Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 174 - 172: Who is Miao Zhenzhen? The witness is baffled by the question

Chapter 174: Chapter 172: Who is Miao Zhenzhen? The witness is baffled by the question

Monday, the day of the court session.

Although it was the beginning of April, the weather hadn’t completely warmed up yet. Stepping outside, the cold wind brushed against the skin, still carrying a hint of the winter that had not yet passed.

At Su Mei’s Home, Zhang Wei and his two companions were already suited up and ready to go.

"Is everything prepared?"

"All set!"

"And the materials?"

"All compiled!"

"Have all the documents been printed out?"

"Rest assured, they are all here!"

"Good, then let’s head to the battlefield!"

Glancing at the time, Zhang Wei knew it was the moment to leave.

The trio set off at once!

...

Morning, 8:30 AM.

Taoyuan District, the district court.

The location was the same as last week’s session, but today’s courtroom was even more bustling than the last time.

"Lawyer Susan, according to the court hearing’s news from a few days ago, among the families affected by the incident in Tonghu Town, someone had forged medical records. Is this true?"

"Lawyer Su, we’ve heard that many people in your town oppose suing Haofangzi Group. Does your decision to sue indicate you are acting recklessly on your own?"

"Environmental Protection Department’s tests reports have shown no issues with Haofangzi Group. Are you slandering the factory by accusing it of polluting the water sources?"

"It’s been reported that Haofangzi Group intends to countersue you after this court hearing. What are your thoughts on this?"

"According to our channel’s sources, as the prosecuting lawyer, you’ve brought in a consultant from Dongfang Capital. What is your relationship with him?"

"Last week, Ms. Su Mei had a nosebleed at the end of the hearing. Some speculate she was feigning illness to garner the jury’s sympathy. Do you have a different opinion on this?"

As they made their way into the court, Zhang Wei and his companions had to push through the encircling media reporters.

The questions they threw at them all sounded like a targeted attack.

"Good grief, these unscrupulous media. If you tell me they didn’t receive instructions from Su Bancheng, I won’t believe it!"

Finally carving a path through the media’s blockade, Zhang Wei couldn’t help but comment.

Although media’s interference with the hearing was limited, unsettling your composure right before the court session was something they could achieve.

Su Bancheng, the old lawyer, was no stranger to these tactics either.

And now, launching a preemptive strike before the session, also served as a warning for the three of them.

Upon entering the courtroom, Zhang Wei and his companions took their respective places.

Owing to Su Mei’s condition, she was unable to be present, so at the front row of the witness stand, only Jessica and the representatives of the other four families were present.

As for the families themselves, many had to work and were unable to come and show their support.

However, the fewer number of people gave outsiders the impression of a lack of confidence.

Zhang Wei could already guess what kind of articles the media were writing.

Before long, the defendants began to arrive.

At the entrance of the court, the crowd that had been congested parted automatically, creating a path for Su Bancheng, who entered the venue with the support of his team.

Representatives of Haofangzi Group followed shortly behind, dozens of them walking into the courtroom with an air of dominance.

Leading them was President Wu, who with a poker face, walked to the defendant’s bench and took his seat indifferently.

Su Bancheng scanned the entire room and finally, his gaze settled on Zhang Wei with a look of mockery.

"Today, you will learn the consequences of provoking me!"

Zhang Wei eyed Su Bancheng as well, his heart responding with a cold sneer.

"Today, let this old ghost see what true defeat looks like!"

Time passed quickly amidst their mutual "anticipation."

o’clock finally came.

"All rise!"

The courtroom went quiet as the judge made his entrance.

However, this time, the judge didn’t just nod in greeting to Su Bancheng; he also, unprecedentedly, nodded at Susan and Zhang Wei.

Clearly, he had felt the pressure from the plaintiff’s side during last Friday’s trial, which was why he had slightly changed his attitude.

Both the judge’s bench and the jury box were fully seated.

"Today’s trial continues, does the plaintiff have any more witnesses to call?"

"Your Honor, our side has decided to conclude our opening statement!"

Facing the judge’s question, Susan stood up to respond.

Most people in the courtroom were not surprised by this outcome.

Finally, Su Bancheng smiled. Your opening statements are over; now it’s my turn to make a move.

