American Tax Officer

"Because Marcellus and his crew have been taken under the control of the IRS, all we know now is the news coming from them, we're still unclear about other matters..."

"Give me the phone!"

Soon, a subordinate handed the mobile phone to Rodrigozki, who immediately dialed a number and demanded, "Deputy Director Bonado, the IRS people have swept through my group, can you fucking explain what's going on?"

"Rodrigozki, that's the IRS's move, I can't do anything about it. You know it, David just took office, and I told you guys to keep a low profile, not to go stirring up trouble, but you..."

"They say they're going to take my people to court tomorrow, is that true?"

"It's true, the whole of Los Angeles knows by now, but don't worry, he's only been in office for two days, I don't think he has enough evidence to convict your entire group."

"So you can't do anything about it?"

"I can't interfere with the IRS's affairs."

"Fuck, you'd better pray that my people are okay, otherwise, you as the deputy director of the police won't be able to disassociate yourself from this!"

Rodrigozki cursed and then hung up the phone abruptly.

...

In the Western Suburb Branch, inside an interrogation room.

"Mr. Shelley, on the 11th of December, Rodrigozki Group's men brought $50 million in cash to you, and through a product of your company named 'Profit Treasure,' you laundered money for them using cash exchanges, and in the end, you took a 10 percent commission."

"Then on December 18th, you laundered another $60 million through another product named 'Yi Income'."

"And on January 7th..."

"For these transactions, all I have to do is find the customers who bought these products from you and trace their incoming funds, I believe the results will come out quite easily, don't you think?"

Inside the interrogation room, David spoke confidently while across from him sat a man with glasses and a sunken nose.

The man became flustered upon hearing this and asked, "What do you want?"

"I don't want much, I need all accounts associated with Rodrigozki Group, and also, you need to testify in court against him tomorrow."

"No way, you know what kind of people the Rodrigozki Group are, if I do this, they will kill me!"

David's expression turned cold, "So you mean to say, the IRS is easy to talk to?"

"That's not what I..."

David reassured, "Don't worry, we have almost caught all of Rodrigozki Group's people, they can't hurt you anymore, and as long as you follow my instructions, I ensure your safety, and your assets won't be frozen. Of course, you will need to pay the required taxes."

Upon hearing this, the man named Shelley's expression gradually eased.

He didn't know how his money laundering practices and dealings with Rodrigozki Group were discovered by the IRS, but faced with this situation, if he could stay out of it and keep his freedom and wealth, that of course would be a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.

After thinking for a while, he reconfirmed, "Are you serious with what you said?"
Continue your journey on empire

"Would the words of the Chief of the Western Suburbs Branch not count?"

Shelley fell silent again.

Seeing him still undecided, David lost his patience and said bluntly, "You have one minute to make up your mind, otherwise I'll find someone else. Other than you, there are plenty of people laundering money and keeping the books for Rodrigozki Group!"

"Alright, I agree, give me a computer."

Shelley dared not delay any further, knowing that David wasn't bluffing—there were indeed other individuals and companies laundering money and keeping the books for Rodrigozki Group.

Twenty minutes later, Shelley turned the laptop screen towards David and said, "These are all the financial data and account information for the group that came through me."

David gave Nisen a look, then stood up and left the interrogation room for another...

The Rodrigozki Group was indeed vast; the involved individuals were too numerous to count. To ensure there were no surprises in the trial the next morning, David didn't go home to rest that night but instead continued to interrogate key individuals, forcing them to hand over their testimonies and financial account information...

Besides David, other crime groups of all sizes in the Western Suburbs, Rodrigozki far away in Bear Country, Donald at the headquarters, and others were also sleepless through the night...

As time went by, the sky began to lighten with the first glimmer of dawn, and the sunset in the east welcomed its ascent; a new day had begun.

"Chief, your coffee."

In an interrogation room at the Western Suburbs Branch, Ariel brought a steaming cup of coffee just as David came out after interrogating an accountant.

David sipped the coffee and asked, "How's the account checking going?"

"So far the total amounts to $277 million, unfortunately, many of them are too cunning, each month they would use various tactics to transfer some of the funds to a Swiss Bank, otherwise, I think the amount would have been over $700 million."

A look of regret flashed across Ariel's face.

David felt the same sense of disappointment, then replied, "Let it be $277 million then. Have you applied for data and initiated a freeze with the banks?"

"We'll have everything in an hour."

"Good, carry on."

Last night's application to the court was finalized, and the trial was set for 10 am today, giving David and his team three more hours to prepare.