In these words, Dirk Carter can hear the message.
Everyone present can naturally hear it too.
Yet no one refutes it.
Everyone feels it makes sense.
This shows that Gilbert Dixon indeed has high authority in the government office.
Of course, today's tardiness at the meeting was intentional, aimed at showing Dirk Carter a lesson.
"Ahem..."
Dirk Carter cleared his throat.
He looked at Roy Zane and asked, "Comrade Roy Zane, how old are you this year?"
Roy Zane was taken aback.
Unsure of Dirk Carter's intent.
He replied, "I'm 41 this year."
"Oh, 41 years old, still hasn't been weaned?"
This question from Dirk Carter startled everyone, and they looked at him sharply.
Roy Zane was also stupefied, his face flushed, and asked, "Secretary General Carter, what do you mean by that?"
"I mean nothing at all. Gilbert Dixon isn't here, and Secretary General Zane can't even run a meeting. If Gilbert Dixon is not in our city's government office someday, will you be unable to hold the position of Deputy Secretary General? What's the difference compared to a child that can't be weaned from its mother?"
Dirk Carter asked.
Once these words were spoken.
Someone covered their mouth and secretly laughed.
Roy Zane instantly felt humiliated and enraged.
He slapped the table, stood up, and angrily said, "Dirk Carter, mind your words! Is this something a Secretary General should say?"
Dirk Carter chuckled coldly and said, "I am the one in charge; I announce a meeting, but you say it must wait for Gilbert Dixon. Is this really something a subordinate should say?"
Silence fell.
Roy Zane couldn't find words to respond.
Amy Wright stepped in, trying to give Roy Zane an out, saying, "Secretary General Carter, we didn't mean that. We thought, since this is your first meeting with us, everyone should be present. Gilbert Dixon is second in command, and him not being here isn't reasonable by any rule."
"Whose rules? Gilbert Dixon's rules? Or your rules, Amy Wright?"
Dirk Carter asked.
Amy Wright's face flushed bright red.
She stammered, "Our government office's rules?"
"Who made these rules?"
Dirk Carter continued to ask.
Amy Wright pursed her lips and said, "It's how we've always done it, ever since Gordon Ford was Secretary General."
"Oh, it was like that when Gordon Ford (the former City Government Secretary) was here. Unfortunately, my name isn't Ford; it's Carter, and I don't like it this way. Is that okay?"
Dirk Carter asked.
Amy Wright opened her mouth, but couldn't think of a retort.
She could only close her mouth dejectedly.
Dirk Carter scanned everyone.
He said, "Starting today, here's a new rule. If I set the meeting time, that's the time we start. If anyone is late, they will be treated as absent without leave."
"Secretary General Carter, so authoritative indeed."
Suddenly.
A voice came from the door.
Dirk Carter turned his head to see a man of about thirty standing at the entrance.
The man was wearing a polo shirt and gold-rimmed glasses.
His hair was neatly groomed, looking quite dashing.
He was about the same height as Dirk Carter.
At least about six feet tall.
With such refined and elegant looks, he must be quite attractive to women.
When he appeared.
Everyone present, except Dirk Carter, stood up respectfully.
They all earnestly greeted, "Good day, Secretary Dixon."
Gilbert Dixon was very pleased with the scene.
He waved to everyone, indicating for them to sit down, and then took his seat.
He sighed deeply and said to Dirk Carter, "Sorry, Secretary General Carter, I was a bit sluggish after my nap and couldn't wake up, thus arriving late. You're not going to mark me as absent, are you?"
This sentence carried an even more provocative tone.
His disdainful look seemed to challenge Dirk Carter: if you dare, mark me as absent.
If Dirk Carter didn't, the new rule set just now would be meaningless.
If he did, Gilbert Dixon certainly wouldn't show him any respect.
As everyone believed Dirk Carter was caught in a difficult situation without means of resolution.
Dirk Carter smiled and said, "What are you talking about, Comrade Dixon? How can this be marked as absence?"
"Haha..."
Upon hearing Dirk Carter's words.
Gilbert Dixon chuckled.
Thinking, I thought you were impressive, but it turns out you're just another talker, dismissively saying, "Thank you, Secretary General Carter, for your generosity."
At this point, everyone below shared the same sentiments.
Especially Roy Zane and Amy Wright, whose expressions became smug.
Dirk Carter waved his hand and said, "Just now, Comrade Dixon also mentioned he was late because of a nap, which means it's not absence but a case of laziness or neglect of duty. Or even dereliction of duty, some might think, don't you agree?"
Bang!
Like a sudden clap of thunder.
Everyone's expressions froze on their faces.
Gilbert Dixon's smile seemed to be frozen.
Being marked absent is small.
Laziness or neglect plus dereliction of duty is a whole other issue.
It warrants disciplinary action.
Gilbert Dixon is due for a promotion, and if he gets labeled with this, it would block his path forward.
His face darkened.
Asked, "Dirk Carter, what do you mean?"
Dirk Carter smiled slightly and said, "I mean nothing at all; you mentioned being late due to sleep just now. Everyone heard it, so I'm not making this up. There are corresponding rules in the disciplinary code, shall I show them to you?"
Gilbert Dixon was suddenly at a loss for words.
He intended to give Dirk Carter a hard time and thus spoke boldly.
If it were someone else, they wouldn't care about such trivial details.
But Dirk Carter is different; he not only took it seriously but escalated it directly.
Seeing he was losing face.
Dirk Carter said, "Of course, for some comrades who occasionally break the rules, we can't just dismiss them outright; we must give them a chance to grow. Since Comrade Dixon is making a mistake for the first time, I can be lenient. But if it happens again, it'll be considered dereliction of duty, and old and new wrongdoings will be counted together. Comrade Dixon, do you agree?"
Gilbert Dixon felt bitter inside.
A face full of gloomy clouds.
He could only pout and say, "You're the Secretary General; your word is final."
Dirk Carter laughed heartily and said, "That's the right attitude. Well, that was just a little interlude; let's put it behind us. Now for a short meeting; everyone briefly report on your current work. Comrade Dixon, you go first."
Gilbert Dixon was irritated.
Crossed his arms, unwilling to speak.
Dirk Carter casually said, "Comrade Dixon isn't going to claim he hasn't done any work recently due to sleeping, so we might add another case of negligence, huh?"
Gilbert Dixon was helpless.
He could only briefly introduce his current work.
With his cue, others dared not neglect.
They reported one after another dutifully.
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