Facing the incomparably solemn faces of the two marines, Chris felt as though he was struck by lightning. He muttered under his breath.
"How could this be? How could this be? "
Even as he muttered, his body couldn't help but be dragged out. At the corner of the street, Chris suddenly noticed a pair of deep eyes brimming with ridicule and laughter. Instantly, Chris understood everything. He couldn't help but struggle frantically, as he pointed at Sheyan and screamed out hoarsely.
"Seaman, do you think it's enough to find someone to frame me? No, I'll tell you, that's impossible! I've painstakingly operated for so long, how can I be toppled by your fabricated charges! Just you wait, I'll be released in an hour. You can't even convict me!!! My trading company will still stand tall in Port Royal! "
Indeed, Chris wasn't lying this time. One must understand, purchasing real estate in Port Royal was an exceedingly troublesome affair. It definitely wasn't something that could be obtained with money, just like purchasing land in the city center of the present world. In fact, Sheyan currently didn't possess the qualifications to own real estate in Tortuga. One could imagine how difficult it was!
Kerry's backer was a true authority figure in Port Royal, named Sir Ben Fleming. This person was also one of Port Royal's councilors, and was capable of leading the tide of public opinion. Most public opinion believed that once Governor Swann left his post, Sir Ben Fleming would be the best choice to succeed him. From this, one could imagine his status.
Of course, merely having a backer wasn't enough. Still, Chris was an extremely cautious individual. Although he had indeed smuggled goods, his prudent style coupled with a clean record of transactions and transactions. Hence, Chris could confidently state that even if the court conducted a rigorous search, Sheyan would absolutely not be able to find any evidence against him.
If one relied on false testimony without evidence, and attempted to commit fraud for personal gain, then that would only happen to a person without a backer. To Chris, it was simply impossible! That was why Chris confidently proclaimed that he would be released in an hour.
In the court, everything proceeded according to Chris's script. First, Chris's murder trial commenced.
The prosecution's argument was pale and powerless, the murder charge was quickly dismissed. In fact, Chris was already anticipating the moment he would leave, and raise his middle finger in front of Sheyan.
Following that, the people who went to search Kerry's house also returned. These people had a poker face, completely devoid of joy. Under the supervision of the inspector, they began to read out the list of goods piled up in the warehouse without any expression. They also asked Kerry to explain the source of the goods.
Kerry could practically recite it backwards, answering every question flawlessly. He was even able to provide the ins and outs of every tax payment, and even pointed out that a certain gentleman in the jury could testify.
Soon, even Sir Ben Fleming stood up to complain, saying that this was obviously a premeditated false accusation, with the intention of tarnishing the reputation of a law-abiding citizen. If the court continued to pursue the matter, it would be like a group of clowns being toyed with.
Facing Sir Ben Fleming's questioning, the judge's expression turned ugly. But at this moment, the prosecution raised his hand and said meaningfully, "Sir Ben Fleming.
I only wish to ask one more question of Mister Kerry, a final question will suffice. I hope the judge will allow it. "
Facing the final counterattack of the prosecutor, Kerry was brimming with confidence. He didn't even sniff out the thick scent of conspiracy in the prosecutor's words, bluntly replying.
"Ask away. But if your question is unable to incriminate me, then I hope to be released from court. "
"No problem." The prosecutor replied meaningfully.
He then raised the list of goods, and started to read the last item of the list aloud.
"My final question is, respectable Mister Kerry, please explain the source of the massive sum of 21,316 guineas in your shop."
Kerry was suddenly stunned, he felt as though he had sunk deep into the whirlpool of a conspiracy. His entire body turned ice-cold, and he suddenly yelled out frantically.
"That's impossible. That's absolutely impossible. I only have a little over a thousand pounds in cash!"
The prosecutor's eyes revealed a mocking expression.
"Oh, the criminals I encounter would usually shout helplessly like that. Regretfully, not a single one of them can escape the punishment of the law! Mister Kerry, perhaps you feel that concealing the gold guineas is a good idea, but unfortunately, the lads I sent out possess the nose of a hunting dog, the eyes of an eagle, and the ears of a bat. As long as you commit a crime, they will follow the clues you left behind and track you down! "
At this moment, Kerry caught sight of Sheyan by the window outside the court. The latter was currently smiling at him, waving his hand as though he was bidding farewell to an old friend. The despairing Kerry immediately grabbed onto a life-saving straw, as though he was suddenly enlightened and yelled out.
