American Tax Officer

"This..."

Kelly was dumbstruck.

Indeed, regardless of David's actual abilities, he first shot into the top ten of the tax achievement board, became the protagonist of the National Tax Bureau's armed sortie yesterday, and today climbed to the top of the tax achievement board causing such a big stir.

This would have definitely caught the attention of many high-level officials at the Washington D.C. Headquarters.

If he were to be transferred to a higher platform.

Even if it's not a super platform like New York or Los Angeles, being placed in San Francisco or Chicago would make things quite difficult for us to handle.

"Kelly, have you heard of 'Project Deification'?"

"Are you talking about the recent rumor?"

"According to the information I've received, this is not just a rumor, it's very likely to be true. Now with the 'Dark Tax Bill' being vigorously promoted, the National Tax Bureau needs a 'god' as a spokesperson!"

"If this is true, then that 'god' could only be you, Brown!"

Brown offered a smile that didn't reach his eyes and remained silent.

Before this, he was quite confident in thinking so.

After all, ever since the 'Dark Tax Bill' was passed, he had been the tax achievement leader every assessment period, with nobody ever shaking his top position.

Even Bellamy Hattie, who was often ranked second, just closely trailed and pursued him, without ever managing to bring him down!

But now, David had suddenly surged ahead and toppled him, the most outrageous part being that he did it with the seemingly insignificant platform of the Las Vegas Lake District Sub-bureau Branch.

Even if he could quickly regain the lead and reclaim first place, it surely wouldn't have the same divine status as before!

After all, gods are generally undefeated.

And David managed to defeat him with the platform of the Lake District Sub-Bureau Branch. How was that different from a mortal standing shoulder to shoulder with the gods?

"Take a trip to Wall Street, send a message to Godfrey, Carmen, Robin, those guys—I need 10 million in tax achievements, and I need it now!"

Brown still had that smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, but his gaze revealed a vengeful determination.

"10 million..."

Kelly startle, as Brown's tax achievements were around 25 million. Adding another 10 million would bring the total to precisely 35 million.

Currently, David was at the top of the tax achievement board with 34.32 million.

If Brown's tax achievements suddenly jumped to 35 million, it would be like at an auction where someone bids 10 million, and then you bid 10.01 million, a move purely meant to antagonize the other party!

"Okay, I'm on it!"

Kelly didn't dare to voice any objections and immediately turned to leave.

...

National Tax Bureau Lakeside District Sub-Bureau Branch, Office of the Director.

"Chief William, it's just getting to the top of the board for now, nothing to celebrate yet. It will be a real cause for celebration for the Lake District if we can maintain the top spot until the end of the assessment period," said Donald.

William had been overjoyed since David secured the top position.

But in front of the top brass of the headquarters, of course, he had to show his ambition!

This way, perhaps the headquarters would consider him for an important assignment!

Indeed.

Upon hearing William's ambitious words, Donald immediately praised him over the phone: "Very good, Chief William. As the Director of the Lake District Sub-Bureau Branch, having cultivated an outstanding 'Dark Tax Bill Pioneer' like David is indeed a commendable leadership achievement. I hope you continue to nurture more talents like David!"

William, beaming with pride, replied: "Rest assured, Chief Donald, I will make every effort to do so!"

"Good, let me know that the headquarters extends its praise to Director David. That'll be all for now!"

"Goodbye, Chief Donald... Ha ha!"

After hanging up the phone, Donald burst into laughter, excitedly rubbing his palms together.

Now that the higher-ups at headquarters had showered such praise on his leadership, another step up in his career was surely secure!

It was simply a matter of time!

Calming his inner excitement, he picked up the phone, "Director David, come to my office, I need to talk to you!"

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the office door, followed by David pushing the door open and asking, "Chief, did you call for me?"

"Sit down..."

David pulled up a chair and sat opposite William, ready to listen attentively.

"Just now, Chief Donald from headquarters called me. The headquarters congratulated and commended you for topping the tax performance leaderboard..."

William's words didn't come as much of a surprise to David.

Of course the headquarters would call to congratulate and praise him for reaching the top of the tax performance leaderboard!

William continued, "Now, with only four days left until the assessment period ends, do you feel confident about maintaining the lead?"

"Not really!"

"Although I've reached the top this time, to be honest, it was a bit unexpected. Brown Soros and Bellamy Hattie will certainly do everything in their power to reclaim their rankings!"

"Chief, you know what level of cities New York and Los Angeles are. The major cases there are countless. I may work hard on ten cases here, and it still might not match the tax revenue from a single case over there!"

It wasn't that David was seeking to diminish his own prestige by praising others.

He just didn't want to raise William's expectations unduly.

As he said, the economic scale of supercities like Los Angeles and New York was enormous, and accordingly, the tax revenue from under-the-table dealings there would likely be larger.

Unless they immediately transferred him to one of these major cities, he might stand a chance of keeping his top position on the leaderboard.

William was somewhat disappointed, but still hopeful, he asked, "What about the three major cases in the big district? What if you include their tax revenue?"

"Those three cases might have a lot of tax revenue, but firstly, there are only four days left in the assessment period now, it's too late..."

"Secondly, even if they're solved, those other places might also crack big cases, so all in all, I'm not holding out much hope to stay at the top..." David explained.

David's words chilled William's heart once again.

He had just given off a confident air while speaking with Donald at the headquarters.

If, when the assessment period ended, someone else edged out his ranking, Donald might not blame him, but deductions from his evaluation were certain.

After a long silence, William sighed helplessly and then said, "Well, since that's your take on it, just do your best. As for keeping the top spot, we'll leave it to fate..."

William shifted the topic, "By the way, I heard about a plan that the higher-ups are discussing at headquarters, it's quite interesting..."

David, intrigued, asked, "What plan?"

"This plan is named 'Project Deification'!"

"Project Deification!?"

David was stunned for a moment. From the sound of it, he felt that this plan was certainly no ordinary one and might possibly relate to him.

"As the name suggests, headquarters plans to select one individual from the nation's inspectors, including those of you promoted to Chief Tax Officer, to profile and build up as a spokesperson for the 'Dark Tax Bill Pioneer,' a star-level figure, a nemesis to tax evaders!"

Upon hearing this, David was stunned on the spot.

To be chosen from among them to become the spokesperson for the National Tax Bureau's Dark Tax Bill Pioneer?

A star-level figure?

The nemesis of tax evaders?

Why did this feel so much like a celebrity build-up from the entertainment industry?

But soon, David's interest waned slightly.

This role of turning someone into a star and a nemesis to tax evaders would undoubtedly require constant exposure under the spotlight, and he was not keen on frequently being chased by the media with a barrage of uncomfortable questions.