Catherine and the Black Emperor

78. Sergei's treason

"What?! The Duke has been arrested?!"

Upon hearing that Sergei had been arrested on suspicion of treason, Ekaterina immediately put down the book she was holding.

"I'm going to plead with His Majesty! That's absolutely impossible!"

Gemma, who told Catherine the news, was also extremely anxious. If the Grand Duchess pleaded for her, perhaps things could turn around.

Just then, someone arrived.

"Pim!" Matrena exclaimed as she recognized her lover.

Pimen grasped Matrena's hand, but due to the urgency of the situation, he immediately stopped Catherine: "Your Highness, you cannot go!"

He then subtly gestured to Gemma, who immediately understood and calmed down.

With just a thought, Ekaterina calmed down: "Look at me, I was about to do something stupid. Yes, I can't go. If I go, things will only get worse."

She was a Grand Duchess and Peter's wife. If she were to plead for him, it would only strengthen Elizabeth's resolve to punish Sergei.

Even if Sergei is innocent, he will inevitably be punished.

"Your Highness, I am here on the orders of the Lord. The Lord instructed me to tell you that you need not worry. This matter is a conspiracy by Shuvalov. He received the news in advance and made preparations accordingly."

Upon hearing this, Ekaterina was immediately relieved, but since the opponent was Shuvalov, Sergei's superior, he was not so easy to deal with, and she was still worried.

"I'm going to find the Grand Duke. The Duke has helped the Grand Duke so much, the Grand Duke should help him!" Catherine did not sit idly by.

But Peter, after learning what had happened, showed no intention of pleading for leniency and continued to focus on taking care of his dog.

"Why should I plead for Sergei? He committed treason, do you know what that means? Going to my aunt is no different than going to a demon!"

"But isn't Sergei your good friend?"

"That's not how it is now. I can only consider someone a friend if he has committed treason. He is no longer my friend." Peter said without looking up.

Ekaterina said coldly, "He's helped you more than once. Shouldn't you repay his kindness?"

Peter turned to look at her: "He helped me, and because of our relationship, he enjoyed treatment that others didn't. Who wouldn't say when they saw him, 'Look, it's Prince Saltykov, he's the Grand Duke's good friend!'"

Ekaterina turned and left.

She should have known this would be the outcome.

He treated even his wife that way, so what about a friend?

Naryshkin then left as well.

Peter will not leave Sergei alone unless he pleads for him.

Ekaterina's conversation with Peter also made Naryshkin feel disappointed in Peter. Even Sergei was insignificant to Peter, so how could he be?

This man who publicly humiliated his wife and openly allowed other men to flirt with her, if he didn't have the status of a duke, he would probably have died hundreds or thousands of times over.

"Where are you going, Naryshkin!" Peter shouted.

"I'll go and plead for Sergei!"

"You're asking for it!"

"Even if it means courting death, I'll go!"

"Get out!"

Naryshkin left the kennel without hesitation, but Pimen immediately stopped him.

"My lord asked me to tell you that there is no need to plead with Her Majesty the Queen. She has a way to deal with this matter. It is a conspiracy, but it is too early to say who it is targeting."

Naryshkin thought for a moment and asked, "Should I tell his brother Peter?"

Pimen shook his head: "If the adult's parents, wife, and brother don't plead for him, how absurd and outrageous that would be, especially since the adult isn't entirely sure either."

Naryshkin immediately became anxious upon hearing this: "Not entirely certain? How can I not plead for him? Sergei is my best friend!"

Pimen smiled, recalling Sergei's words: If you can't persuade Naryshkin, just tell him this...

"What good will your going do? Even the Lord's parents and wife can't see Her Majesty the Empress. What right do you have to meet her? Don't make things worse!"

Naryshkin was stunned.

At that moment, he realized that he truly had no impressive status; besides being a nobleman, what else did he have?

He was not a court official.

He held no official position.

A friend of the Grand Duke?

What a ridiculous identity! If it weren't for his family background, he wouldn't even be able to meet Peter. And now, he's no longer Peter's friend.

"I was nothing before."

Naryshkin smiled bitterly. At that moment, he suddenly realized how unattainable Sergei's position as deputy chairman was. If the other party was unwilling to befriend him, he would not even be able to see him.

At this moment, Naryshkin's desire to become an official reached an unprecedented level.

After persuading Naryshkin, Pimen left.

He still has a lot to do.

As instructed by his superiors, he must not tell his family. His parents, wife, and brother must plead for him with the utmost sincerity. Now that they have stopped Ekaterina and Naryshkin, what's next...?

It's time to test those people.

Secret Committee, Interrogation Room.

Sergei was chained to a chair, with Vadim and Vitaly sitting opposite him.

"Vice Chairman, we're colleagues, so please don't put us in a difficult position. Quickly give us a full account!" Vitaly questioned coldly.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Sergei said expressionlessly.

Vitaly slammed his fist on the table: "You colluded with the Ottoman ambassador, that's treason! The evidence is irrefutable, and you still want to deny it!"

"Since the evidence is conclusive, then you may do whatever you want with me," Sergei said indifferently.

Vitaly flew into a rage: "You're no longer our superior! If you don't confess, we'll have to move you somewhere else. You haven't experienced being tortured as a suspect yet, sir!"

Sergei gave a forced smile: "Until His Majesty removes me from my post, I will remain your superior!"

"Guards! Take him to the torture chamber!"

Sergei was moved from the chair to being tied to the execution post. Vadim approached and looked at him coldly.

"Vice Chairman, Yulia is now under our control. If you're willing to provide the personnel files of the secret female police force, the Chairman might show mercy and spare you from punishment!"

Then Vadim went to the next room, where Shuvalov was sitting in a chair drinking hot coffee.

"Chairman, he refuses to disclose the list of female police officers."

Shuvalov put down his cup: "Then let's use torture."

Vadim left, a cold glint in his eyes.

He framed Sergei for colluding with the Ottoman ambassador. Treason was something Elizabeth could not tolerate, so he easily obtained the ambassador's consent to arrest and interrogate Sergei.

Besides dealing with Sergei, he also wanted to take this opportunity to obtain the personnel list of the secret police force.

Because this female police force was personally in charge of Sergei and directly under his management, even Vadim, who was in charge of the secret files, did not know how many female police officers there were or who they were.

He beckoned, and his men immediately stepped forward.

"Have Vitaly interrogate Yulia. Demand from both sides simultaneously. If the other side refuses to cooperate, have Vitaly use torture. I'll take responsibility if anything goes wrong!"

Shuvalov's expression was resolute.

Regardless, he must seize this opportunity to gain control of the secret police force!