American tax officials

As they saw more of the contents, the expressions on the three men's faces gradually changed, with Zuckerberg being the most serious.

Over the years, Freemasonry has employed numerous illegal means in the market in order to expand its influence and scale.

As a Freemason, he naturally got involved in many of the events.

This document records every illegal transaction he participated in, including acquisitions and mergers.

It's fair to say that this single document is sufficient grounds for his arrest!

"So, what do you three say now?"

"Wait a minute, Inspector General David, this document is completely different from the so-called Fed propaganda we're talking about now..."

"Are you going to keep arguing with me?"

Ryan wanted to argue further, but before he could finish speaking, David interrupted him, and the atmosphere became tense.

"I think our control over the platform is somewhat lacking. Here's what we'll do: when we get back, we'll instruct the relevant department to properly review and strictly control this matter in the future. Is that alright?"

About two minutes later, the long-faced middle-aged man who had been silent since arriving spoke up. He was none other than Twitter's CEO, Maka Minlis.

The underlying meaning of his words is that he implicitly acknowledges the propaganda spread by these social media platforms that created fears about the nationalization of the Federal Reserve. As for asking relevant departments to strictly control the process, it means that they will no longer promote this matter.

David understood the implication of their words, but he wasn't about to let it go so easily. He sneered, "Do you really think you can just promote what you want and stop whenever you want?"

"So what do you want?"

Maka frowned; he already realized that this matter was unlikely to be resolved peacefully.

"It's very simple. To avoid a repeat of this situation and prevent unpleasantness for both parties, I 'suggest' that you sell your company, take the money, and retire comfortably!"

"That's impossible!"

Upon hearing this, Maka couldn't hold back any longer. This company was his life's work, the result of years of hard work to grow it into what it is today. How could he be willing to sell it off so easily?

David looked at Zuckerberg and Ryan and asked, "And you, do you share Mr. Mackay's opinion?"

"I……"

Ryan dared not respond, while Zuckerberg remained silent with a gloomy expression.

"There's no need to rush into a decision. I'll give you three days to think it over. Go back and consider it carefully, then give me your answer!"

Having said that, the three of them didn't linger any longer and turned to leave.

But just as they were about to walk out the door, they heard a warning from David behind them.

"I'm reminding you, you'd better make the right decision, otherwise you might end up losing both your money and your family!"

……

The Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C., was the temporary accommodation for Zuckerberg and his two companions.

Upon returning to the presidential suite, Ryan addressed the two, saying, "What should we do? David has already taken control of so many of our things and has even made threats. If we don't do as he says, we're afraid we won't have a good ending."

"Do as he says? He's clearly trying to seize our company. Are we really going to hand over our hard work to him?!"

Maka said resentfully.

Ryan was somewhat speechless, then turned to Zuckerberg and asked, "Mr. Zuckerberg, things have now gotten out of our control. We're afraid we can't continue creating panic about nationalizing the Federal Reserve. Also, regarding company matters, please have a good talk with Henrietta and Mr. Joshua."

Although Ryan is the CEO of Google, he is not a direct member of the Freemasons and does not have the final say in the company, so Zuckerberg had to mediate the matter.

"Understood. I'll head out to talk to them about this right away. You all should refrain from making any rash moves."

Zuckerberg has calmed down considerably since returning here.

Especially after recalling the document David had in his hand earlier, he now felt a faint sense of fear.

Because of that document, if David wanted to do something to him, it would be a matter of minutes for him to be brought down from his pedestal and even become a prisoner.

While Zuckerberg was heading to Senado Island to discuss the matter with Henrietta and the others, David was also keeping busy.

He immediately called the IRS branches where YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter were located, instructing them to send investigative teams to these companies and put pressure on them.

He then called Sally, Ted, and John, three media moguls, and instructed them to use their media outlets to release some negative information about the three of them.

Finally, he also sent some inspectors to specifically find the families of the three men and persuade them about the horror of the incident.

It's important to understand that family is almost everyone's Achilles' heel. Take Zuckerberg for example; don't be fooled by his current seemingly carefree attitude.

But if his many family members start crying and making a scene, he will probably find it hard to bear it.

Under David's instructions, several media outlets quickly released some negative news about the three men.

Maka and Ryan are alright. Although they are top figures in society, their companies are not as big as Facebook's, and they are not good at personal marketing, so they haven't been targeted by much criticism.

Zuckerberg was naturally the one who was most targeted and the most caught up in the drama.

It's worth noting that Zuckerberg is the world's youngest billionaire, possessing assets of $15 billion at the age of 23.

Today, he has not only become the second richest person on the Forbes list, but is also the youngest richest person on the list.

In addition, he is passionate about politics, and his involvement can be seen in elections for state legislators and the president.

Given such high profile, the sudden emergence of such negative news has naturally given the entire American public a huge surprise.

……

Three days later, a Maybach pulled up in front of the IRS office in Washington, D.C. The door opened, and the three people who got out were none other than Marca, Ryan, and Zuckerberg.

The three of them looked very unwell, with dark circles under their eyes, clearly indicating that they hadn't had a good night's sleep in the past three days.

