American Tax Officer

"So, my coming here is also to encourage you to continue to trust your own judgment and not to give up easily when you face setbacks!"

"You're right, Mr. Stevenson."

If it had been earlier, hearing Stevenson speak in such a condescending manner again would have definitely made Phipps explode.

But after hearing that the man was preparing to run for Senator, and, most importantly, that he was connected to the Morgan Family, Phipps not only refrained from exploding, but now immediately took on an earnest, fawning demeanor as he listened.

After all, that was the Morgan Family, one of the top families in America, said to be in control of a colossal entity like the Federal Reserve—not someone he could afford to offend.

"I watched your TV debate a few days ago, and although you were at a disadvantage, there's one thing I think you should capitalize on, like lobbying the congressional committee in charge of the black tax bill, and explain the investigation of the Western Suburb Branch against you, this will surely raise concerns among the committee members..."

"Truth be told, I've been planning on doing just that, but the Camora Family's matter delayed me a bit. Don't worry, first thing tomorrow morning I'll head to Washington D.C. and have a good talk with the committee about this matter."

"That's good, let's call it a day then. But remember, Senator Phipps, we're on the same side, and you can say that I am always your backing!"

Phipps was secretly delighted; gaining the support of so many criminals through his attacks on the black tax bill was already a pleasant surprise.

But he hadn't expected that this was the real stroke of luck.

With the way things were progressing, if Stevenson really did become a Senator, that would mean a major political ally for himself, not to mention the potential connection with the Morgan Family!

However, he quickly seemed to remember something, and a look of confusion and conflict appeared on his face.

Noticing his confusion and conflict, Stevenson boldly asked, "What is it, Congressman Phipps, is there anything else you want to ask?"

Phipps bit his lip, and after some hesitation, he finally spoke, "Mr. Stevenson, forgive my audacity, but is it true that you resigned early as the Governor of Nevada State because of David?"

Upon hearing this, Stevenson's rather complacent face suddenly turned grim, his eyes filled with hatred as he said, "That's right!"

Getting confirmation, Phipps felt waves churning inside him.

Rumors were just rumors after all, and now that he had a confirmation from the person involved, the impact on him was naturally significant.

Knowing that to become a Governor in America was almost like being an emperor of the soil, he could hardly understand how David was able to pressure Stevenson to this point.

All the more because he now knew that Stevenson had the support of the Morgan Family behind him, which made him even more perplexed.

"Forgive my boldness, but at that time, David was just a small-time Chief Tax Officer in Nevada, how could he have brought you to such a state?"

Although digging up someone's painful past might upset them, Phipps was extremely curious, and if Stevenson couldn't provide a reasonable explanation, then Phipps would have to wonder about the extent of the relationship between the Morgan Family and Stevenson.

Stevenson clenched his fist tight, but eventually began to speak slowly, "I have to admit, that bastard has some skills..."

A few minutes later, Phipps finally had his epiphany, but at the same time, his face showed a hint of shock.

As Stevenson described in his own words, David not only held many of his tax evasion skeletons, but more horrifying was that David seemed to have managed to turn the Secretary of State, the Deputy Governor, and a whole succession of Nevada State government officials against him, resulting in Stevenson being directly sidelined. And but for the interference of the Morgan Family, he would have been utterly ruined.

This guy... is pretty scary!

Phipps knew that David was tough, but he hadn't expected him to be so ruthless, to turn an entire state government into puppets.

If the same thing were to happen in California... that's impossible!

This idea was instantly rejected by Phipps.

After all, California is America's foremost state, incomparable to a poor and remote area like Nevada State. David has some influence in his Western Suburb district, but to think he could control such a vast state like California is wishful thinking!

"So, Senator Phipps, you should feel grateful that you are a Congressman. Otherwise, with the information David has on you, you might already be standing trial," said Stevenson, snapping Phipps back to reality. Indeed, without the amulet of a congressman's status, and with his constant criticism of the Black Tax Bill and opposition to David, who knows what his fate would have been.

But then again, if he hadn't had the status of a congressman, how could he dare to stand out so boldly against the IRS?

Of course, the status of a congressman still lacked some weight. If he were a Senator now, the impact of his criticism of the Black Tax Bill would be quite different.

It seemed that since he had chosen the path of criticizing the Black Tax Bill, he had to step up his efforts so that he would have a chance of becoming a Senator in the mid-term elections!

...

The next day, at the Western Suburb Branch office, in the chief's office.

"After the trial ended yesterday, a good portion of those lawbreakers in Los Angeles who had been shouting for Phipps quieted down, while only a small group continued their activities..."

Listening to Keanu's report, David nodded. It was just as he had expected. Once he took down the leading figure of the Camora Family, the rest of the miscreants quieted down significantly, and he had achieved the effect he wanted.

Lost in thought for a moment, Nisen entered, placed several photos on the desk, and said earnestly, "Chief, these are the photos captured by the Intelligence Division. Please take a look."

David picked them up and saw a location he was familiar with, the George Hotel. This did not catch his attention much, but what did was the man stepping out of a black Cadillac.

This person was an old acquaintance of his, the former Governor of Nevada State, Stevenson!

"What is he doing there?"

"That's Phipps' place of residence; he went to meet Phipps."

David rested his chin in his hand. Since he had ousted this guy in Nevada State the last time, he hadn't paid much attention to him. But now, unexpectedly, he had resurfaced and seemed to be colluding with Phipps.

On the other hand, he wondered, what clout does a deposed governor have to collude with a congressman?

Perhaps he was just there to offer moral support?

No, that wasn't it...

When David had previously tried to take Stevenson down hard, he had received a directive from the higher-ups at headquarters to stop short, which indicated that Stevenson must still have some connections.

After some thought, he turned to Bucky and instructed, "Keep the Intelligence Division on Stevenson. Also, dig into what this guy has been up to recently!"

"Understood."

Bucky had barely left when David's phone rang. He picked it up and saw that it was from Deputy Director Donald, immediately taking the call: "Deputy Director Donald."

"David, I need to ask you something. Have you really investigated Phipps?"

David was momentarily startled, then quickly asked, "What's the matter?"

"Phipps and his three guys got on a plane to Washington D.C. first thing this morning, went to Congress to the committee responsible for the Black Tax Bill, and lobbied under the pretext of an investigation by your Western Suburb Branch. This has put us in a very passive position..."