Just as Ethan said.

The grand public trial ultimately turned into a ridiculous farce.

Due to Joseph's own contradictory evidence, conflicting data, and suspected evidence forgery, he slandered Ethan.

Ethan was released on the spot.

Of course, "released on the spot" is a symbolic statement.

After all, there wasn't a real Judicial Hall today; instead, there was a vast sea and sky as the trial court.

The unruly crowd almost broke through the barriers and overwhelmed Joseph on the spot. Eventually, the people from the Kingdom Statistical Bureau had to forcibly escort him away.

After Joseph left, naturally, Ned took over the scene. As the highest authority of Winster Court, he announced the verdict for Ethan.

Ethan was declared innocent, and his bank and the frozen funds would be unfrozen.

As for Joseph, even though he is from the Kingdom Statistical Bureau and was overwhelmingly powerful.

"...However, we can never tolerate such acts of abusing power for personal gain and using public authority to persecute law-abiding citizens. As the Chief Judge of Winster Court, I will lead the entire court to initiate a lawsuit against the Kingdom Statistical Bureau Director, Joseph Evans. He is suspected of abusing his private rights, fabricating evidence, and maliciously persecuting others. Please believe, the Kingdom is still a land of law, and justice still stands with us!"

He raised his arm and cheered, with Ethan joining in.

The public was excited and fervent.

Now that Ethan had won, everything prior was naturally justified, including that recording. Joseph's words in the recording would become solid evidence.

As for Oswaldo, who initially acted as the referee, he hadn't spoken since Joseph fled, merely watching everything from the sidelines as an observer.

When Ethan looked at him, he even smiled.

As for the meaning behind the smile, everything was left unsaid.

After the trial ended, Ethan did not leave immediately.

He stayed on site, greeting and chatting with many people, thanking everyone for their support.

It wasn't until near evening, when Ethan left, that the crowd dispersed.

Yet, the enthusiasm remained undiminished; many felt like they had won a great victory today and planned to go to the underground bar for a drink.

It was imaginable that the sales of Winster's moonshine would reach a new high today.

"So, how exactly did you do it?"

In the departing vehicle, Ethan did not take his own car this time; he was in the same car as Ned.

Ned looked at the sky dyed red by the sunset outside the window and couldn't help but ask.

"Secret."

Ethan feigned mystery.

Ned restrained himself from snapping his fingers to put Ethan into a hypnotic state to ask the truth, choosing instead to respect everyone's right to have secrets.

"It's time to prepare for a counterattack."

Ethan said as he looked out the car window at another vehicle disappearing in the distance.

That was Oswaldo's car.

"Don't you want to retaliate against Joseph? Now is the best time." Ned was somewhat surprised.

"Ned, is a disreputable Kingdom Statistical Bureau director whose vulnerability lies in our hands better, or one that is new and bound to be hostile to us?" Ethan looked at Ned.

Ned couldn't help but sigh, "You really are nothing like a 20-year-old young man."

Ethan said nothing.

"I will first initiate a lawsuit against him, cornering him. He really went too far, thinking that just because he came from the Royal Capital and has military connections, he can do whatever he wants in Winster. He seems to have forgotten who truly owns this city." Ned thought for a moment and added.

Ethan nodded in agreement.

Joseph was a beast; taming a beast isn't just about being amiable.

——————

Night fell.

Ethan finally returned to his home.

He did not eat first; instead, he asked Anya to prepare hot water and submerged himself in the bathtub.

To say today wasn't thrilling and completely under his control would be false.

Until the moment arrived, he was prepared to make a desperate gamble.

Anya had already set up a sniper rifle at a certain high point, while Vincent led the family's elite, ready to storm the trial grounds at any moment.

At sea, in case things went awry, he had an arrangement with Carlos to create a distraction and draw fire, allowing Ethan's own ship to sail through the waves.

Of course, the most crucial item was in his possession, that being Saint Kuanti and what he left behind.

It was a staff of penitence, a relic of Saint Kuanti, containing years of cultivation that could unleash unimaginable power in an instant, enough to break through any encirclement.

But in doing so, he would have to flee Winster and possibly never return from the Old Continent for a lifetime.

Fortunately, he succeeded.

Submerging his entire body in the warm water, even his head underwater.

Ethan slowly opened his eyes, looking at the object before him.

That was the core of all the secrets.

The Name of the True God.

In fact, the so-called secret was very simple, which was—

The latest sprout growing from the Name of the True God, winding and nurturing a new branch name.

The owner of money and contract.

This true name is what allowed him to turn the tables in the end.

Also, it was this true name that prevented Thomas from noticing any issues with the documents or the numbers.

So, when did he awaken to this true name?

The answer was when he tapped the watch.

Prior to this, it was in a state of gestation, about to sprout.

In fact, after Ethan acquired the Butan Plain Bank and Eugene used those money-laundering strategies set by Ethan, this true name was already forming.

Ethan felt its birth stronger than ever before, perhaps because 'The Name of the True God' had evolved again.

When Joseph sealed the bank and froze his funds, this true name was nearly fully developed.

At that time, Ethan had exhausted most of his nurturing channels, leaving only one, those family members who had already sailed to the Old Continent carrying traveler's checks.

Therefore, Ethan needed time.

Needed those family members to reach the Old Continent, needed to contact Palon over there, to have him execute his orders and exchange those checks.

Luckily, he knew Jackson had a cross-sea telegraph line leading to the Old Continent.

So he simply asked Jackson for a favor, which was to lend him that line.

Finally, the fruit ripened.

Everything became different.

Ethan reached out, touching that golden true name, and in an instant, he heard the sound of money flowing.

He could perceive the flow of every penny that belonged to him, the existence of every contract.

From now on, if anyone wanted to use these things to scheme against him, they would have to think twice.

Emerging from the warm water, Ethan lounged lazily against the bathtub wall, picked up a glass of pre-poured wine, and took a sip.

Truly a narrow escape.

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