Fuming, truly fuming.

Originally thought these few official documents would have great deterrent power.

But the current situation is completely the opposite.

Some people are mocking themselves for "achieving a great deed" without being wanted, while others are actually stepping up, requesting to be wanted.

What does this count as?

Is this not a naked humiliation of the power they hold?

Penn Dalton was burning with anger.

He said to Ethan Young, "Note them down, write down all these names for me. Since they all want to die, I'll grant them their wish."

Arlo Yarbrough heard this.

Smiling broadly, he said, "That's more like it, move my wanted ranking up a notch, or else I can't settle the score with Dirk Carter."

"Hahaha..."

Another burst of laughter.

These laughs were like arrows piercing Penn Dalton's pride, as the highest-ranking official on the scene, his face alternated between green and white.

Pausing, he took a step forward.

Declared loudly, "Comrades, you have all seen that the organizers of these crimes have received their due punishment. I believe the rest of you are deceived, and if you're willing to admit your mistakes, no matter what you did before, I will overlook it. But if you persist in your ways, don't say I didn't warn you."

Penn Dalton's words.

Were directed at the police officers of Stillwater County and Kenton County.

These people have a different pursuit of interests from Dirk Carter.

They were also following orders when they came here.

Moreover, from the current situation, Dirk Carter is evidently on the losing side. No one would be foolish enough to follow him into further chaos.

At this moment.

A police officer glanced around.

Timidly stepped out, hesitated for a moment, and joined Penn Dalton's side.

This move.

Prompted more to follow.

In just a few minutes, the police from Stillwater County and Kenton County compromised.

They laid down their weapons and joined the opposing team.

Dirk Carter was not surprised by this scene.

Anyone would evaluate their situation.

These people all have families to support, their own pursuits, and ultimately, it's not worth sticking with Dirk Carter to the end.

With the police retreating.

Dirk Carter's side looked even more "vulnerable."

Penn Dalton's face bore the smile of a victor.

He said, "Dirk Carter, do you still plan to resist stubbornly?"

Dirk Carter's face was cold and stern.

He said, "If Benson Caldwell doesn't face justice, I won't take a step back."

"Right, if Benson Caldwell doesn't face justice, we won't take a step back!"

The others echoed in unison.

Penn Dalton smiled slightly and said, "Fine, not shedding a tear until you see the coffin, huh?"

After finishing that sentence.

He gave Ethan Young a glance.

Ethan Young immediately understood.

Drew his handgun from his waist, raised it above his head, and squeezed the trigger in an instant. With a bang, the gunshot echoed, and Ethan Young asked, "First warning, will you move aside?"

Dirk Carter didn't move, and neither did anyone else.

Ethan Young fired another shot, asking, "Second warning, will you move aside?"

Still, no one budged.

His finger pressed down decisively.

The third gunshot rang out.

Ethan Young's gaze was ruthless as he said, "Three warnings and you're still defiant, heed my order, raise your guns!"

With the command issued.

All the police present raised their guns, aiming at Dirk Carter's group.

One must understand, at this point, the police have already followed proper protocol, and if Dirk Carter and his group still refuse to stand down, the police indeed have the authority to shoot.

Looking at the leaders who accompanied Penn Dalton.

Each had a smug smile on their face.

In their view, a "crisis" was resolved effortlessly; the weight on their hearts was lifted.

Dirk Carter scanned the crowd around him.

He turned around, looking at the men and women before him.

A smile appeared on his face.

He said, "Everyone, I'm sorry, it's me, Dirk Carter, who's brought trouble upon you. I originally thought, with such a big commotion, those leaders unaffiliated with Benson Caldwell's corruption would step forward to stand against them. I was wrong. No one truly wants to be caught up in this vortex, so I've failed, but you have been implicated because of me, and for that, I can only say I'm sorry."

After he said this.

He sighed.

Said, "Thanks to all of you for accompanying me all this way, what right do I, Dirk Carter, have to earn your life-and-death companionship? Honestly, I'm already very satisfied. Given the situation, there is no other way but one path—to defend the truth with my life."

As soon as these words were said.

The crowd was befuddled.

Everyone thought Dirk Carter had a backup plan.

In reality, he didn't.

He was merely gambling; gambling that once things got big, many people would stand up, because Benson Caldwell hadn't corrupted everyone in Serenity State, and those high-ranking people would seize the opportunity to act, eliminating these groups altogether.

He bet wrong.

For anything not concerning themselves, they turned a blind eye.

No one would wade into these troubled waters without reason.

His words seemed like a farewell.

He wanted to use his life to push the impact of this matter to a new high.

After these words.

Dirk Carter suddenly dashed into the house.

When he came out again, his left hand was restraining Benson Caldwell's neck, and in his right hand, he held a dagger, the blade pressing against Benson Caldwell's throat.

This act was exceedingly dangerous.

It also provided the police or a sniper a reason to shoot him.

Everyone saw Dirk Carter's intention, and they all became anxious.

"Dirk Carter, what are you doing, don't do anything rash..."

Benson Caldwell, who had remained calm all along, was now a bit flustered. Under Dirk Carter's dagger, his face turned pale with fright.

"Dirk Carter, let him go."

Ethan Young shouted loudly.

Dirk Carter ignored them.

He whispered into Benson Caldwell's ear, "Mr. Caldwell, with things having reached this point, if they shoot me dead, this matter might blow up to celestial proportions. Surely someone high up will notice it, right? But there's no way I'm letting you go. What do you think they'll do?"

After Dirk Carter finished.

Benson Caldwell's face changed dramatically.

He obviously understood what Dirk Carter meant.

The people here, for self-preservation, to keep their corruption and abuse of power from being discovered, only had one path left—to ensure that Benson Caldwell also stays silent forever; only then can this farce completely end.

"It won't, they won't, they surely won't..."

Benson Caldwell mumbled.

Although he said so.

His thoughts were otherwise.

He had dealt with these people too many times, and he surely knew what choices they'd make in a crisis.

Before him, Penn Dalton was urgently discussing something with the others.

In a short time.

The discussion concluded.

Ethan Young turned around.

He said to Dirk Carter, "Dirk Carter, I'll count to three. If you don't let him go, I'll order the sniper to shoot. You'd better consider the consequences."

As soon as the words fell.

Ethan Young eagerly shouted, "One!"

"Secretary Young, don't, I'm still in Dirk Carter's hands, don't do this... there are other ways, there are other ways..."

Dirk Carter remained calm, but Benson Caldwell was already in a panic.

His voice trembled as he shouted.

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