"Cough cough..."
Lawson cleared his throat and said, "I just detailed the pros and cons of this bill for everyone. Next, I will reveal the point everyone is most concerned about, the evidence that Governor Stevenson signed this bill for his own personal gain!"
With that, he opened up the document his secretary had given him earlier and spread it out in front of the camera.
As the document's contents appeared before the eyes of all the people of Nevada State, some became angry, some incredulous, and some were utterly shocked.
The reason was simple.
In the document, it was clearly recorded that the head of the largest agricultural export company in Nevada State, owing to the profits from this bill, had given Governor Stevenson six hundred thousand US dollars in bribes.
The details about the expenditure of these funds, what accounts they were reported on, and into which accounts they were ultimately deposited, including the owner of the account, were all crystal clear.
"Fake Yau, our Governor is still touting this as a bill beneficial to us, but now it seems it really was for his own selfish desires!"
"Well, he sold out the interests of our farmers for his own selfish gain. What a 'good Governor' we have here!"
"How easy is it for us farmers to earn the little money we make in a year? Now Governor Stevenson has actually deceived us like this, it's absolutely unforgivable!"
The farmers of Nevada State, as well as many others involved in agriculture, were enraged and launched an attack against Governor Stevenson on various social media platforms.
Las Vegas.
"Did you see that, father? Stevenson is in big trouble this time; he might really be toppled..."
Inside a residence, Selina was talking on her phone, a look of astonishment on her face.
She knew the Golden Ear Bridge was just the beginning, and that David surely had other moves to make, but she hadn't expected his next move to be so explosive.
This made her admire David even more.
"This matter concerns a state agricultural bill, and the public pressure this time is indeed immense; however, nothing is absolute, let's see how Stevenson will respond next!"
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Meanwhile, various power players in Nevada State, including the wealthy, were discussing and exploring the implications of this explosive news.
Many of them realized the possibility that Nevada State was on the verge of a change of power and quietly started preparing for it.
At the Governor's Mansion.
At this moment, Governor Stevenson was filled with both rage and immense regret.
He had forcefully signed the bill, not for the sake of that trivial six hundred thousand dollars. At his position, money had actually lost much of its significance.
His main reason for signing the bill was to boast of the GDP figures and political achievements. Sure, it involved some compromise of the agricultural community's interests, but it wasn't as Lawson had accused—that the bill was entirely without merit.
Without taking the money, Lawson could claim the bill had no benefits, so he could promote the many advantages of the bill.
"I just received the news, Governor Stevenson has called for the heads of each department to convene at the mansion for an emergency meeting!"
"Good, get ready!"
Laurie was about to get dressed and depart, but he noticed Sherwood looking embarrassed and frozen in place, prompting him to ask, "What's the matter?"
"He didn't summon you..."
"What!"
Laurie was stunned. He was the Deputy Governor, after all. It was one thing not to invite him to regular meetings, but to exclude him from such a crucial emergency meeting?
At this thought, Laurie felt a surge of anger rise from within: "Fine, they really treat me like a mascot, do they? Soon I'll show them the ability of this 'mascot'!"
If it were in the past, he would certainly have been angry too, but powerless and without influence, he could only bear it.
But things were different now.
Now Stevenson was embroiled in successive scandals, and most importantly, he had the support of David. Why would he be afraid of Stevenson now?
"Deputy Governor, about this matter, I think you should give a call to Director David, to ask him what should be done next!"
Laurie collected his thoughts, felt that made sense, immediately picked up the phone and dialed David's number, saying, "Director David, I just got notified that Governor Stevenson has summoned the department heads for an emergency meeting, but that bastard didn't inform me."
Ninglin Branch Office.
David, who heard this, wasn't surprised, because just recently, Secretary of State Oldington had already informed him in advance. He replied, "He didn't inform you, so you're not going on your own?"
Laurie paused, then said, "So, Director David, you mean... go straight there and challenge him now?"
David replied, "When else are you waiting for? It's the right time, and I will have Secretary of State Oldington support you!"
"What! Secretary of State Oldington!"
Laurie's face showed shock, somewhat disbelieving what his ears heard.
David had not only united with him but also settled matters with Lawson, gathered leverage against Stevenson, and now, he had even managed to secure Secretary of State Oldington?
David comforted, "Yes, go ahead boldly, Secretary of State Oldington will definitely support you!"
"Alright, alright, I understand!"
With confirmation a second time, Laurie was ecstatic to the extreme.
Even though David currently had Stevenson on the ropes, Stevenson still had a hold over the state government. Laurie was reluctant to confront him so directly.
But with Oldington on his side, now he really had the confidence.
After all, that's the Secretary of State we're talking about, the most powerful person in Nevada after Governor Stevenson!