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"Of course I can help, but how about we talk about it here?" Ron avoided the question. He had only one principle, and that was never to go back to the restaurant with Caroline.
Who knows what will happen between the two women he hooked up with on the same night! After learning from his buddy Jake's mistake, Ron didn't want to follow in his footsteps. This is America.
Although not many women practice martial arts or anything like that, citizens can legally own guns, and being shot at by a crazy woman with a pistol doesn't seem to be much better.
Before Ron could think of a way to handle both girls at the same time, he decided to try to avoid the three of them appearing together for the time being.
"Okay," Caroline thought Ron was a little strange today, but she didn't think much of it, simply assuming he wasn't hungry and was in a hurry. "I'd like you to check on Dad for me. I wonder how he's doing in there? Are the other prisoners bullying him?"
"Don't worry about that. Your dad's a white-collar criminal with financial crimes. Those kinds of prisoners are usually held in minimum security. And, because he has a good tax record, the IRS usually gives him some special treatment, you know." Ron said this with a playful wink.
This was one of the reasons he had persuaded Mr. Channing back then. Although he only learned of Mr. Channing's arrest later through Caroline, he was sure that Mr. Channing hadn't forgotten to call the special number he had left for him.
This was a special channel the IRS provided for those who ran illegal businesses but paid taxes according to the law and would eventually go to jail: "special clients." As Ron put it, "When you're in the gray market, you're bound to get caught."
If their crimes were ever exposed, at least they would be guaranteed good treatment in prison. The United States is a capitalist country, and even prisons are categorized into different levels.
Ron estimated that with the taxes Mr. Channing paid, he should be able to get the treatment of a country club. However, there was the influence of public opinion, so such things could not be said openly. Ron found it even more difficult to explain it clearly, so he could only hint at it.
But it was obvious that Ron's hint hadn't reached Caroline, who thought he was just trying to comfort her. "But I'm still a little worried. Could you please check on me, Ron? If possible, it would be best if Dad wrote to me."
Caroline's eyes widened, and Ron couldn't bear to refuse. "Okay, I'll drive over this afternoon. You just wait for me at the hotel. I'll call the front desk and extend my stay for a few more days. Don't worry."
"Thank you so much, Ron. I don't want to owe you too much. I can survive well on my own without Dad's care. In fact, my new colleague just agreed to take me in. Just give me some dignity, Ron."
If he hadn't been in front of Caroline, Ron would have wanted to yell and vent his frustration. The thing he least wanted to see happen had happened. You two were living together, so how could I have fun? You couldn't be thinking of a threesome... right?
On one side was Caroline, with her long legs and perfect curves, and on the other was Max, a beautiful woman with an amazing figure. Just thinking about it made Ron want to have a nosebleed. It was so tempting! He quickly tilted his head back and covered his nose. Fortunately, it didn't really bleed, otherwise it would have been really embarrassing.
"Ron? Are you okay?" Caroline asked with concern. "You're not going to sneeze, are you? I have some tissues here. Do you have a cold?"
"Yeah, that's right. You know, we did have a little fun last night and didn't even use the covers," Ron continued, echoing Caroline's words.
Not using the covers was a really good excuse.
"It's not just the blanket, Ron, you insisted on being by the window..." Caroline's face showed a mixture of bashfulness and longing, and she licked her lips seductively. "Maybe we can try again tonight when you come back.
I have to go back to work, Ron, I'll wait for your news."
With that, Caroline turned and left, leaving behind a troubled Ron and Stuart, who had just popped his head out of the comic book store. "Is that your girl? She's amazing, man!"
Ron turned around and glared at Stuart, who quickly ducked back inside.
Without a second thought, Ron canceled his planned afternoon visit to the projects with Hector and drove alone to Shawshank Penitentiary, over two hours from Los Angeles.
Ron parked his car at the prison gate and looked out. He didn't know if it was an illusion, but he felt the prison was oppressive, even the weather seemed a little overcast.
This is a large prison located on the coast with complete facilities. Two tiers of prisoners are housed here together. Murderers and violent criminals live in the standard prisoner housing area which is as stark as an old fortress.
There is also a minimum security prisoner area with a golf course, computers and a variety of amenities. The two are separated by only a wall, which makes people marvel at the reality of the American justice system.
However, what is even more ironic is that this completely modern minimum security area was built brick by brick by the maximum security violent criminals next door. It was completed two years ago and put into use just last year. Mr. Channing moved in this year.
Ron's arrival was warmly welcomed by the warden Samuel Norton: "My dear Mr. Cooper, you are very welcome. Please give my regards to Senator Francis! I wonder what brings you here today?"
