American Tax Officer

Chapter 793: Chapter 397: The Second Shuimen Incident?_2
 

But that was not what enraged the public the most. What truly incited their anger was the act of treason that reached the level of selling national secrets!

“Fake, is this our President?”

“Manipulating power for personal gain, betraying national secrets, and even colluding with arms dealers to instigate wars around the world, no wonder America’s influence keeps declining—he is the main culprit!”

“Not surprising that our ‘beloved’ Mr. President would rather die than sign the Offshore Tax Avoidance bill, it turns out he’s been tied up with so many interests.”

“…”

Originally, because Payden refused to sign the bill, many people were already quite dissatisfied. Now, with such a scandal exposed, the nation’s voices of criticism and abuse surged one wave higher than the last.

Trump International Hotel.

Ivanka, holding a copy of the Washington Post, walked into her father’s room and said, “Father, look, David has indeed made his move!”

“Oh?”

Trump took the newspaper and carefully examined it before revealing a smile: “Haha, we have a good show to watch!”

“Oh, right, what a great opportunity. Let’s have our team ‘fan the flames’!”

The reason he hadn’t been re-elected was thanks to Payden, and now seeing his nemesis embroiled in a scandal, wouldn’t he want to give a few kicks himself?

“Understood, Father. I’ll make the arrangements right away!”

At the same time in the White House, in the President’s office.

“Fake, David really did investigate me, and he’s actually got hold of quite a lot!”

Seeing the sharply worded newspaper article, as well as the online public abuse, Payden’s face was also ashen.

Everybody agreed to put on a show, and then I would pretend to be threatened, with no other choice but to sign my name, and it would be over.

Who would have expected you to go so far as to release so much dirt on me? What do you want to do?

“This guy suddenly released so much ‘material’, probably not just to play along with us, there might also be a hint of intimidation…”

Wylder’s face was no better off.

When he spoke with David yesterday, he had already hinted that the guy should measure his actions and not let things get too out of hand, but who knew the guy would completely ignore him.

“Damn bastard!”

Payden cursed through gritted teeth once more.

“Let it be, Sir. Although current public opinion is very unfavorable to us, at least when facing The Big Three Groups later, we will have a better footing in our conversation.”

“When are they arriving?”

Wylder looked at his watch and then said, “They should be here soon…”

“Knock, knock, knock.”

Just then, the door was knocked, and an aide came in to remind, “Mr. President, Joshua, Reze, and Augustine are here.”

“Let them come in.”

“Yes.”

A few minutes later, Joshua and the others walked in.

“Mr. President, it has been a long time. Thank you for taking the time to meet with us today…”

“No need for formalities, Gentlemen, please have a seat!”

After the three sat down, Joshua took the lead: “Knowing that your time is precious, Mr. President, I will get straight to the point. I am here on behalf of our group to thank you for sending the bill back to the Senate.”

“Yes, Mr. President, the Illuminati is also very grateful for this.”

“We feel the same way, and to show our sincerity, if there is anything the President needs in the future, we will certainly do our utmost.”

Today, the three of them ostensibly came to express their gratitude to Payden for sending the bill back to the Senate yesterday, but according to the constitutional provisions of America, Payden still has the right to ask the Senate to send it back and sign it all over again.

Their main purpose today was to gauge whether Payden still harbored any intentions of reclaiming the bill.

“I understand what this bill means and, indeed, as many have said, it may shake the very foundation of our America, which is why I sent it back, but…”

Towards the end, a look of difficulty emerged on Payden’s face.

“But what?”

The three sensed the ominous tone in Payden’s words and tensed up.

Payden picked up the Washington Post and pushed it toward them, saying, “I sent the bill back to the Senate just yesterday, and today the Washington Post posted this ‘front-page headline’ about me. Who do you think is behind this, huh?”

The three exchanged glances; did they even need to guess? Who else but that bastard David would dare pull off something like this?

“Rest assured, Mr. President, just this alone won’t shake your position, and we will also…”

Before Joshua could finish, Payden cut him off: “Although this won’t immediately shake my position, you also know that guy’s methods. This is probably just a taste of what he’s released, and who knows what more damning stuff is next!”

The three found themselves at a loss for words upon hearing this.

Because Payden was right; if David dared to directly attack the President, he certainly had more up his sleeve.

“I sent the bill back to the Senate yesterday, and it’s already caused dissatisfaction among our supporters nationwide. My approval ratings have dropped by 5 percentage points. Now with this mess being leaked, I can conservatively estimate another drop of 5 points. If there’s more negative information about me to follow, I might just become the next Nixon!”

“That won’t happen, Mr. President. Don’t forget you have us. We definitely won’t let that bastard’s schemes succeed!”

“Ha, you?”

Payden laughed disdainfully and then said, “Alright then, will you help me deal with the Washington Post and any subsequent negative news that may break?”

“This…”

Again, the three were at a loss for words; this situation was clearly orchestrated by David, and unless they tied the guy up, there was no way they could stop him.

“Let me ask, what do you plan to do next, Mr. President?”

Reze abruptly changed the subject.

“You all are well aware of David’s tactics. If the next development turns out to be too thorny, then I’m afraid I’ll have to consider reclaiming the bill from the Senate, sigh…”

Toward the end, Payden pretended to sigh with helplessness.

“But how can this be, Mr. President? Since the bill has been sent back to the Senate, if you take it back now, wouldn’t that make everyone think you’re afraid of David?”

“Exactly, sir. You are the President of America. There’s no reason to fear one David. You absolutely cannot bow to him!”

Reze and Joshua became anxious and quickly advised.

“What do you mean I’m afraid of him or bowing to him? You aren’t unaware of the destructive power of public opinion. Just the information released this morning has put me under a lot of pressure. Who knows what else he has control over?”

“I do want to help you, but I also have to consider myself, don’t I?”

Payden’s sharp words left the three red-faced with embarrassment, yet at a loss for a rebuttal.

Finally, after a long pause, Reze clenched his teeth and said, “Mr. President, if you insist on signing, I can’t guarantee that my family and our friends will continue to support you in the future!”

“What, are you threatening me?”

“Mr. President…”

“Enough!”

Before Reze could continue, Augustine interjected, looking at Payden and saying, “Sir, I understand your difficulty, but once this bill becomes law, it will cause all of us tremendous loss, a price we cannot afford. So, you wish to promote a ‘Parenting Bill,’ don’t you? We will help you secure the funds for that bill, how about that?”

Payden’s expression changed upon hearing this but quickly returned to normal and he shook his head.

He indeed was preparing a Parenting Bill, which required significant funds, but as soon as the Internal Revenue Service’s offshore tax avoidance bill was effective, the funds for not just one Parenting Bill but ten wouldn’t be an issue, and thus his choice was clear.