"Very well, since the prosecution has finished presenting evidence, it is now the defense’s turn to do so!"

The judge nodded towards Su Bancheng, "Lawyer Su, you may begin!"

Su Bancheng understood the cue and rose slightly, "The defense calls the first witness to testify!"

At Su Bancheng’s signal, a man wearing a suit and glasses, with a slicked-back hairstyle, walked up to the witness stand.

"Witness, please tell everyone your identity!"

"My last name is Miao, I am the Head of the Security Department at Haofangzi Group, person in charge of the Pollution Detection Center, the company’s liaison for safety projects..."

The witness listed a long string of titles, as if to tell the entire courtroom he was an important person in Haofangzi Group.

In the jury box, many looked at him with speculation, doubt, and a slight surprise in their eyes.

They were all curious why one person would have so many titles; did it make him seem very impressive?

However, it seemed his goal was achieved.

Even the "No. 1" lady was staring at the witness stand.

And on the plaintiff’s side, Zhang Wei, seeing Director Miao take the stand, showed an increasingly conspicuous smile.

"It really is him, Su Bancheng you old fox, who else but him could you have called? There will be tears soon!"

Not to mention Zhang Wei’s little thoughts, the defense’s own evidence presentation had already begun.

"Hello, Director Miao, being part of Haofangzi Group’s risk control department and also in charge of the Environmental Protection Department, what is your opinion on the pollution issue at the Tonghu Town processing plant?"

Director Miao didn’t hesitate and immediately said to the jury, "I believe these allegations are all slander, baseless fabrications!"

"Oh, why do you say that?"

"It’s very simple. Our department conducts tests every quarter. Regarding environmental pollution, our group takes it very seriously. Just this weekend, our company conducted a surprise test for trichloroethylene. The sample was taken from the water source in Tonghu Town, and the test result was a pass!"

Su Bancheng immediately nodded upon hearing this answer, then snapped his fingers towards the defendants’ bench.

At once, an assistant took out three documents from a briefcase: one was handed to Zhang Wei’s side, one was submitted to the judge’s bench, and the last one was held in Su Bancheng’s hand.

"Your Honor, and everyone in the court, the document in my hand is the data from the surprise test conducted over the weekend. It clearly records the results of the sample testing from the water source. This report tells everyone that the pollution issue at the Tonghu Town water source is a groundless slander, an unfounded accusation against my client’s group!"

"Your Honor, our side requests that this test report be admitted as evidence, and we ask for approval!"

The judge glanced at Susan and Zhang Wei’s side, and seeing that they didn’t speak for a long time, said, "Since the prosecution does not object, the court approves!"

"Thank you!" Su Bancheng thanked the judge and continued his questioning.

"Director Miao, I know the plaintiff might question the authenticity of the test report, so I would like to ask: is this report accurate, and is there any mistake in it?"

"That’s impossible!"

Director Miao responded as if well-prepared, "The equipment in our lab is all imported. Many of our testing personnel come from Medical University in Jinnan City, Jinying City, and even from top domestic environmental labs as special consultants. Both the testing precision of the devices and the professionalism of the staff meet the highest national standards. There is no possibility of inaccuracies in the test results, nor any so-called errors!"

"Well, thank you for your response, Director Miao. The defense has no further questions!"

Su Bancheng was very satisfied. After finishing the questioning, he even glanced at Zhang Wei.

I knew you might ask about the margin of error, question the professionalism of the researchers, so I preemptively blocked these questions, leaving you with nothing to ask.

Filled with confidence, Su Bancheng returned to his seat.

He believed that Director Miao on the witness stand must have had no issues; even if the other side conducted a cross-examination, they would not be able to grasp any Achilles’ heel.

Moreover, in terms of professionalism, what could two laymen possibly ask of a risk management expert?

Perhaps these two laymen would get swept away by the expertise of the risk management expert.

Su Bancheng was even looking forward to seeing what embarrassing questions Susan and Zhang Wei might ask, and how they would be rebuked in the courtroom.

"Director Miao, hello!"

Susan approached the stand and greeted the witness.

"Hello to you too!"

Director Miao exhibited graciousness, smiling in response, seemingly in a good mood.

