Chapter 3327

Penguin sat in his private office, holding a glass of freshly poured whiskey, the ice cubes clinking gently in the amber liquid. His gaze fell on the mobile phone on the table, the screen displaying Shiler's name. After hesitating for a moment, he pressed the dial button.

After the phone rang a few times, Shiler's voice came from the other end, carrying his usual composure: "Did something happen? For you to call me personally at this time?"

Penguin took a sip of wine, his tone carrying a trace of probing: "It seems the information I gave you about Carter has already come in handy; this guy is too talkative and not cautious enough, not a good choice for the party, better to have him out of the game as soon as possible."

"However... my people say you are using the Mayor's name to investigate Pavel, this is not a wise choice."

Shiler chuckled, his voice deep and calm: "Oswald, when did you start caring about my choices? Pavel is just a small character, not worth your worry."

"Small character?" Penguin raised his brows, his tone carrying obvious disapproval, "Pavel Shi Misi is no small character. She is the IRS's ace. The assets of the rich people who fell into her hands could fill the Pacific Ocean. Since you decided to use her, there's really no need to do something superfluous."

Shiler's voice remained calm: "I seem to remember saying that I never count on anyone's kindness, but only want to make the other party have no other choice."

Penguin put down his wine glass, his fingers tapping the table lightly: "At least don't provoke her actively. The IRS's power is much greater than you imagine, they can even legally torture and interrogate in the 21st century; if you make them anxious, it's no good for anyone."

Shiler was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "Oswald, you are too nervous. Pavel's weaknesses are as many as her abilities."

Penguin frowned, his tone carrying a trace of vigilance: "What do you mean? You intend to take action against her?"

Shiler's voice carried a trace of a smile: "Take action? No, I wouldn't be so rude to a diligent lady, just taking precautions against the future."

Penguin snorted coldly: "Shiler, don't be too confident. Pavel is not the type who will be easily scared. Her background is much more complex than you imagine."

Shiler's tone remained relaxed: "Complex? Perhaps. But at least twenty years ago, when her father brought the whole family to set foot on American soil, she was just a little girl who knew nothing of the world."

Penguin's fingers suddenly stopped on the desktop, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes: "What did you find?"

Shiler's voice deepened a bit: "In 1989, when Pavel's father immigrated to the United States from Mexico City, the assets declared were somewhat... inaccurate. If this information is made public, what do you think will happen to Pavel's career?"

Penguin was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "Shiler, I have no intention of interfering with your decision, I just want to remind you, if Pavel finds out you are investigating her family, she won't let you go."

Shiler chuckled: "Then let her come. After all, how can watching be as interesting as participating in the game yourself?"

Penguin shook his head, his tone carrying a trace of helplessness: "The IRS won't play any games with you; if they have to, it's probably 'guess who will go to the guillotine today'."

Shiler's voice carried a trace of a smile: "If they aren't willing to play games with me. Then what is the TV broadcasting now? You understand them, but not enough."

"The Internal Revenue Service even formulated a set of exclusive investigation and interrogation methods for themselves, which means they won't mind adopting any means to deter those who want to go against them, live broadcast or games, it doesn't matter. It won't be worse than entrapment and torture, why not?"

"Cat Getan has always been a tax dead zone, not because the IRS doesn't have the ability to deal with this place. In their eyes, elites are no different from the vegetables in the field—now, the harvest season has arrived."

Penguin sighed, his tone carrying a trace of warning: "I hope you know what you are doing. If things get out of control, don't blame me for not reminding you."

Shiler's voice remained calm: "Rest assured, Oswald. The highlight hasn't started yet."

"What do you want to do?"

"Release Carter, let's have a truly exciting battle royale."

Penguin couldn't help but look at the TV screen.

The lights in the TV studio were dazzling, Two-Face Harvey Dent sat in the guest seat, the scar on half of his face burned by fire appearing particularly ferocious in the strong light.

The other side of his face remained as handsome and calm as before, like an experienced prosecutor. Host Penny White sat opposite him, smiling and handing the microphone to him.

"Mr. Dent, welcome to our program." Penny's tone was rational and professional, "Today we are discussing the tax problems of Carter Group. As a former Cat Getan District Prosecutor, you must be very familiar with this type of case. Can you analyze for us the consequences Carter might face?"

Harvey nodded slightly, his voice deep and powerful: "Thank you, Penny. Carter Group's tax problems are indeed very complex, but judging from the information currently public, his tax evasion methods are not novel, one could even say they are old-fashioned."

Penny raised her brows, her tone carrying a trace of curiosity: "Old-fashioned? Can you explain specifically?"

