Old Gods, Rapid-Fire Guns, and Prohibition

Chapter 166 [Numbers Don’t Lie]

"As you can see, this is a trade contract for Poleta Freight, a subsidiary of Poleta Investment. It states that over the past year, they've exported textiles worth over 10 million gold renminbi. You might not understand the meaning of this figure."

The man named Thomas held up the contract, looking as if he was ready to talk.

He pushed his glasses again, then took out another document and placed it on the projector. He said, "This is our calculation of the kingdom's textile exports each year over the past ten years. You can see that even in the year with the highest trade volume, the total amount was only 200 million. You may still not understand this, but it's okay. You can turn to the back, which shows the separate statistics for exports from the northern part of the kingdom..."

As he spoke, more documents were distributed to those who had previously received contracts, and of course, he was also flipping through the pages in the projected light.

"Look, across the entire northern part of the kingdom, in the past ten years, the highest annual textile export volume was only 40 million gold Ryans. Winster's textile industry isn't very prosperous, yet a subsidiary under Pauletta can monopolize a quarter of it. Is that even possible?"

Thomas's narration is very calm, detailed and in-depth.

Even people who don't understand these things are convinced by his narration.

Because this is the simplest numerical comparison.

Too fake.

"So, judging by the numbers alone, this contract has huge problems, but the Butan Plains Bank turned a blind eye to them. The subsequent accounting they prepared was truly false..."

Thomas shook his head and sighed, then added in a tone that said, "Let me teach you a lesson," "If you really intend to cook the books, you should carefully calculate the possible limits. According to the data we've collected, the maximum share that Poletta Freight can capture is around two million per year."

The whole place was very quiet.

People were very agitated just a dozen minutes ago, immersed in Joseph's aggressive recording.

But now, they were silent in the face of the real numbers.

Ethan...it seems like there is indeed a big problem?
"Ethan, what do you want to say?"

Joseph had recovered. He put on his signature smile again and asked Ethan and the others in a caring manner.

Ethan didn't say anything, so Bob spoke first: "Until you present all the evidence, we will not respond for now, or should we say, no more?"

"Yes, of course there are, and there are many more. I'm just afraid that the more you listen, the less you'll know how to cover up your lies. Actually, you see, everyone still has full confidence in you. Do you really want to hurt them like this?"

Joseph is fanning the flames.

Bob politely said "Please continue" and turned off the loudspeaker.

So Thomas continued to present evidence.

In the subsequent evidence, in addition to contracts, there were various statements, as well as suspicious loans, checks, and large amounts of cash flow transactions.

Thomas, however, was not at all impatient and analyzed everything point by point to everyone in the audience.

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

The more people listen, the more they get sucked into it.

Their trust in Ethan has reached a freezing point.

Because, judging from this large amount of evidence, the fact that Ethan committed the crime is irrefutable.

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

Ethan is done.

Many people who had previously firmly believed that he was innocent began to panic.

So they were supporting a criminal from the beginning to the end?

Even on the high building, after Ethan showed the recording, Marvin, who thought Ethan was going to win, couldn't help but open his mouth wide.

After all, it's those vampires in the Ministry of Finance who are so good at calculations. It seems that as long as there are numbers, they can make you nowhere to hide.

Ethan, is there any hope?
Can he still make a comeback?

The more Joseph listened, the more relaxed he became. Even though he was tricked by Ethan, it didn't matter. As long as he won the crucial part, it would be fine.

Results come first, and results are the most important. The result is that Ethan laundered money and evaded taxes, and there is no denying it.

He looked at Ethan.

Ethan was also looking at him. Ethan's expression seemed still calm, but he couldn't help but glance at the sea.

The sea?
Joseph also glanced at the sea behind him calmly.

The weather is very good today. The sea is boundless. There is nothing but the icebergs vaguely visible on the horizon in the distance.

But Joseph no longer dared to take Ethan lightly.

Especially since the recording incident just happened.

He must have a reason for looking at the sea.

Are you planning to escape?

The sea...

Poseidon?
Joseph was of course well aware that Ethan and Poseidon had a close relationship, especially since Poseidon's first mate Carlos had been frequently visiting Ethan's house these days.

Ethan was obviously doomed to fail here, and he certainly wouldn't be willing to sit there and wait for death.

"Go get someone to check on the dock and the movements of the Poseidon."

Although he felt that Poseidon would not really help Ethan, after all, Poseidon had more than one partner, so there was no need to take risks.

He has a high status in the kingdom.

But, there is always a chance of something happening.

After giving orders to his superior Steve, Joseph thought for a moment and decided that he couldn't just focus on the sea, he also had to focus on the land.

After all, this is Winster, Ethan's territory.

He is the king of the underground world of Winster. No one knows how many people are loyal to him. Maybe he has some unknown tricks up his sleeve.

So he asked another man to set up defenses and check the surrounding area to make sure there was no possibility that Ethan was kidnapped.

After making sure that nothing was missed around him, on sea or on land, Joseph looked at Ethan again.

Do you have any backup plan, Ethan?
The royal capital?
That guy named Velen in the royal capital hasn't done anything these days.

Joseph has been in constant contact with the headquarters in the royal capital these days, following up on the situation there every day.

Including who Velen met and what he did every day, no matter how big or small.

No progress, no progress.

No one in the capital will help you, Ethan.

Time passed little by little, and it was already past noon.

Thomas continued to present evidence, and the amount of evidence they collected and prepared was massive.

On the one hand, it was due to their thorough preparation, and on the other hand, it was due to the consultant in their team, lawyer Duval.

He provided ample local help.

Ethan didn't look at them, but raised his head to look at the sky.

The sky was not as bright and dazzling as before, as if the duel had ended and the moment of judgment was coming.

Are you ready to surrender, or fight to the death?

Joseph is looking forward to it.

(End of this chapter)