Catherine and the Black Emperor

80. To settle a dispute peacefully

Shuvalov understood.

In order to fabricate the claim that Sergei was secretly colluding with the Ottoman ambassador, someone of sufficient influence was needed to testify. Regardless of his public identity as the chief steward or his clandestine identity as a member of the secret council, Chom was deeply trusted by Elizabeth.

Most importantly, Chom is his man!

Therefore, Elizabeth would certainly not take it lightly if the other party stood up and guaranteed it with their life.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but take out the other party's confession: "This is your confession, it has your signature and fingerprint on it! Do you know what crime it is to tamper with a confession in court!"

"My confession was written under duress, with my family's lives threatened. It doesn't count. Even if I'm guilty, I'm willing to take the blame!"

Sergei's eyes flickered slightly.

This Chom, still not giving up even now, actually secretly passed messages to Shuvalov.

As expected, with a glance from Shuvalov, Vitaly left the scene.

Chom's recantation made Shuvalov realize that something was very wrong.

Since it was a frame-up, there couldn't be too many people in the know, so he only arranged for Jom as a witness. In such a short time, it was impossible for him to arrange for a second witness.

Before he could speak, Sergei spoke again.

"Since the witnesses did not see me secretly meeting with the Ottoman ambassador, then the so-called letters should be brought out to verify their authenticity."

Shuvalov stared intently at Sergei.

Is the other party courting death or are they confident of success?

When Sergei first joined the secret committee, he asked them to write a letter to Moscow containing many secrets. However, Sergei did not know that the letter, which had just been sent out, had returned to him shortly afterward.

This was precisely his tactic: to leave a handle on anyone who entered the secret committee.

The letter was written by Sergei himself, and the secrets on it were all true. As for who it was given to, he arranged for a sufficiently influential witness, so he could give it to whomever he wanted.

Could Sergei possibly find evidence in the letter that "this was not intended for the Ottoman ambassador"?

seek death!

"Bring out the evidence!" Shuvalov said in a deep voice.

However, when the court officials brought out the evidence, Shuvalov and the others were dumbfounded, because the letter was gone, or rather, it had been replaced with something else. Shuvalov only glanced at it before putting the papers away.

"You all go out first!"

"Chairman, this..."

"What is this?! Look at this! Is this evidence? Is it even relevant to this case?!"

Two court officials walked out, and Shuvalov looked at the papers that detailed how he had extorted money from various ambassadors through Chom.

"It's been switched! Damn it!"

Shuvalov was furious.

Not only was Sergei's letter taken away, but the other party also left evidence of his crimes here!

"Thank goodness we didn't take these out!"

Shuvalov immediately burned the evidence.

Back in the courtroom, Shuvalov, in his capacity as chairman, made an announcement to everyone.

"Given the witness's recantation and the discovery of numerous suspicious points in this case upon closer examination, the suspect is now being held in custody, and the trial will be scheduled for a later date!"

This was the best solution Shuvalov could think of.

Even if this damages the authority of the special court, there is no other way.

At this point, continuing the investigation will not lead to a conviction for Sergei, and if it continues, no one can guarantee that no new evidence of his crimes will be found at the scene!

And so, Sergei was taken away again.

Unlike his previous treatment, this time he was placed in a different location, not a prison cell, but a warm and comfortable room with plenty of food on the table.

He walked up to them and started eating as if nothing had happened.

He had no fear of being poisoned in his food, and his case attracted the attention of the entire court, including Elizabeth. Even if Shuvalov had a thousand times the courage, he wouldn't dare to kill anyone.

Otherwise, even without evidence pointing to Shuvalov, Elizabeth would have dismissed him from all his posts.

Who could feel at ease with someone who dared to murder important court officials right under the Empress's nose?

one day.

Two days.

Three days.

Vitaly reported to Shuvalov: "Chom's family, including his grandchildren, has all disappeared, and even his daughter and her family have vanished."

Not to mention that Vitaly didn't even bother to look for anyone, he couldn't have found them anyway.

Because Jom's entire family was captured by Yuri and a group of masked men.

Shuvalov roared, "Go find Arseni and have him mobilize all the secret police in St. Petersburg. Find him no matter what!"

one day.

Two days.

Three days.

Arseni reported to Shuvalov: "We've searched every inch of St. Petersburg, inside and out—the suburbs, the churches, the army—everywhere we've searched, even the palace. We've searched every place we can monitor. He can't possibly be hiding someone in the Empress's room!"

Shuvalov roared, "Of course he couldn't have hidden the man with the Queen!"

one day.

Two days.

Three days.

On this day, Sergei was resting when the door opened and Shuvalov walked in. Sergei still kept his eyes closed, but spoke in a calm tone.

"The fact that you, Chairman, have come means there are no other options left."

"Your abilities surprise me," Shuvalov said, sitting in his chair.

Sergei opened his eyes: "After all, you've served as vice chairman for so long, but in terms of influence, Chairman, you are still superior. Vadim, Vitaly, Arseni, and others are all at your beck and call."

"Did Yulia's men kidnap Chom's family?" Shuvalov asked.

Sergei shrugged, neither confirming nor denying.

"Let the secret policewoman release him. I will declare you innocent. You lucky fellow, you will receive compensation from Her Majesty the Queen for this!" Shuvalov had no choice but to settle things peacefully.

He lost this contest.

He never imagined that he, who controlled the vast majority of the secret committee's power, would be defeated by Sergei, who only had a secret female police force.

"OK."

Sergei nodded in agreement, not at all worried that Shuvalov might go back on his word.

Things have come to this point—Jom has recanted his testimony in court—and continuing this charade will not benefit anyone. Elizabeth will be furious, and they will both suffer.

In reality, if this continues, neither of them will have a good time.

Shuvalov had every reason to say that Sergei had kidnapped Chom's family to threaten him into recanting his testimony, and Sergei could then use Chom's recantation to claim that Chom's family had been kidnapped long ago to frame him.

But this made things much bigger.

Moreover, the key piece of evidence—the letter—is missing.

Shuvalov left.

He knew there was a traitor involved; otherwise, it would have been impossible for someone to steal the letter and release his incriminating evidence so quickly during the court hearing.

"Send Vadim to investigate. He must find the traitor, starting with Vitaly!"

He immediately stopped, his eyes flashing, and gave his men another order.

"Have Vitaly secretly investigate Vadim; my first priority is to ascertain Vadim's loyalty!"

The two people should investigate each other to ensure that nothing goes wrong!