American Tax Officer

Just then, suddenly, a phone under the surveillance screen rang.

The young man first glanced at everyone, then picked up the phone and put it to his ear, "Hello?"

"Roger, it's Faulkner, you must have seen the situation on the monitor, the tax bureau people are here, and I can't hold them off."

Upon hearing this, the man known as Roger became anxious and immediately responded, "What's going on, Faulkner, have they discovered we're here?"

"The tax bureau folks even threaten to bring an excavator over, and dig three feet into the ground to find you all, they must be sure that you're here."

"Then… what do we do?"

"No choice now, we'll have to pay the taxes, after all, the tax bureau isn't the FBI, once they collect the taxes, they won't care about whether the currency is fake or not, and they won't arrest you, Roger, I think it's better to just pay them!"

Roger was silent for about 30 seconds before he finally made a decision through gritted teeth, "Fine, I'll pay!"

He was just counterfeiting currency, not some heinous criminal, so how could he dare to take a stand against the tax bureau?

Moreover, he had seen what had become of the Indian Tribe that had dared to stand up to them.

On the paper mill workshop side.

Faulkner returned to David's side and said, "Follow me!"

David and the others followed Faulkner for about 200 meters, coming to a section with machinery.

Faulkner stopped in front of a machine that looked somewhat old, crouched down at the bottom and seemed to press some hidden button.

The next second, with a creaky sound, the old machine slowly rose up like the cargo bed of a heavy truck.

Meanwhile, Inspector Keanu and the inspectors from the street district all had their eyes widened in shock.

They said they had inspected this workshop several times now, so how come they had never found a single trace?

Turns out it was hidden beneath this machine.

Either they had to dismantle this machine or, as David had said, directly bring over an excavator to dig three feet into the ground to possibly discover it.

But since they had only been suspicious before and couldn't be as certain as David, of course, it was not possible to dismantle the machine or dig three feet into the ground.

Lost in thought, the ascent of the machine stopped, revealing a hatch-like opening with an iron staircase installed underneath.

Faulkner went down first, followed by Keanu signaling to his two inspectors, and those two went down to investigate first.

Once they confirmed there was no problem, their voices came from below.

"It's safe!"

David, Keanu, and the others didn't linger any longer, one by one descending the staircase, and once at the bottom, seeing the stacks of banknotes that came into view, they couldn't help but click their tongues in amazement.

[Name: Roger Bradley.]

[Occupation: Counterfeit Banknote Group strategist.]

[Income: 13.1 million US dollars.]

[Income details: December 4th, sold a batch of counterfeit notes, profited one million USD, December 8th, sold a batch of counterfeit notes, profited 1.2 million USD, December 14th…]

[More details: …]

[Tax payable: 5,187,600 US dollars.]

…

[Name: Antonia Julie.]

[Occupation: Counterfeit Banknote Group strategist.]

[Income: 13 million US dollars.]

[Income details: December 4th, sold a batch of counterfeit notes, profited one million USD, December 8th, sold a batch of counterfeit notes, profited 1.2 million USD, December 14th…]

[More details: …]

[Tax payable: 5,148,000 US dollars.]

…

[…]

While everyone was busy observing the surroundings, David was the first to start examining the information about the people present.

What surprised him was that the brains behind this counterfeit banknote group were these two seemingly harmless and young men and women.

However, upon observation, David could also tell that these two, including their group, weren't the kind that was involved in violent activities.

They were simply running a business dealing in counterfeit currency.

"Stop, don't touch that, put it down, put it down!"

Just when the atmosphere on-site was somewhat quiet, a shout from the woman named Antonia startled many people.

David also turned his head to look, only to see Simmons holding an US Dollar template with a stupefied expression.

Antonia didn't care as much, walking straight over to Simmons, taking the template from his hands while complaining, "You can collect taxes, and we will pay you, but please don't damage our props, okay? They're hard to come by!"

"Alright, everyone stop being curious and don't touch their stuff…"

Seeing that the other party was sensible, David didn't want to spoil their meal, so he turned and said, "Since you are willing to pay taxes to us, would you like to do it here or go to our national tax office to handle it?"

David had already seen it, in a corner not far away, there was a pile of US Dollar bills, among which was the suitcase that previously belonged to Isidore, so it could be deduced that this pile of money was definitely real.