Harvey picked up a document from the table, opened it, and pointed to several lines of data: "Carter's main tax evasion method is transferring funds through offshore shell companies. He transferred hundreds of millions of dollars of income to shell companies in the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands, and then used these companies' names to make false 'business consulting fees' and 'charity donations' deductions. This method has been used by countless rich people over the past few decades, but the IRS has long known it like the back of their hand."

Penny nodded and continued to ask: "Then, how do you think the IRS will target these methods for investigation?"

The corners of Harvey's mouth hooked slightly, revealing a cold sneer: "The IRS's investigation methods are very systematic. First, they will track the flow of Carter's funds, especially those offshore accounts that transfer money frequently. Second, they will require these offshore companies to provide detailed financial records. If these companies refuse to cooperate, the IRS can exert pressure on local governments through international tax cooperation mechanisms, or even directly freeze these accounts."

Penny nodded thoughtfully: "It sounds like Carter's methods don't seem very clever. Then, what legal consequences do you think he will ultimately face?"

Harvey closed the document, placed his hands together on the table, his tone serious: "According to federal tax law, the prison sentence for intentional tax evasion is usually between 3 and 5 years. But if the tax evasion amount exceeds 10 million USD, the sentence will increase significantly. The amount Carter is involved in reaches hundreds of millions of dollars, and he used false documents and offshore shell companies; these will all be seen as aggravating circumstances."

A trace of surprise flashed in Penny's eyes: "Then, how many years do you think Carter might be sentenced to?"

Harvey looked directly at the camera, his tone firm: "At least ten years. And this doesn't include the penalties of fines and asset forfeiture. The IRS might require him to pay back several times the tax amount and confiscate his overseas assets."

Penny sighed lightly, her tone carrying a trace of emotion: "Ten years... this is a heavy blow for anyone. Do you think there is any possibility for Carter to reduce his sentence through a plea agreement?"

Harvey shook his head: "The possibility of a plea agreement is very low. Carter's actions are no longer just tax evasion; he is also involved in forging documents and obstructing justice. The IRS won't let him off easily, especially in this high-profile case."

Penny nodded, then turned to the audience: "Dear audience, hearing this, you might feel Carter's situation is very bad. But Harvey, I want to ask a deeper question—what impact do you think Carter's case will have on other rich people?"

A trace of coldness flashed in Harvey's eyes: "Carter's case will undoubtedly become a warning. The IRS has been increasing its tax audit efforts on high-net-worth individuals in recent years, especially those who use offshore companies to evade taxes. Carter's capture will make other rich people realize that the risks of tax evasion far outweigh the benefits."

Penny smiled slightly, her tone carrying a trace of teasing: "Then, do you think there will be more rich people actively paying back taxes to reduce the sentences they might receive?"

The corners of Harvey's mouth hooked slightly: "If they are smart enough, they will do so. But unfortunately, greed often makes people lose their sanity."

Penny nodded, then turned to the camera: "Dear audience, today's discussion is very exciting. Thank you, Harvey Dent, for bringing us professional analysis. I believe you all have your own judgments about the prison sentences of the rich, next let's take a break."

Harvey stood up, shook hands with Penny, and then turned to leave the studio. His back as he turned was very tall. But if one saw the expression on his face as he walked off the stage, one would find that the normal half of his face was somewhat unable to hold back laughter.

At the same time, Carter sat in the corner of the prison cell, staring at the TV screen on the wall. His face was pale, and fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead. Harvey's analysis was like a sharp blade, piercing his heart.

"Ten years..." Carter whispered, his voice carrying a trace of despair. He cannot go to jail! Absolutely cannot!

In the temporary office, IRS agents were busy organizing documents. Pavel Shi Misi stood to the side, her gaze cold. She glanced at the TV screen, the corners of her mouth slightly raised.

"Ten years? If you don't sit until the prison bottom wears out, these 20 years of mine would have been in vain!"

She turned around, continued to bury herself in the data, waiting for the appearance of the next person to be judged.

A series of rapid footsteps approached from the corridor. A strong black agent rushed in, the commotion making Pavel unable to help but frown.

"What's wrong? Why are you in such a panic?"

"Carter ran away!"

"What?!"

"Carter escaped from prison, I mean, he escaped from the kidnapper's hands!"

It wasn't just Pavel and her special team who were shocked; countless people who had just finished listening to the analysis and placed bets in the gambling pool were all stunned.

"What! Carter ran away?! If he can't be caught, wouldn't he not have to spend a single day in jail?! Then what about my money?!"

"Damn it! What is that Clown doing? How could he let him run away???"

"I know where Carter's company is, he's going to destroy evidence, he'll definitely go to the company first, hurry hurry hurry! Follow me!!"

?? Actually, arrogance leans toward sports, greed leans toward business.

? (End of chapter)