A Bumpy Road to Power Chapter 173: The Beautiful Deputy Mayor

"Comrade Dirk Carter, the education level of Kenton County has always been one of the top in Ardmore City. This is why forr director Yorke Payne was promoted to Deputy County Head. You are young and well-educated, and I hope that once you take charge of the education system, you can bring new vitality and new heights to the education sector in Kenton County. Do you have confidence?"

After a bout of flattery.

Simon Lewis's tone was evidently much gentler.

Dirk Carter nodded and said, "County Head Lewis, rest assured, I will do my utmost..."

But he hadn't finished speaking.

The sound of knocking on the door rang out.

"Co in."

Their conversation was interrupted, and Simon Lewis showed signs of displeasure.

The door was pushed open.

A middle-aged man walked in.

The man was about forty years old.

He was sowhat overweight, roughly estimated at over two hundred pounds.

It's likely that the fabric used for his suit was twice as much as an average person.

"Just in ti, Comrade Dirk Carter, let introduce you, this is Deputy County Head Yorke Payne, who primarily oversees the education system and is also the forr director of the county education bureau."

Upon seeing the visitor.

Simon Lewis quickly beckoned.

Dirk Carter heard that this person was Yorke Payne.

He promptly stood up and extended his hand, saying, "Hello, Deputy County Head Payne."

Yorke Payne wore a smile on his face.

However, he didn't shake Dirk Carter's hand but spoke to Simon Lewis, "Leader, the education inspection group from the city has arrived."

Upon hearing this.

Simon Lewis glanced at his watch.

Said, "Alright, Comrade Dirk Carter, let's end our conversation here. Today, Ardmore City's education bureau team is here in Kenton County for an inspection. As the new director, accompany us and participate."

"Sure, County Head Lewis."

After agreeing.

Simon Lewis walked out of the office.

Yorke Payne followed closely behind.

He didn't say a word to Dirk Carter.

It was clear that he didn't like Dirk Carter, or rather, he didn't like Dirk Carter taking the role of education bureau director.

At the entrance of the county governnt building.

A sedan and a bus had already parked.

Simon Lewis had just arrived.

The door of the bus opened.

What appeared first at the door was a long leg.

Truly, a long leg.

The woman who appeared was estimated to be around thirty years old, about one ter seventy tall. She wore tailored trousers reaching her ankles and high heels.

Her upper body was in a fitted won's suit.

A brooch was pinned at the neckline.

The woman was pretty.

Her face was covered with exquisite light makeup.

Her shoulder-length hair was wavy and styled.

She looked very elegant and noble, with a certain resemblance to a corporate female CEO.

Upon seeing this person.

Simon Lewis first went up to greet her.

With a smile, he said, "Welco Deputy Mayor Ray and your team to Kenton County for the inspection, everyone applauds."

Applause erupted.

Deputy Mayor Ray?

Could this woman be Charlotte Ray, the Deputy Mayor of Ardmore City overseeing education?

Dirk Carter had read about her, Charlotte Ray was already 40 years old, but surprisingly, she looked only thirty, her maintenance was simply outstanding.

Amidst the warm applause.

The inspection group from the bus disembarked in an orderly manner.

In this inspection group.

The highest rank was Deputy Mayor Charlotte Ray.

Besides her, there was the deputy director of the city education bureau, Timothy Sutton, and leaders from other departnts.

Here in Kenton County, besides County Head Simon Lewis, there was Deputy County Head Yorke Payne, who oversees education, and so leaders from the county governnt office.

Dirk Carter hadn't taken office yet, but encountered such a high-profile inspection. Moreover, among the leaders present, almost none knew him, so while in the welcoming crowd, he squeezed and squeezed. If he weren't tall, he would have long disappeared.

Simon Lewis and Charlotte Ray exchanged a few words.

Other leaders also started chatting.

Suddenly.

