An Understated Dominance (Dustin Rhys)

“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?

laid out

the truth wouldn’t solve a problem. It would

brilliant.” Austin clapped with a

continued, “I’ve never met anyone as shameless as you. If you had confessed and shown remorse, I might have spared your life out of respect for

the evidence against Langdon. I want every crime

thick stack of documents from one of

The victim later took her own life. To cover his tracks,

named Lemur Pratt to murder Patch Sharmon and his family, seizing their

official’s daughter. When the official filed a report, Langdon suppressed the case using ruthless means, then framed the official for multiple crimes. The official was imprisoned and died under

Langdon has been directly or indirectly involved in over a dozen

gathered evidence and testimonies, Your Highness. Please review them.” After

his expression darkened. At first, he thought Langdon was just another corrupt, greedy, and lecherous official. He had never imagined the man was

try to talk your way out of this?” Austin asked coldly before

It’s all lies. I

to pick up the scattered documents and furiously

evidence in front of us?” Axel’s eyes flashed with fury,

stop him. “Let

these are fake. Every last one

eyes, Langdon shredded

sign of stopping him. But his

done?” he asked