Chapter 326: Indians' Tears of Happiness
"How is that possible? Just the taxes collected from the Cheesecake Factory this quarter alone amounted to a full sixty million US dollars. Add to that the one hundred million from the bankers, and that's already 160 million. And then there are other companies, scattered and incomplete, it should be around five hundred million US dollars.
After deducting what's handed over to the finance department, we should have at least fifty million left. Where's the money? Where did it all go?!"
Ron's expression was fierce.
No wonder he was so angry; this money was simply too hard-earned.
Ron's organization was called the Special Operations Team. The reason for this name, as the name suggests, was that it was established to deal with targets that ordinary tax officials couldn't handle.
Therefore, those legitimate companies that paid their taxes on time naturally didn't need Ron's attention; ordinary tax officials could handle those. Ron's tax collection scope was limited to those tough cases who had evaded taxes through various means and hadn't paid a single penny, or had only paid a very small amount.
It's obvious that anyone who becomes the Treasury Secretary isn't a fool. Hiring a group of highly paid operatives and covering their equipment, training, and other expenses suggests there's more to it than meets the eye.
The targets assigned to the Special Operations Unit are invariably extremely difficult to crack, such as Bill Gates' Microsoft, Steve Jobs' Apple, and even Elon Musk's Tesla.
These large corporations have extended their tentacles into almost every aspect of American politics; taking them down is virtually impossible.
Ron even thinks that the only way to get these giants to pay taxes is to instigate a revolution in America and hang these robber barons from lampposts.
Of course, this idea is just wishful thinking. After all, where is this?
This is the heartland of capitalism, America, the true territory of the capitalists.
"Boss, our finances were originally excellent, but since that research project you sponsored at Caltech, we've been spending money like water. We're burning through nearly a hundred million a month! At this rate, even Fort Knox wouldn't be enough."
Scientific research is always a money pit—that's an indisputable fact. The theory of exoskeletons is actually quite simple, but turning that theory into reality involves a series of scientific challenges. For example, Howard's experiments on the effects of various materials alone cost tens of millions of dollars a month.
Moreover, the agreement Ron signed with the university includes substantial donations, which explains why Principal Siebert is always so enthusiastic when he sees Ron, and even shows greater tolerance for Sheldon.
So, all this trouble, and the problem is with me?
"Uh..." Ron gave an awkward look: "It's unavoidable, you know. We can't target those big corporations that rake in money every day when it comes to taxation, so we have to target criminals. And recently, these criminals' weapons have become more and more advanced, so it's also necessary for us to upgrade our equipment. This is also for the sake of our employees' safety."
"Are you sure it's for dealing with criminals?" Andy asked doubtfully, "and not just a big toy for you to play with?"
"Is that even a question? Of course it's for dealing with criminals. I have to go, so I'll be going now. Goodbye." Ron blushed and quickly grabbed his bag and bolted. Being called out by his subordinates was a first for Ron.
"Hey Ron, you're back."
Leonard opened the door for Ron, his face beaming. Ron couldn't help but ask, "What's up? Did something good happen?"
"Oh, don't ask me that. Ask Sheldon what he's done."
Sheldon shrugged. "What did I do?"
"You slept with Amy! Don't deny it, Penny told me, Amy told her herself!" Leonard said excitedly. "Ron, why aren't you reacting at all? Sheldon actually lost his virginity! Aren't you, as his older brother, even a little bit excited?"
Ron rolled his eyes. "Come on, Leonard, when did you become so childish? Sheldon's emotional development is still catching up. Sex? Are you kidding me?"
"Given his usual habits, haven't you considered that he might be conducting some kind of experiment?"
The room immediately fell silent after Ron's words.
"Okay, I have to admit, among a group of golden retrievers, there are occasionally one or two that are relatively smart." Seeing his lie exposed, Sheldon took the initiative to reveal the truth: "I admit, this is just a social experiment between Amy and me, mainly to see how fast rumors spread and..."
"Sheldon, I don't want to hear you say that," Rajesh took a sip of his beer so he could speak in front of the women, and happily raised an eyebrow: "Howard, didn't you say you had something important to say today? What is it?"
His happiness was about to burst out, so Rajesh quickly took another sip of his beer to suppress it.
"OK! Everyone, listen up, I have something to ask Bernadette. And now that we're all here, it's the perfect time."
Howard suddenly knelt on one knee, facing Bernadette: "Bernadette Marianne Rostenkowski..."
"I didn't know Bernadette's middle name was Marianne..." Sheldon wanted to show off his knowledge, but Ron waved him off: "Don't talk, this is an important moment."
"Oh my god, what's going on?" Bernadette looked at the ring Howard pulled out, somewhat bewildered.
"I know our relationship isn't perfect, and we've encountered some problems recently, but I have to tell you, from the moment I met you..."
"Howard, stop!"
Bernadette suddenly interrupted Howard's proposal. Rajesh excitedly pumped his fist: "Here it comes!"
Priya quickly pinched Rajesh to stop him from getting so carried away.
Bernadette solemnly replied: "I do."
"You do what?" Howard was a little taken aback.
"I do love you."
"You do?" The first utterance was Howard's, the second Rajesh's, and even higher in pitch. Rajesh never expected Howard's proposal to be successful!
"Congratulations!" Ron immediately offered his blessings, then went to Rajesh, who was sobbing uncontrollably, and handed him a tissue: "Is this what you meant by Indians' tears of happiness?"
(End of Chapter)
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