Darkstone Code
Chapter 57 - 0057 The complexity of human nature lies in its contradictions.

Chapter 57: 0057 The complexity of human nature lies in its contradictions.

If Jogriman was simply unaware that Johnson was introducing a minor figure to him, then Johnson at this moment was sitting beside Lynch with an expression as if he had swallowed something unpleasant.

There’s a bit of disgust, a bit of nausea, a bit of regret, a bit of unidentified minor temper, and a face full of disdain.

Logically speaking, a Director of the Tax Bureau wouldn’t introduce important connections to a small figure like Lynch, not to mention Lynch just delivered a punch that shook the entire tax system from top to bottom.

Especially Michael, last night there were whispers from the state office, given the current pressure from public opinion, the leadership’s intention is to abandon Michael.

The highest official from the state office made it clear multiple times during the conference call that the upper echelon doesn’t abandon subordinates when things go wrong; they never did that nor is that their style.

The frontline fighting Federal Tax Bureau even has the military; they have never known what it means to plead for mercy, but the issue is the mess below is too big to clean, so don’t blame those in power for being ruthless.

Previously, they hinted to Johnson to quickly solidify Lynch’s identity as a criminal—this was said by Sabin City’s Federal Tax Bureau themselves, Lynch might be a criminal, and the person with this idea is Michael.

Like Director Johnson believes Lynch may not be so clean, but from the current viewpoint, he clearly hasn’t done anything illegal, including his company accounts, and when taking Lynch away, they checked the entire warehouse and found nothing abnormal.

The main reason the public is in an uproar now is because Lynch is innocent, along with previous law enforcement conflicts, predominantly from the investigation side, and some people’s stoking of the flames, leading to the current chaos.

As long as Lynch becomes a criminal, most of the public will lose empathy; although Bail Federal always flaunts itself as a human rights country, it’s evident that people’s attitudes toward criminals don’t seem to relate to human rights.

Attitude determines the trend and future of events; nobody, not even the foolish public, would seek justice for a criminal.

As a result, a week has passed already, Sabin City’s Tax Bureau has teamed up with the FBI, the two strongest federal departments working together and still couldn’t find the slightest way to add a "criminal" tag to Lynch’s identity.

This leaves the Tax Bureau’s high leadership rather embarrassed; if they can’t handle even such trivial matters, what else can those below do?

Of course, this can’t entirely be blamed on these two major institutions; now the societal attention is focused on Lynch, any tiny mistake in the process of labeling him a criminal could make the current situation even more passive.

Therefore, in the conference call, they pointed out that since you can’t save Michael, then abandon him, and doing so means Sabin City’s Tax Bureau and Michael himself must bear some responsibility.

Firstly, Sabin City’s Tax Bureau’s incompetence, and secondly, Michael’s own excessive issues, bad temper, frequent outbursts at work, whether towards others or himself, his temper instantly explodes.

This uproar in public opinion is partly his doing, lacking any evidence against Lynch, he directly pegged Lynch as a criminal suspect and repeatedly harmed Lynch, resulting in such embarrassing consequences, and he must pay for his actions.

Meanwhile, the state office also expressed a hope that Sabin City’s Tax Bureau will comfort the victim’s emotions; since they can’t outright defeat Lynch, they must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him to regain some image points.

Face?

Sorry, the Federal Tax Bureau is a crucial institution of the Federation, what does personal honor and disgrace count for?

Additionally, at the top they’ve already held meetings pushing another narrative, which just happens to match what Lynch previously discussed with Director Johnson at the barbecue restaurant.

Since the higher-ups decided to make Michael take the fall, they will certainly ensure it’s secure and tailor-made, giving him no chance to turn the tables, if even this matter isn’t coordinated properly below, then the abandoned will be the entire leadership of Sabin City’s Tax Bureau.

