American Tax Officer

"I believe that prior to this moment, you all might have received word that our Tax Bureau was going to release a significant announcement."

"Now, I can reveal to you that this announcement involves tax evasion concerns associated with two significant officials from our city's City Hall!"

As her words finished, the room immediately erupted into roaring noise.

They had speculated that the Tax Bureau's announcement might be related to tax evasion, but they didn't expect that it would truly be confirmed now.

What's more critical is that just like Sparks City, it involves important members of City Hall!

Could it be that their own Henderson City was on the cusp of a major upheaval?

But what they were most keen to know now was which two members from City Hall were in trouble!

Under the eager gaze of all present, Jennifer continued: "After a thorough investigation by our Valley Branch and Director David, we have now secured evidence of tax evasion against City Manager Sharp and Deputy Mayor Clement. Soon, we will dispatch inspectors to arrest these two individuals, and the trial will take place tomorrow!"

Once again, the announcement set off a roaring noise in the venue, and every face bore an incredulous expression.

A City Manager and a Deputy Mayor suspected of tax evasion?

The impact of this on our city would be no less than that of Sparks City, there's no doubt about that!

Meanwhile, in a community in Henderson City, inside one of the houses.

Sharp, who was packing up cash involved in criminal activities, collapsed onto the floor with legs giving way and a face full of panic when he heard Jennifer mention his name on TV.

But before he could remain stunned, the ringing of his phone in his pocket forced him to shakily take out his mobile phone and then answer, saying, "Mayor... Mayor... "

"You idiot, have you taken care of those damn messes?"

"I... I... I..."

Sharp stuttered for a while but ultimately couldn't utter a complete sentence.

He knew he was not clean, and since the Valley Branch dared to inform the media that he was suspected of tax evasion and even going to arrest him, they must be fairly confident.

How could he assure himself that they wouldn't catch any wrongdoing on his part?

"You damn well better ensure you don't tarnish the entire City Hall's image!"

Pristonley's roar came once again.

It wasn't difficult to understand his anger, as he had already received the latest news from Sparks City.

The impact of Bitcher's and Adelaide's actions was so egregious that the citizens were now very dissatisfied with the workings of City Hall.

Mayor Cecil over there was already preparing to take the lead in resigning.

And if their Henderson City Hall was also found guilty by the Tax Bureau, even if Pristonley himself was innocent, how could he escape blame?

After ending the call, Sharp took a moment to collect himself, then carried the packed cash down to the basement, stuffing it into a concealed spot beneath the floorboards.

Now that the Tax Bureau had issued a warrant for his arrest on television, they could arrive at any moment. Naturally, he couldn't carry this illicit money out at such a time, lest he be caught red-handed.

"Ding-dong..."

After Sharp had returned from the basement, the sound of the doorbell jolted his mind as if struck hard.

Then, trembling, he moved to the door, looking out through the peephole. Seeing two men in suits standing outside, his face went ashen in an instant.

But eventually, he reached out for the doorknob, knowing all the while that escape was now impossible.

"Mr. Sharp, we are inspectors from the Valley Branch. We suspect you are heavily involved in tax evasion, please come with us!"

The door opened and the two men from the Tax Bureau immediately showed their badges and spoke in an unrefusable tone.

Sharp, trying hard to appear in control of his emotions, feigned innocence in response, "Sure, I'll cooperate with the Tax Bureau's investigation. But if you all can't produce any substantial evidence, our City Hall will certainly make you pay for this!"

...

While Sharp was being arrested, Clement was also apprehended by the inspectors dispatched from the Valley Branch and both were taken away.

At the Valley Branch, inside the Director's office.

By now, the press conference had ended, and Jennifer Edward was back, discussing the details of tomorrow's trial with David.

"Director David, do you have any particular requests concerning tomorrow's trial?"

"There will be several witnesses testifying against these individuals tomorrow. I have already promised to keep them safe, and you'll need to communicate that to our judge. Besides... as for the punishment of these two, I think we should mirror the judgment passed in Sparks City today, to truly deter others," he instructed.

Jennifer nodded in agreement, "No problem, I will handle the communication with Judge Sandy..."

