"Is it really that serious?"

Dirk Carter asked jokingly.

Tim Bates exaggeratedly said, "How could it not be? Do you know who owns Apex Gardens? It's Caleb Ford."

"Caleb Ford from Apex Group?"

Dirk Carter was startled when he heard the name.

It's been said before that Stillwater County has three prominent figures.

They are known as the Big Three: One Ford, Two Old Barks.

Though the three of them are almost equally famous,

in reality, their strengths are vastly different.

June Bates is just wealthy, and Old Bark is at most a thug; together they're not worth even Caleb Ford's little finger.

Caleb Ford is not only ruthless but also acts swiftly and decisively. His catchphrase, "No overnight debts at Apex," demonstrates just how powerful his methods are.

Three or four years ago,

one of Caleb Ford's subordinates committed a crime out of town and fled back to Stillwater County.

The out-of-town police sent four officers to arrest the subordinate.

The arrogant Caleb Ford directly led his people to raid the hotel where those four officers were staying to rescue his man, forcing those officers to call in for support.

A year ago,

there was a province-wide crackdown on organized crime.

The city's Public Security Bureau sent an investigation team to specifically look into Caleb Ford's criminal ties.

After working for over a month, just as the net was about to tighten, the hotel storing the files suddenly caught fire; although no one was injured, the files turned to ashes in the blazing fire.

The witnesses who had agreed to testify in court all changed their minds and backed out without exception.

The most recent incident was just a few months ago.

An important member of Caleb Ford's gang was arrested for fighting.

After tireless efforts by the county Public Security Bureau, this member agreed to turn against Caleb Ford and testify, but on the night he was supposed to, the safe house's power was inexplicably cut off, and he mysteriously died in the bathroom.

Then the deputy director leading the investigation into Caleb Ford was transferred.

The case remains unsolved to this day.

In the dark underbelly of Stillwater County, there's a saying.

During the day, Donal Lewis is in charge, but come night time, it's Caleb Ford who calls the shots.

This shows just how powerful he truly is.

Back to the issue of Apex Gardens.

Apex Gardens is a new development by Apex Group in Stillwater County, aiming to be the most upscale neighborhood in the area.

A month ago,

a scaffold at a construction site in Ardmore City collapsed, resulting in two workers' deaths.

The mayor of Ardmore City personally ordered a comprehensive safety inspection of all construction sites citywide.

After inspection by the city's Work Safety Administration team, it was determined that Apex Gardens had significant safety risks, and they mandated a thorough rectification, issuing a notice to cease operations until the rectifications were approved by the county's Work Safety Administration.

But Apex Gardens only halted work for a few days before resuming construction.

They completely ignored the city's corrective notice.

For Apex Group, such a matter might typically be minor enough to turn a blind eye to.

But Adair Meyer's intent was to send Dirk Carter to trouble Caleb Ford.

Everyone knows Caleb Ford's ways.

If Dirk Carter really confronts him, do you think Caleb Ford will let him off?

Of course,

the real mastermind behind this scheme is Shane Vincent, but Dirk Carter is unaware of it at this point.

He neither has the power nor the courage to challenge Caleb Ford's construction site.

As Tim Bates described, this matter is a bomb, enough to obliterate him completely.

There's no denying that Adair Meyer's scheming is downright malicious.

"Director Carter, I advise you to go to Director Ho right away and back out of this; otherwise, you won't be able to step down from this."

Tim Bates said.

Dirk Carter waved his hand and said, "Backing out is not an option. I'll think about what to do next."

"Director Carter..."

Tim Bates was about to continue persuading him.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in!"

Dirk Carter said.

The Office Director, Hubert Tanner, poked his head in and said, "Director Carter, someone from the disciplinary committee is here, and Director Ho called you to the meeting room immediately."

The disciplinary committee is here?

Dirk Carter nodded and said, "Okay, I'm on my way."

Then he patted Tim Bates on the shoulder and said, "I need you to do something for me."

"Director Carter, what is it?"

"Check Caleb Ford's schedule for me."

"Director Carter, you can't be serious..."

Before Tim Bates could finish his sentence, Dirk Carter had already left.

In recent days,

the issue of Gilroy Thompson selling special industry qualifications exploded in Stillwater County.

An initial investigation by the anti-corruption bureau revealed that the case involved amounts up to several million yuan.

In such a small county, it was enough to cause a major uproar.

This also put the Work Safety Administration in the spotlight.

Besides those involved,

the leaders of the Work Safety Administration have been repeatedly interviewed by the disciplinary committee.

The sudden visit by the committee, unsurprisingly, was likely related to this issue.

When Dirk Carter arrived at the meeting room, it was already full of people.

At the head table sat a woman.

Seeing this woman, Dirk Carter was taken aback.

He didn't expect that Dahlia Hughes would personally take charge.

Who is Dahlia Hughes?

She's a Stillwater County Committee member, Standing Committee member, and secretary of the disciplinary committee.

Dahlia Hughes is 39 years old this year.

Even though she is nearing forty, it doesn't show one bit in her appearance.

Perhaps due to good maintenance, even upon close examination, her skin appears very smooth and radiant.

And Dahlia Hughes must have been quite beautiful when she was younger because even at her age, she exudes considerable grace.

Maybe due to her work in discipline enforcement,

she is always serious and unsmiling.

In the Stillwater County government circle, people privately nickname her "Sadako."

"Director Carter, coming late when Secretary Hughes is here, do you not have any organizational discipline?"

As soon as Dirk Carter walked in,

Adair Meyer murmured.

Dirk Carter silently fumed; he had come right after Hubert Tanner called him.

There was no delay in between.

Seeing Hubert Tanner holding back laughter in the corner, Dirk Carter understood.

Hubert Tanner intentionally delayed calling him to make him late and embarrassed; this was likely orchestrated by Adair Meyer.

"Alright, glad you made it. Take your seat."

Dahlia Hughes said coldly.

Dirk Carter felt helpless.

After all, late is late, and no one asks for reasons why.

"Is everyone here? I'll say a few words."

As soon as Dahlia Hughes spoke,

everyone present quickly picked up their pens, ready to take notes.

"Gilroy Thompson's issue serves as a wake-up call for everyone in the Work Safety Administration, reflecting significant internal problems. However, I'm here today to commend two colleagues whose performance in the Gilroy Thompson case was commendable."

The first part of the statement made everyone nervous.

The latter part, however, allowed everyone to breathe a sigh of relief.

"The first colleague is Colette Wagner from the inspection team, and the other is our recently joined deputy director, Dirk Carter. The anti-corruption bureau has already reported to me that the swift resolution of Gilroy Thompson's case was due to the cooperation of these two colleagues. Hence, on behalf of the county disciplinary committee, I commend these two colleagues. Let's give them a round of applause."

After speaking,

Dahlia Hughes started applauding first.

The meeting room erupted into thunderous applause, while Adair Meyer scowled, feeling utterly uncomfortable.

Next,

Dahlia Hughes provided input and suggestions for the Work Safety Administration's duties.

After a half-hour meeting,

she addressed everyone, saying, "Alright, that's all for today's meeting. Colette Wagner and Dirk Carter, please stay for a moment, while others may leave."

Once everyone filed out,

Dahlia Hughes shook hands with Colette Wagner and said, "Colette, as someone in discipline work, your work in the Work Safety Administration has been outstanding. I will consider recommending you to the organization department for a promotion."

This made Colette Wagner beam with joy.

She modestly replied, "Secretary Hughes, actually, Deputy Carter did more in the Gilroy Thompson case."

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.