American Tax Officer

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

"What I mean is, it's been several months since this black tax bill passed Congress, but the revenue it's generated still can't sustain the military's monthly expenses. Therefore, the White House is definitely unsatisfied."

Having heard this, David had gradually begun to understand what Selina was trying to convey. He asked, "So what you mean is, there's a deeper purpose behind headquarters assigning me to Los Angeles this time?"

"Exactly!"

Selina affirmed, and then she said, "I'm certain that the White House must have put pressure on the upper echelon of headquarters, and without any other course of action, they must figure out a way to generate more tax revenue. That means they can only carve the flesh from capital itself to accomplish this task."

"But as you know, our capitalists in America are very powerful. If their interests are threatened, they dare to take down even the President... so even the National Revenue Service wouldn't dare to go too far all at once."

"Although Hollywood is also rife with capitalist interests, compared to Silicon Valley, or Wall Street, or the military-industrial complex's regions, this place is considered a soft persimmon, it can also be seen as a testing ground."

Even though Selina didn't know the specific details of the communications between the White House and the upper echelons of the National Revenue Service, having graduated from the Economics Department of Haver University and through economic conditions at home plus some channels from her family's influence, she quickly deduced the main reason for David being transferred to the Western Suburbs Branch.

After listening to her talk, David found himself lost in thought as well.

He could guess that the headquarters had a deeper intention for sending him to the Western Suburbs Branch, but he really hadn't thought about the White House's position, as well as the upper echelon's gamble with capital.

Without a doubt, in his estimation, Selina's words were largely correct.

After all, after the announcement of the Deification Project, although headquarters had explicitly decreed that being elected would result in a promotion to the position of branch director of a major city, the final outcome being Los Angeles, such a super-metropolis, was still somewhat unexpected.

And if it were just Los Angeles that would be one thing, but specifically the Western Suburbs Branch, where sensitive areas like Hollywood are located, it's definitely unlikely that headquarters didn't intend to make a move on Hollywood.

With this thought, David's demeanor gradually turned solemn.

The joy he had been carrying since his election was also increasingly cooling down.

With this election, not only had he stepped under the close watch of the upper echelon of headquarters, but according to Selina, he might also have entered the White House's sights. Moreover, he could potentially become a thorn in the eyes of the capitalist group in Hollywood.

Being caught in between these three parties, if things weren't handled properly, he was certain to face a terrible mess.

He hadn't even taken office yet, and he already felt such immense pressure as the director of the Western Suburbs Branch.

"So the reason you were asking me for earlier, that reason is, the situation over there is very complicated, and I can help you!"

Selina, seemingly perceiving David's thoughts, confidently spoke these words.

David looked up at her, thought for a long time, and finally said, "Give me an application report."

He did not want to get too close to the Kennedy family, chiefly because he feared the rival capitalists who were enemies of the Kennedys.

But upon realizing that headquarters might have wanted him to confront the capital there, judging by the current situation, he felt keeping Selina by his side might not necessarily be a disadvantage.

After all, the Kennedy family is one of the four great families of America, and with Selina backed by the Kennedy clan, the channels and resources she had access to could be of some help to him.

Just as now if it hadn't been for Selina's reminder, he still would have been indulged in the beautiful dream of being elected director of the Western Suburbs Branch, oblivious to the pressure and dangers involved.

Selina's lips, tinted with red lipstick, lifted slightly, and then she turned and walked out.

Approximately twenty minutes later.

Buckynison Simmons and others came in one after the other, submitting their application reports. David organized them and walked toward the director's office with some files he needed to handle after his departure.

Upon reaching the director's office, he knocked, waited for permission, then pushed the door and walked in, placing the documents he brought on the desk before saying, "Director, here are the documents the successor needs after I leave. I've organized everything, and also, here are the application reports from Buckynison and the others."

William nodded in understanding, gesturing for David to sit down before saying, "David, being elected through the Deification Project is indeed a good thing, but the Western Suburbs Branch is no ordinary place. After you take office, you must be cautious... "

"I will," David replied.

"That's good."

William picked up the desk phone and commanded, "Gusin, have everyone gather in the lobby on the first floor; we're going to see off Director David."

Upon receiving the notice, soon all the Inspectors, Chief Tax Officers, and Tax Investigators throughout the agency put down their work and gathered in the lobby on the first floor.

Not long after their arrival, David and William also came down.

"Director David, I wish you all the best."

"Director David, I'll miss you."

"..."

Keanu, Hutton, Hector, and others came forward one by one, either embracing or shaking hands, bidding David their final farewell.

David did not miss a single person, shaking hands with all the Inspectors and staff from other departments, until finally, he waved at them and stepped out the door for the last time.

Seeing David leave, the Inspectors, Chief Tax Officers, and Tax Investigators at the Bureau all felt a sense of desolation rise within them.

In the past few months, the name of the Lake District Sub-Bureau resonated throughout the entire IRS system, but from today onwards, such opportunities might no longer come.

"With Director David gone, it feels like the sky is falling down on our Lake District Sub-Bureau."

Gusin approached William, not hiding his inner sense of loss.

"Alas, what can be done about it? Such a day was always bound to come..."

"But that said, I think it'll soon be your turn."

William felt a sense of loss as well, but his face flushed with color upon hearing Gusin's reminder.

Indeed.

Under his leadership, the Lake District Sub-Bureau had repeatedly set new records for tax revenue, and the chosen candidate for the deification project was someone he had nurtured. With so many achievements laid out before him, how could his position remain unchanged?

Thinking about his imminent promotion, William's sense of loss vanished, replaced by full-blown anticipation.

Back at his apartment, David immediately sought out the landlord to discuss terminating his lease.

Since he was leaving before the end of the contract, he would lose the security deposit, but he did not care about such a small amount of money, so the landlord readily agreed.

Afterward, he packed some items he needed to take to Los Angeles, and had them sent ahead of time by a courier service.

Only after all this did he return to his apartment to book a flight to Washington D.C. for the following morning.

...

Ever since David was elected for the deification project, the IRS system had been abuzz with discussion, and with Hollywood within his jurisdiction, the media's extensive coverage even led to trending headlines on various platforms, sparking national debate.

Carson City, FBI Office.

"It's confirmed, Mr. Gavin, David will be going to Washington D.C. tomorrow to attend the headquarters' election ceremony, deliver his report on his work, and then he will directly proceed to take office at the Western Suburb Branch."

In the office, Gavin was overjoyed upon hearing Ou En's report.

Ever since David had caught him in a compromising situation, claiming he was distressed would be an understatement; he feared every day that David would hassle him with difficult tasks or, out of spite, make things difficult for him.

In short, David was like the Sword of Damocles hanging over his head, constantly instilling him with a sense of fear.

But now, at long last, that Sword of Damocles was going to be far away from him!

In the state government, Laurie, Oldington, and others were equally ecstatic upon confirming that David would leave Nevada State tomorrow.

Like Gavin, they too felt a sense of release from their shackles.

And that night was one of happiness for them and the most restful sleep they had in a long time!

...

...

PS: Thanks to brother Wan Zhang Hai for the rewarding support!!!