After all, it was a hint from the provincial leadership.
Herman Bates didn't dare to refute.
He said ruefully, "Alright, let's continue the meeting."
Carmelo Garrison glanced helplessly at Dirk Carter and sat down dejectedly.
At this moment.
Faustino Churchill's secretary rushed in.
He whispered something into Faustino Churchill's ear.
Faustino Churchill said to Herman Bates, "Secretary Bates, there's a phone call I need to return immediately. You start the meeting and I'll be back soon."
"Chairman Churchill, it's okay, you go ahead, I'll take a break too, let everyone have a restroom break."
Herman Bates said considerately.
Faustino Churchill didn't respond and hurried out.
Then.
Herman Bates announced a short break.
Some smoked, some went to the restroom.
The auditorium was suddenly filled with noise.
Dirk Carter remained motionless in his seat, but Kanes Bates strolled over leisurely.
With a mocking expression, he asked, "What's wrong? Secretary General Carter seems to be in low spirits."
"Mayor Bates is different, seems very pleased."
Dirk Carter said, looking up.
"Hahaha..."
Kanes Bates burst into laughter.
He said, "A man is always in spirits when something good happens, being rewarded calls for some celebration. But Secretary General Carter, I'm a bit worried. With so many accusations piled up, your position as Secretary General might not be secure, what will you do?"
"There's no need to worry, Mayor Bates. I'm fine, just that fortune shifts, and it might shift in my direction, not impossible, right?"
Dirk Carter replied.
Kanes Bates laughed again.
He said, "Young people indeed are young, with a good attitude. I like this approach to life. Alright, then I'll wait for Secretary General Carter's rise."
What is meant by a petty person gaining success.
Kanes Bates epitomizes this now.
His every word and deed fully illustrates those four characters.
Leaving Dirk Carter's side.
Kanes Bates then approached Gilbert Dixon.
No one knew what they talked about, but they laughed heartily.
About ten minutes.
Faustino Churchill returned.
Herman Bates quickly announced the continuation of the meeting.
Soon.
The noise in the auditorium ceased.
"Let's continue the meeting..."
Herman Bates turned on the microphone, barely said a word.
Faustino Churchill interrupted him again.
He said, "Comrade Herman, I've just been thinking about Goldridge County's situation; it still needs to be clarified. Since the main officer of Goldridge County wants to speak, we should give him a chance."
As soon as he finished speaking.
Herman Bates was stunned.
Not only him, Fabian Vincent also looked at Faustino Churchill in disbelief.
What is going on.
It was you who denied the speaking earlier, now suddenly allowing it?
Even Kanes Bates from the audience paused and glanced toward Gilbert Dixon, who shook his head subtly, then gestured reassuringly.
Before coming, he had a conversation with his father-in-law.
There shouldn't be any slip-ups.
"Uh... well... Listening to Chairman Churchill, Comrade Garrison, if you had something left unsaid earlier, you can say it now. Staff, give him a microphone."
Herman Bates announced.
Taking the microphone handed over by the staff.
Carmelo Garrison said, "Distinguished leaders and guests present, let me first introduce myself, my name is Carmelo Garrison, County Committee Secretary of Goldridge County. 726 flood rescue, we all know that time was tight and tasks were heavy, putting immense pressure on Goldridge County."
"When the Flynn Holden suddenly arrived, many preparations in Goldridge County were not completed, including the lack of sand and gravel reserves and shortage of large machinery. We contacted larger sand venues in Goldridge County, but these owners refused to supply Wyvern River Dam with sand and gravel, leading to insufficient raw materials for sandbags."
"After Dirk Carter, Secretary General Carter, came into action, he indeed seized those venue owners and forced them to supply sand, which was a measure for an extremely urgent situation. I believe it was completely reasonable. Without these sandbags, I can confidently say that the flood rescue mission in Goldridge County could not have concluded successfully. The 600,000 residents of Goldridge County would inevitably suffer."
Carmelo Garrison elaborated extensively.
After finishing.
He looked toward the officials at the podium.
Fabian Vincent cleared his throat.
He said, "Comrade Garrison, although you say so, the property of the people belongs to them. The government can't requisition without authorization, not even in emergencies. There are many ways to handle it, but Comrade Carter chose the worst. I think, in this matter, you need not plead on his behalf. Achievements don't justify wrongs."
Fabian Vincent's words were emphatic.
They precisely hit the crux of the issue.
Leaving no room for rebuttal.
Kanes Bates's initially worried expression quickly vanished, replaced again with pride and satisfaction.
Just when everyone thought today's situation couldn't be altered.
A commotion was suddenly heard at the auditorium door.
Herman Bates frowned and asked, "What's going on?"
One cadre at the door said, "Leaders, quite a few people are outside claiming they're from Goldridge County, wanting to meet Rexton City's leaders."
"Ridiculous, we're in a meeting now, how did they barge in? Chase them out!"
Fabian Vincent immediately berated.
Faustino Churchill waved his hand.
He said, "Comrade Vincent, your words are incorrect. The Municipal Committee Compound is national property, and citizens are owners of the nation. Why shouldn't they be here? Cadre, open the door and let them in."
What's happened to Faustino Churchill?
Even Gilbert Dixon couldn't understand.
This stance, could it be supporting Dirk Carter?
Although Fabian Vincent appeared to accept the reprimand.
Internally, he uttered curses.
Such righteous words, how could he utter them?
Led by a cadre.
A sizeable group of about a dozen people walked directly in, including the elderly Ace Levin, who had organized citizens to help.
"Who are you?"
Faustino Churchill took the microphone and asked.
Among them, a middle-aged man stepped forward.
Evidently intimidated by the scene.
Despite this, he gritted his teeth and said, "Hello leaders, I am Jubal Ford, owner of Springwell Sand and Gravel Plant in Goldridge County. This time, as a public opinion representative of Goldridge County's sand industry, I came to say one thing: we didn't supply the government because Goldridge County's Deputy County Executive Egbert Marshall commanded it."
"Ah?"
Once spoken.
The entire hall erupted.
Such explosive news was astonishing.
Goldridge County faced catastrophe, yet local officials ordered such actions, what's going on?
Herman Bates was also shocked.
Asked, "You can't spout such words carelessly; you'll bear legal responsibility."
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