If you keep quibbling, you might even face severer punishment!
It'd be better just to cough up some money to mollify the situation.
The other party's sensibility did please David as he said, "We'll collect the taxes, but we also need you to provide something and lend a hand!"
"Provide what?"
"You need to hand over materials related to how you laundered money for Deputy Mayor Bitcher, and testify against him in court!"
"What!"
Startled, Heisenberg's head shook like a rattle as he said, "No, no, if I testify against him, wouldn't I be dragging myself down too?"
"Don't worry, this trial will take place in our own State Tax Bureau's court. Just provide the materials and testify against him, and I assure you, you'll be fine!"
Upon hearing this, Heisenberg snapped back to reality.
If he were to testify against Bitcher, of course, he was afraid that Bitcher might turn on him at some point, dragging him down as well.
But if it's taking place in the State Tax Bureau court... As long as the State Tax Bureau isn't out to get him deliberately, no matter how Bitcher might snap at him, it would seem futile.
Because the courts of the State Tax Bureau aren't under the jurisdiction of the judicial system, everyone knows that there, the State Tax Bureau calls the shots!
With this in mind, while Heisenberg's concerns had greatly subsided, he was still somewhat puzzled and asked, "The illegal income of Deputy Mayor Bitcher isn't small each month, isn't it more valuable for the State Tax Bureau to keep him around rather than going after him?"
"That's none of your concern, just do as I tell you!"
Of course, David had no time to explain the conflict between the State Tax Bureau and the Governor.
"This... okay then!"
At these words, Hopkinson was even more shocked than before; his eyes widened as large as bells.
Richards explained, "The state government had given the city hall instructions, right? To crack down. David is probably looking to intimidate the city hall, to stop them from engaging in actions that harm our State Tax Bureau's interests!"
Now Hopkinson understood, but still somewhat puzzled, he queried, "What's this about going after Adelaide and Bitcher ruthlessly?"
"Following David's directive, he plans to hold a press conference, declaring the allegations of tax evasion against Bitcher and Adelaide, and because they're public officials, their crime is even more severe, and an immediate arrest is in order."
"This..."
Hopkinson was again deeply shocked by the words; if David were to truly proceed in this manner, it indeed would be ruthless.
Moreover, if this were really to happen, it would unquestionably be a huge earthquake for the whole of Sparks City!
"Is he so confident?"
If this plan really came to fruition and they could successfully take down Adelaide and Bitcher, that would certainly relieve the city hall's crackdown.
But if they failed, West City branch would be thrust into the eye of the storm, and at the very least, he as the chief could be forced to resign.
Worse still, it could severely affect the reputation of the State Tax Bureau.
After all, powerful though the State Tax Bureau may be, it can't just slander a deputy mayor and chief without proper justification, right?
Richards replied, "If he was able to handle those two chiefs, then he must be somewhat certain. Forget it, he's already on his way, we'll know soon enough..."
Hopkinson thought this made sense.
Never mind, let's wait for him to arrive and hear him out!
Half an hour later.
David and his colleagues arrived at the West City State Tax Bureau, where a prearranged inspector immediately led them to Hopkinson's office.