By the tax rates, aside from Antonia and Roger, who each needed to pay over five million in taxes, the other eight people combined had roughly seven million or so, totaling less than eighteen million. This pile of money should be enough.

"Let's just process it here."

In the time that followed, Keanu had his subordinates prepare the filing sheets, and then they started to count the taxes on the spot.

At first, Roger and the others tried to be slick and report less tax than owed, but after being directly called out and scolded by David, they all became honest.

One hour later.

The filing and counting were completed, and David and his colleagues 'politely' said their goodbyes to Roger and the others, then left with over eighteen million.

"Director David, once I take the money back to the treasury, I'll transfer your sixty percent right away!"

Although this case did not bring in over twenty million like the previous smuggling case, it still made Keanu truly ecstatic.

"Alright, oh and Inspector Keanu, if there are more high-value cases like this in your main street area, feel free to contact me anytime!"

"Understood, I will organize the files of other cases when I get back, and then I'll get in touch with you!"

In fact, Keanu had intended to do this even without David's suggestion.

All three cases had made a fortune for their main street area, so naturally, he did not want to keep scraping by on just one or two million in tax achievements per assessment period like before.

It would be foolish not to take a shortcut that's available!

…

After returning to the Lake District Sub-Bureau Branch, David wanted to look for Bucky and the others immediately to inquire about the progress of the investigation.

However, he discovered that Bucky and his two colleagues had not returned, and he had no choice but to drop the matter temporarily and returned to his office to handle affairs while waiting for news.

At 5 p.m.

Carson City, Governor's Mansion.

"Governor, I think he must have received the document and checked it by now."

Stevenson sneered and replied, "Then what are we waiting for? Begin!"

Eugene first took out a piece of paper and unfolded it, revealing a series of numbers. Then he pulled out his phone and dialed the number.

The call was answered quickly.

Eugene activated the speakerphone, placed the phone on the desk, and said, "Is this Director David?"

"It is I, who might you be…?"

"I am the secretary of the Nevada State Governor, my name is Eugene!"

In the office of the Lake District Sub-Bureau, David, on hearing it was the Governor's secretary, was first taken aback, then his eyes gradually narrowed as he replied, "What can I do for you?"

"I wonder, the little gift we sent you, is Director David satisfied with it?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's fortunate that the document landed in our hands. If it had fallen into the hands of others, say Brown Soros, Bellamy Hattie, it would have been a significant blow to your career and reputation, Director David."

David's expression grew increasingly cold.

He certainly understood; the other party was aware of their national tax bureau's 'god-making' scheme and was using it to threaten him.

"However, the Governor thinks you are a promising talent and is willing to give you a chance to mend your ways. He will keep this document confidential on one condition…"

"Which is?"

David had already guessed that since Stevenson had those documents but had not directly leaked them, he surely wanted to use this as leverage against him. Now it was turning out just that way.

"Have you heard of Lawson Rubins?"

"The name sounds familiar."

"He is a Nevada State Senator Candidate. According to reliable information we received, there is a problem with his taxes. We hope that you can investigate thoroughly and give the public an explanation!"

David understood the situation.

It seemed that this Senator Candidate Lawson was definitely an opponent or rival of Stevenson's.

Stevenson refrained from directly releasing the documents and going after him, as he wanted to use another to kill his target.

One should know that in America, anyone aiming to run for Congressman, Senator, or similar positions, inevitably has the support of powerful financial groups or forces behind them.

And now Stevenson expected him, a mere Chief Tax Officer, to go after such a person—it was too devious!

Although feeling terribly displeased, David knew that losing his temper would ruin larger plans. He suppressed his agitation and replied, "Alright, I will investigate it."

"Very good!"

Back at the Governor's Mansion, after Eugene hung up the phone, Stevenson couldn't help but burst into jubilant laughter.

"Haha, look at what kind of labels our Nevada media have given him: 'The Iron-Fist Chief Tax Officer,' 'The Nemesis of Tax Offenders.' If they knew that their Iron-Fist Chief Tax Officer is now in such a pitiful state, I wonder if they would be greatly shocked."

This was the first time he laughed so heartily since his son was killed.