American Tax Officer

The nationwide march and demonstration had come to an end, but the intense online discussions about it had not subsided, with countless experts and high-level figures from all walks of life analyzing and dissecting the incident.

But no matter how many times the incident was reviewed, everyone had to admit that America's Tax Bureau, or rather David's handling of the situation, was textbook perfect.

They had figured out that Disney's previous confidence in negotiating with the Western Suburb Branch had stemmed from wanting to incite its hundreds of thousands of employees to pressure the branch.

However, the Western Suburb Branch had broken convention and cleverly allocated emergency funds to dissolve Disney's offensive.

The situation that followed was clear. The Western Suburb Branch could sit back and relax, because even if they paid the workers ten days of shutdown wages, it would cost no more than ten billion at most.

But Disney couldn't afford this.

As a large publicly-traded company, never mind the business losses that would result from a ten-day closure, just the stock market alone would die from the plunge.

And it had only been a few hours, yet Disney's stocks had plummeted by several billion.

What would the losses amount to if the closure truly lasted ten days?

Anyone could do this math, not to mention Disney's elite executives.

So at this moment, nearly 90% of people were convinced Disney would definitely compromise, it was just a matter of time.

...

The following evening, on the East Coast of New York, there was a private island called Senado Island, within the manor at the center.

Countless men in suits and women in evening dresses arrived either by helicopter or by yacht.

If any media had been present, they would instantly have recognized the attendees.

Among them were representatives from Congress, government departments, and notable figures from elite financial groups like NASDAQ and Goldman Sachs.

A few minutes later, a woman walked in through the main door.

Her name was Florence, currently one of America's top political lobbyists.

But different from the past, the once-arrogantly proud Florence now appeared somewhat constrained upon arriving here.

For with her network and eloquence, she really did have the capital to be proud.

However, once here, her pride was gone, replaced by a slight reserve.

What was more interesting was that where she would normally be the center of attention in any other setting, here in this crowd of formally-dressed men and women, she was treated as air; none even glanced her way as they were engrossed in conversation with familiar parties.

"Miss Florence!"

Feeling a touch embarrassed, her face lit up when she heard her name being called and turned to see three gentlemen approaching.

"Bennett, Zakri, Mister Tatel, I'm pleased to see you!"

The three men approaching were the three proprietors of the Disney Family, and Florence's invitation to this gathering was extended by these three.

"Miss Florence, we have used one of our triennial quotas to convene this Freemasonry meeting, hoping you can persuade the committee and its members to achieve our desired outcome!"

The Disney Family had deep roots in America dating back nearly a century and, being part of the Jewish People, of course, had long joined the Freemasonry Group.

In the Freemasonry Group, there is a hierarchy of 33 levels, and only once reaching level 20 can one have the authority to convene a Freemasonry meeting.

The Disney Family currently held a rank at the 21st level, which permitted them to convene a Freemasonry meeting once every three years.

A Freemasonry meeting is essentially a gathering of all members to discuss and address any member's hardships.

Encountering such challenges, the three brothers of the Disney Family had no choice but to use their valuable quota in search of a solution.

"Rest assured, gentlemen, I'll do my best."

Florence had accumulated many favors from The Walt Disney Company on her rise to prominence, and her attendance was also to repay those debts.

"That's reassuring."

As they were talking,

a man in a tailcoat approached a carillon on the second floor and rang the chime placed there.

Immediately, everyone stopped their conversation and from their pockets produced a gold badge with a golden eye and fringed edges, pinning it to the front of their chests.

Unnoticed by the others, a hint of envy appeared in Florence's eyes upon seeing this badge.

She knew it represented the exclusive insignia of Freemasonry members.

Once worn, it signified membership within the group.

Despite her extensive political network, where many sought her services, she might not even qualify to sit at the table in the presence of these Freemasonry members.

For these people were the real tycoons hidden within America, any of whom could shake multiple industries in America with a mere stomp of their feet.

"Come, Miss Florence, the meeting is about to begin!"

The Bennett brothers headed upstairs, and Florence, bringing herself back from her thoughts, followed them up the staircase.

On the second floor, there was a meeting room filled with an air of ancient Europeanness.