American Tax Officer

"Director David, Bureau Chief Felton from the city, State Director João, and Deputy Chief Muriel have been waiting for you,"

David immediately got out of the car and realized that there were quite a few media members around. As soon as they saw David arrive, they immediately came over with their microphones.

"Director David, today is your first day on the job. Do you plan to take action against Hollywood today?"

"Director David, since you made statements the day before yesterday about launching a tax investigation into Hollywood, the stock prices of major film companies have plummeted. What is your comment on this?"

"Director David..."

"..."

"I'm sorry everyone, our director has just taken office and there are a lot of issues to deal with. We don't have time for interviews right now, sorry..."

As Hakim spoke, he gestured towards the office and soon more than a dozen inspectors dashed out, forcibly separating the journalists from the area, allowing David to enter the lobby without obstruction.

Upon entering the lobby, a middle-aged man dressed in a gray suit came up to him and said, "Director David, welcome to your new position, I am João, the State Tax Director of California."

"Director João, hello."

"Director David, I am Los Angeles City Bureau Chief Felton."

"Chief Felton, hello."

After these two, a man in his early forties, somewhat short and wearing glasses looking very studious, also came forward and extended his hand: "Director David, welcome to your new position, I am the Deputy Chief Muriel of the bureau."

"Deputy Chief Muriel, hello."

In the following time, David also shook hands with the other tax inspectors, deputy tax inspectors, and tax chiefs in the bureau.

Although they all welcomed him on the surface, David could tell from their words and actions that they seemed to be somewhat displeased with him.

But on second thought, that was actually quite normal.

With his appointment, the entire Western Suburb Branch had undergone an unprecedentedly massive purge, and among these people, many were certainly cronies or friends of those tax inspectors, deputy tax inspectors, or even tax chiefs. It would be strange if they showed him a pleasant face.

"Then, Director David, I have a meeting to attend, so I will leave first."

"My city bureau also has some matters to handle, so I'll take my leave as well, Director David."

Bureau Chiefs Felton and João had come as a formality just to greet David, the newly elected director from the "create a god" plan, and now that they had completed the formality, they naturally wouldn't stay longer.

"Alright, both chiefs, then you go ahead and get busy."

David escorted them to the door and then returned to Muriel's side, saying, "Deputy Chief Muriel, please announce to the whole bureau that everyone should come to the meeting hall at 2 o'clock."

"Understood, Director David."

David walked over to Hakim and said, "Tax Inspector Hakim, please take me to see my office."

"Please follow me, Director David."

Hakim took David in the elevator up to the top floor, the eighth floor, and to an office at the end of the corridor. After opening the door, he said, "Director David, this is your office."

David walked in and saw that the office was simply yet elegantly arranged. A spacious desk was neatly arranged with a computer, documents, and stationery. A few abstract artworks hung on the wall, but the most conspicuous item was the American flag tacked to the wall behind the desk.

On the other side of the office were several transparent floor-to-ceiling windows. He approached and saw through the windows the cityscape outside.

"Nice."

Pleased with the office, David then turned to Hakim and said, "Inspector Hakim, please help me compile all the files on major cases in our jurisdiction... Oh, and that includes the ones that are already archived. Once ready, bring them to me."

"Certainly, Director David."

Many from the Buckynison Simmons group had families and had already settled in the Lake District. David had communicated with them the previous day, and they were meant to report around 12 o'clock.

David planned to wait for their arrival and then introduce them as part of his new team to the entire bureau.

Before long, Hakim brought the prepared case files, and David started reviewing them earnestly.

About an hour later, someone knocked on the office door. Without looking up, David answered, "Come in."

The next second, Buckyni and six others entered.

"Chief, we've arrived."

Nisenbaki and the rest were wearing brand new suits and their faces beamed with various expressions of joy.

"Nice suits there."

David glanced at their new suits and joked.

"Hehe, I had this made to order in a rush, cost me 2000 bucks."

For Nisen, 2000 dollars was not a small sum, but his promotion was to the position of tax chief, and he was going to be introduced in front of the entire Western Suburbs Branch, so the expense was definitely worthwhile.

"So, has everyone settled in alright?"

Nisen replied, "Simmons and I haven't found suitable houses yet, so we'll temporarily stay in a hotel and take our time to look."

"Giggle giggle giggle..."

While they were talking, the door was knocked on again, and David called out, "Come in."

This time, it was Keanu and Lewis who entered. Nisenbaki and the others were familiar with them but were surprised to see them appear here.

"Oh yes, let me tell you, Lewis is someone I transferred to serve as our bureau's tax inspector, and as for Keanu, he will occupy another deputy chief position that is available in our bureau."