American tax officials

However, Sullivan is nothing to him. What he wants is for the White House to behave itself and stop causing trouble for him and disrupting his operations.

Thinking of this, David shook his head.

Seeing that Sullivan had been thrown out to take the blame, David didn't take the opportunity to back down. Padden couldn't hold back any longer and said bluntly, "I've already shown so much sincerity, you can't just leave me with nothing, can you?"

"Heh, Mr. President, what other benefits do you want?"

David sneered and said, "You were the biggest beneficiaries of the previous Aid to W and Tax Evasion Acts, but what have you done? You've been playing both sides, wavering in your stance towards us, and now you're directly interfering with us. The fact that we haven't directly taken drastic measures against you is perhaps the greatest mercy we can show!"

It's true that everyone should be afraid of the most powerful person in the world, but now that he holds the other person's lifeline in his hands, and in this private setting, there's no need to be too wary of him.

"What did you say?!"

Patten was furious. After all, he was the President of the United States, and this was happening in his office.

Most importantly, he had already lowered his head so much, but he didn't expect this bastard in front of him to be so disrespectful.

"Mr. President, you are now the president and enjoy judicial immunity, but do you really think your son can enjoy the same power? Based on his shady dealings, I could arrest him immediately!"

"The only reason I didn't do that is for your sake. You've already lost one son; do you want to lose a second one as well?"

David ignored Patten's anger and continued to apply pressure.

"Fuck you, how dare you do this!"

Patten was truly pushed to the limit, and he abandoned all presidency, unleashing a torrent of abuse.

"Alright, David, you can't be so rude to the President. I'm sorry, Mr. President, David is just a bit straightforward, please don't take offense!"

If someone has to play the bad cop, then someone else has to play the good cop, so Obadiah quickly stepped forward to ease the tension.

Hearing Obadiah's words, Paden calmed down a bit. He then looked at David and said with difficulty, "I know what you're worried about, but now that you have so much evidence of my family's crimes, are you afraid I'll turn against you?"

The underlying meaning of his words is: I am willing to cooperate with you and not interfere with you in the future. Moreover, you have something on me, so why are you worried that I will do something underhanded?

"No, no, no, it's not that we're afraid you'll turn against us, Mr. President. We simply don't have the time to waste on such matters. After all, tax revenue is the IRS's top priority!"

After these words, the atmosphere at the scene fell silent again.

David and Obadiah Vertonghen did not urge him, because they knew very well that Paiden was making a difficult decision at this moment.

The scene remained silent for about five minutes before Patten finally looked up at David and asked solemnly, "Is there really no room for negotiation on this matter?"

David thought for a moment, but ultimately shook his head.

After much deliberation, he realized that Paiden was too unstable, and he didn't want to waste any more time on such matters. Promoting Kachira to the position was probably the easiest option.

Hearing this, Paden's expression became even more dejected, and then he turned to look at his chief of staff, Wilder.

Seeing David's determination, Wilder, though he dared not do anything, could only shake his head helplessly.

"If I step down, will everything from before be wiped clean, and will you stop causing us any trouble?"

Now that he was almost at his wit's end, Paiden had no choice but to make a decision.

However, before making this decision, he had to ensure the safety of his family.

After all, he is still the president and has various administrative powers over the country. But once he steps down, he will truly become a fish on a chopping board.

If David retaliates against them again, they will be powerless to fight back and will be at his mercy.

"Politics often requires compromise. Since you, Mr. President, have chosen to compromise, we naturally have no reason to pursue any repercussions. Of course, Mr. President will need to keep a closer eye on his family members in the future, and make sure they don't violate our IRS tax laws; otherwise, it will be very difficult for us!"

"Okay, give me some time first."

David and his two companions were quite sensible and immediately turned around and left the office.

Vertonghen and Obadiah only breathed a sigh of relief after they walked out of the White House and got into their cars.

Today, they actually threatened the most powerful people on the planet, and in the end, they actually succeeded. Who would have dared to do something like this before?

It's important to understand that the Watergate scandal only happened because President Nicholas was forced to resign under pressure after the scandal broke out; it wasn't caused by anyone's threats.

If Paten really does resign today, then it can be said that they... no, it should be said that David caused this all by himself. Perhaps there is no other thing like this in the more than 200-year history of the United States.

As he pondered this, Obadiah couldn't help but glance at David. He already had a plan in mind: to gradually hand over the reins of the IRS to David over the next ten to fifteen years.

But now it seems I should be more sensible and bring this plan forward a bit...

……

The White House, the Oval Office.

After David and his group left, Paden was like a wilted eggplant, slumped in his chair, seemingly lost in thought.

Ten minutes later, he turned to Wilder and asked, "Wilder, do we have a better option?"

Wilder's Adam's apple bobbed for a while, but he ultimately didn't utter a word.

With the release of those Washington Post articles and recordings, the pressure on the White House is now comparable to that of the Watergate scandal.

Judging from David's confident demeanor just now, he must have many more tricks up his sleeve.

If they dare to continue with any more underhanded tactics at this point, their fate will likely be even more tragic.

The position of White House Chief of Staff is incredibly prestigious, but even the most prestigious position requires being alive to enjoy it.

"Oh dear, how did things get to this point..."

Padden sighed helplessly again.

Having finally ascended to the highest throne in the United States, he would naturally be very unwilling to give up the power he held.