"I know, mister judge, someone is framing me! Someone has hidden twenty thousand pounds in my shop to frame me. "
Kerry's words caused the jury below to roar with laughter. At this moment, several marines strenuously carried a large chest to the courtroom, and opened it up. The dazzling brilliance of the gold coin instantly flooded everyone's eyes.
"What a blissful framing!!" The prosecutor exclaimed in admiration. "Mister Kerry, I've already dealt with pirates, smugglers, robbers, prostitutes, murderers for over 30 years. Countless criminals have been brought to justice by me, I believe the number of people who hate me is ten times more than the number who hate you. But until now, I've never had the honor of being framed by someone using 20,000 guineas, oh, no, even 20 guineas."
"Alright alright! Even if we accept the small probability of framing, but the weight and volume of 20,000 guineas is completely presented in front of us. This isn't just a few shillings that can be carried away in one's pocket, this is 20,000 guineas! This is a heavy cargo that requires two adults to carry! "
"If someone were to carry 20,000 guineas into my house, then I believe the neighbors would definitely know of this matter. Mister Kerry, if you're telling us that this expensive 20,000 guineas was slandered into your shop without anyone noticing, then I have reason to believe, you're insulting me, no, you're insulting all of us, including your honorable judge, the jury, and even the spectators' intelligence."
Sir Ben Fleming stood up with a gloomy face, and when everyone thought he would say something, he picked up his crutch, put on his civilized hat, and left without saying a word. The reason for this revered Sir Ben Fleming's abnormally ugly expression was obviously because he had just been slapped in the face by the prosecutor. But the main reason ….. was because Kerry had earned 20,000 guineas worth of smuggling profits, yet he didn't receive his share of the profits!!!
From this, one could deduce with heartache and despair. Today's raid of his shop yielded an extra 20,000 guineas, what about yesterday, the day before, last week, last month, how many dazzling and adorable little things that should belong to him had been swindled???
Sir Ben Fleming felt that his sacred feelings had been tainted, and what he hated the most in his life were those who swindled him.
Following that, there wasn't a single objection. Kerry had been demoted from a revered gentleman to a convict. Norrington had been diligent in his governance, and thus, Port Royal was lacking in manpower for construction projects.
Kerry's businesses, shops and all other movable and immovable properties were confiscated. In other words, everything that Kerry had painstakingly constructed, had vanished into nothingness in the face of Sheyan's casual 20,000 guineas!!
After being changed into a prisoner's uniform and escorted away, Kerry's eyes leaked out a hysterical crazed glint. He stared at the spot where Sheyan was initially standing, and suddenly laughed out wildly.
"Do you think you've won? Do you think I only know how to passively retaliate ….. "
If Sheyan witnessed Kerry's current expression, he would definitely be on guard. Regretfully, the god of fortune wouldn't always be by Sheyan's side. The cruel reality was, Sheyan wasn't able to witness this scene.
*****
After that, nothing noteworthy happened. Sheyan left two men at the pier to monitor the whereabouts of Captain Jack, before returning to his own ship. He then proceeded to make preparations for the next day's auction. Apart from that, Sheyan still had to make arrangements for various matters. For example, once his identity was exposed, he would be hunted down. Furthermore, he had to deal with the declining morale of those pirates who couldn't get ashore.
That night, Sheyan slept early. However, he didn't forget to leave behind some men on night watch. But when he was sleeping in the middle of the night, he suddenly smelled a very light and faint scent.
All of a sudden, Sheyan sprung up from his bed.
After taking a deep breath, he was certain.
A faint stench of blood permeated the air!!!
At this moment, Reef and Mogensha simultaneously awoke. The three of them simultaneously sensed an abnormal stillness in their surroundings. Even the chirping of insects on the island couldn't be heard. But if one carefully discerned, apart from the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the beach, there was also an indescribable dripping sound. That was shockingly the sound of blood slowly seeping through the cracks of the upper deck, and dripping down to the lower deck. (To be continued.) If you like this work, I welcome you to donate your recommendation votes or monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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