Caleb Ford smiled and said, "Then you're underestimating me. The name Caleb Ford still carries weight in Ronan City."

"So you came all the way here just to help me?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Caleb Ford slumped onto the sofa.

He yawned.

Said, "I'm not that enthusiastic. It's these two girls who insisted on coming over to avenge you. I was idle anyway, so I came along."

The credit went to the Forrest sisters, Ewan and Rose.

But Dirk Carter could tell that Caleb Ford truly considered him a brother.

At that moment, he was subtly moved...

Since Caleb Ford refused to admit it.

Dirk Carter didn't press further.

He asked, "Compared to Cosimo Griffin, who is stronger?"

"In terms of manpower and finances, he should be a bit stronger than me."

Caleb Ford didn't bluff; he admitted directly.

"What do you plan to do?"

Dirk Carter continued to ask.

Ewan Forrest interrupted them, saying, "Plan? What plan? We go in directly, even if we're not as strong, we have never feared anyone."

Caleb Ford cleared his throat and said, "Ewan is right. I've been in this game my whole life and truly feared no one. Even if we might not win, we have to give it a shot. After all, we're brothers."

"You're not afraid?"

Dirk Carter looked at Ewan and Rose Forrest and asked.

The two shook their heads at the same time; their expressions were genuinely resolute.

Dirk Carter let out a long sigh.

Said, "Since you all say we fight, then we fight. This is Cosimo Griffin's turf. We need to find a place and gather our people first. I'll call Scar and Rosie, have them send over some people."

Caleb Ford slapped his knee forcefully.

He also stood up and said, "Ewan, call Zion Ross in Eastgate County and ask him to bring people from Eastgate."

"Yes! I'll do it now."

After speaking, Ewan Forrest turned around and went to make the call.

The person Caleb Ford referred to as Zion is Zion Ross, a key figure in Chance Ford's team.

Ever since the incident with the Eastgate County's Bobcat, Caleb Ford took over the territory, and the person managing it was Zion Ross.

This meant that Dirk Carter already had four groups on his side.

The first group being the Stillwater Faction led by Chance Ford and Scar.

The second group, the Kenton Faction, was originally led by Declan Newhart, now by Rosie.

The third group was the Eastgate Faction led by Zion Ross.

If these three factions needed a collective name, they would be called The Ardmore Sect.

Mobilizing manpower takes time.

Furthermore, it's essential to prepare well when moving into the opponent's territory.

They were unaware that their every move was being monitored by Rasco Shaw.

Two afternoons later.

The door to Rasco Shaw's office was pushed open.

Barry Ford hurried inside.

He closed the door and quickly walked up to Rasco Shaw, speaking softly, "Sir, I just got word that people from Stillwater County, Kenton County, and Eastgate County are on the move. Over the past two days, quite a few cars have come down off the highway into Ronan City."

"Estimate the numbers?"

Rasco Shaw asked.

Barry Ford thought for a moment and said, "At least one or two hundred, possibly more."

"That many? Caleb Ford is really going all out, bringing out everything he's got."

Rasco Shaw muttered and then looked up to ask, "What about Cosimo Griffin's side? Any movement?"

"Yes, Cosimo Griffin has also mobilized. He's brought in his underlings from nearby districts. Last night, there was already a minor clash between the two sides."

"Oh? What happened?"

Rasco Shaw asked.

Barry Ford said, "Last night, a group rushed into the steel market, smashing any Prosper Group vehicles they saw and sparking a minor melee, but it wasn't major."

"This morning, an Apex Group sales center in Ronan City was vandalized. I heard a few security guards were injured, likely by Cosimo Griffin's men."

Hearing these reports.

Rasco Shaw's eyes lit up a bit.

A curved smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Said, "Wonderful, just wonderful."

"Should we make arrests?"

Barry Ford asked.

Rasco Shaw waved his hand and said, "If we arrest them now, we'll only nab a few small fry. We can't touch guys like Cosimo Griffin and Caleb Ford yet. I made a pledge at the State Committee to bring results. Capturing a few ants won't suffice. Charleston Thorne will surely carve me up for it later."

This rationale was due to the morning's State Committee meeting.

Rasco Shaw proposed launching a special crackdown on organized crime.

He faced strong opposition from Executive Vice Governor Charleston Thorne.

The reason was simple.

Governor Leland Fuller was soon to be transferred, leaving Charleston Thorne as the only one potentially vying with Rasco Shaw for the governorship.

And Charleston Thorne was Cosimo Griffin's protective cover.

His argument was that every year between July and August, the Ministry of Public Security runs a crackdown on organized crime.

Since it's only late May, having two such actions so close together would waste resources and manpower.

Rasco Shaw aimed to use this crackdown to boost his political achievements.

Not wanting to miss this opportunity.

He vowed in the committee meeting that if he was allowed to lead this action, he would deliver results.

At that time, Charleston Thorne questioned him on the consequences of not delivering results.

Rasco Shaw furiously slammed the table, declaring that if no arrests were made or results achieved, he would personally submit a review to the State Committee.

Consequently.

This command of the special crackdown on organized crime was handed to him, the Deputy Secretary of the State Committee.

Of course.

Rasco Shaw was confident, knowing that once this large-scale melee occurred, both Cosimo Griffin and Caleb Ford could be captured in one swoop.

With Cosimo Griffin linked to Charleston Thorne.

Once Cosimo Griffin is removed, Charleston Thorne would undoubtedly be implicated.

At that point, any attempt to challenge him for the governorship would lack the necessary confidence.

Previously, Charleston Thorne accused him of shielding Caleb Ford; capturing Caleb personally would shatter that rumor.

Rasco Shaw's chain of schemes was indeed intricately designed.

From the moment he saw Dirk Carter outside the party school, this series of plans formed in his mind.

Others might say hitting two birds with one stone, or three birds.

His plan was more like a single arrow, taking down a whole flock.

Few can reach the pinnacle of a province without some cunning.

Barry Ford nodded and said, "Understood, Sir. I'll continue gathering intelligence."

Just as he finished speaking.

Barry Ford's phone rang.

He glanced at the number and hurried to the side.

After a brief conversation, he hung up.

Barry Ford returned to Rasco Shaw, saying, "Sir, my contact near Cosimo Griffin called to say that Griffin has officially challenged Caleb Ford, and Caleb accepted. The showdown is tonight at eight."

Rasco Shaw leapt to his feet, asking, "Where?"

"The old steel factory in Longridge District, it's Cosimo Griffin's turf."

On hearing this.

Rasco Shaw's gaze turned distant.

He paused for a moment.

Then said, "Go on out; I have a call to make."

Making this call behind Barry Ford's back signified something significant; Barry Ford typically handled the majority of Rasco Shaw's affairs.

Barry Ford showed tact.

After he obediently exited.

Rasco Shaw pulled out a seldom-used phone from his drawer. After powering it on, he debated for a long while whether to make the call, knowing this call could potentially expose a long-hidden asset.

Despite that, now was the critical moment; he had to verify Barry Ford's information.

He ultimately decided to risk it.

With that resolve.

He dialed a number.

The phone rang once before disconnecting.

Approximately two minutes later.

The previously dialed number called back.

"What's up?"

The voice on the line was that of a woman, speaking quietly, likely from a hidden location.

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