American Tax Officer

"Mr. Manci, I'm just trying to protect our interests, after all, the Governor had promised us good positions...,"

Steinbeck really had been terrified, but now he had recovered quite a bit.

"Foolish, no matter how much you protect our interests or support the Governor, you can't just confront David so recklessly. Don't you have any idea what kind of person he is?"

Hearing this, Steinbeck lowered his head.

After finding out that the Governor had been investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, and seeing the promised positions evaporating, plus some sweeteners given to her by others, she had taken on the protest. Now, she admitted that she really had been confused.

After all, Manci was right; David was indeed not someone to mess with.

This was about the social security funds of millions of people, to simply slash it—only David could do something so "reckless."

"And if you had to confront, you chose the most foolish way, foolish enough to tell the media and the whole world in front of them that your unemployment and social security benefits have nothing to do with the Internal Revenue Service?"

"In America, not just your welfare checks, what about airplanes, cannons, aircraft carriers, rockets, skyscrapers, communication facilities—what doesn't use the money from the Internal Revenue Service?"

"If you say your aid has nothing to do with them, isn't that publicly slapping the face of the entire Internal Revenue Service? If I were them, I might not dare to cut off these social security funds immediately, but I definitely would find a way to reduce the funds distributed to New York!"

Manci rebuked her again, utterly frustrated.

"Mr. Manci, you are right, but our welfare and unemployment money...is indeed applied for from the Labor Department, who in turn applies to the Treasury Department, spanning several departments..."

Although bowing his head, Steinbeck still tried to defend his actions.

"You... really are an idiot!"

"Your welfare and unemployment checks are indeed collected from the Labor Department, and it's true that the Labor Department applies to the Treasury Department."

"But don't forget, the source of the money is the Internal Revenue Service."

"If they decide to hold back, then the Treasury will have no money, and if the Treasury has no money, what is there for the Labor Department to apply for? You end up receiving nothing, understand, idiot!"

Manci was so angry it almost triggered his heart disease.

Forget the homeless and the unemployed workers; if the law allowed, he would strangle Steinbeck and his group himself.

"Look around at these people; it's just the police here now, but police can't always be with you. The moment these people really can't get their money, you're dead. Do you know what desperate homeless people can do?"

Manci pointed aggressively at the menacing homeless people nearby.

Hearing this, Steinbeck and the others fully realized how severe their blunder was.

Indeed, they were protected by the police now, but the police were not their bodyguards, how could they always protect them?

If the police left, wouldn't that group of homeless people flay them alive?

Thinking this, Steinbeck panicked completely, hurriedly grabbing Manci's arm, pleading, "Mr. Manci, I was also influenced by others that led to this foolish act. Please, you must save me..."

"Now do you finally understand how serious the consequences are!"

Manci looked at him disapprovingly.

"I understand. Please save me... You know I have a daughter; she cannot lose her mother..."

Manci pulled his arm free and glared at him, "I'll go in and talk to Chief Inspector David, but after that, you must apologize in person, even if you have to kneel and beg. You must ask him to retract the order to cut social security funds; otherwise, not even God could save you today!"

After that, Manci informed the law enforcement officers of their identity and then walked into the Manhattan Branch.

Meanwhile, David was sitting in the lobby.

Mr. Manci hurriedly approached, introducing himself, "Inspector David, hello, let me introduce myself first. I am the Minister of the Labor Department of New York, and these are my colleagues..."

He introduced himself first and then led his colleagues to shake hands with David one by one.

"Mr. Manci, may I ask how I can assist you?"

At this critical moment, with the Minister of the Labor Department showing up here, David naturally guessed it was related to the social security funds, but he did not explicitly state it.

"This is the situation, Inspector David. First and foremost, I need to sincerely apologize on behalf of those unemployed workers to you and the Internal Revenue Service. They should not have questioned the value your IRS has created for this society, for this country."

After finishing, Manci turned his head towards the door and shouted loudly, "Everyone, come in!"

As he spoke, several protesters led by Steinbeck were brought in.

Realizing the grave mistake they had made, their faces were pale, trembling, all hanging their heads low, not daring to look directly at David anymore.

"What are you waiting for, speak up!"

Unlike the respectful tone and demeanor he displayed towards David, Manci was unforgiving when dealing with the others, his tone aggressive as if yelling at criminals.

"I... I..."

They stammered, unable to articulate a complete sentence.

"It's okay, you are not in the wrong. After all, we in America cherish freedom of speech. What you just said does not hold you responsible."

David's words seemed comforting on the surface, but to Steinbeck and the others, it sounded like a death knell.

Indeed, speaking didn't require taking responsibility, but now their relief payments, unemployment benefits, and all sorts of welfare 'vanished into thin air'. They also had to bear the wrath of thousands of homeless and unemployed workers of this city.

How was this any different from having killed them?

Considering this, Steinbeck couldn't hold back and burst into tears, apologizing, "I'm truly sorry, Inspector David, I've realized my mistake now, please forgive me…"

"I've also realized my mistake, shouldn't have questioned the contributions of you and your IRS."

"I have as well..."

As Steinbeck began speaking, it instantly triggered a wave of crying from his companions.

"Inspector David, as you can see, they have also recognized the severity of this incident. Perhaps you could... reconsider your decision?!"

"If there are no relief funds, no unemployment benefits, many people in this city won't survive!"

"And look at the situation outside. Once the relief funds are gone, their lives... Might well be at risk. They all have families, children... Please consider..."

Despite Mr. Manci's sincere plea, it failed to move David who responded with a smile, "Mr. Manci, it's already too late. I believe you've seen it too, the headquarters has already issued a notice, indicating that our management is very upset!"

What he wanted to say more was, you claim relief funds, unemployment benefits have nothing to do with our IRS?

Now seeing things going awry, you demand a reversal, as if the IRS is some kind of playground?

"This... Inspector David, you're right, but the notice says it supports all your decisions. That means, if you agree to revoke the order to cut off Manhattan's social security funds, I believe your management will surely approve it!"

Mr. Manci looked distressed but still pushed through with his request.

"Why should I retract that order, and publicly humiliate myself?"

David responded by questioning back.