Time.

Eleven o'clock.

The sun was almost directly overhead.

On two rows of seats, Ethan and Joseph were already sitting opposite each other.

Besides the necessary attendees, Oswaldo was naturally also present, after all, he was the Governor of Winster, theoretically the highest-ranking person there.

However, today he seemed more like a referee, and the entire scene looked like a dueling platform.

As he nodded and said to start, then sat down, Joseph stood up.

The match officially began.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to today's event. Whether you are reporters or citizens of the Kingdom, I am very pleased that you are here to witness this historic moment, where the power of justice should be returned to everyone, the power of trial belongs to everyone, and the right to know belongs to everyone!"

It must be said, Joseph was extremely adept at playing politics.

At this moment, holding the microphone with a calm and steady tone, his voice was deep and resonant. Coupled with his dignified but approachable attire and his determined and confident expression, no one could help but be influenced or even conquered by him.

Many of the nearby citizens who had initially come to support Ethan were already wavering upon seeing this scene and hearing these words.

Maybe Ethan really was wrong?

This time he wasn't wronged?

The flashlights naturally flashed at the right moment, capturing Joseph's poised demeanor.

"Alright, let's skip the pleasantries and officially start today's evidence presentation. To ensure fairness, every crucial piece of evidence displayed today will be distributed to the nearest five hundred citizens at the scene, and we have prepared the most advanced projection technology to ensure that enough people can see the content clearly. So, let's begin with the case presentation."

After the preamble, Joseph's expression changed to become extremely serious and stern. He looked sharply at Ethan and said, "According to our investigation, Mr. Ethan purchased a bank in Butan City, the Butan Plain Bank, in March. Originally, a businessman making some investments and acquiring a bank is nothing out of the ordinary, as they are regular business actions. But as I am part of the Kingdom Statistical Bureau, I have my professional sensitivities, especially since Ethan made this purchase after I arrived and the bank is not in Winster. It seemed very suspicious, so I investigated..."

"As a result, guess what, everyone? I guessed right. He purchased the bank to engage in illegal activities, with daily unregistered small loans being processed, repaid quickly after, with astonishing amounts, yet always just skirting the Kingdom's baseline. Initially, we had no leads until a righteous individual exposed the inside story."

Joseph passionately and powerfully delivered his speech. At this point, he waved his hand as if commanding an army to advance, and immediately, a well-dressed man with glasses was brought up.

"Kevin Mavis, our key witness, a longtime employee of Butan Plain Bank, could not tolerate Ethan using his beloved bank for illegal dealings and thus reported him in anger. Let's have him speak."

"Objection."

At this moment, Ned, seated among the spectators, turned on a microphone and raised his hand in objection.

He was usually the one seated in the high chair, making him actively oppose today, reminiscent of his younger days.

"Oh? Sir Ned, what are you objecting to?" Joseph seemed unsurprised by Ned's statement, instead giving a slight smile.

"In cases like this, which involve unconventional evidence, according to the law, verification by our Winster Court is required before it can be admitted. Your procedure is incorrect." Ned ignored his smile, leveraging his years of experience as Chief Judge.

If the evidence could be blocked here, the proceedings could be delayed.

In that case, Joseph's public trial today would become a farce.

"Objection overruled." Joseph first said this with conviction and then softened his tone as he looked at the crowd. "Don't think I'm deliberately attacking Sir Ned. It's just that some things make it impossible for me to trust him. To prove I have no personal agenda and that everything is for the Kingdom, I will present evidence showing why Sir Ned's objection is invalid."

With that, he gestured again.

In the next moment, a conversation began playing over a larger speaker.

"What's going on? How much does Joseph have on you?"

"It seems Joseph doesn't intend to take the judicial route."

"I'll help you figure something out if it's a financial issue..."

"We can't borrow money..."

...

"Actually, I'm more curious about my bank, what's happening with it?"

"Regarding the public trial... there's still a chance to shift it back to the court, which would allow much more room for maneuver."

In the short conversation, two distinct voices could be heard, one of which was exactly like Ned's voice.

As for the other... it was Ethan!

As soon as this audio was played, the entire audience buzzed with shock, and even the staunchest supporters of Ethan were beginning to waver.

Could Ethan and Ned be... colluding?

For a moment, thoughts of collusion between officials and businesspeople for illicit profit and abuse of power flitted through everyone's mind.

"Ladies and gentlemen, as you heard, this is why I'm opposed to this. This is the content of a phone call between Ethan and Ned, obtained using the military's latest eavesdropping equipment. Clearly, Sir Ned and Ethan have too close a relationship, which is why I chose a public trial."

Joseph aptly spoke up, about to set the whole atmosphere ablaze.

Ned's face became slightly somber, but he remained calm, saying, "I still oppose it. Not to mention whether such eavesdropping material can be considered evidence, you can't prove this conversation was indeed between me and Ethan. It could be entirely fabricated by you."

The crowd thought, that makes sense.

But the seed of doubt had already been planted.

"Firstly, I want to say that there is no law prohibiting eavesdropping content as evidence."

In this era, eavesdropping technology was far too advanced, and the Kingdom's laws had yet to catch up.

"Secondly, by my personal integrity, my identity, my family name, I, Joseph Evans, with everything as a Kingdom Army Major, warrant that this recording is genuine, with not a hint of fabrication."

Joseph's words were sharp once more, as if on the battlefield of a duel, launching an incredibly intense and storm-like attack.

At this moment, just as the crowd was about to erupt again, someone interrupted him once more.

"Sir Joseph, in that case, we also have a piece of evidence we'd like to submit."

The speaker was Bob, who finally spoke his first words in the entire scene.

And Ethan, he looked up at the sun in the sky.

The sun was just about overhead now.

Noon, had arrived.

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