American Tax Officer

Lynch gritted his teeth and said, "You better think this through, this is a million dollars we're talking about. With your two's salaries and bonuses, even working for 5 years wouldn't earn you this much!"

David remained expressionless as he replied, "I've thought it through very clearly. Since we've come here today, you either pay the taxes to us and we'll leave, or... the National Tax Bureau will take it ourselves!"

When he said the last sentence, he deliberately intensified his tone.

Of course, Lynch caught the threatening undertone in David's words. At that moment, his forehead veins were bulging, and he clenched his fists tightly.

Having reached his position, when had anyone dared to threaten him like this?

If not for his wariness of the National Tax Bureau, he would have certainly turned hostile on the spot!

"I'm aware of the regulations of your Black Tax Act; paying taxes will inevitably lead to records in your National Tax Bureau's database."

"But you also know that we, Mr. Lynch, have numerous dealings with the mayor and council members. If anything unexpected happens one day, involving these people, I'm afraid it would not end well!"

This time, it was Kyle who spoke out.

His words were also a warning to David, that it was enough; they had connections behind them too and if things got out of hand, it wouldn't be good!

David certainly understood what the other party meant, but he did not pay it any heed and responded firmly, "Once in our National Tax Bureau's database, we will take great care to safeguard it; no accidents will occur."

"Additionally, when it comes to the National Tax Bureau's business, not even the mayor and council members, let alone the president, have the authority to intervene!"

Kyle had thought that by mentioning these powerful and influential people, David would back down, but instead, David had gone so far as to mention the president.

Now, there wasn't much he could do but respond, "We need some time to consider this matter!"

"Fine, no problem, but I don't have much time either, I can only give you two days!"

The amount they needed to pay in taxes was over 1.6 million dollars, and even gathering the funds would take time, so David didn't press them too hard.

After the two men had left.

Lynch could no longer contain his emotions, smashing the water glass on the table to smithereens and cursing loudly, "Damned bastard, if he weren't from the National Tax Bureau, I'd have someone take him out this very moment!"

"Shh..."

Kyle was scared half to death and immediately placed his forefinger to his lips, signaling Lynch to watch his words.

Then he stepped outside to check and saw that David and his colleague had walked far away. He then returned, relieved, and said, "Mr. Lynch, we must not act rashly; we can't touch the National Tax Bureau people. Their armed force is more elite than our military. If someone died, our place would be razed to the ground instantaneously."

Although Lynch was enraged, he wasn't a fool to have built his business to such an extent. Of course, he knew that National Tax Bureau people couldn't be killed; it was just a venting statement.

"Sir, although this guy is tough, he's only an Inspector, after all. If we want to deal with him, perhaps we could negotiate through our upper-level relationships..."

"Negotiate..."

Lynch pondered briefly, then immediately left through the door.

...

In the downtown district, at the City Hall offices.

A black Maybach pulled up at the entrance, the car door opened, and Lynch got out and then entered the building, taking the elevator to an office on the 7th floor.

After knocking and hearing "Come in" twice, he entered.

Inside, a man in his forties put down the documents in his hand, looked up at Lynch and asked, "What brings you here in such a hurry?"

He was Las Vegas's Deputy Mayor, Gray Ivorwood.

"Deputy Mayor Gray, I'm in some trouble..."

Lynch immediately told him about the National Tax Bureau coming to his door.

After hearing the speech, Gray was first startled, then fell into deep thought.

It wasn't until a few minutes later that he spoke in a low voice, "How could you be so careless to let the National Tax Bureau investigate you so thoroughly!"

Lynch's face turned bitter as he replied, "It's my fault, but I truly didn't expect the National Tax Bureau to be so pervasive, they've turned my situation upside down..."

"That new tax bill was just passed in Congress on the 3rd last month, and it's only been over a month, it has already stirred up a storm across the country, it's not easy to deal with..."

Upon hearing this, Lynch's heart skipped a beat.

The reason he had come to this deputy mayor was exactly to leverage his power to negotiate with the National Tax Bureau.

But from the tone of it, the deputy mayor seemed reluctant to get involved!

No matter what, since he had come, he had to try!

He immediately said, "Deputy Mayor Gray, the National Tax Bureau is targeting me with a tax rate as high as 39.6. And once my information is archived, won't I be at the mercy of the National Tax Bureau? You have to help me this time!"

"Lynch, I can take care of other matters for you, but with this one, I'm afraid I can't help you. Matters of the National Tax Bureau are difficult for me to intervene in!"

As the deputy mayor of Las Vegas, his power was indeed significant.

But as he said, the National Tax Bureau was out of his control, and he did not want to get wrapped up in the mess and targeted by this pack of mad dogs.

"Ah... this..."

Lynch's face fell, looking even worse than if his father had died.

"Don't worry, though the people from the National Tax Bureau are like mad dogs, they still operate on principles. As long as you pay your taxes on time, they won't mess with you!"

"Besides, after this is over, I'll compensate you in other ways!"

Upon hearing this, Lynch cursed continuously in his mind.

Easy for you to say, but that's a 39.6 tax rate!

Are you going to compensate me for that money?

He might curse inwardly, but the deputy mayor couldn't deal with the National Tax Bureau, yet dealing with him was easy, so he could only nod, accepting the reality of the situation.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, Gray suddenly called out to him, "By the way, Lynch, you didn't tell the National Tax Bureau about our relationship, did you?"

"I did not..."

Previously, Kyle had mentioned to him that they had a relationship with the mayor and council members.

But Las Vegas has one mayor and four deputy mayors, and they didn't specify which one, so his reply wasn't exactly deceitful.

Gray breathed a sigh of relief and replied, "That's good..."

...

Two days later, at the National Tax Bureau Lake District Sub-Bureau Branch.

In the past two days, David and Nisen had been basically slacking off, just to be ready for the reception of Lynch's substantial tax payment at any moment.

"What do you think, will that guy dare not to pay?"

Today was the last day of the deadline, and Nisen seemed somewhat anxious.

"If he has managed to come this far, he should be a smart man..."

David had just finished saying this when he suddenly saw a familiar face stepping out of the elevator.

It was none other than Lynch's lawyer, Kyle!