Chapter : 50
― There is no better candidate for this trial than Mr. Evan Knox. We conducted a thorough background check on him as well, and it seems clear he has taken a different path from his father. It’s been over a year since they last made contact. According to those around him, they are estranged.
― Estranged?
― Although Earl Knox is the founder of Law Firm Cloud, he is not a lawyer himself. He is more of a businessman who hires competent attorneys. It seems he had a strong desire toward the legal profession. Evan Knox entered law school in accordance with his father’s wishes and became a capable lawyer. However, it appears resentment had been building up due to Earl Knox’s ruthless methods that spare no means or methods.
― Resentment, you say.
― Yes. As you know, law is often a privilege of those with money. There are quite a few who have been brought to ruin by Law Firm Cloud—especially those without wealth or power. It seems he clashed with Earl Knox over this many times. Eventually, he could no longer endure it and left home. Unlike his father, who has no mercy, he appears to have a strong sense of justice.
― A strong sense of justice…? That makes me like him less and less.
― Pardon?
“Sir Preston?”
At Windsor’s silent gaze, Evan slightly raised his brows.
Windsor was a rational, realistic man. He was not driven by fleeting emotions, but reached the most reasonable conclusion through thorough reasoning.
It was his innate nature, and the military had further reinforced it. Hundreds of lives aboard a warship depended on each of his decisions.
Windsor was the one who gave orders, and soldiers were those who followed them. At his command, they advanced or retreated.
Even if his orders were wrong, they had to be obeyed without question. That was the fundamental principle maintaining military order.
Since then, Windsor had developed the habit of reviewing each night whether his decisions had been correct. That was how weighty every word he spoke was.
This time was no different. The man before him was unsatisfactory. The reasons were countless.
But reason told him to take this man’s hand. His cold logic knew it was the most rational choice.
Yet he could not bring himself to speak. It was an unfamiliar situation—when reason and emotion said different things.
Windsor stared at Evan with a piercing gaze, as if to pressure him. The atmosphere grew sharply cold. Roman, standing behind him, leaned forward slightly and whispered, “My lord.”
Then Windsor extended his hand toward Evan.
“Let’s work together, Mr. Knox.”
Only then did Evan smile brightly. His unshadowed expression reflected a life of ease—a life chosen and loved by all.
Windsor’s eyes turned cold. He disliked that as well.
“I will do my best, Sir Preston. It may become a battle of David and Goliath, but reversals are your specialty, aren’t they? I’ve heard of your exploits in the Black Fleet. Let us achieve victory together this time.”
At that, Roman straightened his chest proudly. He was, in fact, an ardent admirer of Lieutenant Colonel Windsor Preston. The nickname “Demon of the Black Fleet” especially thrilled him.
If not for Windsor, he would never have chosen a role as an aide unsuited to him. Roman’s voice quickly gained an arrogant tone.
“Rumors are just the tip of the iceberg. What you see of the Colonel—no, the Marquis—is only truly understood when you witness him in person. It’s so shocking it sends chills through your entire body. I guarantee it exceeds anything you can imagine, Mr. Knox.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course. For example, when the Marquis once faced seventeen pirates charging at once…”
“Roman Miller.”
“Yes, sir!”
Roman, who had been chattering away, straightened instantly at attention. Evan watched the scene with curiosity.
Sometimes noble-born youths enlisted as part of noblesse oblige.
However, it was an open secret that they did not serve on the front lines. There were separate rear units for them, and some even enlisted with attendants.
But these two were different. They were men who risked their lives for the kingdom. They had fought countless battles and engaged in life-and-death struggles with pirates.
And now they stood here. That was proof of victory.
“Seventeen pirates… I would very much like to hear what happened next.”
“I’ll tell you another time if the opportunity arises.”
After glancing at Windsor, Roman answered carefully and straightened again.
Evan leaned forward. The face that had been smiling like sunlight moments ago changed instantly. His tone also grew more serious.
This trial was Evan Knox’s battlefield, and the courtroom was his warfront. It was time for him to step forward. And of course, he had no intention of losing.
“I’ve already considered the direction of the argument. First, let’s go over our advantages…”
Evan Knox was better than Windsor had expected. No—better was an understatement. As much as he hated to admit it, he was a highly competent lawyer.
