A Bumpy Road to Power

The former deputy commissioner was named Grover Jacobson.

About three months ago, he led the inspection division for a routine check on imports at Ardmore City's port.

It was then that Grover Jacobson discovered a container without any markings.

He requested to open the container for inspection.

Unexpectedly, he faced obstruction from the on-site staff of Prosper Trading.

The confrontation escalated into a fierce standoff.

At this moment, Grover Jacobson received a call from Chadric Gates' secretary, Sid Ross, informing that it was Chadric Gates' wishes to let this shipment pass.

Grover Jacobson was a rather stubborn individual.

He didn't pay attention to the call.

He directly mobilized personnel and seized the container.

After forcibly opening it, they found boxes of electronic products inside.

Upon comparing with the customs declaration forms.

The container was declared as containing apparel.

Thus concluding that the entire container of electronic products was smuggled goods.

Subsequently, Grover Jacobson proceeded to file a case and investigate according to normal procedures.

No one expected that on the same night, the Ardmore City Police Department's Coast Guard suddenly arrived on-site and took away the container.

Grover Jacobson received the news and rushed to the Coast Guard to reclaim the goods.

But the Coast Guard said they had long been aware of this batch of smuggled goods and intended to cast a long line to catch the big fish, but the customs intercepted it, and the case was originally theirs to investigate, so the goods could not be returned.

There was nothing that could be done.

This case had to be temporarily closed.

About a month later.

Grover Jacobson received a transfer order, moving him from Ardmore City Customs to Ronan City Customs Risk Prevention Division.

Upon hearing this.

Dirk Carter asked, "Even if our work is influenced by local interference, personnel authority isn't something locals can meddle with, right?"

At these words.

Anselm Hall chuckled and asked, "Isn't Commissioner Carter also from a local cadre background but still entered customs?"

With these words.

Dirk Carter understood.

Customs is indeed a direct agency.

But it has intricate connections with local authorities, and what seems impossible to outsiders is not uncommon within the system.

With the right connections, anything is possible.

At the entrance of the restaurant.

Theodore Hughes swaggered out.

Seeing this, Anselm Hall patted Dirk Carter's shoulder and said, "Alright, I'll head off first. Let's talk about any issues tomorrow."

After saying this.

He got into the car directly.

"Hey, Commissioner Carter, still here? Want me to give you a ride?"

Theodore Hughes naturally saw Dirk Carter standing at the entrance and came over shouting.

At this moment, a taxi stopped in front.

Dirk Carter was just about to get in.

Suddenly, two men in black appeared.

One directly blocked him, closing the taxi door he'd opened.

The other said something to the taxi driver, scaring him into driving off quickly.

Dirk Carter was speechless.

He prepared to go directly to the roadside.

But the two men in black blocked his way and obstructed his path of departure.

"Mr. Hughes, what's the meaning of this?"

Dirk Carter asked.

Theodore Hughes laughed and said, "It means nothing, I'm always hospitable. Commissioner Carter, you just took office today. If I don't show a little something, I'd feel uneasy."

After saying this.

He walked up to Dirk Carter.

Put his arm around Dirk Carter's shoulder and said, "Commissioner Carter, how about I host the second round?"

"I just arrived today, a bit tired, want to rest early."

Dirk Carter took down the arm on his shoulder and said.

Theodore Hughes paused and asked, "Tired? Well, I know a good place, let me take Commissioner Carter there to relax."

"I'm not interested."

This response from Dirk Carter.

Made Theodore Hughes' face reveal a hint of malice.

However, he didn't act out.

He chuckled and said, "Usually when men say they're not interested, it means they're thinking about women. Commissioner Carter is young and full of vigor, naturally, there are desires. It's alright, in all of Ardmore City, as long as it's someone Commissioner Carter has his eye on, I, Theodore Hughes, can get you into bed, that's no exaggeration."

"Does Mr. Hughes have such means?"

Dirk Carter asked nonchalantly.

Theodore Hughes patted his chest and said, "You don't believe me?"

Then.

He started looking around.

After glancing around, his gaze settled on a greeter at the entrance of the restaurant.

He nudged Dirk Carter with his elbow, pointed at the greeter, and then exaggeratedly gestured two "S" shapes with his hands, asking, "How about that broad? Big chest, big butt, should be quite something in bed."

Dirk Carter didn't see clearly at first.

He just squinted a bit to look.

Theodore Hughes snapped his fingers.

Then four more men in black moved directly to the greeter's side.

One of the men talked to her.

Then brought the young lady in front of them.

Theodore Hughes suddenly pinched her chin, asking Dirk Carter, "Commissioner Carter, how about it? Want this chick to keep you company tonight?"

He had seen audacity before, but not this brazen.

The greeter saw the situation.

Immediately tried to break free.

Only for Theodore Hughes to pull out a wad of cash, slap it onto the greeter, and said, "Here's the money, how about spending a night with our Commissioner Carter?"

"Shameless, scoundrel..."

The woman cursed and struggled.

Unfortunately, all her exits were blocked.

"Mr. Hughes, stop fooling around, I'm not interested."

Seeing the woman being bullied, Dirk Carter immediately spoke up.

No one expected such a simple sentence.

To set Theodore Hughes off suddenly.

He turned around and slapped the greeter, scolding, "Ingrate, don't you believe I'd strip you here on the spot?"

Seeing the woman about to suffer.

Dirk Carter couldn't hold back and was ready to take action.

At this moment, a stern shout came from afar.

"Son of a bitch, stop right there!"

Upon hearing this voice.

Theodore Hughes' expression changed immediately.

At the entrance of the restaurant.

Two middle-aged men walked out.

One of them Dirk Carter recognized, it was Ardmore City's municipal committee member, standing vice mayor, Chadric Gates.

The other man, looking around forty, in a suit, tall and commanding, with piercing eyes, clearly not an ordinary person.

"Dad..."

Theodore Hughes cowered.

Bowed his head and called out.

Chadric Gates raised his hand and gave Theodore Hughes a slap.

Theodore spun around on the spot, a bright red handprint left on his face.

"Stubborn, aren't you? How many times have I told you to keep a low profile outside, but you just won't listen, will you?"

After the scolding.

Chadric Gates flicked his son's head with a knuckle.

Theodore wore a miserable expression and dared not utter a word.

Seeing he might strike again.

The man beside Chadric Gates intervened, grabbing Chadric Gates' arm, saying, "Vice Mayor Gates, it's just a greeter, no need for such anger."

After that.

He took out a wad of cash from his pocket.

About ten thousand, it seemed.

He tossed it coldly on the ground, saying to the sobbing greeter, "This is compensation for you, take the money and disappear."

Such a cold statement.

The greeter didn't dare say anything.

Picked up the money and quickly fled.

The middle-aged man's gaze fell on Dirk Carter, walked up to him, and said, "The new Commissioner Carter?"

"I am."

The man smiled slightly.

Said, "Jaden Lawson, Chairman of Pinnacle Group."

Dirk Carter hadn't heard of this name.

He wasn't interested in knowing more.

He didn't shake the hand extended towards him.

Instead, he spoke to Chadric Gates, "Vice Mayor Gates, Mr. Hughes had too much to drink, you should take him back to rest early."

As he said this.

Jaden Lawson was a bit embarrassed.

Before Chadric Gates could say a word.

Jaden Lawson said, "Commissioner Carter, I'd suggest you consider shaking hands with me instead."