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?

the evidence laid out

the truth wouldn’t solve a problem. It would

Absolutely 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 our relationship. But since you refuse to repent and insist on

the evidence against Langdon. I want every crime laid bare

Your Highness!” Axel responded before taking a thick stack of documents from one of

The victim later took her own life. To

named Lemur Pratt to murder Patch

official filed a report, Langdon suppressed the case using ruthless

has been directly or indirectly involved

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

just another corrupt, greedy, and lecherous official. He had never imagined the man was

talk your way out of this?”

I won’t

documents and furiously tore them to shreds, abandoning all

eyes flashed with

raised a hand to stop him.

Every last one of them is

eyes, Langdon shredded every

his expression was as cold as if he were staring

you done?” he