“Mr. Green, I’m Davina Collins, Deputy Secretary of the City Commission for Discipline Inspection and head of the Party Conduct Office.”
“This is the first time I’m questioning you personally, and also the last routine inquiry the Commission will conduct.”
“We’ve already got the full picture about Mayor Johnson. You've been his secretary for three years—I hope you’ll cooperate, be honest about your dealings with him and your own misconduct. Leniency will only come with confession. Resistance will make things worse.”
“If you’re still unwilling to come clean, we’ll transfer your case to the Procuratorate for prosecution according to law.”
Davina Collins?
Ethan Green opened his eyes, slowly taking in the woman standing in front of him—the one widely known throughout the system as a stunner.
She was thirty-five, yet looked barely out of college. Fair skin, a delicate oval face, soft red lips, and expressive, bright eyes. Her nose wasn’t petite like most women's, but striking and well-defined.
With such sculpted features, she looked almost like someone of mixed ethnicity—or a European model. On an East Asian woman, this kind of face had a rare, elegant allure that left a lasting impression.
Add to that her smooth, porcelain-like skin, perfectly proportional figure, and long, slender legs, and she could easily outshine actual actresses on screen.
Every man who laid eyes on her probably had trouble breathing for a second.
She had that rare mix—grace and poise of a mature woman, with a youthful hint of liveliness.
That was Secretary Collins of Pingcheng. Even among high-ranking officials, women—no, even most men—would have a hard time making it this far at her age.
Ethan had heard of her even when he’d just entered government service. Back then, he thought it was just office exaggeration. But now, seeing her up close, he realized the rumors hadn’t done her justice.
One glance from her could hit straight to the heart, leaving a man dazed.
He still remembered the first time he spoke to her—it was right after he became secretary to the mayor. He’d been so nervous, he felt like a kid in front of the principal.
But things were different now...
He was no longer the youngest secretary in the city government.
And she? She was now the one interrogating him.
“Well, Secretary Collins. Hasn’t been long—three months, right? You're just as stunning as ever.”Same joke, same person telling it—back then, Davina Collins might’ve chuckled, flashing that irresistible smile that turned heads.
But now? Her expression was like stone. She looked like she couldn't be more done with everything around her.
“This is the disciplinary inspection guesthouse, Ethan. Try to act like it,” she said coldly.
Ethan Green gave a dry chuckle. “Secretary Collins, I’ve been here for three days. I’ve already said everything I had to say. Mayor Johnson is innocent. He didn’t embezzle, didn’t take bribes. I’ve worked at his side for three years. I know him better than anyone.”
Davina’s tone didn’t soften. “Whether he’s guilty or not isn’t up to you or me. It’s about what the evidence says.”
“You’re his secretary. Your job is to report everything you know, nothing more.”
“You still have a chance to earn some merit. But if Victor Johnson spills first and you stay silent—you’ll be slapped with charges for cover-up and dereliction of duty.”
“That’s your career on the line. Everything you’ve worked for could go up in smoke.”
“You’re smart, one of the youngest deputy section-level officials in the whole city. Don’t throw your life away. Think carefully.”
Right after she finished, a younger man standing beside her chimed in, a little too eagerly: “Ethan, Secretary Collins is trying to help you here. Don’t miss the opportunity. Tell us everything you know. It’s in your best interest. Otherwise… you’re looking at serious jail time and everything that comes with it.”
Ethan took a deep breath. He’d been around long enough to understand how this worked. In Flat City, when the disciplinary commission came knocking, coming out unscathed was damn near impossible.
But after three years working so closely with Johnson, he was convinced the man was clean. Not the type to chase women, not greedy for money, always held the line.
During Johnson’s term, Flat City's economy took off. A ton of investments came in under his lead.
By all accounts, once the Party Secretary stepped down, Johnson was next in line. Everyone knew it. It wasn’t even a question.
But then, out of nowhere, he got investigated.
A smart, driven official in his prime—yanked by the provincial commission just like that—it reeked of something deeper.
The real kicker? They only went after Johnson. The rest of the city’s leadership? Untouched. It felt targeted. Real obvious.
In the days since he’d been brought here, some of the commission's staff had already given him not-so-subtle hints: betray Johnson, and he walks free. His career would stay intact.
Might even get a promotion.
On one side? Prison time. Career ruined.
On the other? Selling out the man who’d given him his start—and walking away with everything.This should’ve been an easy call—black or white, yes or no. But Ethan Green chose the hard road.
He looked at Davina Collins, closed his eyes, and let out a slow breath. “Secretary Collins, if you’re just like the others, here to get me to throw Mayor Johnson under the bus, then please, don’t waste your time.”
“I’ve said everything I needed to say. Mayor Victor didn’t break any rules. He’s a good man, a real public servant. The night before he was taken, he was still worrying about making life better for the people of Pingcheng.”
“I don’t get it. A mayor like him—why was he arrested?”
His eyes shot open, locking onto hers. “You’re from Pingcheng too, Secretary Collins. Do you really believe the people here don’t deserve a decent mayor?”
“You think the Commission moves without solid evidence?” a young investigator snapped, voice sharp, face tense. “Don’t be ungrateful!”
Ethan stayed calm. “I've already told you all I know. If you don’t believe me, that’s on you.”
“You’re impossible!” the young man muttered, clearly ready to blow up.
Davina raised a hand slightly, signaling him to back off. “Ethan, you graduated top of your class from Jingda. You even aced the Pingcheng college entrance exam. You had such a bright future ahead of you. Mayor Johnson’s case is already locked in. Why throw away your career for a lost cause?”
Ethan let out a bitter chuckle, eyes filled with regret. “You can accuse me all you want, it doesn’t matter. I’m just a secretary. But Mayor Johnson—he’s the real deal. A good man who’s being framed. You people are the only ones who can clear his name. If you don’t, how can you wear that party badge with pride? Can you even stand by the oath you made when you took this job?”
Davina’s thoughts churned. Sharp tongue, loyal to the bone—Victor Johnson was lucky to have someone like Ethan at his side. But luck wasn’t enough. Mayor Johnson had stepped on the wrong toes, and now he was finished. Davina herself couldn’t even help him if she wanted to. Ethan’s loyalty had nowhere to land—it would just take him down too.
She closed her notebook with a look of regret. “If that’s how you want it... Aidin, get the transfer papers ready.”
“Wait up.”
Ethan’s tone shifted, face serious. “Secretary Collins, do you know how a guy like Mayor Johnson, born and raised in a rural village, ended up as a city mayor before forty?”
