"Baron Kessler," Elara began, voice clinical and precise. "In the last six weeks, you have spent approximately eight hundred gold hiring assassins to kill me. Three separate contracts. Two failed completely. One resulted in a minor injury to one of my guards."
Kessler's face went from red to white. "That's—that's absurd—I would never—"
"Don't lie." Elara gestured to Dimitri, who opened the folder and pulled out the first document. "This is a record of payment from your personal account to a merchant intermediary named Velos. Dated five weeks ago. Amount: three hundred gold. Memo: security consultation."
She nodded, and Dimitri pulled out another page.
"This is testimony from Velos, obtained through legal channels, stating that you hired him to arrange 'removal of a business competitor.' His words, not mine. He identified you by name, physical description, and provided copies of your written instructions."
Kessler opened his mouth. Nothing came out.
