American Tax Officer

Los Angeles, at a warehouse in the Western Suburb Branch.

"Boss, I heard that the new Tax Investigator arriving from the national tax bureau is tough. Should we lay low for a while?"

"Right, Boss. This guy named David is a bit ruthless. Didn't he make the news recently? There was an Indian Tribe that tried to stand up to him, and he just rolled in with tanks, armored vehicles, and fighter jets, beating them to crying for their fathers and mothers. In the end, he even sent a bunch of them to court for heavy sentencing. We've got to be careful!"

"I also watched his press conference yesterday. Although the new chief said in front of everyone that he was going to launch a large-scale operation in Hollywood, he's definitely not going to let us off the hook..."

"..."

This was a criminal gang that specialized in smuggling.

At the moment, most of the gang members were anxious about David's arrival tomorrow.

Hearing that his subordinates were all wary of the new director, the man who was called the boss furrowed his brows as well.

After a long while, he finally said in a deep voice, "Starting tomorrow, cut the transportation of goods by half. Also, swap out the semi-trucks. Use light trucks for multiple trips and keep a low profile."

"Yes."

Aside from this smuggling gang, at this very moment, all the crime syndicates in the Western Suburb were also discussing their strategies for the impending arrival of the new chief, David.

Some, after learning about the new chief's previous feats and influence, also planned to lay low like the smuggling gang before and wait and see.

Others thought that David was nothing more than a formidable dragon, but still a newcomer without any solid foundation or influence, and how could he possibly overpower them, the local snakes?

Therefore, these gangs had no intention of keeping a low profile and intended to continue as they always had.

And so, time moved on to 6 a.m. the next morning.

Leticia arrived at the hotel and took David to Dulles International Airport.

"Goodbye, Director David. I wish you all the best at the Western Suburb Branch."

"Goodbye, Leticia."

After farewells, David entered the waiting hall. Half an hour later, according to the broadcast instructions, he checked his ticket and boarded the plane headed toward Los Angeles.

The distance from Washington to Los Angeles is similar to that from Las Vegas, both being about 3,700 kilometers. After flying for five hours, the plane had already entered Los Angeles airspace.

Having visited once before, David didn't feel as much of a stranger to the city this time around and didn't bother gazing out the window again to survey the city, sitting calmly in his seat waiting for the plane to land.

Ten minutes later, the plane landed at Ontario International Airport, the one closest to the Western Suburb Branch. After getting off the plane and entering the terminal, a man dressed in a black trench coat immediately waved at David, who approached and extended his hand, saying, "Hello, Tax Inspector Hakim."

This was one of the more capable Tax Investigators of the Western Suburb Branch, whom David had decided to keep after reviewing his file the previous night.
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Also, just last night, Hakim had volunteered to call, saying he would come to pick him up this morning.

"Hello, Director David!"

Hakim also extended his hand for a shake, curiously sizing up David a few times before finally gesturing, "Let's get in the car."

David followed him to the airport's entrance and got into a Toyota Land Cruiser, heading back toward the Western Suburb Branch.

"Director David, this is Melrose Avenue, one of the main thoroughfares of the Western Suburb. It features shopping streets, plazas, five-star hotels, and other facilities..."

"Over there, that's the Ten Mile Shopping District, the major financial center of the Western Suburb, housing many large enterprises and the headquarters of financial companies..."

"That is Rodeo Avenue, known as 'Celebrity Wardrobe.' It holds the status of 'The world's busiest and most expensive shopping avenue' and is also touted as one of the Top Ten Shopping Paradises in the World. Additionally, due to its proximity to Beverly Hills, where Hollywood stars reside, it's quite normal to encounter celebrities here."

"..."

On the way to the Western Suburb Branch, Hakim drove while explaining to David the main thoroughfares and situation within the jurisdiction, and David was observing and nodding along.

However, it must be said that although the Western Suburb wasn't as bustling as the Long Beach District, it was a world apart when compared with the Lake District.

"Director David, up ahead is the Avenue of Fame where our branch is located."

About five minutes after Hakim spoke, the vehicle arrived at an eight-story building and stopped.

The exterior walls of the building were made of high-grade dark gray stone, smooth and hard, glistening with a metallic sheen under the sun. The building's lines were sleek and fluid, free of superfluous decoration, and every detail finely polished, exemplifying the sophistication of modern architecture.

And atop the building's entrance hung the crest of the national tax bureau, symbolic of fairness and authority.

Looking at the branch building, and comparing it to the one in the Lake District, David suddenly felt the shock of transitioning from a rural area to a city, overwhelmed by the sight of high-rise buildings.

"Is this where I will take charge starting from today, the Western Suburbs Branch?"

David's heart was filled with both anticipation and excitement, but as the vehicle came to a stop and Hakim opened the door, his reverie snapped back to the present.