American Tax Officer

"This is a 20 million dollar bounty, do you think I could afford not to hide well?"

"That's true..."

Felton gave a wry smile.

"I'll go up and talk to Judge Nicola first."

"Okay."

David took the elevator and made his way to the office on the seventh floor, only entering after hearing "come in" from inside.

In the office, Nicola was organizing the trial documents. She stopped what she was doing as David entered, gave him a once-over, and then remarked, "Director David, you really have a knack for this, even capturing Rodrigozki all the way from Bear Country."

Like everyone else, she was naturally shocked by David's accomplishment.

"It was just luck. Oh right, Judge Nicola, I wanted to discuss the sentencing for this guy. His actions were extremely heinous, and I think a more severe punishment is necessary!"

Previously, Rodrigozki had the audacity to issue a bounty on David while being in Bear Country, which naturally could not be treated the same as the others.

A more severe punishment was needed to serve as an example to deter more people, sending a message to those with malicious intentions that if they dared to take such actions, this punishment would be their fate!

"You're right."

Nicola nodded in agreement.

David was also aware of the case files from the Indian Tribe, where the main perpetrator, Dieter, had merely instructed his subordinates to assassinate David, without being so brazen as to publicly tell everyone, "I'm going to kill your IRS agent."

But now Rodrigozki had publicly offered a bounty to tell everyone that he was behind the hit on David.

And the key point was, David was now the Director of the Los Angeles West Suburb Branch, the chosen one for the Deification Project, and the spokesperson for the IRS.

If it hadn't been for David's extraordinary performance in capturing Rodrigozki, the IRS would have lost a lot of face this time.

Therefore, the trial of Rodrigozki must impose a strict sentence, as a warning to other criminals!

"Since Judge Nicola agrees, that's good. I think we should..."

In the time that followed, David explained the sentencing outcome he hoped for, and then discussed other matters related to the court hearing.

It wasn't until 9:52 AM that he got up from the office and went to the courtroom.

Because it was too late last night and there were too many things to take care of, David hadn't specifically asked his subordinates to invite celebrities from all walks of life to observe the trial.

But this morning, upon learning that the trial would be for Rodrigozki, celebrities almost broke down the door wanting to be observers, so the gallery seats were naturally filled to capacity.

Upon David's arrival, the celebrities, city hall, assembly hall, and staff from other IRS branches in the city who had come to observe gave him unusual looks.

Clearly, they also wanted to find out from him exactly how Rodrigozki had been captured.

David ignored their stares and found a seat to sit down.

A few minutes later, a voice rose, prompting everyone to stand up in unison.

"All rise."

Nicola, dressed in her judge's robes, entered and took her seat at the bench, and everyone else followed suit and sat down.

"Bring in the defendant."

The next second, Rodrigozki was brought out from the left corridor by Buckynison, one on each side, and placed at the defendant's seat.

"Defendant Rodrigozki, this court charges you with tax evasion, incitement to murder... among other crimes. Do you have anything to say?"

Rodrigozki knew he was doomed and couldn't say anything, his face ashen like someone resigned to his fate.

Seeing him silent, Nicola turned to a man in the lawyers' bench below and asked, "Does the defense attorney have anything to add?"

This defense attorney was slightly embarrassed; he was really just there for the IRS to show the fairness of the court, but to contribute, he still stood up and responded, "Your Honor, if the court intends to charge my client, please present the evidence."

"These are the account details and funds statements for your client, as well as several witness testimonies."

Nicola picked up a few file bags from the desk. In reality, these were the pieces of evidence used to indict Marcellus and others, and since Rodrigozki was the head of that group, they naturally could be used to accuse him as well.

The defense attorney made a show of looking through the documents for a while before sighing with feigned helplessness. He then went to Rodrigozki with the papers and asked, "Mr. Rodrigozki, would you like to take a look?"

"No need, just get on with the killing or flaying, and don't waste time!"

Rodrigozki knew that nothing he said now would make a difference, and he took on a resigned attitude.

"Alright, since the defendant pleads guilty, the court will now pronounce judgment!"

Nicola stood up and declared, "Defendant Rodrigozki, found guilty of tax evasion, escaping arrest, and incitement to murder... Multiple charges will be compounded, sentenced to ten thousand years' imprisonment, life without the possibility of parole!"

At the moment these words fell, the entire courtroom seemed to freeze in a static image, the air as if solidifying, even the faintest breaths becoming clearly audible. Some were shocked, their expressions as though they had seen the unbelievable, their pupils dilating as if to leap from their sockets, others had their mouths agape, unable to close them for a long time.