter.

It turned out, I was used by Dirk Carter instead.

Though resentful in his heart, it was all for naught.

Meanwhile, Maeve Winters had already approached Conway Sawyer and Brogan Grant, reporting that Dennis Vincent's suicide was actually a result of being coerced by Templeton Quill's captured subordinates, rather than suicide.

After discovering that Dennis Vincent had written a report to the State Commission for Discipline Inspection, they realized the matter could only be resolved if Dennis Vincent was permanently silenced.

Thus, they coerced him using Coltrane Vincent as leverage, forcing him to drink pesticide to commit suicide, and made him write a suicide note before his death, ensuring all connections were severed when he died, as it would seem self-inflicted, raising no suspicion.

What they didn't anticipate was that the State Commission for Discipline Inspection was already alarmed by the incident.

Furthermore, they sent Helen Fletcher to investigate.

Originally, with the death of Dennis, the case could've dissipated without incident, but Helen Fletcher wasn't one to easily believe that. She leveraged her skills to penetrate Kenton County, secretly enlisting Dirk Carter's help to investigate thoroughly.

If Dirk Carter had conducted an open investigation.

The situation might have had a chance to resolve.

At least Templeton Quill's faction could respond timely.

However, it was not Dirk Carter who investigated; instead, it was a never-noted investigation initiated by the Political Consultative Conference. Moreover, a newly appointed head of the Criminal Investigation Team, who wasn't under the control of Deputy Director Emmett Langdon at all, these coincidences piled together led Templeton Quill to be caught off guard, resulting in a massive defeat.

Was it really a coincidence?

Of course not.

Every step here was meticulously planned by Dirk Carter.

He knew well his position was insignificant, and that Templeton Quill definitely had someone shielding him from above, using others as a tool combined with deception led to the final downfall of the tobacco system's parasite, Templeton Quill.

The conclusion of the commendation conference saw Idris Wright, the discipline inspection commission's secretary, temporarily suspended, Public Security Bureau's Deputy Director Emmett Langdon removed and placed under investigation, while Templeton Quill's crimes were irrefutable, leading to his immediate expulsion and detention by the Public Security Bureau.

Thus, the Dennis Vincent and Coltrane Vincent case saw its injustice finally brought to light.

Even though the TV station filmed the whole event.

However, when the commendation conference was broadcast on the news channel at noon the next day, this footage had been edited out.

Somewhat a pity.

In hindsight, it's understandable.

After all, many details in the case still needed clarification, broadcasting now would only alert other suspects.

Not conducive to subsequent investigations.

Immediately after the news ended.

There was a knock on Dirk Carter's office door.

"Come in."

Dirk Carter turned off the television, and the door was pushed open. Helen Fletcher walked in.

"Secretary Fletcher."

Dirk Carter quickly stood up to welcome her.

Helen Fletcher nodded, sat down on the sofa, and seeing Dirk Carter busy preparing tea, waved her hand, saying, "No need to fuss, I'm not thirsty. I just came to tell you something."

"What is it?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Helen Fletcher thought for a moment and said, "Leonard Bates... he... he resigned."

"What?"

Dirk Carter was stunned, asking, "Why?"

Helen Fletcher paused and said, "Leonard Bates, he had suffered setbacks in the political circles before, and since then lost all interest in it. The position at the Political Consultative Conference was relatively quiet, and he intended to retire there. This time, his sole reason for coming out of retirement was to exact revenge on you. Nonetheless, you used him instead, and maybe this blow was too much for him."

Dirk Carter frowned, shook his head, and said, "That's one reason, but not the main one. Behind Idris Wright, Emmett Langdon, and Templeton Quill, there must be some other powerful figures. Leonard Bates knew that by moving against them, he was also disturbing some leaders' 'interests,' so he voluntarily offered to resign."

"That possibility exists too."

Helen Fletcher said.

Dirk Carter smacked his head forcefully, self-reproachingly said, "It's all my fault. If I hadn't used him, he could have retired smoothly. I was too reckless, only considering my safety, without thinking about others' feelings."

Seeing Denver Carter's depressing expression.

Helen Fletcher sighed deeply and said, "If you put it that way, then it's all my responsibility. After all, it was I who asked for your help, and that's why you came up with this plan."

Dirk Carter shook his head and said, "No, the problem lies with me. I could have used other methods, but in the end, I was self-conceited and chose a way that hurt innocent people."

"Have you ever considered that the truly despicable people in the political scene are ones like Leonard Bates?"

Helen Fletcher suddenly asked.

Dirk Carter paused and asked, "Why do you say that?"

"To describe someone like Leonard Bates with an idiom, it'd be 'to hold a position without doing anything.' To put it plainly, he's a freeloader. Now, many in the political circles are like this, not seeking merit, just avoiding criticism, living day by day, thinking as long as they don't violate rules or regulations, everything's fine. If the entire political scene becomes like this, wouldn't it be a great tragedy?"

"As the saying goes, 'If an official doesn't serve the people, he might as well go home and sell sweet potatoes.' Leonard Bates does nothing, he's seeking peace of mind, but what about for the common people? What's the point of having such officials?"

Helen Fletcher's words were awakening.

They gradually relieved Dirk Carter's troubled heart.

That's indeed the truth.

If there's no contribution whatsoever, what's the difference between being present and absent?

After hearing this.

Dirk Carter sighed and said, "That's indeed the truth."

Helen Fletcher patted him on the shoulder and said, "Alright, there's one more thing. At the morning's standing committee meeting, Ignatius Morgan mentioned that you're the main person responsible for agriculture and rural affairs, and proposed that you take on the responsibility of Rearpond Village's post-disaster reconstruction. You have to rise to this challenge."

"Rest assured, Secretary Fletcher, I won't take chances on this matter."

Dirk Carter nodded and said.

Helen Fletcher suddenly recalled something and asked, "By the way, permit me to ask, you've never mentioned anything about Ignatius Morgan's dereliction throughout this, are you planning to let it slide?"

Dirk Carter smiled and said, "I'm not that magnanimous, Rearpond Village had no casualties, so even if I pursued his dereliction, at most he'd just lose his position. That would be too light compared to him wanting to take my life. Don't worry, Secretary Fletcher, another grand show is already in the works."

"Alright, play as you wish. If the sky were to fall, I'll hold it up for you. After all, I owe you a favor."

Helen Fletcher smiled slightly and said.

Dirk Carter nodded, then suddenly, a serious look appeared on his face.

Noticing his expression, Helen Fletcher asked, "What's wrong?"

Dirk Carter glanced around and asked, "Did you hear any buzzing sound?"

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