An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

“Ledger?”

Langdon’s pupils contracted as he stared at the familiar red ledgers at his feet. His expression finally faltered.

He had never expected the enforcement team to uncover the ledgers he had hidden in a secret compartment. Every transaction written on those pages was damning-evidence of years of collusion with officials and wealthy merchants, of bribes and embezzlement.

He had kept them as leverage to ensure those officials wouldn’t abandon him when things went south. But what was meant to shield him had now sealed his fate.

His assets could be confiscated, and he could refuse to acknowledge his own children. But how could he possibly talk his way out of a ledger filled with his handwritten records?

Langdon’s frown deepened as sweat poured down his face. Before he realized it, his back was already drenched.

“Mr. Langdon, why are you sweating so much? Is it too hot in here? Should I have someone fan you?” Axel taunted with sneer.

The evidence they had gathered was more than enough to imprison Langdon, and no amount of denial would save him now.

“Mr. Langdon, are you still trying to claim these ledgers are forged and have nothing to do with you?” Austin smirked, his tone laced with mockery.

“T-That’s right! They’re forged. This has nothing to do with me. I don’t keep ledgers like these. Someone must be framing me.” Langdon stubbornly insisted.

At that point, he could only keep going down this path, no matter the consequences.

But no one believed him anymore. Even the royal advisors looked at him with disdain.

Was there any point in continuing to deny it?

how stubbornly he denied it, the evidence laid out

admit the truth wouldn’t solve a problem. It would only

Austin clapped

met anyone as shameless as you. If you had confessed and shown remorse, I might have spared your life out of respect for our relationship. But since you refuse to repent and insist on twisting the truth, you

“Bring out all the evidence

stack of documents from one of his subordinates

by lust, Langdon assaulted a woman eight years ago. The victim later took her own life. To cover his tracks,

merchant named Lemur

official filed a report, Langdon suppressed the case using ruthless means, then framed the

has been directly or indirectly involved in over a dozen deaths. His crimes

evidence and testimonies, Your Highness. Please review them.” After finishing his report, Axel placed the stack of

through the pages, his expression darkened. At first, he thought Langdon was just another corrupt, greedy, and lecherous official.

will you try to talk your way out of this?” Austin asked coldly before hurling the documents at

lies. I

pick up the scattered documents and furiously tore them to shreds, abandoning

of us?” Axel’s eyes flashed with fury, and he reached for

Austin raised a hand to stop

these are fake. Every last one of

eyes, Langdon shredded every

stopping him. But his expression was as cold as if he were staring at a

you done?”

you have any last