A Bumpy Road to Power

"Damn, Arlo Yarbrough, it's my first day on the job, and you say such unlucky things. I'm not riding anymore."

Dirk Carter pretended to get out of the car.

Arlo Yarbrough quickly grabbed his arm and compromised, "Okay, okay, I'll give you a discount, 150, just 150."

Having said that.

He helped Dirk Carter fasten his seatbelt, afraid he might change his mind, and sped off.

The drive of over an hour went by rather quickly.

Arriving at the customs gate.

Arlo Yarbrough said, "Here we are, destination reached, pay up."

Dirk Carter took out two hundred bills and gave them to him.

Arlo Yarbrough stuffed them directly into his pocket.

"Where's my change? Didn't you say 150?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Arlo Yarbrough chuckled, "I don't have change today, I'll return it next time we meet."

"I'm working at Ardmore now, when's the next time we'll meet?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Arlo Yarbrough shamelessly laughed, "No worries, we'll meet again. I've been transferred to the city's third hospital, you see, not far from your customs building."

Dirk Carter shivered a little.

Asked, "You wouldn't be telling me you're also here to report in today, would you?"

Arlo Yarbrough nodded, "Yeah, I'm here to report in today too."

"So, in other words, you brought me here conveniently?"

"Yeah, conveniently." Arlo Yarbrough said.

Dirk Carter continued to ask, "So you came here to report in, didn't spend a dime on travel, and even made money off me, right?"

"You can't say that, after all, you would pay for a taxi anyway, right?"

Arlo Yarbrough said with a cheeky grin.

Dirk Carter raised his fist, ready to punch.

Arlo Yarbrough quickly opened the door and got out, avoiding it. He took out Dirk Carter's luggage and said, "See how good my service is, I even help you with your luggage. If it were a taxi driver, who would care about you..."

At that moment.

Dirk Carter was truly fuming.

He wished he could give Arlo Yarbrough a good beating.

Unfortunately, he knew he wasn't a match for Arlo Yarbrough; this guy's skills were better.

"Did Caden Dixon send you?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Arlo Yarbrough initially seemed unwilling to admit it, but finally nodded, "County Mayor Dixon thought it wouldn't be safe for you to come to Ardmore alone, so my transfer here would be somewhat supportive."

Despite his anger.

Realizing it was Caden Dixon's arrangement brought some warmth to his heart.

But Arlo Yarbrough was still too detestable; whenever he got a chance, he would exploit him.

A complete money-grubber.

Ardmore Customs House, located at 108 Construction East Road, Ardmore City.

It's a new building that was just put into use last year.

The building has 8 floors and looks quite grand from the outside.

There was an LED screen at the entrance displaying "Welcome Dirk Carter to Ardmore Customs Office."

Carrying his luggage, he arrived at the entrance.

A middle-aged man in an administrative jacket immediately approached, asking, "Are you Dirk Carter?"

"I am."

Dirk Carter nodded in response.

Upon hearing this, the man immediately showed excitement on his face, saying, "Hello Commissioner Carter, I'm Nathan Walsh."

Before coming here.

Helen Fletcher had given him internal information about Ardmore Customs Office.

The man in front of him, Nathan Walsh, turned out to be the office director at Ardmore Customs Office.

"Ah, Director Walsh, hello, hello."

Dirk Carter immediately responded.

Nathan Walsh cheerfully replied, "Commissioner Carter, several leaders are already waiting for you, I'll take you there."

"It's kind of you, Director Walsh."

Nathan Walsh noticed the luggage bag in Dirk Carter's hand and immediately took it, saying, "Let me carry it for you, Commissioner Carter."

"No need, I can manage myself."

"It's okay, let me do it, I'm here to serve the leaders."

Without discussion, Nathan Walsh took it by force.

Just as Nathan Walsh said.

All the leaders of Ardmore Customs Office were waiting for Dirk Carter.

