The man surnamed Pan even hinted rather obliquely at his own personal conduct, which made James Jennings break out in a cold sweat. If the other party really wanted to go after him, he probably wouldn’t have been able to walk out of that guesthouse so easily.

William Carter went to great lengths to take the investigators to Guangping County to find Shawn Bolton to testify for him and clear his name. That was certainly important, but according to Emily Jennings, before that, William Carter not only took her to Henry Goodwin’s house to report the issue, but also went to the post and telecommunications bureau to make a long-distance call—a call that must have been very important.

What role that call played in this matter was unknown, but James Jennings clearly sensed a change in the investigators’ attitude and focus from the first day to the second.

The section chief surnamed Pan probably took William Carter to be Emily Jennings’s boyfriend, which was why he made that meaningful remark.

The phrase “quite impressive” coming from the mouth of Chief Pan was definitely not as simple as it sounded; there was a deeper meaning behind it. James Jennings couldn’t figure out—if William Carter really had some special background, why would he be so intent on joining the factory but unable to get in?

After returning home, William Carter had a good sleep. He had done all he could. James Jennings had gotten out safely. In just two days, although there had already been some rumors, when James Jennings reappeared at the factory full of energy, all the gossip collapsed on its own. And Henry Goodwin ought to give James Jennings some comfort as well.

It was quite a harvest. Before falling asleep, William Carter sorted through his thoughts from the past two days.

He had used this incident to successfully consolidate his position in the Jennings family. After this, it would be nearly impossible for Paul Young to dislodge him, especially since James Jennings’s firm standing also cut off the possibility of Brian Young succeeding as deputy factory director. The potential impact of this was hard to estimate.

He had gotten to know Philip Parker, a deputy section chief in a certain office of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, and had also come into contact with the Lawrence Cole family. There would be more opportunities in the future—this was probably the biggest gain. Philip Parker was very curious about him, and the impression he left on Philip Parker was also quite good.

He had left a deep impression among people like Henry Goodwin and George Grant, who were close to James Jennings. The 195 Factory often exchanged cadres with Changzhou City and even Changjiang Province. In William Carter’s memory, in 1995, George Grant was transferred to Changzhou City as deputy mayor. But after this incident, the historical trajectory of the 195 Factory had already shifted. Whether things would continue as before, William Carter didn’t know.

Chapter 10 Nancy Jennings

When William Carter woke up from his sleep, he smelled a familiar delicate fragrance.

Rubbing his eyes, William Carter didn’t get up immediately. He adjusted to the light in the room and saw a charming figure sitting on a bamboo chair by his bed.

“Nancy Jennings?! When did you get back?” William Carter sat up in surprise. There was no one else in the room—his father had definitely gone to work, and his mother had probably gone to the market to buy groceries. Maybe because Nancy Jennings was coming, his mother had left early to give the two of them some time alone.

“I came back last night.” Nancy Jennings’s bright eyes fell on William Carter’s face. “Damin, what did you do to make my dad, my mom, and my sister all praise you to the skies? No, not just praise you—it’s more like they’re deeply grateful. You have to tell me the truth!”

“What could I have done?” William Carter smiled and scratched his head. “Don’t you know me well enough by now?”

“Hmph, I’m starting to think I really don’t know you. I won’t even mention my mom. My dad never interfered in our relationship, but I know he didn’t really approve of us being together. My sister was the same. But yesterday when I got home, my dad didn’t say anything except to tell me to cherish you. My sister also said you’re outstanding—she hardly ever praises anyone like that. I have no idea what you did—did you give them some kind of love potion? Even my mom isn’t saying anything now.”

A blush appeared on the pretty girl’s cheeks. Her doll-like eyelashes curled up like little fans, her big eyes full of surprise and joy. Her slightly fluffy curls must have just been done, and the white crew-neck T-shirt with “Don’t bother me” printed on the front hugged her curvy figure, exuding endless allure. The long, shapely legs under her plaid skirt had once made William Carter utterly infatuated.

William Carter just smiled and said nothing, reaching out to hold that once-familiar hand—soft and delicate. With a gentle tug, the girl glanced around shyly and leaned into William Carter’s arms. “Damin, last night I heard my sister talk about what happened these past few days. I was so scared. I didn’t know what we’d do if something really happened to my dad. My sister said it was all thanks to you, that you found someone to help and saved my dad from disaster. Is that true?”

“It’s not as exaggerated as your sister says. I did find someone to help, but the key was that Uncle Zhen himself was solid—there was no problem. So once things were investigated clearly, it was nothing.” William Carter gently stroked Nancy Jennings’s hair, his heart full of emotion. Could everything really start over again?