Things have come to this point, obviously no longer within the local Tax Bureau Director’s control over future directions, only able to cooperate with decisions from above; he called Lynch this morning, indicating there’s a need for him to cooperate with the Tax Bureau’s upcoming actions in public opinion.

He also subtly hinted at the previous barbecue discussion, he’s thought it over now, it’s a natural tendency for beneficial behavior; although I’m not overseeing the development of events, when the result benefits oneself, one muddles the perceived value of oneself in the overall matter.

It’s like when Michael heard there might be a promotion, he started bustling around; if he succeeded, Director Johnson would definitely say he contributed to his success.

When additional benefits can be earned without affecting one’s own interests, why refuse?

With this phone call, Lynch happened to bring up wanting to meet the head of the bank’s credit department, any bank will do.

And this is the exchange condition for him to cooperate with the Tax Bureau in the upcoming actions, his exact words were, "My schedule is quite full lately, I may not be able to accommodate media interviews, if there are any synchronization errors, please be understanding!"

By this point, Director Johnson had fully hardened his heart, considering it irrecoverable.

His private meetings with Lynch along with the internal trends gave him a strange feeling of "colluding" with Lynch to bring down Michael; it’s not so obvious yet unmistakably present, Lynch is one of his accomplices.

Adding the pressure from superiors, the senior Director in Sabin City’s tax system who used to speak straightforwardly, reluctantly agreed to Lynch’s request, thus arranging the midday meeting.

But couldn’t help feeling disgusted, not just with Lynch but himself too; he believed he was perhaps someone without great abilities, lacking toughness, but standing firmly, yet to his surprise, he was so "weak"!

"I won’t speak for you, that’s your words!" Looking at Lynch’s naturally calm demeanor, Director Johnson couldn’t help but respond sarcastically.

Lynch didn’t care at all about his sneers, moreover, he took a small note from his pocket and tucked it in the napkin, pushing it over.

Johnson furrowed his brows slightly, he took the napkin and extracted the note, typed out using a typewriter in two lines of numbers, "What does this mean?"

Lynch smiled, "I heard Lanlis banks are going non-lettered; they think bank accounts composed of numbers and letters add too much burden to work, I reckon the six major banks should consider doing the same."

The six major banks within the Federation have "customizable accounts", most are combinations of numbers and letters, which actually adds workload, slows work speed, and easily causes errors.

Director Johnson was about to further inquire about its meaning when he suddenly clenched his fist; undoubtedly, this note along with Lynch’s words confirms it’s a bank account from Lanlis.

Lanlis is a Neutral Country, often referred to as a tax haven, naturally also brimming with various financial criminal activities, some cases even involve the Federation.

He stared closely at Lynch, his expression somewhat fierce, "This is bribery, you’re insulting me!"

Lynch shrugged, "You know, nobody can remain impervious (nobody can stay uninvolved in anything, not affecting events or being affected by them), and I don’t need you to do anything against federal interests, this is merely a gift among friends."

"Rather than showing this expression, you might try checking the account’s financial movements, perhaps you’ll uncover some of my tricks, or donate those funds to those who need them, like Michael’s wife."

"Once he enters prison, Michael’s family will be on the brink of collapse, his wife never worked a single day, his child will be released next year, they need money, Michael can’t provide for them..."

"We all know Michael is innocent...", Lynch paused here, then continued with a smile, "Of course, I’m not saying I...I am innocent too as you know."

He met Director Johnson’s gaze with something suffocating, a look that could see through one’s soul.

Just like Director Johnson, tormented by guilt from "betrayal", he has to do something; Lynch’s words provoked him, stimulating a vague sense of "responsibility".

Since there’s no changing current conditions to give Michael a fair result as Director Johnson sees it, then take care of his family, after all, his wife and child need money.

When someone wants to soothe their guilt, they often act foolishly.

Within this brief silence, Jogriman appeared ahead of time, leaving Director Johnson unable to return the note to Lynch, believing even a single glance from Jogriman would reveal what the note says, he didn’t dare take such a risk.