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Chapter 13: The Necessity of Pain Education in the Growing Process
While Lynch was observing Michael's family, Michael was also summoned to his superior's office.
The office of the Sabin Federal Tax Bureau was not located in the same block as the Sabin City Hall's offices. It seemed like they wanted to convey the message to the Federal Central Tax Bureau that they were not associating with local individuals.
However, it could also be due to their different styles. Compared to the somewhat bleak appearance of the city hall and other offices, the decoration in the Federal Tax Bureau's office was downright luxurious.
This wasn't surprising; everyone knew the Federal Tax Bureau was a very affluent organisation. They not only used marble as flooring but also hung velvet blankets on the walls to showcase their prestige.
Inside the office, a large semi-enclosed desk surrounded the director of the Sabin Federal Tax Bureau, a middle-aged man in his fifties.
He had gray-white hair, a few forehead wrinkles, and crow's feet, but overall, he seemed well-cared-for. At least, he didn't look much different from the forty-something workers.
He was dressed impeccably, wearing a tie, and currently had a furrowed brow, while Michael, who was standing on the other side of the desk, felt somewhat uneasy about the atmosphere in the room.
"I'm troubled, Mike!" – "Mike" was the abbreviated name used by Michael's friends and even his boss in their daily interactions, making it seem more intimate and like one of their own.
Michael scratched his head, showing none of his usual work-related impatience. There was even a hint of confusion on his face. "I don't understand, George."
"No, you do understand!" sighed the director referred to as "George" by Michael. He glanced at the two documents on the desk, "You do, Mike. Fox has his lawyer collecting evidence of your abuse of power, and..."
He flipped through the report in front of him, "Some people have their opinions about your recent actions. I assumed you had a grasp on things before approving your actions, but clearly, I overestimated you." He took his eyes off the documents and looked at Michael. "What do you think I should do?"
Michael seemed somewhat irritated at this point. "It's all because of that punk, Lynch. He managed to evade our searches three times using some unknown methods. But I can assure you, George, that guy is definitely up to something."
"I saw the paperboys deliver five thousand bucks into the room. They left the money there, but when I went in, there was nothing. He's a cunning guy and is prepared!" Michael asserted.
George raised a hand to halt Michael and pointed at him, "You're absolutely right. He's smart and prepared. You couldn't catch him off guard before, and now that he's prepared, it'll be even harder to catch him!"
This statement immediately calmed Michael, who was still angry and felt humiliated. He cautiously looked at the director behind the desk, "What do you mean?"
"No particular meaning..." George, the director, spread his hands and leaned back in his chair. "Your several failed operations have caused some serious issues. Fox's people plan to go after you. It's best you cool off for a while."
Sharp-witted, Michael immediately realized what was going on. His voice suddenly became louder, "You want me suspended?"
"Suspended?" George, the director, chuckled, "No, no, no, you misunderstand. There's a big operation in Kurland City(库里兰). They are short-handed and have requested support from our end..." George shrugged, "You know our relationship with them has always been good, so I couldn't refuse this request. You and your team are to go to Kurland City immediately to assist them. Once back, then go after this Lynch. Understand?"
"But during this time, the situation might change. Let others go; I'll stay back. If we miss this opportunity, it'll be difficult to catch Lynch and Fox. We all know they've found a mature way to evade our investigations. I—" Michael didn't finish his words when George's smile gradually faded. He looked at Michael, "This isn't a request; it's an order. Understand?"
The two locked eyes for a moment. Michael realized he couldn't change this decision and angrily said, "You'll regret your decision today!"
"I'll only regret not giving you something to do sooner!" George, the director, retorted without hesitation.
Watching Michael leave the office, George, the director, sighed. Michael had risen to the position of the investigation team leader, but he had always wanted to transfer to the detective or special agent units.
The problem was that he was now in management, the head of the investigation team. He couldn't start from the bottom as a regular detective or special agent. His starting point would be administrative positions like deputy team leader.
That led to another problem: with no vacancies available, he couldn't be promoted. He knew this, which was why he had always kept a low profile.
Recently, rumors emerged that someone within the bureau was due for promotion. He immediately became interested and proactively applied to investigate Fox's case.
For the Federal Tax Bureau, 99.99% of the country's population was suspected of various tax crimes.
The role of the Federal Tax Bureau was not to eradicate tax crimes—that was an impossible task. If a passerby gave a buck to a beggar, would the beggar go to an accountant to file taxes?
Therefore, the primary job of the Federal Tax Bureau was to investigate the wealthy taxpayers, ensuring the main taxpaying groups didn't engage in severe tax evasion. As for regular folks... unless necessary, nobody would actively investigate them.
The influence from the North Pacific's Six-Eyed Flying Fish(六眼飞鱼) had affected Michael. Now, he wanted to achieve some notable success, aiming for a promotion when there was an opening.
What he did wasn't excessive; there had been more extreme incidents within the federation, but each time, they managed to obtain enough conclusive evidence, not failing three times like him.
This would become a joke within the system, and he needed to calm down!
Fox wasn't a concern at all. His lawyer gathering evidence against Michael was merely a show of attitude. For someone of Fox's level, if the tax bureau constantly targeted him, and he didn't react, it wouldn't take long for someone to topple his reign.
When Michael went to Kurland for the operation over there, this matter would quiet down.
As for Lynch... he was just an insignificant person. George, the director, was very aware of this fact. Michael's three failures had made him a laughingstock. His current actions seriously violated regulations, and it was time to calm him down.
Michael, with a troubled expression, came out from the director's office. His partner stood at the door, about to ask, "What happened?" but before he could, Michael raised his hand and cursed in frustration.
"The boss wants us to report to Kurland City tomorrow to assist them in their operation, fuck. He doesn't believe that I can catch Lynch!"
His partner smiled, choosing not to say anything and followed behind him. This was actually a good thing.
With a heart full of anger, Michael chose to go home and pack his things – a silent form of resistance.
After a short drive, he returned to his residential compound. As he contemplated how to explain his sudden business trip to his wife, a surge of anger mixed with fear rushed over him. He abruptly turned the steering wheel, nearly hitting someone on the sidewalk!
Some pedestrians screamed; some rushed over to check for injuries. It was too close to having an accident.
Fuming, Michael stormed out of the driver's seat, slammed the car door shut, and walked up to the person he almost hit. He grabbed his collar and asked loudly, "What are you doing here?"
Lynch maintained his smile, just as in every confrontation they'd had before – calm, composed, and with a smile. "Your wife is young and beautiful..."
As Michael raised his fist, Lynch remained calm and said, "You can hit me, but you'll have to bear the consequences. You've investigated me; a poor kid, nothing to lose, not even my life worth much."
"We can make a bet. I believe you'll experience pain far more unforgettable than a punch. Pain that will seep into your heart. Do you believe me?"
He looked at the man calmly as always. The man's fierce gaze hesitated, wavered, and eventually softened. He withdrew his fist and even released Lynch's collar.
Everyone has something precious to them, without exception.
Finding those things could easily destroy a person, without exception.
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