American Tax Officer

The two who were already extremely anxious became utterly restless upon hearing David's words.

The CIA's scandals have always been the focus of American media attention.

And if their corruption was exposed, those damned media would definitely make a big fuss out of it.

If the digging went deeper, it wouldn't just involve the two of them—it could implicate a series of higher-ups and even the entire image of the CIA.

The most critical point is.

The whole affair began with allegations of tax evasion.

Senior CIA operatives suspected of tax evasion, arrested by the National Tax Bureau, causing such a scandal, is simply a farcical joke!

They wouldn't become the eternal sinners of the CIA only if a miracle happened!

At this moment, Brod was in complete turmoil, cursing Jerome's family countless times in his heart.

He'd already said before coming here, from the standpoint of the National Tax Bureau, how could they agree to hand over taxpayer data to them?

But that bastard just wouldn't listen, and now look at the fine mess we're in!

"Cough, cough..."

Brod coughed to ease the tense atmosphere and looked at David, saying, "Director David, this is all a misunderstanding, we respect the regulations of your National Tax Bureau, and since you want to keep taxpayers' information confidential, then keep it confidential..."

After speaking, he secretly tugged at Jerome's clothes, hoping he would step forward and bow his head, maybe then they could let the matter slide.

Jerome felt both angry and helpless, but he also knew that if they couldn't resolve this, they would be done for, so he steeled himself and said, "Director David, what I said just now were words said in anger, please don't take them seriously, if you don't wish to disclose anything, we'll leave immediately..."

David stood up from his chair, walked over to the two men, hands on his hips, looking down at them and said, "I know you CIA folks are used to throwing your weight around, but you really don't have a sense of priorities. Did you think you could just come and go as you please here?"

"This... then what do you want?"

David picked up the phone on his desk, dialed a number, and after connecting said, "Bucky, come to my office!"

Soon, Bucky and Nisen walked in.

Though they didn't understand the situation, they could tell the atmosphere was off, and Nisen immediately asked, "Chief Tax Officer, what's the problem?"

David replied, "Take the two agents, Jerome and Brod, to our detainment room."

Upon hearing this, Nisen and Bucky were shocked.

Agents?

Taken to the detainment room?

What's going on?

Brod was also anxious and immediately questioned, "Director David, we all serve our country, this is no way to treat us, right?"

"You're suspected of multiple counts of tax evasion, and we now need a detailed investigation into your affairs. We will decide what to do after that ends."

"Director David..."

"Gentlemen, please go."

Though still confused about the situation, Nisen didn't question further after David's instruction, interrupting their speech.

Watching Nisen and Bucky, ready to draw their guns at any moment, Jerome and Brod glanced at Director David one last time, ultimately saying nothing and walking toward the exit.

...

The detainment room was located on the third floor, in the Inspectors' office hall.

When Jerome and Brod were brought in, they attracted many sidelong glances from the Inspectors.

It was apparent these two men, in terms of their demeanor and the way they carried themselves, were not ordinary people.

Driven by curiosity, it didn't take long for the Inspectors to find out the identities of the two men.

But when they learned these two were senior CIA operatives, everyone was stunned.

They had detained countless criminals, even police officers, in their detention room, but a heavyweight figure like a senior CIA operative was a first for them.

Inside the detention room.

Brod kicked the iron bars in a fit of rage and said, "Are you fucking crazy, why did you threaten him?"

Ever since joining the CIA, it had always been they who threw others into places like this—when had anyone ever thrown them in?

Even if this situation could be smoothed over, they would probably become a permanent laughingstock within the CIA.

Jerome was also at the peak of frustration.

He had thought that David, young and newly appointed as Chief Tax Officer, would be easy to handle.

But who would have guessed, not only was he difficult to handle, he somehow found out their secret of corruption.

Now, not only had they failed to obtain the spy data, but they themselves had become "prisoners at the foot of the stairs."

"Fake Yau!"

Brod cursed loudly and took out his cell phone.

Jerome hurriedly asked, "Who are you calling?"

"Who the hell could I be calling, of course I'm calling Elvis!"

"What! No, we can't let him know about this!"

Jerome panicked, as Elvis was their superior officer. If their superior found out about this, they were not likely to die but certainly to lose some skin.

"David is hell-bent on dealing with us. If we don't resolve this quickly, and if he really blows this up, we are truly done for!"

Brod was just as reluctant to tell his superior about this embarrassing incident.

But there was no choice. In the current situation, only their superior could solve this mess; otherwise, things were feared to get even more out of control!

Jerome's Adam's apple bobbed, but he ultimately agreed with his partner's words.

At this moment, he was filled with even more regret.

He regretted speaking rudely to David earlier, resulting in their current predicament.

...

Inside the office.

William walked in with a somber face and asked, "Director David, I heard that you detained two senior CIA agents, what's this all about?"

"Chief, this is what happened..."

William's arrival didn't surprise David, who then explained the causes and consequences of the incident.

After listening to the explanation, William was first taken aback, then his expression darkened and he said, "Hmph, these CIA people really take our National Tax Bureau for their own backyard, wanting whatever data they wish!"

At first, he was unaware of the situation.

But now that he knew the details, William also believed that David's actions were very appropriate.

The CIA might act high-handed on a regular basis, but now they were so audacious as to run wild on their turf? Did they really think the National Tax Bureau was only good for collecting taxes?

"You did nothing wrong with this matter, the only problem is... they are CIA after all, and we can't detain them for too long!"

David smiled slightly and said, "That's not necessarily true, Chief."

"What do you mean?"

"What if the CIA agents were suspected of tax evasion?"

David had only told William about the two men's objectives and their threats but hadn't yet mentioned the tax evasion.

William showed a hint of interest and asked, "You mean, they are suspected of tax evasion?"

David nodded.

"Do you have solid evidence to prove this?"

"Of course!"

Seeing David so confident, William was somewhat skeptical.

But remembering David's auditing capabilities demonstrated time and again recently, his skepticism gradually dissipated, and he nodded, "If there's evidence of their tax evasion, then it will be easier to handle!"

After a moment of thought, William spoke with an implied meaning, "Then you handle this matter yourself. However, remember to clearly make them understand who truly is America's foremost law enforcement agency!"

"Understood!"

David got William's meaning.

He was suggesting that teaching the CIA a lesson would be enough; there was no need to let the issue leak to the media or blow it up.

In actuality, there was no need for William's implication.

Because David planned only to give Brod and Jerome, those ignorant fools, a lesson, certainly without turning to the media.

After all, doing so would definitely earn him the CIA's undying hatred.

Although the National Tax Bureau did not fear the CIA, David himself did not want to become a target for the CIA's viperous agents over such an issue.

...

Because David had just taken office as Chief Tax Officer, and with the CIA matter at hand, he had many issues to deal with. It wasn't until 8 p.m. that he finally returned to his apartment building.

He took out his keys to unlock the door, then reached for the light switch beside it, preparing to remove his shoes and holster his service weapon.

But suddenly, a figure appeared on the distant windowsill, causing his nerves to instantly tense.

He drew his service weapon and held it in his hand, walking slowly forward...