Carolina saw Necker’s terrified expression and, as if relishing a hot cocoa with lots of sugar on a chilly day, squinted his eyes contentedly and flipped through a pile of case files, “Hmm, shall we discuss your agreement with Klassen Bank six years ago, or the one with Vincent Trade Bank seven years ago…”
Necker suddenly slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair and bellowed with bloodshot eyes, “Carolina, on what grounds do you interrogate me? You think I don’t know about the things you’ve done? I’m going to expose you! Expose you! Even if it means going to prison, I’ll take you down with me!”
Carolina looked at Necker with ease, waiting for him to vent. He then pulled a document out of his pocket, waving it with a smile, “No need for you to expose me, my affairs have already been fully disclosed to the Royal Family. Look, here is the King’s pardon, my exile is over.
“Moreover, after I return all the illegitimate profits, I will no longer be held accountable.”
Necker was stunned, “How… how is this possible…”
Carolina’s smile grew even wider, “Do you know what the biggest mistake of your life is?
“It’s seriously underestimating the Royal Family’s capacity. Oh, and you’ve also unauthorizedly disclosed the Royal Family’s expenses, blaming the financial problems on them. Explore stories on M V L
“I, on the other hand, have chosen to remain steadfastly loyal to the Royal Family. So now, it is I who am examining you.
“Alright, let’s continue…”
Over at the Royal Palace, the Duke of Orleans finally received the news he had been waiting for.
“Lieutenant Colonel Lavier says that the person sent to administer the poison has forever closed his mouth, and there will be no investigation leading to him. Much less implicating you,”
the butler Donadian whispered, glancing at the slightly relaxed brow of the Duke of Orleans, then passed over a small roll of paper sealed with wax, “This has just come from the Secret Police.”
Since Necker’s arrest, the Duke of Orleans’s inside man at the Bastille sent updates daily.
The Duke of Orleans unfolded the slip of paper. This time there were many more words than usual. He quickly read through it, and his face immediately turned pitch black.
In the hall, there were already more than a dozen banking magnates, all linked to Necker, gathered to discuss a plan of action. Seeing the Duke of Orleans’s expression, they hurriedly crowded around.
“Your Grace, what has happened?”
“How is Necker doing, any news?”
The Duke of Orleans simply tossed the slip of paper to them without a word, staring blankly outside the window.
Count of Isaac picked up the paper, and exclaimed in shock, “Carolina is in charge of the investigation? He’s returned from exile?”
He paused, then stuffed the paper into the hands of Viscount Belanger beside him.
The latter glanced at it and, as if his hand were burnt, threw the paper onto the table—the loans operations that his bank had conducted with Necker could no longer be concealed. By now, the police and the Secret Police should be on their way to his home and bank.
“My, my offenses have been uncovered, what am I to do…”
Although others were curious about the contents on the slip of paper, no one dared to reach for it, as if it were a scorpion ready to sting at any moment.
Belanger was finished, and no one knew who would be next.
Seeing everyone’s frightened silence, Count of Isaac quickly spoke up to boost morale, “Don’t be afraid; with so many of us, we are sure to find a solution!”
He turned to look at the Duke of Orleans, the pillar and the last resort for all of them, “Isn’t that right, Your Grace?”
Over ten pairs of eyes suddenly turned to the Duke of Orleans.
The latter’s heart tightened as well, knowing he needed to take no step back or it would mean a complete defeat in the struggle against the Royal Family.
No, there must be a way…
Veins bulged on his forehead, and palms wet with perspiration, yet his tactics were exhausted, and he had no solution at hand.
Suddenly, he remembered the words of Count of Isaac, murmuring to himself, “So many of us… many people.”
A spark returned to his eyes, indeed, how could he forget their greatest advantage—numerical strength!
Even if the Royal Family had leverage over the major banks through Necker, what could it do? If he had enough people to cause a significant disturbance, the Royal Family would have to yield!
Right away, the Duke of Orleans turned around and pointed at Belanger, “You must immediately admit to all charges and then declare your bank’s bankruptcy.”
“No,” Belanger’s face turned pale, “What are you trying to do?”
“Set the forest ablaze, plunge people into terror,” the Duke of Orleans said, with a cold glint in his eye, “Don’t bother with debts and credit issues, don’t handle the transfer of claims, just leave the mess of bankruptcy for others to worry about! Oh, not only declare bankruptcy but also publish the bank’s accounts.”
“Why, why would we do that?”
Count of Isaac’s eyes shifted, quickly grasping the underlying strategy, “Belanger Bank’s books certainly don’t have enough funds to pay depositors and those nobles who have invested. Declaring bankruptcy, they will surely be in a rush to get their money back!”
Marquis of Ludo also had a moment of insight, “But most of the bank’s money has been lent out, and a large portion of it is government loans that cannot be recalled in the short term. Those unable to get their money back will definitely plunge into madness.”
The Duke of Orleans nodded proudly, “More than half of Versailles Palace’s nobility have invested their money in your banks. Tell them that the Royal Family will investigate even more banks, and they will all go bankrupt like Belanger Bank, then their money will never be recovered.”