America 1919

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"We shouldn't take any action, at least not now. Our relationship with Donnie just got smoother; we can't afford any accidents at this time."

Right after Nucky made the decision, the phone on his desk rang. Louis glanced at Nucky before picking it up. After listening for a moment, he covered the mouthpiece and reported to Nucky, "IRS's Rene Mel is here, boss. Do you want to meet with him?"

Nucky raised an eyebrow, not expecting the IRS to come knocking so soon after his decision.

After some thought, Nucky said, "Let him in!"

Louis put down the phone, left Nucky's study, and before long, he brought Rene Mel into Nucky's study.

"Good day, Mr. Nucky. I am Rene Mel, a special agent with the IRS. I've come because there's something I'd like to discuss with you, Mr. Nucky!"

Nucky leaned back on the sofa, calmly asking, "What would you like to discuss, Mr. Mel?"

Rene Mel said, "Mr. Nucky, are you aware that you are currently in great danger?"

Nucky wasn't frightened by Rene Mel's rhetoric, just laughed and replied, "Mr. Mel, speak frankly, please. There's no need for scare tactics with me; I'm not someone who gets rattled easily!"

Rene Mel looked slightly embarrassed, then chuckled, "You might think I'm trying to scare you, but the reality is, things that can threaten you are happening, and if you don't cooperate with us, the outcome will definitely not be good for you!"

Nucky raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "Mr. Mel, if that's all you have to say, I'm afraid I must ask you to leave, as I have many things to attend to!"

Rene Mel continued, "You must know already that the Bureau of Investigation has been looking into you. They've been here in Atlantic City for nearly two years. With that duration, you should understand that the Bureau must show some results from this investigation.

Moreover, when I came to Atlantic City, there was already talk inside the IRS that the Bureau was planning to borrow people to investigate you. You are aware of our investigative capabilities at the IRS.

That's why I'm telling you that you are in a very precarious situation. Trust me, if the IRS decides to investigate, we will surely uncover details about you!"

Nucky furrowed his brow, "Are you threatening me?"

Rene Mel shook his head, "Of course not. I just want to cooperate with you, Mr. Nucky. We at the IRS are not interested in your dealings with the Bureau; we are interested in Donnie Block. He controls the entire bootlegging business in the United States, and the tax issues must be enormous.

So, our goal is to go after Donnie Block. If you cooperate with us, then your issues will naturally be no issue at all. I believe the IRS is very generous to its friends!"

Nucky quietly watched Rene Mel as if trying to read something from his expression. The atmosphere between them calmed for a long while until Nucky suddenly smiled and said, "I must apologize for declining the olive branch from the IRS. After all, in my memory, Donnie is a law-abiding, commendable federal citizen. I've never heard of any illegal activities associated with Donnie!"

Rene Mel's expression turned displeased, "Are you refusing the friendship of the IRS, Mr. Nucky?"

Nucky spoke evenly, "I would like to have the friendship of the IRS, but on this matter, I am powerless. After all, my conscience wouldn't allow me to falsely accuse a commendable federal citizen, would it?"

With Nucky's refusal, it was clear that their negotiation would not come to a fruitful conclusion.
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After Rene Mel left, Nucky got up from his seat, took a glass of liquor, sat on the sofa, and began to rest with his eyes closed.

Soon, the scent of tulips filled Nucky's nostrils; he knew Lucy had come at this moment. Without a word, Lucy approached Nucky from behind and began gently massaging his shoulders.

"Could rejecting the IRS like this cause trouble for you too?"

"With respect to Donnie's relationship with the White House, that's one aspect... Actually, we too have a good relationship with the White House. But, more importantly, if the IRS wants to investigate Donnie, then bootlegging is definitely going to be a top priority, and this issue involves too many people. I am one of them. If the IRS wants to investigate Donnie over bootlegging, it actually implicates a huge network of interests, including Donnie, myself, and also several White House officials, State Government officials.

I've given it some serious thought, and this situation is definitely not going to be simple!

So, no matter what, we must not get involved.

Yet, after this incident, Donnie's position in Atlantic City..."

Lucy watched Nucky frown, which was the first time she had seen him like this.

.

"To become the brightest jewel in the history of Atlantic City, Nucky's strength is indeed formidable!"

After hearing the report from Lucy about herself, Donnie couldn't help but feel admiration for Nucky, who had made the right decision without knowing Donnie's specific plans!

Why disclose the IRS's investigation? Donnie's initial thought was followed by another plan related to the White House.

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