"As everyone can see, this is a trade contract belonging to Bolita Freight, a subsidiary of Bolita Investment Company. The contract states that in the past year, they have exported over ten million Golden Rye worth of textiles. You might not understand the significance of this number."

A man named Thomas held up the contract, speaking with a hint of eloquence.

He pushed his glasses up again and then placed another document on the projection device, saying, "This is our calculation of the annual textile export amounts for the entire Kingdom over the past ten years. As you can see, even in the year with the largest trade volume, the total was only two hundred million. At this point, you might still be confused, but that's okay. You can turn to the back, where there are separate statistics for the exports from the northern part of the Kingdom..."

As he spoke, more documents were handed out to those who had obtained the contract earlier. Of course, he was also flipping through the pages in the projector's light.

"You can see that in the northern part of the Kingdom, in the past ten years, the highest textile export volume was no more than forty million Golden Rye. Wenster's textile industry is not prosperous, yet a subsidiary of Bolita can claim a quarter of the total? Is this possible?"

Thomas's account was very calm, detailed, and thorough.

Even those who didn't understand these things were convinced by his narrative.

Because it was the simplest numerical comparison.

Too fake.

"So, purely from a numerical standpoint, this contract has a huge problem, yet Butan Plain Bank turns a blind eye. The falsehood in their subsequent accounts is truly..."

Thomas shook his head and sighed, then said in a tone of 'let me teach you,' "If you really intend to fake an account, you should seriously calculate the possible limits. Based on the data we collected, Bolita Freight could only manage about two million at most each year."

The entire place was already very quiet.

Just a dozen minutes ago, people were agitated and immersed in Joseph's aggressive recording.

Now, in the face of real numbers, they were silent.

Ethan... it seems there really is a big problem?

"Ethan, do you have anything to say?"

Joseph had already regained his composure, rebuilding his signature smile, seemingly asking Ethan and his group kindly.

Ethan didn't speak; Bob was the first to reply, "Before you've presented all your evidence, we won't respond for the time being. Or is that all?"

"There is, of course, there is more. I'm just afraid the more you hear, the less you'll know how to cover up the lies you've told. Actually, you see, everyone still has confidence in you. Do you really want to let them down so badly?"

Joseph was fanning the flames.

Bob politely said please continue and then turned off the speaker.

So Thomas began to continue presenting more evidence.

In the subsequent evidence, besides the contract, there were various receipts, suspicious loans, checks, and large cash flows.

Thomas, however, analyzed them to the audience calmly and methodically.

His voice was cold, yet his words were precise enough.

The more people listened, the more they were drawn in.

Their trust in Ethan had dropped to freezing point.

Because judging by this large amount of evidence, Ethan's criminal activities seemed indisputable.

No matter how much he tries to argue, numbers don't lie.

Ethan was finished.

Many people who previously believed in his innocence began to panic in their hearts.

So, were they supporting a criminal all along?

Even Marvin, up there in the building, who thought Ethan would win after producing that recording, couldn't help gaping.

After all, the vampires in the Ministry of Finance were too adept at calculations, making sure you couldn't hide wherever there are numbers.

Is there still hope for Ethan?

Can he turn the tables?

Joseph, however, was becoming more relaxed as he listened. Although Ethan had played a trick on him, it didn't matter as long as he won the crucial point.

The result is what matters most.

The result is that Ethan's money laundering and tax evasion are undeniable.

He looked at Ethan.

Ethan was also looking at him, still seemingly calm, but his gaze couldn't help but drift toward the sea.

The sea?

Joseph also glanced at the sea behind him without any expression.

The weather was excellent today; the sea stretched to the horizon, and besides the icebergs faintly visible at the far edge of the sky, there was nothing else.

But Joseph dared not take Ethan lightly anymore.

Especially after the recent recording incident.

If he looked at the sea, there must be a reason.

Planning to escape?

The sea...

The Sea God?

Joseph, of course, knew well the close relationship between Ethan and the Sea God, especially lately, as the Sea God's Deputy Carlos frequently visited Ethan's home.

Ethan was obviously losing here; he wouldn't be willing to just sit back and await defeat.

"Go find someone to check the docks, and the movements of the Sea God."

Though he felt the Sea God wouldn't really risk helping Ethan, as the Sea God had more than just Ethan as a partner and had no need to take such a risk.

The Sea God's status in the Kingdom was not low.

However, there's always a chance.

After instructing Steve on it, Joseph thought for a moment and realized he couldn't just watch the sea but also needed to consider the land.

After all, this was Wenster, Ethan's territory.

He was the king of the underworld in Wenster, and who knew how many were loyal to him; perhaps he had some unknown backup plan in the dark.

So he ordered another subordinate to set up defensive measures around, checking thoroughly, ensuring there was no way for Ethan to be taken away.

After ensuring nothing was overlooked on sea or land, Joseph again looked at Ethan.

Do you have any other cards, Ethan?

Royal Capital?

The guy named Virel in the Royal Capital hasn't managed to accomplish anything these days either.

Joseph had been in continuous contact with the headquarters in the Royal Capital, following up on the situation there every day.

Every detail of whom Virel met and what he did was under scrutiny.

No progress means no progress.

No one in the Royal Capital will help you, Ethan.

Time was ticking by, and it was past noon.

Thomas was still tirelessly presenting evidence, and the evidence they collected and prepared was massive.

One reason was their thorough preparation; another was the help from their team's consultant, the great lawyer Duval.

He provided a lot of valuable local assistance.

Ethan, however, wasn't looking at them but raised his head to look at the sky.

The weather wasn't as dazzling and glaring as before; it was as if the duel had concluded and judgment was about to be rendered.

Ready to surrender or fight to the death?

Joseph eagerly awaited.

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