Knox had already established the general direction of his argument and prepared rebuttals for the opposing side. His reasoning had few gaps, and he knew how to appeal to emotion when appropriate.
The only question was whether his arguments would work on the judge. According to intelligence, the judge had already been appointed as someone aligned with the royal faction.
Perhaps everything would be in vain. But they could not give up. Windsor had to do everything to protect Benjamin.
Evan packed the documents he had laid out into his bag and said,
“Let’s stop here for today. We should first see who the other side will call as witnesses. Then we can build a more concrete strategy.”
Witnesses.
Jacqueline’s face suddenly intruded into Windsor’s thoughts like an unwelcome guest. She had deceived him, gone to Southfield, and met with the royal attorney.
The reason was obvious. As Benjamin’s current tutor, she was the most suitable witness.
Credibility, relevance—she lacked nothing.
Jacqueline had hidden the fact that she met the royal attorney. That meant she had already decided to testify for the crown. Otherwise, there would be no reason to lie.
A cold laugh slipped between Windsor’s teeth. Then his expression immediately returned to blankness.
Roman glanced at him. He wondered why Windsor had not told Evan that Lady Somerset had met the royal attorney.
It was clear she would be a witness for the crown. That information should be shared so they could prepare.
“Marquis…”
Roman began to speak but stopped when he saw Windsor’s cold expression. He quietly turned away, pretending not to see anything.
His instincts told him that now was not the time to provoke him.
“Of course, we also need to prepare our own witnesses. Please compile a list of trustworthy candidates—servants, acquaintances, anyone. The more names, the better. Then we will narrow them down one by one. We will also need to practice with them before the trial. Those unfamiliar with court often say things they shouldn’t.”
Roman, glancing at the silently brooding Windsor, forced a smile.
“Understood. I’ll prepare a list by our next meeting. I’m not sure how many there will be, but thanks to you, things are moving quickly. I can finally breathe a little easier.”
“Not at all. This is only the beginning. They are seasoned lawyers, working as a team of four. They will not hesitate to use any means necessary. If we let our guard down, we will be caught off guard.”
“We’ll keep that in mind. Fortunately, we are used to ambushes.”
“Ah.”
Evan, as if remembering something, turned to Windsor.
“If it is not too much to ask, may I meet Lady Somerset?”
“…For what purpose?”
Windsor asked slowly. Evan raised his brows slightly, as if he had not expected the question.
Roman reacted the same way. He frowned faintly at Windsor’s unreadable expression.
Even so, asking about a noblewoman’s private life felt inappropriate… or so he thought.
But something didn’t quite add up.
While Roman was tilting his head in suspicion, Evan offered a polite smile.
“I have a personal matter I would like to discuss with her.”
“A personal matter…”
Windsor paused with his hand on his tie. Evan Knox was flawless from head to toe.
He did not want to appear lax in front of him.
Suppressing the tightness in his throat, Windsor slowly stood.
He buttoned his jacket one by one, his movements deliberately slow—as if delaying his answer.
It was uncharacteristic of him, but his mind was too tangled to care.
Finally fastening the last button, he looked up.
“Roman, call Lady Somerset.”
Windsor realized he had no reason to refuse Evan’s request. And only then did he also realize—he did not want Evan and Jacqueline to meet.
“Yes, my lord.”
Roman left the room immediately. Windsor looked down at Evan, seated calmly.
Meeting Windsor’s gaze, Evan smiled lightly.
“Thank you, Sir Preston.”
Windsor took out his pocket watch.
“Twenty-two minutes.”
“Pardon?”
Evan blinked in confusion.
Windsor returned the watch to his pocket and said indifferently,
“There are twenty-two minutes left until the afternoon lesson begins. I suggest you finish your conversation before then. So as not to interfere with Benjamin’s lesson. I trust you will remember she is his tutor, Mr. Knox.”
“Ah.”
Only then did Evan nod.
“I understand.”
As Windsor left the reception room, he saw Roman and Jacqueline approaching from a distance.
“Ah, Sir Preston.”
Jacqueline stopped when she saw him.
Their gazes met in midair.