Not only were all the party members present, but even some department heads were there, nearly twenty people in total, making it quite lively.

In the customs office's hall.

The place was well-decorated.

Upon entering, one would see a giant customs emblem, and below it was another large LED screen saying "Welcome Dirk Carter Home."

These words were slightly different from the ones outside.

But clearly, these felt much warmer.

The first row had five people.

The one in the middle looked about fifty, slim, not too short, with a noticeable mole near the left cheek close to the nose. Seeing Dirk Carter, he immediately shouted, "Commissioner Carter is here, applause, everyone applause."

Thunderous applause erupted.

Everyone present was beaming, smiling.

"Commissioner Carter, let me introduce to you, this is our Ardmore Customs Office's Party Secretary, Commissioner, and Third-level Customs Inspector, Anselm Hall."

"Ah, Commissioner Hall, hello, hello."

Dirk Carter promptly stepped forward, shaking his hand.

Anselm Hall patted the back of Dirk Carter's hand, smiling warmly, "Dirk Carter, we've been eagerly awaiting your arrival, welcome, welcome. On behalf of Ardmore Customs Office, I welcome you."

You can tell, this enthusiasm isn't fake at all.

Then.

Anselm Hall pointed to a middle-aged man on his left.

This man appeared to be around forty.

He looked quite capable.

He said, "Dirk Carter, this is our Deputy Secretary, Deputy Commissioner Zachary Ford, mainly overseeing the office, technology section, and comprehensive service section, and also responsible for reporting at the Haibang Office."

"Hello, Commissioner Ford."

Dirk Carter initiated the greeting.

In official circles, there's a strict order for standing.

Zachary Ford standing left of Anselm Hall means he's ranked second in Ardmore Customs Office.

"Commissioner Carter is so young and handsome, your arrival is surely elevating our customs office's overall appeal, don't you think?"

"Yes, yes, hahaha..."

A chorus of agreement arose.

Anselm Hall then pointed to his right.

A man in his thirties.

Standing tall, with a soldierly vibe.

Said, "Ansel Crawford, Deputy Commissioner and Director of the Anti-smuggling Division, mainly overseeing the inspection section."

Compared to the previous few, Ansel Crawford was more reserved.

Just nodded with a smile to Dirk Carter, saying, "Welcome Commissioner Carter."

"Thank you, Commissioner Crawford."

Since he was brief, Dirk Carter kept it short too.

The fourth person was a woman.

Not too old, probably around thirty.

Wearing a customs uniform, looking valiant, her hair tied in a ponytail, bangs scattered across her face.

Her big eyes, especially those long eyelashes, fluttered, making her look lively.

In his heart, he thought, "Such a beautiful woman."

"This is Shelby Linden, our customs' flower, mainly overseeing finance and equipment, administrative service center, filing section, and verification and cancellation section."

Anselm Hall joked.

Shelby Linden blushed.

Bashfully said, "Commissioner Hall, you're teasing me again."

"Hahaha..."

Anselm Hall laughed heartily.

Dirk Carter extended his hand, saying, "Hello Commissioner Linden."

"Hello."

Shelby Linden promptly adjusted her composure and greeted him confidently.

Lastly, another woman named Mae Lancaster, though looking around forty to fifty.

She's also a party member and a special inspector from Ronan Customs to Ardmore Customs.

With Dirk Carter included, all six party members of Ardmore Customs Office were present.

Before arriving, Dirk Carter already knew his responsibilities.

He replaced a former Deputy Commissioner, so internally he mainly oversees clearance, inspection section, logistics monitoring section, and comprehensive business statistics section.

After meeting the leaders.

Anselm Hall accompanied him to meet each department head.

After greeting each.

Finally entered the meeting room.

Anselm Hall announced Dirk Carter's appointment on behalf of Ronan Customs.

To say it, Dirk Carter has been appointed in several places, but Ardmore Customs Office seemed the most enthusiastic.