When the groggy Gustav came to, he found his surroundings unusually quiet. He shook his head, gradually clearing his thoughts, then looked up to see Nie Yun standing before him.
Nie Yun shook his head, looking deeply regretful. "Your Excellency Gustav, the facts have proven that your good name really is quite trustworthy."
"Heh... hahahaha... I told you, some scumbag framed me! I've done nothing wrong, so I've got nothing to fear!" Seeing the regret on Nie Yun's face, Gustav burst into laughter.
Nie Yun patted his shoulder sympathetically, then left the chamber without another word.
Only after Nie Yun moved out of his line of sight did Gustav notice that something seemed off.
Everyone was staring at him in utter silence. Their eyes held shock, displeasure, schadenfreude, and unspoken implications...
The committee chairman seated at the front looked as though his parents had died, while Ishar beside him wore an icy expression. The atmosphere was wrong. Very wrong!
Gustav's heart lurched, and a terrible premonition rose within him.
But that shouldn't be possible! I've never even heard of that supposed "big shot." What could they possibly have gotten out of me?
"What... did I just say?"
Shortly after Nie Yun walked out, a piercing roar filled with grief and indignation rang out from the chamber.
"Alsace! You set me up..."
The cry echoed through the hall, so wretched that the two guards at the entrance exchanged looks...
As soon as the Review Committee's special hearing ended, a detailed account spread in every direction at astonishing speed. Naturally, it circulated only among the Twin Stars' upper echelons. After all... its contents were truly explosive!
Two doses of Truth Serum had sent the hearing through a dramatic reversal, taking it in a direction no one had anticipated...
The Joint