Charlotte Ray asked, "County Head Lewis, I heard the county's new director of the education bureau has taken office, where is he? Why hasn't he shown up?"

Simon Lewis, upon hearing this.

Smacked his forehead and said, "Oh dear, my mory sotis..."

Then turned around and shouted, "Comrade Dirk Carter, Comrade Dirk Carter."

Everyone was baffled by the shout.

They had no idea who Simon Lewis was calling.

At this ti, from the back of the crowd, a young man's hand erged, calling out, "County Head Lewis, I'm here."

The others turned their heads at the sound, and only then did they realize the young man who was unwittingly jostling around them was actually the newly appointed director of the education bureau.

Quickly made way for him.

Dirk Carter finally approached the leaders.

"Comrade Dirk Carter, our newly appointed director of the education bureau."

Simon Lewis pointed at Dirk Carter as he introduced him to Charlotte Ray.

When Charlotte Ray first saw Dirk Carter, she was taken aback—not because they knew each other, but because Dirk Carter looked quite young. Although nearing thirty, upon estimating, he seed to be a 24 or 25-year-old lad.

However, her face quickly returned to normal.

She shook Dirk Carter's extended hand and said, "Comrade Dirk Carter, looks quite young, doesn't he?"

Dirk Carter already knew the identity of the woman before him.

He shook her hand.

But still pretended to be clueless and asked Simon Lewis, "County Head Lewis, who is this young beauty?"

"What young beauty? This is Deputy Mayor Charlotte Ray of Ardmore City."

Simon Lewis replied.

Upon hearing this, Dirk Carter stomped his foot, flustered and regretful, "Oh... oh dear, it's Deputy Mayor Ray. I thought it was so young corporate female CEO. My apologies, Deputy Mayor Ray, I'm really sorry."

As always.

Flattery works anyti.

Dirk Carter said this.

Charlotte Ray's face blushed a little.

She chuckled, "Old woman by now, young beauty, Comrade Dirk Carter speaks well."

"Deputy Mayor Ray, if you are an old woman, then how would other won survive?"

Dirk Carter's words also brought laughter to the other people.

Charlotte Ray's smile grew wider.

She found Dirk Carter more and more pleasant to her eyes.

Upon seeing a few people still chatting.

Yorke Payne ca over.

Said sothing in a low voice in Simon Lewis's ear.

Simon Lewis nodded.

He said, "Deputy Mayor Ray, should we first head inside for a symposium, or..."

Charlotte Ray snapped out of Dirk Carter's complints, turned to Timothy Sutton, deputy director of the city's education bureau, and asked, "Director Sutton, how should we proceed next?"

Timothy Sutton and Yorke Payne exchanged glances.

Said, "As per the process, we should first inspect the schools."

"Alright, then let's inspect the schools, which school should we visit?"

Charlotte Ray asked.

Yorke Payne promptly stepped out and said, "Kenton County Seventh Elentary, wasn't it just last year that it was designated a municipal key school? How about we visit Seventh Elentary."

"Fine, when in Ro do as the Romans do, let's visit Seventh Elentary."

Timothy Sutton said.

Seventh Elentary?

Upon hearing this na.

Dirk Carter's heart skipped a beat.

Could it be such a coincidence?

Among all the elentary, middle, and high schools in the county, why precisely Seventh Elentary?

"Comrade Dirk Carter, co, ride with and let's chat."

Just as everyone was boarding the vehicles, and Dirk Carter didn't know which one to get on, Charlotte Ray waved him over.

The invitation was irresistible.

Moreover, nobody arranged a vehicle for him.

Dirk Carter obediently boarded.

The vehicle was similar to a Coaster but was not a Coaster brand.

The front half was regular bus seating, the back was more spacious with sofa chairs.

At this mont, Charlotte Ray was seated on the sofa chair.

He intended to just find a spot and sit.

Charlotte Ray waved him over again, saying, "Comrade Dirk Carter, sit over here."