American Tax Officer

Outside the Governor's Mansion, the media and onlooking spectators were still abuzz with discussion, but as they saw people gradually exiting the building, they fell silent and turned their curious gazes toward the door.

"Eh, isn't that... from the Sackler family!"

"Indeed, that is Arthur, the head of the Sackler family. They were actually inside the Governor's Mansion, which means the armed intervention by the IRS was indeed because of them!"

"The Governor brought in the National Guard to protect the Sacklers' people, while the IRS deployed armed forces to take them away. It seems to be confirmed now, things are going to get explosive..."

Although almost everyone had already guessed that the reason for the IRS's armed deployment was because the Governor was protecting the Sackler family, guesses were just guesses after all. Now, having seen it with their own eyes, the confirmation left everyone quite shaken.

However, thinking back, with Director David forcefully taking people away from the Governor, that definitely counted as a public slap in the face for the Governor of California. Could the Governor swallow this humiliation?

What would happen next? Would the Governor retaliate against the IRS over this incident, and would the tax collection in California be affected? These were concerns many people shared.

"You guys, take the people back to our office. And Major Fernan Prieto, you can order your men to stand down. Thank you for your hard work."

Having given his orders, Director David then strode towards the area where the media was assembled.

This matter had become too big; he had to step forward and make a statement to mitigate the ensuing public relations storm facing the IRS.

"Director David, may I ask why the Sackler family members were here? Were they under the protection of the Governor?"

"Director David, has the IRS gathered incriminating evidence against the Sackler family?"

"Director David, did you have a conflict with Governor Bogwana?"

"..."

Upon seeing David's arrival, the media swarmed him with questions.

David pressed his hands downward, signaling the crowd to quiet down. When silence fell, he spoke. "I want to make one thing clear, we did not have any conflict with the Governor. Our presence here, firstly, is due to tax issues detected in this family."

"Secondly, it's because we received information that the Sackler family members were visiting the Governor's Mansion, and among them, a terrorist had infiltrated, intending to attack the Governor. Our actions were not only to apprehend members of the Sackler family but also to protect the Governor."

Upon hearing this, everyone's minds went blank.

Terrorists infiltrated the Sackler family?

And planned to attack the Governor?

But very quickly, everyone came to their senses.

What terrorists? This was nothing but an excuse the IRS conjured to prevent the situation from escalating.

The truth of the matter likely was as everyone had surmised: the Governor intended to protect the Sackler family, hence the current predicament!

With this in mind, the media continued to probe: "Director David, ever since the events of 9/11, our nation has greatly elevated its anti-terror security measures. As an international city, Los Angeles has even stricter security. Surely no terrorist could infiltrate here, let alone enter the Governor's Mansion?"

"That's not necessarily the case. No matter how strict the security, there are always loopholes. Alright, I have many matters to attend to, so I must be going."

David had come for the interview solely to present a legitimate declaration for this operation. Whether people believed it or not wasn't significant; let them say what they would.

This night was destined to be restless for many.

After all, a number of them had already received news that the trial of the Sackler family would take place tomorrow at the courtroom of the Los Angeles City Bureau of the IRS.

The swiftness of the proceedings led many to surmise that the Los Angeles IRS must have secured a solid chain of evidence against the Sackler family.

The Governor's Mansion.

After receiving the news, Governor Bogwana remained quiet for a long while before he seemed to make an important decision and said, "Inform them, I want to convene a meeting of the Freemasonry!"

"Governor, this...is it really necessary?"
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All Freemasonry members of level 20 and above have the right to convene a Freemasonry meeting, inviting all members to discuss major issues.

At present, Governor Bogwana was at level 25, and at his level, he could use this privilege once every two years.

Therefore, Winiford felt that it was a waste of a once-in-two-years opportunity to convene a Freemasonry meeting over this matter.

After all, to take revenge on Director David, there were many ways that the state government's authority could be exercised.

"No, it must be called. Else, how can we get the Sackler family a presidential pardon?"

"What?"

Hearing Governor Bogwana's words, Winiford was initially baffled, but he quickly caught on and asked earnestly, "Governor, you intend to seek a presidential pardon for the Sackler family?"

"How they were taken from here is exactly how I'll have them released!"

With his gubernatorial power, there were indeed many ways to take revenge on the IRS, but none of these methods could undo the humiliation he had suffered that day.

The damn military had surrounded his Governor's Mansion, and he had been greatly dishonored.