The ashen-faced Huxley was dragged away. With his crimes exposed, his fate was sealed. His entire family would be implicated, and their assets would be seized.
Those guilty would be punished, and even those who had merely benefited from his corruption would be held accountable. To put it bluntly, Huxley’s entire family was about to be annihilated.
Austin issued his next order once the bloodstains were cleaned up. “Axel, it’s time to bring in the mastermind.”
With Huxley dealt with, the next step was to confront Warrick.
Unlike Huxley, Warrick wouldn’t be easy to deal with. After all, he commanded a large number of troops. If backed into a corner, he could become a major threat.
“Understood!” Axel responded respectfully, then turned to his subordinates, “Gather more men and come with me.”
Warrick had earned his prestigious position through years of fierce battles. On the battlefield, he was a one-man army, a warrior capable of taking on thousands. His strength was beyond what most could imagine.
Even though Axel was a grandmaster martial artist, he had no confidence in facing someone like Warrick alone.
After all, an aging tiger still had its claws. Warrick hadn’t seen the battlefield in years, but he remained a formidable force.
If it came down to a fight, the outcome was uncertain. To be safe, Axel knew he needed backup. Once his team was ready, he swiftly led them toward the parlor.
Earlier, to keep Warrick occupied, Austin had invited him to dinner. Now, at the parlor, Warrick had no idea that danger was closing in.
“Surround the place!”
As they approached the parlor, Axel ordered his elite enforcement team to seal off every entrance and exit. He strode forward with four elite guards at his side and pushed open the door.
Inside, Warrick was leisurely sipping tea.
He appeared calm and indifferent, as if Axel’s presence meant nothing to him.
“Sir Prescott, Lord Austin requests your presence.”
Axel’s gaze locked onto Warrick. His right hand rested on his sword hilt, every muscle tense with caution.
Behind him, his four elite guards mirrored his stance. If Warrick made any sudden moves, they wouldn’t hesitate to draw their swords.
“His Highness keeps summoning me back and forth. What exactly does he want this time?”
As Warrick stood, an invisible pressure filled the room. Everyone felt like a boulder had been placed on their shoulders, their breaths growing heavy.
“I’m just following orders, not asking questions. If you have something to say, speak directly to His Highness,” Axel replied flatly.
“Fine. I’ll go with you, but I hope we can settle this once and for all.” Warrick cracked his neck before walking out the door.
Axel signaled to his men, and they split into two teams-one moving left and the other right. They quickly surrounded Warrick and followed closely behind.
Five minutes later, Warrick was back in the meeting room.
This time, however, the room was heavily guarded. Dozens of elite enforcement team members stood watch inside and out, and more hid in the shadows, waiting for the signal to strike.
Warrick scanned the room, taking in the heightened security. He chuckled softly but said nothing. He calmly walked inside and stepped right into the enforcement team’s trap.
“Your Highness, from the looks of this setup, it seems you don’t plan on letting me sleep tonight?”
Upon seeing Austin, Warrick skipped any pleasantries. He sat down and spoke plainly. His calm demeanor made it seem like he was a mere guest.
“Huxley has confessed. He claims you were responsible for Jovian’s death. What do you have to say for yourself?” Austin asked coldly.
“What difference does it make if he confesses or not?” Warrick picked up his teacup and took a slow sip.
“Your Highness, I don’t understand. Why would someone from the Ballard family in Oakvale-a nobody-be worth all this trouble?” he asked. “Is it worth turning against us, the men who have served you for years? Let me ask you-are you from West Lucozia or Oakvale?”
“Who Jovian was doesn’t matter. His background doesn’t matter. What matters is that he was a guest of my family. By harming him, you’ve insulted and disrespected the royal court. Do you think I’ll let that slide?” Austin’s voice was ice-cold.
“If this is just about making things right, I’ll admit I was wrong. I can write a letter of repentance and even relinquish my military command. Would that be enough? “Warrick asked.
“If you’d admitted your guilt the first time I asked, I might have pleaded for leniency on your behalf. But now it’s too late.”
Austin grabbed the evidence from the table and threw it at Warrick’s feet.
His voice turned even colder. “Your crimes aren’t limited to one or two offenses. The lives you’ve destroyed aren’t just one or two. If I let you go, how will I explain myself to my father? To the people of West Lucozia? No matter what, you must be executed.”