"Knock knock knock..."

At the sound of knocking, Jennifer promptly said, "Come in!"

An inspector entered and reported, "Director, City Hall's legal advisor Bensum would like to meet with you and Director David!"

"Bensum?"

Jennifer gave a start, then turned to look at David with an inquiring attitude.

"There's no need to waste time meeting with him."

Jennifer looked at the inspector and said, "You heard Director David's words, didn't you? Go tell him we're busy right now!"

The inspector dared not say more and immediately turned to leave to deliver the message.

Meanwhile, David and Jennifer discussed some specific details for tomorrow.

It wasn't until 8 o'clock in the evening, when everything was in order, that the arrangements were officially finalized.

Since no one had yet had dinner, out of respect for the host and for David, Jennifer suggested inviting David to join them for dinner.

David did not refuse, and after a hearty meal at a restaurant with Jennifer, he was settled into a three-star hotel by Edward.

That night, besides David and his company, people from all sides were too anxious to sleep.

At the Valley Branch, Jennifer, Edward, and the other senior officials were naturally looking forward to the trial set for the next day.

People at the City Hall were restless, worrying about the chain reaction that might ensue if Sharp and Clement were found guilty tomorrow.

In Carson City, at the Governor's Mansion, Stevenson and Eugene were also tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Late at night, in a condominium in the Lake District of Las Vegas,

"Father, according to the information I've gathered, David inadvertently killed Governor Stevenson's son while leading an operation a few days ago, which then triggered the current series of events..."

On the balcony, wearing a lace nightgown, Selina held a glass of red wine and spoke to the phone placed on the table.

"Stevenson's son was killed..."

A deep male voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Yes, afterwards Stevenson issued strict directives to all the cities, trying to pressure the Lake District Sub-Bureau Branch to punish David and his team. But David was even more ruthless, swiftly handling Sparks City Hall with a thunderous approach, and now it's Henderson City's turn!"

Selina had seen many people with decisive approaches.

But those who were decisive and achieved their goals, apart from the current David, she seemed to have never encountered anyone else.

"So it seems… this knife is even sharper than we imagined!"

"Yes, Father, if he manages to handle Henderson City Hall tomorrow, I reckon the other 16 cities will certainly fall in line, and after that, I don't think there will be many in Nevada who would dare to oppose him!"

"Hmm…"

The man on the phone paused, then asked, "Didn't you try to talk to him before? He refused, right? Do you think there's still a chance to draw him over to our side?"

"That's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about tonight."

"Oh? What about it?"

The man on the other end showed interest.

"Do you know who Stevenson's wife Abbe Ingrid is connected to?"

"Connected to who?"

"She's Joshua Morgan's niece!"

"What!"

Joshua Morgan is the current 4th generation head of the Morgan Family.

And as one of America's top ten conglomerates, over the years, the Morgan Family's influence not only spans the entire country, but it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say the whole world.

There are many legendary tales about this family, such as numerous media outlets once hailing the family as the Napoleon of Wall Street.

For this family has twice revived America's economy from the brink of death.

Moreover, it is rumored that one of The Seven Great Families controlling the Federal Reserve is the Morgan Family.

So many people jokingly say that three generations of presidents have worked for this family, which isn't an exaggeration at all.

Although the Kennedy Family once had a powerful presence in America and still holds great influence today,

when compared to an old-money capitalist family like the Morgans, frankly, they aren't quite at the same level.

"Are you sure about this information?"

The man on the phone had calmed his shocked emotions and asked again for confirmation.

"Undoubtedly certain, Father!"

"If that's the case… then perhaps we might be able to draw David over to our side. The influence of the Morgan Family isn't something a Chief Tax Officer can contend with, even if he has now become a rising star in the IRS!"

"I feel the same way, Father. However, we'll have to see whether Abbe Ingrid seeks the Morgan Family's power to avenge her son first. If she really does, then if we offer some help at the right time, that will truly be a lifeline for him, and he will remember us!"

"Right, then you continue following up on this matter and report to me immediately if there's any news!"

"Understood, Father!"