Chapter 47: You Have the Right to Remain Silent; Anything You Say Can Be Used Against You

Later that afternoon, just before the tax office closed, Mr. Fox had his men bring the money along with all related vouchers and receipts to the tax office for registration.

Federal law requires that any cash deposit exceeding five thousand must be accompanied by legal proof.

The proof isn’t that the money is genuine, but how the money was obtained and whether taxes on it have been paid.

Without this proof, banks refuse to accept the cash deposit and will increase the monitoring level of the related accounts.

Some have tried to circumvent this by splitting large sums into smaller amounts, depositing them into multiple accounts, then transferring the money to a designated account.

However, banks consider such concentrated transfers high risk and will freeze both sending and receiving accounts until sufficient evidence of legality is provided.

Most cannot prove the source, so banks confiscate the funds, pay special taxes to the tax office, and keep the money.

Account holders may sue, but most accept the loss quietly to avoid losing both money and freedom.

Besides banks monitoring accounts, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Financial Crimes Division also watches these accounts. Some may slip through, but most are caught.

Countless cases remind people they can break laws, but not evade taxes.

Mr. Fox’s nephew and several men delivered the money to the tax office for registration, then took the stamped registration form to Prosperity Bank nearby, one of the empire’s six major banks.

Its founder descended from the predecessor of the Baylor Federation, Prosperity Prince of the Baylor Empire. Though the empire fell, some legacies remain.

As they entered the bank, a massive crystal chandelier hung from a ceiling at least twenty meters high, casting light into every corner.

The marble floor, meticulously maintained daily, reflected like a mirror, revealing rare golden veins beneath that shimmered brilliantly under the light.

The bank resembled a golden palace, exuding dignity and prestige.

An impeccably dressed bank manager awaited them at the door, smiling warmly as he approached, asking questions and filling out forms, glancing at the tax registration papers held by the security guards.

Though called a manager, he was actually a client manager. This hall had at least twenty such managers, each with their own office and client list.

“Please wait, I’ll report this…” the manager said, requesting coffee and snacks while walking to the administrative office, a standard procedure.

Large cash deposits require many staff to “screen” the money. The bank uses a device like a farmer’s sieve; coins are sorted by denomination and size through different holes, speeding the counting process.

Though already fast for the bank, it still took time.

At that moment, Mr. Fox, enjoying his Coluff cigar, heard his phone ring behind him. He inhaled the rich smoke, feeling its dense texture envelop his mouth, swirling his tongue to enjoy every molecule’s release.

After the third ring, he blinked, walked to the desk, and answered, “Gatner Financial Company…”

A sweet female voice replied, “Dear Mr. Fox, this is Prosperity Bank’s phone service. Your account shows unusual activity. Please visit the nearest Prosperity Bank branch as soon as possible…”

“My account has problems?” Fox did not immediately suspect a trap or that he was the target. He simply thought his recent cash check might have issues.

Due to reasons widely known, fake cash checks occur frequently every year in the Baylor Federation.

No matter the anti-counterfeiting measures, complete prevention is difficult. With no digital information systems and complicated interstate check clearing, banks face slow, cumbersome processes. For forgers, it’s instantaneous.

This causes hundreds or thousands of disputes yearly. Banks rarely bear full responsibility; they seek fault with the check owner and minimize payouts.

When issues arise, banks notify account holders to resolve or upgrade their cash checks.

Fox hung up, smirked, and soon went to the bank with his son. He was surprised to find his men still in the manager’s office; the deposit was slow today.

“Not done yet?” he frowned. At his age, surprises no longer pleased him—unexpected delays irritated him.

The manager nodded. “We have many customers today, so fewer staff are available. Please wait a moment…”

Meanwhile, unknown to Fox, at least two cameras and a video camera were focused on him. When the FBI and tax bureau target someone, especially a suspected criminal, they never wait long.

“Almost ready, time to act…”

Before Fox reached the service desk, a man who appeared to be bank staff entered. The manager left the room immediately. The newcomer held a clipboard and smiled, gesturing to a nearby sofa. “Please sit.”

This unclear behavior triggered Fox’s suspicion. People in trouble usually stay alert.

He frowned and asked, “Who are you?”

The man smiled but didn’t answer, instead signaling the staff counting coins to stop. To trap these men conclusively, the tax bureau followed the FBI’s orders.

They would not move the coins, blocking Fox’s last excuse—that the money might be replaced out of sight.

Though seemingly foolish, it was effective; the top priority was to end this quickly.

The man slowly opened his jacket, revealing a badge clipped to his pocket—the FBI Financial Crimes Division. “Mr. Fox, please sit. I fear you may not stand steady once you hear what I have to say…”

In another room, three stern-faced men wearing earpieces listened, amid faint noise.

On the table before them, two recording devices slowly turned…