"I... I... I also agree with Mayor Carter as the head of this investigation team."

As Edward Locke began to stammer.

Tristan Reid felt that something was seriously amiss.

Indeed, he really turned traitor.

The psychological gap was too wide.

In Tristan Reid's view, this was a one-sided match, just a formality at best.

Unexpectedly, Dirk Carter managed to tie with him.

It seemed this young man truly had some skills.

However, he wasn't too anxious.

There's still Mason Sutton.

Mason Sutton is his old partner.

Many of his shady dealings, Mason Sutton is aware of them; it's impossible for him to go against him.

Mason Sutton looked serious.

He didn't expect the final problem would fall into his lap.

He cleared his throat again.

Mason Sutton said, "Comrade Dirk Carter, as the newly appointed mayor, to gain such support from everyone, I'm quite surprised. I am older now, the future belongs to you young folks, and I am willing to give young people some opportunities. So, I also agree with having Comrade Dirk Carter lead this investigation team."

Boom!

It was both a bolt from the blue and a settling of dust.

This result.

Came as a surprise to everyone.

Even those who supported Dirk Carter.

No one could have anticipated that Mason Sutton, who always followed Tristan Reid, would suddenly support Dirk Carter at the last moment.

The conference room plunged into silence instantly.

A silence so profound it seemed even the sound of breathing ceased.

Suddenly.

From the corner, Tristan Reid's cane was heavily thrust into the ground.

Making a sharp sound.

Then, everyone saw Tristan Reid stand up and walk toward the door of the conference room.

Upon reaching the door, as if suddenly recalling something, he turned around, looked at Dirk Carter, and said, "Mayor Carter, congratulations on becoming the head of the fire investigation team. I also hope that you, as the newly appointed mayor, can handle various troubles well. The anger in Pinegrove Village depends on you to quell."

After leaving these words.

Tristan Reid quickly left.

Is this a congratulation?

This is a blatant warning.

A warning that more trouble awaits Dirk Carter.

Caradoc Hall and Mitchell Childers did not wait for the meeting to end either, and hurried out.

Seeing that the group meeting was effectively over.

Mason Sutton waved his hand and said, "Meeting adjourned."

After everyone filed out.

Only Dirk Carter and Mason Sutton remained in the conference room.

They stared at each other for a long time.

Mason Sutton said, "Comrade Dirk Carter, I hope you won't break your promise, or else I, Mason Sutton, won't spare you."

Dirk Carter smiled and said, "Secretary Sutton, rest assured, if anyone ever mentions this matter to you, it means that I, Dirk Carter, have not kept my promise, and you can act against me at any time."

"I hope you will keep your word."

After leaving these words, Mason Sutton left.

Caroline Lynch's betrayal was expected.

After all, she was ambitious.

As long as there was hope for promotion, she would try.

Edward Locke's betrayal wasn't surprising either.

Edward Locke was a live-in son-in-law, his wife was a tigress, which was the main reason why he couldn't refuse Caroline Lynch when she came to him.

He always manipulated Caroline Lynch as a middleman; he didn't think Caroline Lynch would go against him.

Unexpectedly, when Caroline Lynch decided to take a leap, Edward Locke became scared.

Afraid not just of the tigress, but of his own position.

Caroline Lynch said she would perish together with him, and he no longer dared to mess around.

Now the only thing he couldn't understand was Mason Sutton.

Actually, the reason was simple.

That notebook left by Dylan Tate also recorded the unknown side of Mason Sutton.

Mason Sutton's forgery of academic qualifications.

Mason Sutton entered the Department of Agriculture when he was in his twenties.

At that time, his official qualification was a diploma.

But don't underestimate a diploma; in that era, it was quite sought after.

In the era when the internet was not widespread.

Many false academic qualifications existed.

In fact, Mason Sutton's education level was just a junior high school graduate.

If this matter was exposed, no need to say, Mason Sutton's official career would be over.

After all, forging academic qualifications is deceiving the organization, deceiving the party; how could such a person have a future?

When Dirk Carter pointed out this issue in front of Mason Sutton, he immediately became speechless; hardly anyone knew about this, yet how could Dirk Carter, this young man in his twenties, know about it, and how could it not make him fearful?

Moreover, he was aware that behind Dirk Carter was Dahlia Hughes.

If it was leaked, the consequences would be unimaginable.

In such a situation, he had no choice but to compromise.

Securing the head of the investigation team did not signify victory.

It merely obtained official approval.

Also ensuring that all his actions matched party discipline and national laws.

He was very aware that since Tristan Reid put on such a grand show, he definitely wouldn't let things end easily; if this meeting was the appetizer, the events to follow were the main course.

Moreover, the outcome of the group meeting utterly enraged Tristan Reid, causing him to abandon all illusion, his forthcoming moves would be even more brutal, more ruthless.

Returning to the hospital after lunch.

Denton Quincy hadn't woken up.

Planning to first check on Dorothy Zechariah.

He opened the door to her room.

Found the bed empty.

Thinking perhaps she went for a walk somewhere.

Her exclusive driver also walked in as the door opened.

Seeing Dirk Carter, he froze briefly, then asked, "Mayor Carter, why are you here?"

"I'm here to check on Miss Zechariah, where has she gone?"

"Wasn't she taken away by your people?"

The driver asked.

Dirk Carter's heart suddenly sank.

Asked, "Taken by my people? When?"

The driver scratched his head and said, "About an hour ago, a car came along with a woman, claiming to be from the town government's office, said you asked her to come and take our young lady out for some important talks, without thinking, our young lady went along."

"Then why didn't you follow?"

Dirk Carter asked.

The driver said, "I wanted to follow, but that woman said there were very important matters, outsiders weren't convenient to be present, so the young lady didn't let me go along."

"Where did she go?"

Dirk Carter asked.

The driver shook his head and said, "The young lady didn't let me follow, I didn't pay attention."

Done, it's all done.

Dirk Carter's heart clenched.

He was aware he hadn't sent anyone to fetch Dorothy Zechariah.

Thinking about this.

He quickly rushed into the hospital's surveillance room.

Asked the staff to pull up footage from over an hour ago.

Indeed.

Around ten thirty, a young woman in a black female suit entered Dorothy Zechariah's hospital room.

About five minutes later.

A casually dressed Dorothy Zechariah followed this woman out quickly.

Wait!

Dirk Carter suddenly had a jolt.

He pointed at the unfamiliar woman in the footage and asked, "Can this be printed?"

The staff nodded.

Helped Dirk Carter print a blurry image of the woman.

Having obtained it, Dirk Carter ran straight to the third floor, opened the door to the innermost dormitory.

Pushed open the door.

Saw three women.

Shawn Lambert lying star-shaped on the bed, along with Ewan Forrest and Rose Forrest watching over her.

"Do you recognize this person?"

Dirk Carter pointed to the blurry image of the woman printed and asked Shawn Lambert.

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