Seeing this, Susan asked with a smile, "Director Miao seems to be in a good mood?"

"Of course!"

The latter nodded.

This was indeed the truth, he was thinking about making a performance in the courtroom and showing his face to the President.

At this moment, he had made thorough preparations, confident that he could counter any professional questions asked by Zhang Wei and Susan with his own professional knowledge.

If he managed to successfully humiliate the opposition, wouldn’t that be a great performance in front of President Wu? Then, a promotion and a salary raise may follow, and he could even ascend to the company’s decision-making layer, becoming a Vice President...

Anyway, Director Miao was poised and ready to strike.

Just waiting for Susan’s question!

"Director Miao, do you know Miao Zhenzhen?"

"Ah..."

Susan asked a question that had nothing to do with professional knowledge.

Director Miao was stunned on the spot, perplexed.

The jury looked at one another, unclear about the relevance of this question.

In the defendant’s row, Su Bancheng was also mildly surprised for a moment, as was President Wu sitting beside him.

In the gallery, the employees from Haofangzi Group, associates from Su Bancheng’s law firm, and the accompanying media reporters were also exchanging looks and whispering among themselves.

They all had one question on their minds...

Who is this Miao Zhenzhen?

Since the question about who Miao Zhenzhen is had been raised by Susan, naturally the answer had to do with Director Miao.

"Director Miao, is this question difficult for you?"

"This... This question isn’t difficult to answer. Miao Zhenzhen is my sister, but what does this have to do with the case?"

Director Miao was at a loss for words himself. Why are you asking about my sister?

You should be asking me about the test report data, the authenticity of the environmental pollution assessments, or about the risk control and Environmental Protection Department; that’s where I could use my professional knowledge to crush you!

However, Susan disregarded Director Miao’s inner turmoil and, with a smile, proceeded to ask, "Could you tell us what position Ms. Miao Zhenzhen holds within your company?"

"She deals with procurement matters at our company’s Tonghu Town processing plant. Do you have an issue with her?"

After answering the question, Director Miao voiced his protest once again.

Unfortunately, his protests were futile; objections had to be raised directly by the defense attorney.

Meanwhile, Su Bancheng was still wondering why the prosecution was fixating on "Miao Zhenzhen," what conspiracy might lie beneath the surface.

"Is it because they have no strategies left, so they’ve chosen a random name to pursue, or are they trying to distract us, or does this woman actually have a problem?"

Su Bancheng, observing Zhang Wei who sat next to him, looking all calm and relaxed, fell into deep self-doubt.

He couldn’t understand how the questioning that was supposed to be about professional matters had turned into this.

"It’s nothing, just curious!"

On her side, Susan smiled and offered an explanation.

"By the way, how much is Ms. Miao Zhenzhen’s monthly salary?"

Damn!

It’s not over, is it?

Grasping at Miao Zhenzhen to keep asking, do you have a grudge against her?

Also, has this woman come to court or not, and if she has, can she please stand up?

Director Miao’s inner world collapsed. You’re supposed to ask professional questions. How am I supposed to respond when you ask about my sister’s monthly salary?

"I am from the group’s headquarters; I am not quite sure about the salaries in the procurement section of the processing factory..."

Director Miao genuinely didn’t know how much Miao Zhenzhen earned monthly and thus couldn’t answer.

But Susan looked at Director Miao and displayed a smile.

"Does Ms. Miao Zhenzhen earn 100,000 a month?"

"Objection!"

Continuously asking irrelevant questions, Su Bancheng finally couldn’t hold back.

Seeing Zhang Wei preparing to stand up, he quickly added, "The question is unrelated to the case. The defense objects to all questions regarding Ms. Miao Zhenzhen. She is just an ordinary employee at the processing plant and cannot possibly be connected to this case!"

The judge nodded and was about to halt the questioning on the spot.

But Susan was well-prepared and explained to the judge, "Your Honor, Ms. Miao Zhenzhen is in procurement for the processing plant. The flame retardant containing trichloroethylene used inside the processing plant was procured by her!"

"This..."

The judge suddenly hesitated, realizing that Miao Zhenzhen truly was related to the case!

He glanced at Su Bancheng and shook his head slightly.

