Dirk Carter did not answer him.

Instead, he picked up a folder, glanced at it, and said, "In the years since Aether Group was founded, they've smuggled refined oil totaling up to 5 million tons, monopolizing a third of the country's refined oil market. Over 4,000 national oil wells have incurred losses and closed down, and the National Petroleum Corp. has lost 7 billion in just one year."

Regarding these figures.

Benson Caldwell seemed as if he hadn't heard a thing.

His face was indifferent.

Dirk Carter continued, "Over the years, you've smuggled up to 4 million boxes of imported cigarettes through false declarations."

At this point.

Dirk Carter took out a box of cigarettes from his pocket and tossed it on the table.

He said, "This brand is the favorite among domestic smokers; I checked. In the national market, at least two of every three boxes of this cigarette are smuggled in by you. And this doesn't even include the counterfeit cigarettes you produced and sold over the years. If added, the numbers would be even more astonishing, wouldn't they?"

"Moreover..."

Dirk Carter wanted to continue.

Benson Caldwell interrupted him, saying, "Dirk Carter, these figures you've got must have come from Jaden Lawson. Of course, I admit they are true, but what's the use? Who would let you investigate? Do you think just you alone? What level are you at? You're not even a deputy commissioner of customs now. Do you think you've won by handcuffing me here?"

"Are you so sure no one dares to investigate you?"

Dirk Carter asked with keen interest.

Benson Caldwell yawned and said, "Dirk, you're too naive. The world isn't just black and white. I've been in this line of work for so many years, I've seen all kinds of storms. Do you really think those above and below you in your line will let you manipulate them?"

"I believe in the law!"

Dirk Carter stated firmly.

Benson Caldwell burst into laughter upon hearing this.

He said, "The law? The law is set for the common people, for those in poverty. People like me don't need the law, and no law can control me. That's alright, if you want to play, we can take our time. Anyway, I've got nothing to do for the next few days, I'll accompany you. But you better consider this well, I've got plenty of time, whereas your time is running out. I guess the door you've closed is about to be reopened..."

As expected.

Just as Benson Caldwell finished speaking.

Eliza Henderson rushed in hurriedly, saying, "Dirk Carter, the provincial leaders have arrived."

Of course, Benson Caldwell heard this too.

A faint smile flashed across his face.

He glanced out the window.

He said, "Dirk Carter, carry on, I want to see how long you can strut around?"

"Alright, then keep watching."

Dirk Carter nodded and left the "interrogation room".

Upon seeing him come out.

Maeve Winters approached him.

Frowning, she said, "The situation is a bit dire; Secretary Penn Dalton from the State Committee has arrived, and quite a few people from the Provincial Public Security Department have come as well, look."

After speaking, Maeve Winters pointed to the distant mountain range.

In the woods of Clearspring Mountain, numerous police officers could clearly be seen in action.

With Penn Dalton on the scene, the police seem ready to go all out and prepare for a strong attack. The officers currently active in the mountainous terrain could very well be SWAT snipers.

As the two surveyed the surroundings.

With a loud bang.

The gate of the manor was suddenly forced open.

Police officers from the Provincial Department stormed in with riot shields. Left with no choice, Maeve Winters issued an urgent order for all their people to withdraw around the house to confront the provincial police.

After the provincial and city police entered, they quickly formed a battalion, with riot police at the front and heavily-armed SWAT officers behind them. Other armed police units also rapidly occupied various corners of the garden. In the blink of an eye, the space initially controlled by Dirk Carter's people was further compressed.

In the middle, the shields suddenly split open.

A tall man with slightly gray hair in his fifties approached, looking stern.

This man was none other than Penn Dalton, a member of the provincial committee, standing committee, and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission.

Behind Penn Dalton were Curtis Walsh, the head of Ronan Customs, Ethan Young, the deputy director of the Provincial Department of Public Security, and Easton Perry, the deputy director of the Provincial Tobacco Bureau, among others.

Of course.

The leaders from Ardmore City who arrived beforehand were also present on site.

The area was filled with at least a dozen to twenty people.

"Who's Dirk Carter? Step forward!"

Penn Dalton shouted sternly.

Dirk Carter pushed aside Maeve Winters, who was standing in front of him protecting him, and said, "That's me."

Penn Dalton first scrutinized him.

Then looked towards a young man nearby.

The young man, presumably his secretary, stepped forward and held up two sheets of paper.

He first picked up the first sheet and read aloud, "After review, Helen Fletcher is relieved from her positions as a member, standing committee member, and county committee secretary of the Kenton County Committee, effective immediately. Maeve Winters is removed from her position as deputy director and head of the criminal police brigade at Kenton County Police Department, effective immediately. Eliza Henderson is relieved from her post as deputy director at West End Police Station, effective immediately."

After finishing the first document.

He picked up the second sheet and continued reading loudly, "After review, Caroline Lynch is removed from her position as deputy minister and a member of the party leadership group at the Ardmore City Committee Organization Department, effective immediately."

After reading both documents.

Penn Dalton casually said, "Continue."

Ethan Young, the deputy director of the Provincial Department of Public Security, stepped forward.

He also took out three sheets of paper.

Glanced at Dirk Carter, and disdainfully said, "Upon investigation, Caleb Ford, the actual controller of the Apex Group, is suspected of organizing and leading a crime syndicate and has been arrested this morning in Stillwater County. The Provincial Department of Public Security has collaborated with city and county-level government agencies to seize all properties under the Apex Group."

Next.

He moved to the second sheet and continued reading, "The Tonight Club management has involved some companies in prostitution, organizing, and leading organized crime syndicates. All Tonight Spa & Resort establishments are ordered to cease operation and undergo inspection."

After finishing the second sheet.

Ethan Young took out the third sheet.

This time, his voice was even louder.

"Due to suspicions of kidnapping, intentional assault, gang fighting, and instigating troubles, the Provincial Department of Public Security decided to issue arrest warrants for the following individuals: Dirk Carter, Caroline Lynch, Helen Fletcher, Maeve Winters, Eliza Henderson, Ewan Forrest, Rose Forrest, Aziel Grant, effective immediately."

After a series of orders were read.

Everyone thought Dirk Carter would be scared to the point of collapse.

And those standing behind Dirk Carter would plead for mercy out of fear.

However, there wasn't a hint of fear on anyone's face. They seemed entirely indifferent.

"Wait, what kind of bullshit arrest warrant is this? Why isn't my name included? What? Am I not qualified? I was the first to break into this courtyard; even Benson Caldwell's bodyguard from The Leopard Cat, I was the one who took him down. Are you looking down on me?"

In the silence.

Arlo Yarbrough stepped out, somewhat dissatisfied and said.

Dirk Carter's squad of strong-willed women burst into laughter.

With his shout.

Luna also stepped out, saying, "And me? Why isn't my name included? My name is Luna, please add my name."

"Exactly, and me, my name is Elaine Nolan, and I didn't hear my name either."

Elaine Nolan puckered her lips, somewhat dissatisfied, and said.

Just when Dirk Carter thought everyone was included, a voice came from behind him: "And me, my name is Dorothy Zechariah, I want to be wanted too!"

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