American Tax Officer

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"Deputy Director Donald, where were we just now?"

Obadiah didn't so much as glance at the infuriated Charlotte, but casually addressed Donald again.

"We were discussing the tax audit that David is about to conduct in Hollywood, but now that this has happened, let's have him take care of this matter first."

"Is that so? Then what are we waiting for? Have him set aside the tax audit for now and deal with the Los Angeles Human Rights Organization's affair, and then visit the other cities in California."

"Understood, Director, this indeed can't be delayed. I'll go make arrangements right away..."

Donald's words sounded urgent, but his steps towards the door were very slow, as though he were waiting for someone to call out to him from behind.

In that moment, Charlotte's teeth were grinding audibly, and after an internal struggle, as Donald was about to step out of the door, she finally spoke up with a tone full of resentment, "Fine, I agree!"

Accepting the demand might displease members of the Human Rights Organization and cause a commotion, but if they tried hard to appease them and reasoned with empathy, perhaps they could keep things under control.

But if they didn't accept the demand and allowed the opposition to bring David to Los Angeles and meddle with the other local branches of the Human Rights Organization, it might quickly fall apart.

Charlotte, though furious, was still able to weigh the pros and cons.

Obadiah Donald flashed a smile, and the former declared, "Now you're talking, Mr. Charlotte."

"I hope you keep your promise!"

Charlotte didn't want to stay a second longer, angrily leaving after dropping those words.

"Hahahahaha..."

After the other party had left, Obadiah and Donald broke into roaring laughter.

They never dreamed that such a minor incident would resolve the Human Rights Organization that had been a persistent thorn in their side for so many years.

It was enormously satisfying!

Just thinking of the Human Rights Organization publicly apologizing to them and supporting their verdict filled them with eager anticipation.

...

Back at the Western Suburb Branch, after issuing his threat to the Human Rights Organization, David had returned to the office and was working on documents concerning Hollywood.

It was then that Nisen entered and said, "Director, there's a situation!"

David looked up and asked, "What's the situation?"

"You'll see for yourself!"

Nisen placed a tablet in front of David, where an image appeared with a backdrop labeled 'Human Rights Organization,' and below it, a dense crowd of journalists gathered.

"This is a press conference called by the Washington D.C. headquarters of the Human Rights Organization. They might be planning a counterattack against us!"

Nisen was unaware of the conversation between Obadiah and Charlotte at headquarters and thought the press conference was aimed at condemning their recent court sentence and David's threat.

"A counterattack?"

David looked thoughtful. Ted and the other two had been sentenced to prison on charges he had firmly attached to them. Could it be that the Human Rights Organization wasn't afraid?

Amidst these thoughts, a figure appeared on the screen.

It was none other than the president of the Human Rights Organization, Charlotte.

"Greetings to the media reporters present and viewers in front of the television. I am the president of the Human Rights Organization, Charlotte. We have called this press conference primarily to make two points. First, on behalf of the Human Rights Organization, I would like to apologize to the IRS!"

Upon Charlotte's words, nearly everyone was stunned.

They had thought the Washington D.C. headquarters of the Human Rights Organization had convened the press conference to criticize the IRS's threats and the sentences meted out to their three members.

But who could have expected that the head of the organization would concede right from the start?

After all, hasn't the Human Rights Organization always been like a dog with a bone when it came to the IRS, relentlessly pursuing them?

So why are they publicly apologizing like a submissive grandson now?

Especially considering the Los Angeles court had just forcefully sent three of their members to prison, wouldn't you expect them to strike back rather than cave in like this?

Could it really be that they were scared of David?

"What... what exactly is going on here?"

Over at the Western Suburb Branch, Nisen was also somewhat bewildered.

David was a bit surprised too. When he had issued that threat earlier, he anticipated that many in the Human Rights Organization would be scared, but he hadn't expected the head of the Washington D.C. branch to publicly apologize and show such submission.

That didn't seem quite right.

Could something have happened in Washington D.C.?

It must have!

At the scene of the press conference.

"President Charlotte, did the IRS threaten you?"

"President Charlotte, the IRS's Director David just sent three of your members to prison not long ago. Are you afraid of being implicated?"

"President Charlotte, is the Human Rights Organization going to submit to the IRS now?"

"President Charlotte, wasn't the declaration of the Human Rights Organization never to submit? Why are you submitting to the IRS today?"

The media reporters, having snapped to realization, furiously bombarded him with questions.

Charlotte truly wanted to say they had indeed been severely threatened by the IRS, but he knew if he admitted that, David might really come after them.

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