Chapter 97: Chapter 90: Rise to the Top 10, Shocking the Nation_2

"David!"

Smith's expression changed dramatically.

"What is it, you know him?"

He had come to Smith specifically to deal with this matter; if Smith knew David, th perhaps things would be easier to resolve.

Smith regained some composure and spoke gravely, "This guy is not to be trifled with. Rectly, many people in our Lake District have tak a fall because of him..."

Although he wasn't part of the National Tax Bureau system, he still knew a thing or two about what was going on there.

What he had learned thus far was that David had be performing exceptionally well lately, leading to his extraordinary promotion to the position of Chief Tax Officer.

And wh he had received this news, he was indeed shocked beyond measure.

David had previously threated him, demanding that he pay his taxes. To be honest, it was more about his fear of the National Tax Bureau; he wasn't particularly intimidated by an inspector like David.

But what he hadn't expected was that this guy would be promoted to Chief Tax Officer so quickly, which admittedly made him start to worry.

Though his rank as a chief of police was equivalt to that of a Chief Tax Officer, the power held by the Chief Tax Officer of the National Tax Bureau was something he, a chief of police, just couldn't compare with.

If the other party was hell-bt on targeting him, th ev the head of their departmt likely couldn't protect him.

Baldwin, somewhat displeased, said, "If he's not to be trifled with, does that mean we're to be trifled with?"

At a loss for words, Smith fell silt for a momt before replying, "If you can't handle this, why don't you have Dieter step in?"

"I fucking wish he would step in, but I lost the goods, and he's told me to find them, what can I do!"

Baldwin was also profoundly frustrated.

Smith frowned and replied, "It's not that I don't want to help you, but I really can't handle this situation; after all, the National Tax Bureau isn't under our jurisdiction!"

"Your police departmt and the National Tax Bureau are both official agcies of America, can't you just invite him for a talk, and if need be, let him name his price!"

This made Smith's complexion turn dark instantly.

He was truly curious to know!

"Giggle, giggle, giggle..."

As David was pondering, there was a knock on the door, forcing him to collect his thoughts and say, "Come in!"

Nis pushed the door and tered, with Baldwin following behind him.

"How is it going, Mister Baldwin?"

At this momt, Baldwin seemed drained, with his eyes exceptionally red.

David could tell that Baldwin had not had a comfortable night since the confiscation of the goods.

Baldwin pulled up a chair to sit across from David, his expression serious as he said, "I've come here today to take back the goods!"

David spread his hands and replied, "As long as Mister Ditter is willing to pay the tax of .584 million, you can take the goods back anytime!"

"Sixty thousand, I can only give you sixty thousand, and I'm taking the goods with me!"

Baldwin was well aware of Dieter's temperamt. The goods were lost under his watch, and if he couldn't retrieve them, his fate would be miserable.

It seemed the National Tax Bureau was not an institution he could stand up against.

So the sixty thousand was coming out of his own pocket, considered as compsation for the lost goods.

David couldn't help but laugh at this remark and retorted, "Sixty thousand? Do you think our National Tax Bureau is a bunch of beggars, that you can just get rid of us with sixty thousand? Ridiculous!"

Baldwin g his teeth and responded, "Two hundred thousand!"

".584 million US dollars, if you want these goods back, bring that amount. Not a pny less, or I won't return the goods to you!"

"You..."

Baldwin was so furious his veins were bulging, but remembering that this was the territory of the National Tax Bureau, he could only continue to grind his teeth and reply, "If I can't get these goods back, Dieter will kill me!"

David spread his hands again, responding without any emotion, "That's your problem, what does it have to do with me?"

After glaring at David with a murderous gaze for several seconds, Baldwin seemed to make a decision and, swallowing his grief, said, "Fine, .584 million, I'll pay it!"