Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 243 - 241: Trip to Nandao, Opponent is the Procuratorate Again?

Chapter 243: Chapter 241: Trip to Nandao, Opponent is the Procuratorate Again?

Nandao Island.

The largest island in the southern archipelago of Dragon Country, located in its southern region.

Nandao City is the largest city in the southern maritime territory of Dragon Country and one of Dragon Country’s most famous island tourist cities.

Every year, the number of tourists it receives accounts for almost a quarter of Dragon Country’s total population, earning Nandao City the reputation of being the Pearl of the Southern Sea of Dragon Country.

Back when Zhang Wei was studying in Dongfang Capital, he had heard many young people long for a trip to Nandao.

But he had never imagined that his first visit to Nandao would not be for tourism but because of a case!

Nandao, Bright Moon District.

Inside a women’s detention center.

Zhang Wei sat in the visiting room, eyes glancing over the wall clock.

He had already been waiting here for over half an hour, yet the person he was supposed to meet had not appeared.

"What’s the deal with Lin Xiangwan? Why do I have to wait this long?"

Another look at the time, and Zhang Wei felt helpless.

If it had been the old him, he would not have had such patience.

If a client or a commissioning party dared to miss an appointment, he would have left on the spot because he disliked people with no concept of time the most.

But now, this case was crucial for his chance to become an ace lawyer, so Zhang Wei showed ample patience and tolerance.

After another 5 minutes, the door on the other side of the meeting room finally opened.

A woman dressed in detention clothes but with light makeup on her face walked in.

Although she looked a bit frail, her makeup was surprisingly well-done, as if she was a professional woman who had dressed up specially to meet clients.

"What’s going on, you are neither Big Brother nor Second Brother?" The woman said disappointedly upon seeing Zhang Wei.

"I see now, that’s why I had to wait for so long. You thought you were going to meet Lin Xiangtian or Lin Xiangrong today, so you dressed up specially!"

Zhang Wei finally understood after hearing the woman’s exclamation.

"Who are you?"

"I am your defense attorney, my name is Zhang Wei, from Jincheng Law Firm!"

Zhang Wei said and gestured for her to sit.

"Madam Lin, don’t delay, please take a seat. I need to understand the situation of the case from you!"

"The situation?"

Lin Xiangwan shook her head but still followed Zhang Wei’s advice and sat down.

"The situation is I killed my husband. Although I don’t quite remember what happened at that time, my fingerprints are all over the murder weapon, and there were only the two of us on the yacht at the time..."

Hearing what Lin Xiangwan had to say, Zhang Wei immediately took out the case summary in his hand and flipped to the page about the murder weapon.

The murder weapon was a handheld fire extinguisher, made of metal, with a noticeable dent on the body.

The autopsy report for the deceased also mentioned that there were blunt force trauma signs on the victim’s head.

"I know, this fire extinguisher is the weapon that struck the victim’s head, and the victim is your husband. You claimed during the investigation that you couldn’t remember anything, right?"

"Yes, even now, I can’t recall what happened. My memory is all mixed up, and I keep having strange images flash through my mind when I sleep, which I can’t remember when I wake up."

"Then let me recite the case details for you!"

Zhang Wei said, looking at the case summary in his hand, and spoke slowly,

"On the evening of the 9th this month, you and your husband Jia Shiqing departed from the dock of your seaside villa at Moonwatch Bay, setting out to sea for a leisurely boat ride. You returned alone to the villa the next morning, while your husband was nowhere to be found."

"On the evening of the 10th, Bright Moon District Martial Association received a report and found a male corpse on the beach near Bright Moon Port, identified as your husband Jia Shiqing. A forensic investigation revealed that your husband had passed away from drowning after being rendered unconscious by a blunt force trauma."

"On the morning of the 11th, the Criminal Investigation Department came to your dwelling for routine questioning, and they found bloodstains and the murder weapon, the handheld fire extinguisher, on the yacht the two of you had taken out to sea. Worse still, they found only your fingerprints on the fire extinguisher."

"Subsequently, 24 hours later, the Criminal Investigation Department obtained an arrest warrant and arrested you on second-degree murder charges."

Having said this, Zhang Wei looked back at Lin Xiangwan, "And your defense is...that you remember nothing at the time?"

"I just don’t remember anything, my head was a mess those days. If not for my nanny reminding me, I wouldn’t even remember the name Jia Shiqing!"

After hearing this, Zhang Wei let out a cold laugh, "But to me and others, it looks like you’re trying to escape a second-degree murder charge by claiming mental issues. Do you want the prosecution to charge you with manslaughter instead?"

"What’s the difference between murder and manslaughter? Either way, it’s killing a person!"

