Tax Department – Office of the Director
Director Reeves slowly set his teacup down, logged into the government's internal system, and began scrolling through the day's official documents.
When his eyes fell on the newly issued directive concerning Starlight Bay, he let out a low whistle of admiration. The Mayor's level of emphasis was obvious. Being added to the Waterfront Redevelopment Plan meant massive tax incentives and exemptions — enough to catch the attention of every major developer in the city.
It wasn't hard to understand why. Once completed, Starlight Bay would bring enormous benefits to Bayview City's economy and tourism sector. It was set to become the city's new landmark — a symbol of progress — and, naturally, a golden achievement for Mayor Harris.
For officials at all levels, this project was a tide that lifted all boats. A booming tourism industry meant higher GDP, stronger fiscal performance, and, inevitably, better evaluations on their own political records.
With the Mayor personally signing off on "priority support," and the departments aligning their resources accordingly, it was clear that Starlight Bay was destined to be Bayview's top project for the next two or three years.
"The buyer of that land is Jason Carter, right?" Director Reeves muttered, scrolling down the file. "Only twenty-one years old… that kid's not simple. Wait— why does that name sound familiar?"
He frowned, trying to recall, but age wasn't kind to memory. After a few seconds of unproductive thinking, he turned toward his assistant — a slightly plump woman typing at the next desk.
"Hey, Sarah, have you seen any tax reports or filings about a Jason Carter recently? His name rings a bell."
Sarah stopped typing, swiveled her chair, and replied, "Actually, yes. A report came in two days ago, saying his company might be involved in tax evasion. Deputy Section Chief submitted it to the Investigations Bureau for review."
Director Reeves froze. "What did you just say?"
Before she could repeat herself, the Director shot up from his seat, and his chair went crashing backward onto the floor with a loud thud. Sarah jumped in surprise.
"Who filed that report? And with what proof?" he demanded, his voice rising in disbelief. "Do they think they can just open an investigation without evidence?!"
Normally, Reeves was calm and steady — the very image of an old bureaucrat — but this time, his face had gone pale.
He couldn't be blamed for panicking. The situation was dire. Just yesterday, the Mayor had issued an explicit directive ordering every department to support the Starlight Bay project… and now, someone from his own bureau was trying to investigate the developer?
That wasn't just poor timing — it was political suicide.
Sarah stammered, "I'm not sure who the original informant was. The report was signed off by Deputy Section Chief Quinn, and it's already been passed along to Investigations."
Reeves didn't even wait for her to finish. Despite his age and usual slow gait, he bolted out of the office, practically sprinting down the corridor.
Moments later, he burst into the Investigations Bureau, where Director Ivan was buried in paperwork.
Ivan looked up, startled. "Director Reeves? What's going on? You look like you ran a marathon."
Reeves leaned on the desk, still panting. "The— investigation on Jason Carter. Has it started yet?"
Ivan blinked. "Jason Carter? Not yet. Deputy Section Chief Quinn said the report came from a reliable source, but honestly, I didn't see any hard evidence attached…"
Before he could finish, Reeves snapped, "Open the city's document system. Right now. Look at the latest notice."
Ivan frowned but did as told. A moment later, the Starlight Bay Priority Directive appeared on screen. As he scrolled through it, his expression shifted from curiosity to realization. Then his eyes widened when he saw the name of the project's developer.
"Jason Carter," he read aloud — then froze.
Now he understood why Reeves was in such a hurry.
If they had actually opened an investigation into the developer personally endorsed by the Mayor, while the project was under special city protection, it wouldn't just be a bureaucratic misstep. It would be a career-ending disaster.
Both men stared at the screen in silence for a long moment. Then Ivan swallowed and muttered, "We… should probably recall that report."
Reeves exhaled, his face still pale. "Immediately. And for God's sake, tell Quinn — if he wants to keep his job, he'd better forget the name Jason Carter ever crossed his desk."
Outside, the office fell silent again, but everyone could feel it — a quiet, invisible storm brewing through the corridors of Bayview's government offices.
Because from that day on, Jason Carter's name wasn't just another entry in the city's business registry.
It had become untouchable.
Even if there were problems, investigating him might not lead to a good outcome, and from the current situation, it seemed the other party had no issues.
The person in charge of a project that the Mayor explicitly supported, who clearly had no problems, yet you want to investigate? Is this a rebellion?
The Investigation Bureau Director did not hesitate for a moment and immediately canceled the investigation into Jason Carter.
The Investigation Bureau Director was still not appeased, his face ashen, and he said, "Where is Deputy Section Chief Quinn? Call him over."
A moment later, Deputy Section Chief Quinn walked in. Seeing the Director's expression, his heart sank.
The Investigation Bureau Director didn't bother with pleasantries and directly showed the notice regarding Starlight Bay to Deputy Section Chief Quinn. When Quinn saw that the developer of Starlight Bay was Jason Carter, his face immediately turned pale.
The Investigation Bureau Director said, "You'd better give me a reasonable explanation. Does Jason Carter's company really have tax problems?"
Deputy Section Chief Quinn no longer dared to spout nonsense and immediately sold out Rick: "It was Rick, the son of the District Chief, who reported it. I also believed his nonsense."
The Investigation Bureau Director slammed the table: "You investigate based on who someone's son is, not on evidence? If I'm not mistaken, Rick should be in the Legal Department. Is he extending his hand into the Tax Bureau? You're just a Deputy Section Chief, and you've already learned the ways of official cronyism?"
Quinn's face grew even paler. He realized the problem was serious; the Director's accusation was a heavy one. The main issue was that the person they offended was too powerful, and it seemed he would have to be made an example of.
He had originally thought this was just doing Rick a small favor, a trivial matter, and he had done such things before. He never expected to kick such a hard iron plate. Rick dared to provoke someone backed by the Mayor; this was going to kill him.
At the same time, in the Economic Investigation Department.
In the Squadron Leader's office, an investigator rushed in. The Squadron Leader frowned, about to scold his subordinate for being impetuous, but the investigator placed two documents in front of him.
One was an economic investigation into Jason Carter.
The other was the newly released notice regarding Starlight Bay, with Jason Carter's name as the developer circled in red.
The Squadron Leader's expression changed dramatically, and he asked, "Has the investigation into Jason Carter already begun?"
The investigator said, "It has already begun, but currently it's only electronic data reconnaissance and intelligence analysis."
The Squadron Leader immediately called to stop all investigations and asked, "Who reported it? Why are we suddenly investigating this Jason Carter?"
The investigator said, "James submitted it, saying a reliable informant provided the lead."
The Squadron Leader said coldly, "Call James over. I hope he can give me a reasonable explanation."
At the same time, the Industry and Commerce Bureau.
Unlike the Tax Bureau and the Economic Investigation Department, the previous attempt to investigate Jason Carter had already been suppressed by the Deputy Director once.
This time, when it was submitted by someone else, it was also quickly suppressed. The investigation into Jason Carter never even began.
After the Deputy Director saw the latest notice for Starlight Bay, he casually picked up that report, tore it, and threw it into the trash can.
Within a single day, all investigations into Jason Carter were revoked. Even if Jason Carter truly had problems, who would dare to go against the Mayor?
Moreover, the problem now wasn't with Jason Carter, but with them. Abusing public power to investigate someone backed by the Mayor—what was the difference between that and seeking death?
It was fortunate that it hadn't escalated; otherwise, it would have been truly over. If they didn't revoke the investigation, were they waiting for it to escalate and be investigated themselves?
As for those who believed Rick and submitted the reports, their fate would likely not be good.
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