Chapter 226: Bring it on, Big Eight Film Studios_3
"That tactic of his is only good for dealing with nobodies, does he dare use it on us and those celebrities?"
"No, I don't think he would dare to forcibly pin a charge on us, especially since the attention on this case is so global that it would be an understatement to say it's under the spotlight. If he did such an unacceptable thing, he wouldn't be able to convince the public!"
Last time, the charges of petty cash, coupons, and stones that David used against the Human Rights Organization were hardly convincing.
It was only because the members of the Human Rights Organization, and the organization itself admitted fault afterward, that the incident did not escalate further.
But this time, if he dares to pin such trivial matters on those celebrities, their legions of fans would definitely not stand for it.
There would surely be a huge public outcry!
Most of the upper management of Fox Film Corporation believed that David would not dare to do such a thing.
Reynata pursed her lips and said, "I hope they won't do it."
Hawner was silent for a moment before saying, "Let it be, no use wasting time now. Let's take the time we have left to prepare for the three o'clock court session!"
While Fox Film Corporation discussed their strategy, the other seven major film corporations were also formulating countermeasures upon hearing the news of the three o'clock court session from the Western Suburb Branch.
In the midst of all the discussions, time finally reached 2 P.M.
Inside the Western Suburb Branch, in the bureau chief's office.
"Director, following your orders, I have brought all those people back, and we've cross-examined them with the witnesses, so they should not recant their testimonies now!"
"Director, this is the detailed list of funds from that year, and it's only because we have multiple channels at the national tax bureau that we were able to find it."
"Director, this is..."
Buckynison Simmons and others were reporting on the tasks that David had entrusted to them.
After David checked the testimonies and evidence, and made sure there were no issues, he said, "Good, let's get ready and head to the city bureau!"
Half an hour later, David and his group arrived at the entrance of the city bureau, where Bureau Chief Felton and State Director João had already arrived.
Upon seeing his arrival, João approached with a weary look and asked, "Director David, are you really confident?"
João had been startled by the news last night, having spent the whole night tossing and turning in bed.
After the incidents with Rodrigozki and the Human Rights Organization, he had realized that although David was good at stirring things up, he also managed to handle every situation perfectly, proving himself to be a promising figure.
But never had he expected that last night David would cause such a global stir at the Oscars ceremony.
"Don't worry, Director João, everything will be fine."
"Okay then..."
Seeing David so confident, and with matters having progressed this far, João knew that further discussion was pointless, and he could only wait to see how things would unfold later on.
"I'm going to communicate with Judge Nicola for a bit."
With that, David turned and headed for the elevator, going straight up until he arrived at Judge Nicola's office. After knocking, he pushed the door open and walked in.
"Director David, these celebrities... are they all going to be charged today?"
As soon as she saw him enter, Nicola asked with a worried look.
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She had also not slept well last night.
The trial involved celebrities, each with tens of millions of fans, whose influence was many times greater than that of the people she had judged before.
It was obvious she was feeling the pressure.
"Yes, is there a problem, Judge Nicola?"
"Of course I don't have a problem..."
"Since there's no issue, let me just go over some details with you..."
The "details" David mentioned were not really about sending the celebrities to prison, but rather using the influence of the trial to implicate the eight major film corporations behind them, and then launching an offensive against them.
Upon hearing that David did not intend to harshly punish the celebrities, Nicola sighed with relief, nodding immediately, "So, as long as they plead guilty and pay a fine, we can let it go after that?"
"Yes, they are just actors after all; they have some influence, but it's the eight major film corporations that are more important to us!"
Nicola agreed with David's words.
While the celebrities might have status, their annual income might max out at one or two hundred million, but the film corporations could move tens or even hundreds of billions.
The real profits would come from siphoning off from them!
"Okay, I know what to do now."
David nodded, turned, and left the office to proceed to the courtroom.
Upon his arrival, Hakim immediately approached and whispered, "Director, look over there."
Looking in the direction Hakim indicated, he saw that the lawyers' section below was filled with a number of well-dressed men with an air of distinction.
"That's Wickliffe, Kerry, Dannielle, Roderick..."
"No need to continue, I know them!"
David interrupted Hakim before he could finish.
He knew most of this group.
They were among the highest-earning elite lawyers in America.
They were the go-to lawyers for many industry big shots, adept at handling various contracts and legal disputes for them.
However, for other legal disputes, these elite lawyers might be very useful.
But in today's tax evasion case, it wouldn't matter if it was them or even the King of Heaven; it would be of no use.