American Tax Officer

At the same time,

Silicon Valley's Microsoft, Oracle, Nvidia, and other major companies had all received a similar document. After reading it, their executives were all seen with faces ashen.

Hours later, a black Chevrolet arrived at the door of the Bay Area Branch. When the door opened, and the media and online spectators saw the leather-clad man who stepped out, a stir was instantaneously created.

"That's... Nvidia's Huang Renxun!"

"It's definitely Mr. Huang. The Nvidia he founded is truly one of the giants of Silicon Valley. Could it be that he is also ready to compromise on tax issues?"

"Now none of the other giants from Silicon Valley have shown up, just this Mr. Huang. This seems rather intriguing..."

"..."

Indeed, the individual who arrived was Nvidia's Huang Renxun.

Seeing him arrive, both the reporters at the scene and people following online began to speculate wildly.

Amidst a buzz of discussion, Huang Renxun strode into the Bay Area Branch and was soon escorted into Inspector David's office.

"Good morning, Chief Inspector David."

Huang Renxun, being of Chinese descent, spoke the language and addressed David directly in Chinese to foster a closer relationship.

"Morning, Mr. Huang. You must have received the document I sent you?"

David replied in English, though his last remark caused Mr. Huang's mouth to twitch.

"Of course, I received it. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come."

"That means you're different from the other giants; you seem eager to resolve this."

"That's right, I'll be upfront. I admit that our company's tax affairs are somewhat problematic; in fact, not just ours but nearly 90% of the companies in America encounter tax issues. It's just a matter of whether they get caught. Now that we've been caught, we'll admit it. But this tax amount isn't small. I'm hoping the Internal Revenue Service could grant us some leeway on the deadline and some reductions and incentives."

"Your company is one of the giants in Silicon Valley and the first to come forward, setting an example. As long as you are willing to pay, an extension won't be an issue. We'll give you three months. As for the reductions... I'll take the liberty of giving you a ten percentage point discount."

As David said, Nvidia had indeed shown understanding and set an example, so he didn't mind giving them some incentives.

Of course, his readiness wasn't entirely due to this reason. He was currently investigating these companies in Silicon Valley, partly to lead him to Vanguard, BlackRock Inc, and other such asset management behemoths.

If companies like Nvidia were willing to provide some data and information, it would save him a great deal of investigative effort.

Hearing the three-month extension and the ten percentage point discount on taxes, Huang Renxun was overjoyed. However, being a businessman, he didn't show his excitement too readily. On the contrary, to wrangle a bit more out of the negotiation, he put on a frown, as if he wasn't quite satisfied.

In the time that followed, he began to haggle.

With his gift of gab, he actually managed to convince David to give an additional five percentage point tax reduction.

At this point, he had achieved his goal for the day quite satisfactorily.

Just as he was about to rise and take his leave to prepare the tax payment, David's next comment made him freeze.

"Oh yes, Mr. Huang, I hear Vanguard holds 8.31% of Nvidia's shares, BlackRock Inc 7.30%, and Oracle 3.72%; is that correct?"

Mr. Huang was stunned and only after a long pause did he answer, "That's right. These three companies do hold shares in Nvidia, and the proportions you mentioned are accurate."

"I'm very interested in the specific interactions between your company and them. I wonder if you could provide us with detailed data and information?"

At this moment, Huang Renxun, even though he was no fool, understood why David had been so easy to talk to, offering reductions and extensions. It seemed this was all paving the way for something else.

Could it be... that this tax investigation targeting Silicon Valley was merely a side act, and the Internal Revenue Service's real aim was to target asset management giants like Vanguard, BlackRock Inc, and Oracle?

If that were the case, the Freemasonry surely couldn't stay calm any longer. They would undoubtedly be up in arms!

The more Mr. Huang thought, the more unnerved he became. Although he was the first Silicon Valley giant to visit the Internal Revenue Service, that was because Nvidia was his company, and since Freemasonry hadn't taken action, his visit was somewhat justifiable.

But providing data on Vanguard, BlackRock Inc, and Oracle would be different, and Freemasonry might not be so willing to forgive him.

With these thoughts, he clenched his teeth and refused, "Chief Inspector David, since you can name these three companies, you must understand what they imply. So, I fear I must... respectfully decline."

"Mr. Huang, are you truly unwilling to do me this favor?"

"It's not that I'm unwilling, but after helping you, I fear I might no longer be able to remain in America. I hope you understand..."

"Alright, if you're unwilling, then I won't insist. Go back and attend to your tasks."