"Mayor Joyce, we can't keep dragging this out; hurry up and call off the crackdown — it's not too late yet!"
"Yes, he's just preparing to depart; there's still a chance to make amends — once he arrives here, it's all over!"
"We can't keep gambling like this; to hell with the state government, let's just save our own skins first!"
"..."
By now, the officials had finally come to their senses; although they seemed to be pleading on the surface, their stance was actually quite aggressive.
Their demeanor suggested that if Joyce dared to continue on his own path, they were ready to flip the table right there and then.
Joyce knew that he couldn't afford to provoke the public's wrath, especially since David had already set his sights on their Reno City — it was a risk that could no longer be taken.
He immediately gritted his teeth and said, "Call off the crackdown immediately!"
Upon hearing this, the officials breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stood up to leave, preparing to issue announcements and recall the enforcement officers as quickly as possible.
Soon, the city hall of Reno City issued an announcement to cancel the crackdown.
Seeing Reno City capitulate, other cities in Nevada State, such as Virginia City, Elko City, Rio City, and 15 others naturally followed suit.
In the end, only Carson City was still struggling.
It wasn't that they didn't want to go with the flow or weren't afraid of David, but Carson City was the capital of Nevada State, the headquarters of the state government.
Due to pressure and in order to protect the last shred of the state government's dignity, they had no choice but to brace themselves and hold on.
The cancellation of the crackdown in 15 cities allowed for the normal resumption of the Bureau of National Taxation's black tax legislation work, a matter that should have been joyous for the Bureaus across the cities.
But now, they just couldn't muster any happiness whatsoever.
Since the cities had canceled the crackdown directives, strategically speaking, David had completed his mission; there was no need for him to personally visit them anymore.
The thought of possibly missing out on millions in black tax revenue caused great anguish to the Bureaus of National Taxation throughout the cities.
Over at the Valley Branch.
Upon receiving the news, Edward immediately went to David and said, "Director David, except for Carson City, all the other cities in Nevada State have announced the cancellation of the crackdown directives."
Hearing this, except for Carson City, David narrowed his eyes.
The crackdown directive was issued by the state government, and it came as no surprise that Carson City, being the headquarters of the state government, did not follow suit.
Should he... make a trip there?
After careful consideration, David still abandoned the idea.
In the midst of driving, Bucky's sudden question brought Nisen's humming to an abrupt stop, and a trace of worry flashed across his face.
Indeed.
They might have resolved the trouble brought by the Governor for now, but who could guarantee that the man wouldn't use other means to target them?
"Who knows, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
In fact, before leaving Las Vegas, David had considered just dealing with Governor Stevenson directly; there was no need for the hassle of personally visiting each city.
Seeing as the Governor could raise such a son and resorted to such methods for retaliation, it was clear he wasn't a particularly upright individual.
With the golden finger at his disposal, getting hold of evidence for tax evasion and other dirt on the Governor shouldn't be too difficult.
But the Governor was after all the highest administrative officer of the state, not someone like Sharp or Adelaide that you could easily compare with.
Every successful candidate for Governor inevitably has the support of powerful political machines behind them, along with large financial groups and family influences, making the relations intricately complicated.
David was just a Chief Tax Officer at the moment; he could handle officials from the city halls, but if he really were to take down a Governor,
Setting aside whether Stevenson's political backing and financial and family ties would retaliate against him, other Governors, legislators, Senators, and even high-ranking officials in Washington D.C. would surely exert pressure to suppress him.
After all, if you, David, could take down the Governor of Nevada State, who's to say you won't come after me if you dislike me?
So how could I possibly let you rise up? Even if I can't destroy you completely, I must contain your growth!
Considering these reasons, David ultimately held back and didn't make a move on Stevenson, which was also for the sake of his own future career.
As David was lost in thought, the phone in his pocket suddenly rang. He looked at the caller ID—it was William—and he hurriedly answered the call: "Director."
"Chief Tax Officer David, you've really 'done me in'."
Hearing William start with a complaining tone, David was a bit puzzled and immediately asked, "What's the matter, Director?"
"After the court session in Henderson City ended, my phone hasn't stopped ringing. Calls from the branch offices in various cities, all wanting to speak with me, requesting that you visit their cities."
David was taken aback; he had expected calls to his office but not that they would reach William too.
"Enough about that. Now that every city hall, except Carson City's, has canceled the crackdown, you should be coming back, right?"
"I'm on my way back."
"Alright then, hurry up. Director Jon from the state just called me; he's come over from Carson City and says he wants to meet with you."
"State Director..."
David was momentarily startled, then quickly responded, "Okay, I understand."