American Tax Officer

To tell the truth, as we're all under the roof of Sparks, we really don't want to have a falling out with City Hall.

Moreover, keeping Adelaide, as well as Bitcher, is indeed more valuable than putting them behind bars!

But then again, if the City West precinct had handled the situation by themselves, they would have been in a natural position of power.

But since it was David who handled it, without him, City Hall might not even give a damn about the City West precinct.

So, Hopkinson and Richards could only look towards David, hinting that he should be the one calling the shots.

Of course, there was also an element of passing the buck.

If David rejected the idea, they could later tell City Hall, "It's not that I didn't want to give you a way out, but Director David didn't agree. It's not our fault!"

Seeing the looks from the two men, Yates could not help but understand. The only one who could make decisions now was David and with that realization, his anxiety grew.

However, David's next words made Yates feel a sense of utter hopelessness.

"Vice Mayor Yates, you should have come earlier. We have already submitted our application for a trial, and it's too late!"

As if he would stop. David was intent on using the trial to deter the other seventeen city halls, and he was far from calling it quits now.

If he stopped now, Sparks might call off the crackdown, but without instilling real fear in the other seventeen cities, they would certainly not cancel their own crackdown so easily.

"This..."

Yates felt both bitter and speechless.

The trial isn't being held in some other court, but in your own National Tax Bureau court.

Whether to apply or cancel—that's still up to your National Tax Bureau, isn't it?

Although he knew David was giving him the runaround, he couldn't give up and asked, "Director David, is there really no room for maneuver? If Adelaide and Bitcher really go to court, it will be a huge blow to our City Hall..."

David replied without a hint of emotion, "That's your problem. Our National Tax Bureau is only responsible for taxation!"

Hearing this, Yates looked utterly dejected.

He had said all he could, yet neither David nor Hopkinson showed any sign of yielding. Considering the rapid pace of the trial preparation, he believed the other party must have ample evidence of tax evasion against Bitcher and Adelaide.

"Alright, Vice Mayor Yates, it's getting late. We have a trial to prepare for tomorrow. It's about time you left..."

Seeing that David had no intention of negotiating, Hopkinson felt there was no need to waste more words and effectively issued an eviction notice.

Left with no choice, Yates shook his head in dismay and then turned to push the door open and leave.

After Yates had left, Hopkinson discussed the details for the next day with David. Eventually, Richards personally escorted David to the quarters they had arranged for his overnight stay, preparing to rest for the upcoming trial.

Over at City Hall.

Cecil and the other City Hall officials were still waiting patiently in the conference room for Yates's return.

Just then, the door opened, and as Yates entered, everyone's attention was immediately captivated.

But upon seeing Yates's helpless and despondent expression, each person's heart sank.

Under everyone's gaze, Yates began to speak, "No deal. They didn't yield. It looks like Adelaide and Bitcher are most likely going to be convicted!"

Everyone had already anticipated this outcome from Yates' expression, so there was no great shock upon hearing the news—only a darker atmosphere settled in.

After a while, Cecil said through gritted teeth, "This damn National Tax Bureau, do they have to be so ruthless?"

"More accurately, it's that David who wants to be ruthless!"

"Oh?"

The people present looked at Yates, confused.

Yates explained, "I could tell that City West precinct Captain Hopkinson was somewhat moved by our offer to negotiate with City Hall. But David was absolutely against it!"

"So are you saying that the one who got Bitcher and Adelaide was really David? Otherwise, given that Hopkinson was tempted, there's no reason he wouldn't have taken the opportunity to back down!"

During the media conference that introduced David, people had already speculated that the entire affair might have been engineered by David himself, and now it was fully confirmed.

Yates went on to say, "The reason the state government issued the crackdown instruction is now rumoured to be because David had offended the Governor, and I suppose that's why he's so adamant against negotiating..."

Upon hearing this, resentment bubbled up in the hearts of the officials present.

This was originally a matter between the Governor and the Tax Bureau, but now they were the ones suffering the consequences.

It was exactly like the saying went:

'When immortals fight, the mortals suffer!'

The atmosphere at the scene was somber for a long time, until Cecil looked towards a man sitting at the end on his right side and said, "At this point, Smollett, you are our only hope!"

The man named Smollett, called out by his name, instantly wore a troubled expression.

He was the City Hall's legal advisor, handling all the legal disputes for the city government.

He might be confident in dealing with regular legal disputes, and even the more challenging ones were bearable. However, it should be noted that they were now facing the Tax Bureau.

From the current situation, it was evident that the Tax Bureau had already secured very conclusive evidence.

Moreover, the trial would take place in a Tax Bureau court, and even if he were thoroughly familiar with federal law, he couldn't outmanoeuvre the Tax Bureau's own tax law.

"Don't lose heart. There's no case in the world that's a hundred percent certain, and the Tax Bureau is no exception. As long as you can find their loophole, it will be enough to give them a hard time!"

It was unclear whether Cecil said this to bolster Smollett's spirits or to comfort the others present.

But Smollett himself had no confidence at all because even now, he still had no idea what incriminating evidence the Tax Bureau had on Bitcher and Adelaide.

Finding their loopholes was going to be difficult!

But since the Mayor had said so, all he could reply was, "I can only say I'll do my best, Mayor..."

...

The Grand Sierra Leone Resort and Casino Hotel.

This was a four-star hotel in Sparks City.

Out of appreciation for the million dollars in tax revenue that David had generated for the western district office, the western district office had set aside some official funds to provide three luxury suites for three people at this hotel.

Though the luxury suites were far from the presidential suite, at 2000 US dollars a night, they were quite valuable.

The hotel's buffet restaurant.

David, Nisen, and Bucky were seated together, enjoying their dinner of steak, salmon, and lobster.

"My apologies, Director..."

While eating, Nisen suddenly put down his knife and fork and said guiltily to David.

David looked up and asked, "Apologies for what?"

"For the delay caused by my visit here during the peak time of the 'Create a God' project at the headquarters..."

Nisen had already noticed that David must be aiming for the 'Create a God' project.

But because of his transfer from above, he had to personally come to Sparks to salvage his career.

And now there was also the wasted time of one night here, which made him feel incredibly guilty.

David reassured him, "Nisen, we are a team, and besides, Markus's issue stemmed from an operation under my lead. It's my responsibility, and there's nothing to apologize for!"

"Yeah, Nisen, we're all a team. If there's a problem, we face it together. Don't take it to heart!"

Bucky also chimed in with words of comfort.

Hearing their reassurances, Nisen was both touched and speechless, only able to nod heavily.