But now his lifeline is in someone else's hands, and they are unwilling to talk to him. The three major groups can hardly help him either. What else can he do?

Perhaps... retiring to enjoy one's later years is not such a bad thing!

When people are at their wits' end, they always try to comfort themselves, and Padden did the same thing at that moment.

"Bring Vice President Kaczynski over here!"

……

Naval Observatory No. 1.

Kachira had received news that Paden had summoned David and the others, and was discussing it with her chief of staff, Windsor.

But just then, a staff member knocked on the door and came in to inform her, "Madam Vice President, the President requests your presence at the White House!"

"Let me go to the White House!"

Kachira was taken aback. Two hours had passed since Pat summoned David and the others. What did it mean to summon him again now?

Did the two sides reach some kind of agreement?

Or perhaps... Paden chose to compromise, and summoned her here to transfer power?

Probably!

After all, the White House is now facing unprecedented pressure following the publication of those three articles in the Washington Post.

If this continues, once the fourth or fifth article is published, the angry public might just tear the White House down!

Try to put yourself in Pat's shoes and think about it from his perspective.

For an elderly man in his seventies, with such a large family, stepping down to protect himself might be the best option at this point!

Thinking of this, Kachira began to feel excited.

If the impeachment process is followed, even if it succeeds in the end, it will still take at least several months to complete the entire process.

But if the president resigns voluntarily, he might be able to announce his inauguration as president in front of the whole country tomorrow!

"Madam Vice President, I think President Paden has compromised; summoning you here today is likely a way of handing over power!"

What Kachira could think of, Windsor naturally thought of as well. At this moment, she was also extremely excited, because the position of White House Chief of Staff might just fall into her lap!

"Get ready, we're heading to the White House!"

Kaczynski is eager to go to the White House.

……

Senado Island,

The Freemasons also discussed the president's summons to David and others for several hours. By this time, they were all extremely exhausted, and returned to their assigned rooms to rest.

But before they could rest for long, there was a knock on the door.

"What is it?"

"The situation is urgent. Mr. Henrietta has requested that Mr. Buffett come to the council chamber!"

"Okay, I'll go right now!"

"Mr. Bogwana, Henrietta requests your immediate presence in the council chamber."

"it is good."

"..."

Such a sound could be heard at the door of every Freemason.

Upon hearing the urgency of the situation, the members dared not delay and quickly dressed before heading towards the council hall.

Council hall.

Henrietta remained seated in the main seat, flanked by representatives of the seven great families, but their expressions were grim.

This has led many Freemasons to wonder what major event has occurred.

Ten minutes later, everyone had finally arrived.

At this moment, Joshua said, "According to the information we just received, President Padden summoned David and his party, and then about two hours later, which is now, he suddenly summoned Kaczyla."

Upon hearing this news, all the members present seemed to have been frozen in place, as if struck by lightning.

Piden summoned David and his group, presumably wanting to make some compromises. But after summoning them, why did he then summon Vice President Kamala?

Now almost the entire world knows about it.

Vice President Kacilla is David's lackey, and Paden summoned her at this critical juncture. Could it be that he's preparing to hand over power?

Although no one present wanted to accept this reality.

But various clues seem to indicate that things are developing in a direction they do not want to accept.

"Fuck, what's Patrick up to?!"

"Is he preparing to hand over power? Why didn't he discuss it with us first!"

"Patden deserves to die, he's a traitor!"

Many Freemasons became increasingly angry as they thought about it, and some even started swearing.

"Actually, you can't entirely blame President Pat. After those three articles were published, public opinion across the country is now targeting the White House. And if things continue like this, once David initiates impeachment proceedings, his situation will likely become even worse!"

"Moreover, it's not just President Paden who's facing a crisis now; his entire family seems to be under David's control. If he doesn't choose to protect himself now, he'll face more than just public opinion; his family members might all end up in jail."

These words were spoken by Nanxi, who was invited to attend the meeting.

To be honest, she wasn't trying to excuse Padden, but rather she was planning ahead for her own future.

Even the President of the United States, the most powerful person in the world, was not spared such mistreatment by David, let alone a Speaker of the House of Representatives.

After the tax haven bill was passed, the two seemed to have no more direct conflict.

But given the current momentum, the two might face off again.

It's entirely possible that one day she might actually clash with David, or be forced to make the same choice as Padden.

So while she's outwardly speaking up for the gang, she might actually be helping her future self.

After all, no one can predict what the future holds.

If Paiden really relinquishes power, then the three major groups can be said to have lost all their power.

It's time to think about some things more!

The Freemasons were unaware of what Nanxi was thinking, but seeing him speak in such a gangster-like manner, many of them immediately began to hurl insults.

But just then, Henrietta spoke up: "Alright, stop arguing. I invited Ms. Nancy here to discuss countermeasures; there's no point in saying this now!"

Upon hearing this, no one dared to say anything more and could only shut their mouths.

"It seems that Paton is likely to make the decision to hand over power. With the White House lost as a bastion, we will have no defenses left, while the IRS will have a smooth road ahead."

Henrietta's words brought a bitter look to everyone's faces.

The previous tax avoidance laws have passed and are over. At worst, they can just withdraw their companies registered in overseas tax havens and bring them back to their home countries, and then pay more taxes in the future!

But what if David comes up with another bill to fleece them in the future?

They have money, but they can't afford to be ripped off every time. (End of Chapter)