“Your Highness, you mustn’t speak such nonsense.” Langdon put on a righteous front.
He continued, “I’ve always prided myself on my integrity and never done anything dishonorable. I’ve never betrayed the prince’s trust or let the people down, and I have nothing to hide.”
“Such lofty words,” Austin scoffed. “If you have nothing to hide, why not let the enforcement team investigate?”
Langdon’s face tightened, and a flicker of unease crossed his eyes.
After all, what official didn’t have some skeletons in the closet? A full investigation would likely turn up something, no matter how small. Even if the offenses weren’t serious, the damage to his reputation would be permanent.
With so many officials watching, Langdon couldn’t afford to back down. If he did, he would lose his standing in the political world-and his claim to integrity along with it.
“Go ahead and investigate.” He raised his chin and said confidently, “I’ve lived an honest life and never engaged in anything illegal. No matter how deep you dig, you’ll find nothing.”
“An honest life, huh? Let’s see if you’re really as innocent as you claim.” Austin turned to Axel. “Take the enforcement team. Investigate Mr. Langdon thoroughly and don’t miss a thing.”
No one was perfect, and officials often cut corners or bent the rules for personal gain. The enforcement team usually turned a blind eye to minor infractions. As long as no one caused major scandals or loss of life, most offenses were met with a slap on the wrist-nothing more.
But Langdon had crossed a line. His blatant disregard for right and wrong had angered Austin. If he didn’t put Langdon in his place now, the man would only become more brazen.
“Understood,” Axel replied with a curt nod and turned to leave.
“Hold on!” Langdon panicked as he hurried to stop him.
“What’s wrong? Feeling guilty? Weren’t you just putting up a tough front?” Austin sneered.
“W-What are you talking about?” Langdon swallowed hard and forced himself to stand firm. “I’m just worried about being framed. What if someone fabricates charges against me? Look at what happened to Sir Prescott.”
His words were a last-ditch effort to cover his tracks. If Austin really did uncover incriminating evidence, Langdon could claim he was being set up.
“So, you still believe Warrick was innocent? And that I’ve wrongfully accused him? Are these stacks of evidence not enough to convince you?” Austin shot back.
“Evidence can be fabricated. Unless I see it with my own eyes or hear it from a credible witness, I refuse to believe Sir Prescott would commit such heinous acts,”
Langdon insisted.
“You want to see for yourself? And you want credible witnesses? Fine. I’ll give you both.” Austin gestured to Axel. “Bring in the two prisoners. Let’s hear what they have to say.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Axel replied before hurrying off.
The room fell into a tense silence as the officials exchanged uneasy glances and whispered among themselves.
“Prisoners? Who are they?”
“The notice only listed Sir Prescott. There was no mention of other officials.”
“Could they be the witnesses Lord Austin was talking about?”
As Langdon listened to his colleagues’ murmurs, he maintained a calm facade, though his mind was in turmoil.
He had been arguing stubbornly with nothing but his silver tongue; he didn’t have the evidence to support them. If Austin really produced solid evidence and credible witnesses, Langdon would be in serious trouble. 1
With that thought in mind, he spoke up again. “Your Highness, don’t think you can just trot out a couple of low-level scapegoats and call them credible witnesses. Let me make it clear that the witnesses must hold significant authority, or their testimony is worthless.”
“And what level of authority would satisfy you?” Austin shot back.
“At least a third-rank official,” Langdon answered firmly.
“I don’t have a third-rank official, but I do have two first-rank officials. See for yourself.” Austin gestured toward the door.
All eyes turned to the doorway as two men in prison garb, their hair disheveled and shoulders slumped, were escorted in by Axel. Their steps were sluggish, as if life had been drained from them.
At first, the gathered officials couldn’t make out their faces. But the moment Austin spoke, the prisoners lifted their heads.
A collective gasp rippled through the room. To their surprise, the two prisoners were Huxley and Percival.
Both men were first-rank officials of West Lucozia, and in terms of rank and status, they were even higher than Langdon.
Unlike Langdon, who only held an advisory role, these two held significant authority.
No one had expected that these once-mighty officials-who once commanded respect and authority-would now stand before them as prisoners.
What on earth had happened?