However, it's not entirely their fault. It's mainly because of the damaging information David released that the three of them have been constantly harassed by the media these past few days. Coupled with their family's crying and fussing, it's no wonder they haven't been able to get any rest.

"We're here to see Inspector General David. Could you please let us know?"

After the three arrived at the tax inspection department, they said something to the receptionist there.

Soon, the receptionist who had finished making the announcement returned and led the three of them to David's office.

"So, gentlemen, have you figured it out in three days?"

Seeing the three of them looking haggard, David smiled slightly.

"Chief Inspector David, I've spoken with the boss, but they still have a few questions they want answered before selling the company."

"Ask away."

"First, if we were willing to sell the company, would we acquire it at market price?"

"Of course, those companies that acquired you are legitimate companies; they are not robbers."

"Okay, secondly, if we sell it, does that mean everything will be unrelated to us, and we'll never be implicated in anything again?"

"Of course."

"Okay, then we have no problem on our end."

After receiving these two answers, Ryan felt a weight lifted off his shoulders.

Given the current situation where there are no other options, the acquisition of their pipelines based on market value and the fact that Freemasonry matters will no longer affect them is arguably the best possible outcome.

"My problem is the same as Ryan's."

This time, it was Maka who spoke up.

Although being forced to sell the company filled him with resentment, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and make this decision for the sake of himself and his family.

"The same goes for Twitter. The acquiring party will buy it at a normal market price, and once it's successful, it's none of your business."

"Then I'm fine with it too."

Seeing that the two had reached an agreement, Zuckerberg, who was left behind, became extremely uneasy.

It's important to know that these two people are different from him. In addition to being the big boss of the social media platform Facebook, he also has another identity: an important member of the Freemasonry group.

The Freemasons and David are locked in a life-or-death struggle. Even if he is willing to sell the company, can David really let him go completely?

"Mr. Zuckerberg, and you?"

Just as Zuckerberg was still feeling uneasy, David's question interrupted his thoughts. He looked up and asked, "The question I want to ask is the same as Ryan Macka's."

"Your Facebook can also be acquired at market price. As for what happens next..."

When David drew out his words, Zuckerberg immediately became nervous. Was he really going to be let off the hook even after handing over control of Facebook?

"How about this, as long as you're willing to leave the Freemasons and promise never to have any further contact with them, I guarantee that no matter what happens next, you will absolutely not be implicated. How about it?"

"That won't do!"

Upon hearing that he was asked to leave Freemasonry, Zuckerberg blurted out the words without thinking.

Despite being the youngest billionaire, his achievement was actually inseparable from the support and assistance of the Freemasons.

The decision to sell Facebook came after he had almost fallen out with the core Freemason leadership.

If one were to leave Freemasonry at this point, it would be a direct challenge to the authority of Henrietta and the seven families.

He knew all too well the methods of Henrietta and the seven great families. To prevent others from following suit, they would definitely use him as an example to deter others!

"No? Then there's no room for negotiation?"

David's words also turned cold.

He certainly knew that Zuckerberg was an important Freemason, and that Zuckerberg might have played a part in plotting his assassination.

Now that I've forgiven him without holding a grudge, how dare he not accept it?

"That's not how things are discussed. You know the current situation of our group. If I were to openly break with the group now, what would happen to me? You have to consider things from my perspective."

Zuckerberg was getting a little anxious.

If they can't reach an agreement with David, the worst outcome would be disgrace and imprisonment.

But if you anger the Freemasons, who are currently on the verge of going berserk, these people are capable of doing the most heinous things!

"Since you know your own group's current predicament—they're barely able to protect themselves—what good would they have to do to you?"

"Inspector General David, you don't know enough about some of the people in this group. I came from this group, and I know exactly what kind of people they are. So I'm making this clear: if we can't reach an agreement on this, then for the sake of my family, I will not yield to you!"

Zuckerberg is really going all out. If he can't reach an agreement with David, he'd rather sacrifice himself and go to jail than put his family in danger.

David pondered for a moment, resting his chin on his hand, before saying, "Alright, I can offer a compromise."

"What plan?"

"You still have to leave Freemasonry and sever all ties with them, but I will provide 24-hour protection for you and your family until I destroy your entire group!"

"this……"

Zuckerberg hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said, "You don't need to go to all this trouble. As you said, our group can't shake you anymore, so what difference does it make if I'm involved?"

"No, although I currently hold a decisive advantage, your group still retains its strength. As a key member of the Freemasons, if you were to announce your resignation at this critical juncture, it would be a major blow to the entire group—the beginning of its disintegration!"

"But……"

"No buts, I've already given you these conditions. You either accept them or there's no point in continuing this discussion!"

Zuckerberg's expression shifted for about three minutes before he finally gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, I can back out, but I demand that the CIA, FBI, and NSA protect me and my family, and that they send their most elite agents!"

The Freemasons still wield considerable power, but for David, who controls various departments and the White House, there is indeed little room for resistance.

With elite agents from these three law enforcement agencies protecting him and his family, Zuckerberg felt safe.

"Okay, I can promise you that!" (End of Chapter)