"Of course I have some business to attend to. How's it going, Norton? Have the prisoners gotten into any trouble?"
"Of course. You know, I've always insisted on guiding sinners' souls with Scripture and cleansing their bodies with hard work."
After some polite small talk, Ron explained his purpose. The warden immediately arranged for someone to take him to see Mr. Channing. Ron, perceptive, noticed that the warden was noticeably relieved after he explained his purpose.
What was going on? Could there be something fishy going on in this prison? Ron scoffed inwardly: How could it be? The prison's meager profits had passed through so many hands. Even if the warden could pull some scheme, it wouldn't be much, not worth his trouble.
"Hi, Ron, long time no see. I didn't expect you to be the first one to visit me after I got here. I thought it would be one of those wealthy people from Beverly Hills who were unwilling to give up." Mr. Channing, escorted by the guards, sat down across from Ron.
Ron complained, "Mr. Channing, you're so inconsiderate. You didn't even tell me about this huge incident. I thought we were friends."
"Ha, that's really unnecessary. I know you're working for a big shot now, so there's no need to affect your future. Besides, if Caroline, the only person I care about out there, really has a problem, she'll definitely come to you for help, right? Like today?"
It must be said that the old con man is a true con man. Even behind bars, he's still as sharp as ever. He saw through Ron's intentions at a glance. No wonder he was able to fool those rich people.
"So Mr. Channing already knew my intentions. Well, I won't waste any more words. Caroline was on the verge of collapse after you were arrested. She was only allowed to take three things and was kicked out of your mansion. She almost ended up on the streets," Ron recounted Caroline's situation.
Channing looked at Ron with satisfaction, a bit like a father-in-law looking at his son-in-law: "Then she's not living on the streets, is she? I guess this is your doing. I've said before that you and Caroline are a perfect match. If you're planning to marry her and ask me for my blessing, then my answer is that I approve of this marriage."
Channing seemed to be in a good mood, and did not forget to joke with Ron, but Ron didn't laugh: "I'm sorry, Mr. Channing, my answer now is the same as before. I'm still young and have no plans to get married for the time being. Maybe I'll get married when I'm ready to settle down."
"You young people decide for yourselves about your own affairs." Channing shrugged. Obviously, this answer did not satisfy him. He could only take care of himself now. His biggest wish was that his daughter would have a responsible man to take care of her outside.
"Well, let's not talk about that. You know Caroline is very worried about you outside. Although I told her not to worry, she... you know, maybe you should write her a letter."
Ron tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table when he said this. Mr. Channing immediately nodded knowingly: "Of course, I wrote her a letter, but some of the wording is a bit uncertain. Can you please help me take a look? Because this is my personal privacy, so..."
Ron stood up and calmly put a handful of bills in the hands of the prison guard standing next to him: "Hey, man, can you give me and my friend some space? Maybe you can go outside to smoke a cigarette and come back."
The prison guard immediately smiled knowingly. He pocketed the money, turned around and walked out, not forgetting to close the door behind him. Ron glanced at the camera and waited until the red light on it went out before speaking. "Mr. Channing, I believe that with your intelligence, you will not forget to leave something for Caroline, right?
Like stocks, bonds, or secret accounts. In fact, before I came, my colleagues told me that the total amount of assets they seized from your home, minus the amount you spent over the years, shows a difference of 10 million dollars. Don't you want to explain to me?"
Channing spread his hands and said helplessly, "I knew that no matter how secretly I hid it, I couldn't escape the noses of your IRS."
"I'll take it as a compliment." Ron didn't seem offended at all. Instead, he nodded proudly: "So, how do you plan to hand this money over to Caroline?"
Channing shook his head helplessly: "I originally wanted to use a reliable lawyer to return the money to Caroline in the form of a business loan, but now you know, you won't allow me to do that, right?"
"Of course," Ron's eyes became sharp when it came to work-related matters: "Any inheritance exceeding 2.5 million dollars must pay a 50% estate tax. I think you will not forget this, right? As Caroline's friend, I can give her my share of the recovery bonus that I deserve."
Channing was silent for a while, and finally gave in: "Okay, you win. I just hope that you will be fully responsible for this matter. I will give you another letter later. You take it to a lawyer named Saul. Ron, can you guarantee that if I do this, she can always live under the protection of your IRS?"
"Of course, I swear." Ron raised his right hand, as if to prove the strength of his words. Thunder flashed, illuminating the meeting room brighter than day.
"Crash~" Heavy rain poured down.
Author's Note: The plot thickens as Ron navigates both personal complications and professional duties.
(End of this chapter)
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