American Tax Officer

"It's true they started the trouble, but we could have taken our time to deal with them," she said. "But now, not only have we detained people on the streets, we're also talking about using this trial to convict them. This has put us at the Internal Revenue Service in a tight spot. If we can't get a conviction, how are we supposed to wrap this up?"

Donald could no longer refute Rohan's accusation.

Indeed, this was the case. Confronted with provocation from the Human Rights Organization, David had directly apprehended them. If he could secure a conviction, that would certainly be impressive, but if he failed, the consequences would be unbearable.

Just as the atmosphere grew tense, the door to the meeting room opened, and in came Obadiah's secretary. She announced, "Director, there's a call from the Human Rights Organization. They say we shouldn't think about twisting the truth in our own court with our own judge to force a conviction of their people. Otherwise, they'll see us in front of the President."

The already distraught executives became even more agitated upon hearing this, and amongst them, Obadiah looked at Donald and said, "Call David now and see what he has to say!"

Donald wasted no time, immediately pulling out his phone to dial David's number and putting it on speakerphone.

At the Los Angeles City Bureau, David was discussing the trial arrangements with Judge Nicola. When he saw the call was from Donald, he first excused himself to Nicola and then stepped outside to answer, saying, "Deputy Director Donald."

"David, we saw the news. You had a run-in with the people from the Human Rights Organization at the Los Angeles City Bureau, correct? And you detained their people, intending to take them down during this trial. What's that all about?"

"Nothing much, just what it sounds like."

"Just what it sounds like? Are you saying you're confident you can handle them?"

"Deputy Director Donald, our Western Suburb Branch had already learned through channels that the Human Rights Organization was planning to denounce us. To be prepared, I naturally took some precautions."
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Of course, David couldn't tell the other party he had an ace up his sleeve. To avoid unnecessary trouble and to placate them, he could only make such an excuse.

At the Washington D.C. Headquarters, upon hearing this, Donald and the other senior executives were all visibly shaken.

Honestly, they were worried that David had acted rashly by ordering the detention on the streets and making the bold claim of going to trial today.

But if it turned out he had already investigated the three individuals and laid traps for them, that would be a different story.

If they could actually convict these three people, it would not only deal a blow to the brazenness of the rabid dogs of the Human Rights Organization but also amplify the authority of the IRS once more. That would be perfect!

"The people from the Human Rights Organization are not ordinary folks. Are you sure you can find a reason to convict them?"

"I need to give you a heads up on this, these are not criminals, they wouldn't have any illegal income, nor would they deliberately evade taxes. Of course, if we wanted to find a reason to convict them, we could still manage that."

Donald understood what David meant, and after glancing at Obadiah, who after a pause nodded his head, he responded into the phone, "Just find a reason to convict them, the interpretation of the tax law is in our hands."

"That's no problem, we'll leave it at that for now. I need to take care of things here first."

David was already planning to clamp down on the tax code to convict these three people, and with the endorsement from Headquarters, he was now reassured.

Back at headquarters, after hanging up the phone, Rohan was the first to express his concern, "If we do this, won't the Human Rights Organization react strongly?"

He too realized that the grounds for conviction David had in mind would definitely be controversial afterward.

"As long as he's truly suspected of tax evasion, no matter how controversial it is, it's still tax evasion, and we have the right to judge them!"

Even though David hadn't specified the reasons for conviction, it was certain that tax evasion was suspected, and as long as they could prove their tax evasion, they would be justified!

Rohan's lips met, but ultimately he didn't say anything else.

Los Angeles City Bureau.

"Director David, do you want to reconsider this matter, or maybe detain them for a day or two until we have sufficient evidence before putting them on trial,"

Judge Nicola also thought that putting them on trial today was a bit too hasty. If they couldn't produce conclusive evidence, the entire Internal Revenue Service would be embarrassed.

"No need, Judge Nicola. I said in front of the media that today means today. Don't worry, I wouldn't say so if I weren't confident!"

"Well then, shall we start the trial with those eight crime leaders first?"

"Yes."

David indicated there was no problem and then pushed the door open, heading towards the courtroom.

Due to the affair with the Human Rights Organization, the trial originally scheduled for 2 p.m. had to be delayed until 2:30 p.m. Even so, none of the celebrities invited from all walks of life showed any impatience.

Because they were all looking forward to seeing how David would impose charges on those three members of the Human Rights Organization who were added to the case at the last minute.

David had just entered the courtroom when Nicola emerged from the judges' entrance.

"All rise."

Nicola took her seat and sounded the gavel, announcing, "The court is now in session, bring in the defendants!"

Down the aisle, Joey, Pryce, and the other six crime group leaders were brought to the defendant's bench one by one.

Although they had some time to mentally prepare, the eight of them still couldn't help but physically tremble and show other signs of nervousness as they took their places in the courtroom.

Nicola first looked at Darwin and questioned, "Defendant Darwin, you are suspected of tax evasion. Do you have anything to say?"

"Your Honor, I... I have nothing to say. I plead guilty, please consider a lighter sentence!"

Hearing this response, Nicola was stunned. Clearly, she hadn't expected the defendant to capitulate without any argument and admit guilt outright.

Composing herself, she turned to another leader, Joey, and asked, "Defendant Joey, you are suspected of tax evasion. Do you have anything to say?"

"I... I also have nothing to say. I plead guilty and ask for a lighter sentence from Your Honor!"

Nicola was taken aback again, then she turned to the rest of the six and tentatively asked, "Do... all of you plead guilty?"

"Yes, Your Honor, we all plead guilty, please consider a lighter sentence..."

The six spoke in unison.

After all, David had detailed information on each of them, and this was a courtroom of the Internal Revenue Service; there was certainly no point in quibbling.

Therefore, before the trial, the eight of them had discussed in the detention room that the best course of action was to admit guilt as soon as they appeared in court, which was very likely to earn them a more lenient treatment.

Seeing the six plead guilty so directly, Nicola didn't know how to sentence them for a moment because she had just discussed with David adopting the same deterrent punishment used for members of the Rodrigozki Group.

But as the saying goes, "Confession earns leniency," doesn't it? Now that they had all admitted their guilt with such a good attitude, it wouldn't be fair to give them millennia-long prison sentences, right?