Chapter 552 - 563: The Awesome Section Chief
"Old classmate, this is James Smith, the deputy section chief of the City Bureau’s turnover tax department. He’s quite promising. I specifically asked him to help us out with this matter. With Smith Chief’s support, the lower precincts won’t refuse to give face."
Emma Campbell’s Aunt Mary’s classmate is named Michael Johnson, now a section chief at a precinct. However, he’s not in the same precinct as Aunt Mary’s husband. In a precinct, personnel management is decided by the director, especially temporary workers, which can be settled with just a word from the director. However, as a section chief in one precinct, he can’t dictate anything to directors of other precincts, but a deputy section chief from the City Bureau does have such influence.
It’s not to say that a deputy section chief from the City Bureau ranks higher than a precinct director, but because the City Bureau often inspects the precincts, during which, people like James Smith can affect a precinct’s evaluation ranking significantly, which impacts a director’s achievements greatly.
Moreover, a deputy director from the City Bureau can be transferred to a precinct as a deputy director, and the chances of promotion in the City Bureau are high. If promoted to section chief in a couple of years, then James Smith would be on an equal level with a precinct director, and with some networking, he could be transferred to a precinct as a director.
Therefore, although James Smith’s power doesn’t quite compare to a precinct director’s, the directors usually give him face.
Additionally, James Smith has quite a background; it’s said that his promotion to section chief is imminent, known to most within the system, making others wary of offending him.
Upon hearing Michael Johnson mention James Smith’s identity, Emma Campbell’s Uncle John became excited, knowing that there’d be no problem with this matter.
Everyone went into the private room together, where Aunt Mary introduced James Brown and Emma Campbell. James Smith glanced at James Brown with a hint of disdain in his eyes, but his gaze towards Emma was filled with passion.
In terms of looks, Emma Campbell is indeed beautiful. Although such beauty is rare, people like David Johnson have seen many. However, someone with Emma’s temperament is uncommon; her vulnerability and tenderness stir a man’s protective instincts and give the sense that marrying such a girl assures lifelong happiness. James Smith was smitten the moment he saw Emma. Though Emma has a boyfriend, who’s just a department manager at a YODC City company, he pales in comparison to James. Winning Emma over shouldn’t be difficult.
James Brown, having read countless people and being the second-in-command of the Hawk Squad, frequently safeguards important figures. Assessing people around him is a compulsory skill, so he noticed James Smith’s interest immediately. However, out of respect for Emma’s Aunt Mary, and since James wasn’t overtly expressing anything yet, James had no reason to confront him.
Once the food was served, Michael Johnson cheerfully said, "Old classmate, I made a point of inviting Smith Chief here. Getting it done or not is a word from Smith Chief; you must make him happy."