"Objection overruled, the defense may continue questioning!"

Su Bancheng sat down helplessly, suspicion beginning to flutter in his heart.

He knew that Zhang Wei and Susan couldn’t be questioning Miao Zhenzhen so crazily for no reason, and these questions seemed to have a traceable thread.

Could it be that there was indeed a problem with the procurement of this small factory?

"Thank you, Your Honor, for the permission!"

Susan thanked the judge with a nod and then turned her gaze to the witness stand.

At this moment, as she had touched upon the nature of Miao Zhenzhen’s work, as well as her connection with the flame retardant, Director Miao’s face underwent a change.

His expression was stupefied, showing astonishment, amazement, and a hint of panic.

"Director Miao, I believe your sister couldn’t possibly have a monthly salary of 100,000, could she?"

"Of course, how could she... haha... you must be joking..."

Director Miao struggled to maintain his composure, but his tone was noticeably lacking confidence.

"Then it’s strange, how does this procurement have a monthly transaction of 100,000 yuan on her account?"

Susan cast a puzzled look and questioned, "I’ve seen her WeChat moments; she has a whole cabinet of designer bags worth tens of thousands, there’s a high-end car valued over 500,000 yuan registered in her name in her residential complex, and last year she had a total of nine trips abroad, each time spending no less than 100,000 overseas!"

"Can you tell me how a procurement officer appears to enjoy life more lavishly than your company’s President Wu?"

Beads of sweat began to emerge on Director Miao’s forehead.

"It must be her husband who gave her the money. My brother-in-law, he..."

"Oh, right, speaking of your brother-in-law, isn’t he Factory Manager Li of Tonghu Town’s processing plant?"

As these words came out, the entire courtroom was abuzz!

Miao Zhenzhen was in charge of factory procurement, and the polluting flame retardant was procured by her.

Her husband, the factory manager, made the decisions regarding the use of the flame retardant in the factory!

Miao Zhenzhen also had a brother, Director Miao, the security director of the Haofangzi Group, responsible for pollution detection.

These three people were a family and were all closely linked to the pollution!

Suddenly, everyone in the room thought of one thing.

If there was an issue with the flame retardant, Miao Zhenzhen may have provided substandard flame retardants for the factory’s use, and after the factory processed it, the trichloroethylene pollution flowed into the waters of Tonghu Town, ultimately affecting the town’s residents.

Everything seemed connected!

"Objection, leading testimony!"

Su Bancheng couldn’t stay seated any longer. He immediately stood up to object.

"So how does the defense explain Miao Zhenzhen’s excessive spending power, with a significant portion of those funds coming from suppliers of flame retardants? She clearly was taking kickbacks, right?"

At that moment, Susan too stood firm. Facing Su Bancheng, she didn’t flinch and didn’t give ground.

"These are baseless accusations, all of them are baseless accusations!"

Su Bancheng denied the charges once more and pointed to the witness stand: "If the testing reports are fine, then the water source was not contaminated!"

"If the sister and brother-in-law could take kickbacks and use inferior flame retardants as a substitute, could the witness not also take advantage of his position to falsify testing reports and pass off the fake as real?"

"If he was falsifying test reports, then what about the Environmental Protection Department’s quarterly investigations? Are those reports able to be forged as well?"

Su Bancheng said his piece and looked coldly at Susan.

Even if Director Miao had falsified his own company’s investigation reports, what about the investigations from the Environmental Protection Department?

They surely couldn’t have the power to change the results of the Environmental Protection Department’s investigations as well, could they?

If that was possible, Su Bancheng would slam his silver cane down right there and then!

Director Miao, initially flustered, finally calmed down after hearing Su Bancheng’s words.

Yes, every quarter the Environmental Protection Department conducts tests; that data is authoritative.

As long as they had that data, they could prove that the water source was uncontaminated, and he would be safe!

"Defense attorney, do you really think there’s no issue with the Environmental Protection Department’s data?"

But Susan’s words once again stiffened the atmosphere in the courtroom.

Director Miao looked utterly dumbfounded.

No way, they couldn’t possibly know about that, could they...

Su Bancheng was equally appalled.

No way, no way, could he really lose his cane today?