American Tax Officer

"They say you're suspected of tax evasion and want to arrest you..."

"Watt?"

Adelaide's brain felt a twitch, and he was completely baffled.

What's going on?

Out of nowhere, why is the State Tax Bureau suddenly targeting him?

"Just now, the West City State Tax Bureau issued an announcement through the media, saying that you are suspected of tax evasion and the nature of the offense is very serious..."

The sheriff had recounted the entire press conference process, one by one.

After listening to it all, Adelaide sensed the gravity of the situation, and his brows instantly furrowed into a chuan character shape.

West City State Tax Bureau must not be fools; since they dared to announce this to the whole world through the media, they must have solid confidence.

What concerned him most was that David's shadow loomed over this matter!

As far as he knew, Chief Tax Officer David seemed to be the most capable inspector in the Nevada State Tax Bureau system!

What should he do now?

The more Adelaide thought about it, the more panicked he became, but he had no idea what to do.

Meanwhile, at City Hall.

Bitcher too had received the news, and he felt like he had fallen into an ice cellar, his body going cold.

Because he realized that the State Tax Bureau surely wouldn't dare to issue such a stern announcement without absolute certainty!

After a long while, he couldn't help but knock over the teacup on the desk and curse, "Damn, what the hell does the State Tax Bureau want to do? They don't even consult me and want to screw me over directly!"

He certainly knew about the "black tax" act.

But according to the regulations of the black tax act, the State Tax Bureau usually first approached the target, then issued a warning, indicating that paying the tax would settle the matter.

But now, not to mention a warning, they didn't even give notice before playing this trick. This was clearly an attempt to drive him into a corner!

"Deputy... Deputy Mayor, could this have something to do with the crackdown we've been enforcing on behalf of the state government?"

A reminder from a confidant snapped the enraged Bitcher out of his fury.

Yes, that's it.

Why would the State Tax Bureau suddenly come down on him so hard?

It must be because they implemented the state government's instructions, causing the State Tax Bureau's black tax act to suffer significant losses, that they picked him out as an example to others!

Thinking this, Bitcher suddenly felt some regrets.

But it was too late for regrets now. The State Tax Bureau had already made its proclamation to the world through the media; now it was either his downfall or theirs!

"Not good, Deputy Mayor, inspectors from the State Tax Bureau have come to City Hall and say they need you to go with them!"

Just then, a staffer from City Hall entered.

Hearing this, Bitcher's face turned even paler, but there was nothing he could do at this point; he could only make some arrangements with his subordinates before he walked out.

City Hall meeting room.

Because of Bitcher's situation, Mayor Cecil had to urgently convene a meeting with the city's upper echelons to discuss countermeasures.

Once everyone had arrived, Mayor Cecil looked at everyone with a stern expression and said, "Regarding Deputy Mayor Bitcher being taken away by the State Tax Bureau, what are your thoughts?"

"The State Tax Bureau is clearly retaliating; this is just too despicable!"

"They're actively pushing the black tax act, and we had to go and forcefully interrupt, causing them losses. It's only natural for them to retaliate!"

"I've said from the beginning that the state government's directive would definitely offend the State Tax Bureau. Now the retaliation is here, and for now, it's only an announcement. If Bitcher and Adelaide's charges are really proven, our City Hall's reputation will be even more ruined!"

Many of the top officials began to complain at the scene.

Because when they first received this directive from the state government, many among them had disagreed, but ultimately, the directive was carried out.

As the murmurs of discontent grew louder, Mayor Cecil's face turned an ever deeper shade of iron-gray.

The reason the directive had been implemented was that he had given his approval.

And now, wasn't the complaints of the others a proof of his previous incompetence?

But considering it now, it seemed he had acted too hastily, and it was not good to persist in arguing.

He suppressed his emotions and said, "Discussing this now is pointless. We need to think about a solution. If we don't handle this properly, we might all have to submit our resignations!"

Upon hearing the words "submit our resignations," everyone's faces stiffened, and they all fell silent.

After a long pause, someone in the room suggested, "The Tax Bureau wouldn't have acted this way without assurance. I think we should talk to them and see if we can downplay this matter. If worse comes to worst... we could just postpone the state government's crackdown directive."

"I agree. If it was initiated by the West City State Tax Bureau, it would be one thing, but Las Vegas's David is involved as well, and he is not easy to deal with. I've heard he's the most formidable Chief Tax Officer in the Nevada State Tax Bureau system right now. The number of criminals that have fallen at his hands is countless!"

"I also think what the two of you have said makes sense..."

Although for now, only Deputy Mayor Bitcher and Adelaide have been taken away by the Tax Bureau, if they continue to uphold the crackdown directive, it might soon be their turn.

After all, at their level of office, nobody can guarantee that their own record is squeaky clean.

Cecil thought for a while and then looked toward a man on his left and said, "Yates, go to the West City State Tax Bureau and talk to them. Tell them that if we postpone or cancel the crackdown directive, whether there might be a possibility of resolving this matter!"

Cecil dared not gamble any further.

He was also worried that the West City State Tax Bureau and David, having taken action against Bitcher and Adelaide, could target them next.

Offending the Governor would at most result in some minor inconveniences, but if the current situation worsened, and Bitcher and Adelaide were convicted, the city hall would definitely face attacks from the citizens. The pressure they would face then would be immense.

...

In Carson City, at the Governor's Mansion.

"What did you say? He ran off to Sparks City and, collaborating with the local Tax Bureau, arrested the local Police Chief and Deputy Mayor on charges of tax evasion?"

Upon hearing Eugene's report, Stevenson could hardly believe his ears.

"Yes, Governor. He is probably retaliating against our crackdown directive, and this counterstrike is indeed sharp. Now, besides Sparks City, officials from the other 17 city halls are also expressing concern, afraid such an event might happen in their cities!"

Stevenson fell silent for a moment, then asked incredulously, "Eugene, do you think he really has the confidence to imprison the Police Chief and Deputy Mayor of Sparks?"

"Since he dares to act this way, he must have a certain degree of assurance, otherwise the consequences wouldn't be easy to handle..."

Eugene was also perplexed.

Their directive had only been communicated to the city halls that morning.

And the fact that David had reacted so swiftly, and had even managed to take down two key officials from the city, was quite surprising.

Stevenson also felt that made sense.

If they weren't confident, the West City State Tax Bureau wouldn't have called a press conference to make such a fierce announcement in front of so many people.

"Ding-a-ling..."

Just then, Eugene's phone rang. He cast an apologetic glance at Stevenson and picked up the call.

A minute later, he hung up the phone with a look of shock and said, "I've just received news that the West City State Tax Bureau plans to take those two to court tomorrow morning!"

"Tomorrow!"

At first Stevenson was surprised, then his expression darkened.

The Tax Bureau was acting with such decisiveness; it seemed they were more confident than they had imagined.

Eugene suggested, "Governor, let's wait and see how things unfold before making any decisions!"

Stevenson thought for a moment and nodded his head. He, too, wanted to see, given the Tax Bureau's confidence, whether they had sufficient evidence to convict the two.

If not, then they would have material to work with!