A Bumpy Road to Power

After the meeting ended.

Anselm Hall dismissed everyone.

He then asked Office Director Nathan Walsh and Deputy Commissioner Shelby Linden to stay behind.

He said, "Director Walsh, make sure to settle Dirk Carter's office and accommodation arrangements today."

"Okay, Commissioner Hall, I'll handle it right away."

Nathan Walsh replied timidly.

Then.

Anselm Hall turned to Shelby Linden and said, "Deputy Commissioner Linden, Comrade Dirk is coming from the government sector, and he's not very familiar with the work at our customs. Since you both are young, help each other out frequently."

"Alright."

Shelby Linden nodded and replied.

Then.

Anselm Hall patted Dirk Carter on the shoulder and said, "Comrade Dirk, as you're new here, familiarize yourself with the environment first. If there's anything you don't understand, ask Deputy Commissioner Linden. If you encounter any difficulties, speak to me. Our customs office is basically one big family. Everyone helps each other to accomplish the tasks assigned from above."

"Yes, Commissioner Hall, I understand."

Dirk Carter said.

Nathan Walsh was just about to escort him out.

When it seemed Anselm Hall remembered something and said, "Oh, Comrade Dirk, tonight the office is hosting a welcome dinner for you. You don't have any other plans, do you?"

"No, I don't."

Dirk Carter replied.

Anselm Hall smiled and said, "Alright, see you tonight then."

Under Nathan Walsh's guidance,

Dirk Carter arrived at the office on the fifth floor.

True to its name as a new building,

The office was bright and clean, a vast improvement over the old and shabby place in Kenton County.

"Commissioner Carter, I had this office thoroughly cleaned. If you have any other requests, just let me know. I'll handle it immediately."

Nathan Walsh said.

Dirk Carter smiled slightly.

He said, "Thank you, Director Walsh."

"No need for thanks, Commissioner Carter. This is just part of my duty. You take your time to settle in, and I'll show you your dorm later. It's not far, just across the street from our building, called Clearwind Gardens."

Dirk Carter waved his hand and said, "No need to trouble yourself, Director Walsh. Just give me the keys and address, and I'll go there myself when the time comes."

"No trouble at all, it's better if I accompany you, Commissioner Carter. That way, if there are any changes needed, I can note them."

"Well... alright then."

Seeing Nathan Walsh being so courteous,

Dirk Carter could only nod in agreement.

After Nathan Walsh left.

Dirk Carter sank into the sofa.

So far.

The impression Ardmore Customs Office had made was quite positive.

Everyone seemed very welcoming.

If Dirk Carter wasn't here with a purpose, he might really be deceived by this façade.

The major case of tobacco smuggling and counterfeiting that Templeton Quill mentioned happened in Kenton County.

Yet the Ardmore Customs Office had never conducted any investigations related to it, which clearly indicates that someone within the office has ties to the tobacco smuggling case.

Such a massive tobacco smuggling case,

being chosen to operate within Ardmore's jurisdiction, also speaks to major issues within Ardmore Customs Office.

So, beneath this façade of friendliness, who knows what they're hiding.

Just as Dirk Carter was placing his office supplies one by one on the desk,

the phone suddenly rang.

The number shown was from Aziel Grant.

Dirk Carter felt a jolt in his heart and quickly picked up the call.

"How's it going? Did you find anything?"

Dirk Carter asked eagerly.

Aziel Grant grunted in affirmation.

He said, "I found her. She's at the Keystone Machinery Plant. It's a factory that produces excavator parts. I only found out about her there, but haven't made contact yet."

"What do you plan to do next?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Aziel Grant said, "I tried to get in, but the security is tight. I can't get through. They have a hiring notice, so I plan to apply and try to get in that way."

"Okay, inform me immediately if there's any first-hand information."

"Got it."

After they finished talking, the call was ended.

Aziel Grant and Dirk Carter arrived in Ardmore in separate batches.

Dirk Carter took up his new role,

while Aziel Grant's task was to find the whereabouts of Jocelyn Tate.

The Gable Group holds a significant presence in Ardmore.

They have several factories.

For Aziel Grant to find out so quickly shows his swiftness.

Just after hanging up the phone,

there was a knock at the door.

"Come in,"

Dirk Carter called out.

The door was then pushed open from outside.

Shelby Linden walked in gracefully.

With a sweet smile on her face.

As soon as Dirk Carter saw her, he immediately stood up and greeted, "Deputy Commissioner Linden."

Shelby Linden placed a stack of files on Dirk Carter's desk.

She said, "Commissioner Hall asked me to assist you. Here are some internal documents of customs, including details of recent cases and the main duties of the departments you will be supervising. You can go through them when you have time. If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to call me or find me. My office is just one floor below yours."

"Deputy Commissioner Linden, thank you so much. I'm new here and truly don't know where to start."

Dirk Carter said.

Shelby Linden covered her mouth with a hand and smiled.

Very charming.

She said, "Our work at customs, neither too difficult nor too simple. Commissioner Carter, there's no need to be anxious. You'll get the hang of it in no time."

"Alright, thank you, Deputy Commissioner Linden."

Shelby Linden looked at her watch.

She said, "It's lunchtime. Would you like to join me for lunch, Commissioner Carter?"

Dirk Carter, hearing this, waved his hand and said, "No need, Deputy Commissioner Linden. I'll treat you to lunch some other day. I have some other errands to run this noon."

"Oh, alright, next time then."

After saying that.

Shelby Linden gracefully left.

Dirk Carter noticed that it was already 11:30.

He quickly tidied up a bit and then left the customs office building.

Just as he took a taxi and left.

At a window on the top floor, a man and a woman stepped away from the window and sat down on the sofa.

The man was Anselm Hall.

And the woman was Shelby Linden, who had just left Dirk Carter's office.

"What do you think of him?"

Anselm Hall squinted and asked.

Shelby Linden thought for a moment and said, "It's hard to say right now. He's very thorough in his speech and actions, exhibiting a maturity beyond his years. No matter what, he's not one of us. The plans for tonight proceed as scheduled."

Anselm Hall nodded and said, "Everything is arranged, just waiting for Dirk to step in..."

Shelby Linden's lips curled into a smile.

She said, "Once successful, you won't be short-changed from above."

This statement filled Anselm Hall's eyes with anticipation.

Turning the focus back to Dirk Carter,

he got off the taxi at Ardmore's largest commercial plaza—Kimball Plaza.

He took the elevator to the fourth floor.

And found a restaurant called "Savor Pavilion Rustic Cuisine."

"How many, sir?"

After hesitating for a moment,

a hostess came up and asked.

Dirk Carter was just about to answer.

When a familiar voice said, "Xiaolu, my guest."

The hostess gave a slight smile, nodded, and left.

Then.

A woman in a qipao appeared in front of Dirk Carter.

The qipao was well-fitted.

Tightly hugging the woman's body.

Accentuating her alluring curves completely.

At the slit of the qipao.

Her fair and slender legs appeared intermittently, also captivating Dirk Carter's heart.

"Sister Zoey, it's the first time seeing you dressed like this, you look so beautiful."

Dirk Carter remarked with some admiration.

The woman before him was none other than Zoey Moss.

Zoey Moss gave a sweet smile and said, "You've always had a way with words."

"It's not just flattery, it's the truth. Look at those men in the store; I bet half of them are here just for the beauty like you."

Dirk Carter said.

Zoey Moss playfully scolded, "Stop sweet-talking, come on inside."