American Tax Officer

Of course, he couldn't admit to willful tax evasion; he had no choice but to blame the company's tax accountants.

As the words fell, the room fell into a hushed silence; everyone was stunned.

Not long ago Migaomei had come, and soon after their departure, they announced they would be paying 1 billion in late fees to the Western Suburb Branch—an event that to this day had not been fully digested by everyone. Yet in quick succession, Allied America followed suit. Could this be serious?

It is important to note that whether it is Migaomei or Allied America, both are among Hollywood's Eight Major Film Companies, the pillars of Hollywood.

How had they successively indicated their willingness to plead guilty and accept punishment?

"My God, what's the deal with Migaomei and Allied America? One's voluntarily paying 1 billion and the other 500 million as if money grows on trees?"

"How could they possibly volunteer to pay? No need to say more, it's certain that the Western Suburb Branch caught them by the short hairs, forcing them to admit guilt."

"With Migaomei and now Allied America bending the knee, it seems like they're admitting defeat. What will the remaining six major film companies choose to do? It's probably going to get even more exciting from here on out!"

After a brief moment of astonishment, the entire internet began a heated discussion on this topic.

And what's most noteworthy is...

The upcoming six film companies aren't like Allied America and Migaomei, who could be described as fallen, old-brand film companies.

They are the mainstream film companies of Hollywood, and indeed, the world today!

...

The Walt Disney Company headquarters.

"Damn it, a bunch of pig teammates, pig teammates!"

Okonji was livid upon hearing that Allied America had also essentially 'surrendered.'

After the traitor Migaomei defected, he had someone remind the other major film companies again and again to stand firm and not to create any more chaos,

but now Allied America had backstabbed him without a word, a substantial blow to the morale on their side, of course.

"Notify the representatives of the five major film companies to come here immediately!"

Okonji could not sit still any longer. With Migaomei and Allied America already defecting, he had to personally get those people in and ensure they wouldn't defect as well.

Half an hour later, his secretary came in to report, "Mr. Okonji, the representatives from the five major film companies have arrived."

Okonji, tamping down his anger, stood up with a stern expression, left his office, and entered a meeting room not far across the hall.

In the room, representatives from the five major film companies were all present.

Almost all of them had the same expression on their faces.

It was one of gravitas!

"I apologize for summoning everyone on such short notice at this critical moment, but it involves the safety of our Hollywood movie moguls, and there was no choice but to do so. Please forgive me!"

"Speak up, Mr. Okonji. We are eager to hear your views!"

The representatives of the major film companies, who had come posthaste upon receiving the notification, were actually afraid they would be next to be targeted by the Western Suburb Branch, and they were not willing to be fined a hefty amount like Allied America and Migaomei.

"Allied America and Migaomei were fined 500 million and 1 billion respectively by the Western Suburb Branch. Although these are just fines, it's easy to imagine their impact on the stock prices of those companies, and a sharp drop at market open tomorrow is certain." Enjoy more content from empire

"What I want to convey is that we, The Walt Disney Company, will absolutely not let Director David and the Western Suburb Branch slaughter us. We will fight to the end!"

The representatives from the five major film companies could guess that Disney, as the industry leader, would certainly not submit so easily, but Mr. Okonji's declaration of 'fight to the end,' still made the representatives gasp in shock.

That implied Disney was determined to take a hard stance against the Western Suburb Branch!

"Mr. Okonji, given the current situation, it seems to me that going head-to-head with the Western Suburb Branch isn't a very good strategy. They've got guns and cannons and if we play this out, they might just roll their tanks into Hollywood, and then it won't be so fun."

A representative from Warner Brothers Company expressed his concerns.

"Mr. Lambert speaks sensibly. We, as major film companies, have made a fortune in Hollywood over the years. Even though the fine is steep, it's not unpayable, and once paid, we can eventually make it back. I think if there's really no other way, there's no point in clashing with the IRS to the death!"

This time it was a representative from Paramount Pictures who spoke.

Of course, although he seemed to say this on the surface, what he was really doing was pressuring Okonji to reveal more details about the current operations of The Walt Disney Company.

They all knew that Disney was preparing to lobby Congress to attack the IRS's 'black tax law,' but they were still in the dark about the current progress.

"Indeed, Mr. Okonji, Director David has come on strong with his Western Suburbs Branch. Now although Allied America and Migaomei have given in, they must have been forced into a corner..."

Besides Paramount and Warner, the other representatives from Columbia Pictures and Universal Pictures echoed similar sentiments.

Of course, they also had the same goal in pressuring Okonji to divulge more inside information and to make some concrete promises.

Okonji clearly read their minds, but with things being as they were, to keep them steady, he had no choice but to say, "Rest assured, I'm not asking you to confront the Western Suburb Branch head-on, I'm just asking you, for now, not to lose your footing like Allied America and Migaomei have, our plans are almost set!"

"What do you mean, Mr. Okonji?"

The representatives of the major film companies looked at him with eyes brimming with curiosity.

"There will be results within two days regarding our lobbying in Congress against the black tax bill. That's why I'm asking you now, don't lose your footing, do you understand?"

Upon hearing this, the representatives from the major film companies were at first stunned but soon their faces lit up with joy.

That's what they wanted to hear.

If Disney could indeed sway Congress, gaining leverage to negotiate with the Western Suburb Branch, then avoiding the attack and the hefty fine would naturally be a huge win.

Even if they truly failed,

It would only be Disney, who charged ahead, that would be unlucky.

For them, at worst they would just surrender and pay the late penalties.

Either way, they wouldn't lose!