American Tax Officer

"Pure?"

David looked at Randolph with disdain and said, "Fine, you say you're pure, so let's set that aside for now and talk about the events of December 4th."

"On December 4th, a gang in your jurisdiction called the 'Crewcut Gang' sent $80,000 US dollars to you through one of your sergeants, Duans, correct?"

"Do I need to go have a chat with this gang, or shall I call your sergeant over to give an explanation?"

Randolph, feigning composure, froze upon hearing this.

Before he could gather his thoughts, David's voice rang out again, "If that's not enough, on December 9th, those Mexican traffickers in your area, we can go talk to them too, and then there's January 2nd..."

As David listed off one transaction after another, Randolph's forehead was already soaked with sweat, and a close look would reveal a slight trembling in his limbs.

He couldn't understand when the State Tax Bureau had begun investigating him.

The details were so precise: they knew which groups of criminals had bribed him and the exact amounts. With such detailed information, it was not just difficult for him to prevaricate; there was hardly any room for rebuttal.

Because if he didn't admit to it, David could simply go after those criminals who had bribed him.

Those criminals were all opportunists, with no sense of loyalty or morals. A little intimidation from the State Tax Bureau and certainly, some would be willing to confess!

"And then there's you, Lancelot..."

"Stop talking!"

Having heard how closely the State Tax Bureau had scrutinized Randolph, Lancelot was already panic-stricken. Now as David mentioned his name, he didn't dare let the conversation continue and abruptly cut him off.

If David could investigate Randolph so thoroughly, Lancelot certainly wouldn't be an exception, nor did he want to hear his own dirty laundry aired in public.

"Not saying it isn't impossible!"

"What do you want?"

Both Randolph and Lancelot were now looking at David.

David, who had been thriving in Las Vegas, had suddenly come to the smaller city of Sparks, certainly not just to collect a bit of tax from them.

The two thought there must be some other demand!

"It's simple. I want to take down your Chief Adelaide, and I wonder if you two are willing to put in some effort to help?"

If he had only wanted to collect taxes, he could have gone straight to the chief and used the 'golden finger' feature to threaten him with the information.

But now, David's objective was to directly take down the chief, which required more than just threats; concrete evidence was needed!

That was the reason he had approached the two men.

"What!"

The two men were taken aback.

But quickly, they seemed to guess the reason.

The state bureau had just issued a citywide crackdown on crime, clearly infringing on the State Tax Bureau's interests in the hidden taxes from illegal ventures.

According to rumors, the reason for the state bureau's directive was indeed friction with the State Tax Bureau.

And David's desire to bring down Chief Adelaide was probably his way of exacting revenge and asserting dominance...

Although they had roughly guessed it.

But after thinking it over, Randolph shook his head and said, "No way, no way. If you go against Chief Adelaide, we can't extricate ourselves from that affair..."

"Exactly, if you take him down, he will definitely drag us down with him. Isn't that asking us to seal our own doom?"

Lancelot chimed in.

Adelaide was dirty, and so were they; if the chief took them down with him in his dying breath, they would suffer too.

"Who says so?"

Both men looked at David simultaneously, puzzled, and asked, "What do you mean?"

David slowly explained, "You need to understand, he is being tried in our State Tax Bureau's courtroom, not a judiciary system's courtroom. There, what we say goes!"

Upon hearing this, the two of them suddenly realized.

That's right...

If the State Tax Bureau wanted to target Adelaide, why would they use the judiciary system's courtroom? They would definitely use their own courtroom.

And in that courtroom, ordinary people and the media are not allowed to enter. Moreover, just as David had said, it's essentially a one-sided affair for the State Tax Bureau.

The State Tax Bureau decides what judgment they want to give.

Even if Adelaide was driven to desperation and attempted to expose them in court, as long as the judge and the people from the State Tax Bureau pretended not to hear, they would be safe!

Despite this, Randolph still had some concerns and asked, "If we do this, you won't turn on us afterwards, will you?"

David was clearly out for revenge with the backing of the State Tax Bureau.

They were also the executors of the crackdown directive, and who knew whether, after dealing with Adelaide, David might turn around and deal with them as well?

"Turn on you? Is there a need for that?"

There was a hint of disdain in David's expression as he said, "Although you are sub-branch directors, you still don't have enough influence. It's much better for you to contribute to the State Tax Bureau than for us to throw you into prison!"

The two of them thought it over and felt more at ease.

David continued, "That's why, you just go ahead and help me deal with Adelaide. Think about it, after he's taken down, who will take his place?"

Upon hearing this, Randolph and Lancelot's pupils dilated suddenly, and a fiery excitement gradually surfaced on their faces.

Sparks is a small city with only the East and West jurisdictions.

If Adelaide, the city bureau director, were to be taken down, then the most likely scenario would be to promote a director from either the East or West to his position.

This meant that it could very well be one of them!

Unexpectedly, what had initially seemed to be an unfortunate event for them had turned into an opportunity!

The more they thought about it, the more excited they became.

Suddenly, Randolph spoke up first, "Director David, I have detailed financial ledgers relating to Adelaide, with every transaction recorded. I can get them for you right away!"

Not to be outdone upon seeing Randolph getting the upper hand, Lancelot quickly said, "Director David, I have recorded phone calls with him, including discussions about finances, bribes, and some instructions he gave me that were against the rules. They're enough to nail him!"

Randolph, who had been so confident that his ledgers would satisfy David, was momentarily stunned upon hearing Lancelot produced even recordings.

"Good, bring me the ledgers and recordings, then head to the West City State Tax Bureau to see Tax Chief Richards and pay the required taxes in advance!"

David had called Richards earlier to arrange a meeting between the two major directors, and he had detected a hint of impatience in the other's voice.

In order to get the other party to cooperate actively in the future, David decided to give them a taste of a little sweetness first!

"Alright, alright, I'll get ready right away!"

The two left in a hurry, as if afraid of being a step slower than the other.

They knew very well that not only was their fate in David's hands, but so was their future.

If Adelaide were indeed taken down, it might not be the municipal office officials who decided if they could move up, but David!

After all, if the municipal office had to choose one of them to replace Adelaide, they might still have a chance to compete for it.

But if David chose either one of them, where would the other dare to contend?

They would likely have no choice but to accept their fate.

Therefore, they now had no option but to try their best to handle this matter well, in hopes of satisfying David and increasing their own chances of success!

Just as the two directors were getting into their cars to leave,

across from the restaurant in a building, a man holding binoculars picked up his phone and dialed a number: "Tax Chief, the two directors have left, but they seemed to be... in quite a hurry..."