Chapter 1340

Carissa leaned back, stating, “The king has known of your corruption for some time. He’s allowed me to handle this privately, giving you a chance. Confess, and your life will be spared. Provide valuable information, and the worst you'll face is demotion. You can still work your way back.”

Miles, a veteran, understood her implication: valuable information meant betraying superiors and subordinates. He believed Carissa. Ian’s constant river patrols and Carissa’s personal involvement in the interrogation—Salvador wouldn't authorize it without her presence—confirmed it. Unknown to Miles, Carissa had already anticipated his thoughts.

She leaned forward, her gaze unwavering. “How far does the corruption extend? What is Mr. Judd's stance?”

Miles hesitated. “Honestly, he encouraged embezzlement, calling it a ‘hardship allowance,’ extra money. We started small, and he didn't object. Over time, we grew bolder. He kept a record of every bribe, yet took no action. We assumed he was equally guilty.”

Carissa raised an eyebrow. “He did nothing, not until now?”

Seeing the guard beside Carissa lift the iron tongs, Miles quickly added, “Except once, before this riverworks project. He strictly forbade taking money, even a coin, warning us to avoid attention. He even arranged for us to take leave while he oversaw the work.”

Carissa tilted her head. “Why the special attention then?”

Miles' eyes flickered. “Probably… because this project is especially important…”

Before he could finish, Carissa pressed the tongs to his arm. A scream, then a whimper, “I’ll talk! Everything! I swear!”

“Speak!” Travis barked.

Tears and snot streamed down Miles’ face. Fear and resentment warred within him, but he had no choice. “We don’t know his plans. We just noticed familiar laborers disappearing, replaced gradually. We suspected something, but with our corruption exposed, we dared not ask.”

Carissa’s eyes narrowed. “How many replacements? How did it happen?”

“I don’t know how. We rarely oversee the riverworks; there are too many projects. Sometimes it’s the reservoir, the moat, Clearflow River, dredging crews… Since last year, several thousand.”

Carissa furrowed her brows. “You noticed and didn’t ask Mr. Judd? Didn’t report it to the Ministry of Infrastructure?” Replacing thousands was like a silent, individual swap; no wonder labor records showed nothing unusual.

“Who would dare? He holds our weaknesses,” Miles said, burdened.

“Never suspect these replacements served another purpose?”

Miles admitted, “No. It wasn’t our concern. Fewer questions, the better.”

“More replacements recently?” Travis asked.

Miles thought. “I went to the reservoir a few days ago. It’s almost finished. Mr. Judd had us all work, as Mr. Walker and others were overseeing. Some replacements, but not many.”

Carissa asked more questions, none concerning Nicholas. Miles answered fully, admitting ignorance where necessary. The tongs yielded nothing more. Suspicions might arise if she held him longer.

She told Travis, “Stay here, watch him. I’ll report to the king.”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

But Carissa went to Capital Guard headquarters, ordering her men to secretly monitor the construction sites. After two hours, she returned.

Hands clasped, she coldly addressed Miles. “His Majesty spares your life, for now, due to your cooperation. Stay home, feign illness. Not a word to anyone. One whisper, and your life is forfeit.”

Travis released Miles, who collapsed, weeping and bowing in gratitude. He'd never expected mercy. He thanked his stars for confessing; otherwise, Astral Prison awaited.