"It’s quite different. Murder is the act of killing with premeditation and motive, while manslaughter is killing without premeditation or even the intent to kill. The former can lead to life in prison or even the death penalty, whereas for the latter, if the circumstances are less severe, one could be out in 3-7 years. There’s a massive difference in the potential sentence length."

"Are you mocking me?" Lin Xiangwan sensed the jesting tone in Zhang Wei’s words and her expression immediately cooled.

"Madam Lin, I just believe you have not told me the whole truth, because the investigation team also had a psychologist assess you, and they believe you are mentally fit, only a bit tired, and showing no signs of abnormality. That’s why the prosecution has charged you with second-degree murder, rather than with involuntary manslaughter or negligent homicide!"

"And..."

Zhang Wei smiled again, "And that’s murder we’re talking about. You telling me that you don’t remember anything, it’s just too exaggerated!"

"Madam Lin, you are a business elite of Jincheng Group, the Lin Family’s third daughter, you should possess a strong psychological quality. Claiming to have ’intermittent amnesia’ due to shock seems quite unlikely, doesn’t it?"

"So what do you think I should say?"

Lin Xiangwan’s tone started to grow impatient.

She realized that the young man before her seemed to be here specifically to mock her, showing no self-awareness of being her lawyer.

"I only care about the truth!"

Zhang Wei raised a finger, "If you had premeditatedly killed your husband, then I would advise you to confess to the crime!"

"Even if Lin Xiangtian brought me to Nandao to help his sister clear her murder charge, I wouldn’t aid a murderer who planned their crime in making an innocent defense. I would only advise them to confess."

"So I want to ask clearly, after careful consideration, please answer my question, Madam Lin!"

Zhang Wei’s tone suddenly became serious as his eyes met Lin Xiangwan’s.

"Madam Lin, have you ever thought about killing your husband Jia Shiqing at any moment?"

A solemn look gradually flashed across Lin Xiangwan’s eyes, she closed them and then reopened them before letting out a sigh.

"My husband was a novelist, to use terms popular nowadays, he was a ’nobody’. He worked hard for months on his manuscripts, and every time he left the house full of confidence, not a single publisher was willing to buy his manuscript for publication."

"He has been living off me since we got married 3 years ago. Although I considered him to be a wimp and a loser, and even my two brothers said he was a burden and a good-for-nothing, I never thought about getting rid of this burden."

"Because I’m a strong woman, I believed that my other half didn’t need to be very capable, though people as incompetent as him are indeed rare."

"Oh, so he’s a kept man!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wei nodded, "A man like that can find a wealthy wife; the world still has hope, huh?"

"Lawyer Zhang, please be more serious!"

"Oh, my apologies, just consider I was joking. It’s too tense in here, just lightening the mood."

Zhang Wei uttered, hastily pretending to analyze:

"You’re right actually. If you wanted to get rid of this loser, there are a hundred feasible ways. The simplest being divorce, Jincheng Law Firm has hundreds of excellent lawyers at your disposal, you definitely would not need to resolve your husband issue in the most unwise way."

"By the way, have you ever had a problem with intermittent amnesia before?"

"No!"

Lin Xiangwan shook her head affirmatively, "The old man always boasted about my intelligence and my capabilities. If I had such a problem, how could I possibly make Jincheng Group’s performance improve every year?"

"Although I know that speaking ill of my brothers is not kind, I do believe that my abilities are superior to theirs. If it wasn’t for being a daughter, I am confident that I would have been Jincheng Group’s successor!"

"Hahaha, well said!"

Laughing at the woman’s confident words, Zhang Wei chuckled, "Thank you for your honesty, Madam Lin. I think you are absolutely right, your abilities must be more remarkable than my boss’s!"

"What about my case?"

"Don’t worry, I will take your case. As for how to help you, I will need to understand the case more, but I think it’s very unlikely that you would murder your husband. Your case must have other hidden circumstances!"

"Lawyer Zhang, what should we do next?"

"It’s simple, I will first apply for your bail. You won’t be of any help to me inside the detention center!"

The meeting between Zhang Wei and Lin Xiangwan came to an end.

...

At the same time.

In the General Procuratorate of Nandao City, a High Prosecutor’s Office.

Lu Wenwen, a well-known senior prosecutor in Nandao City, was engrossed in her work.

"Dong dong dong..."

A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in!" She did not look up, simply responding with a brief call.

A female prosecutor who looked to be about 26 or 27, wearing thick-framed glasses and carrying a stack of files, stepped into the High Prosecutor’s Office.

"Prosecutor Lu Gao, I am Wei Min from the Bright Moon District Local Procuratorate. The case in my hands has been specifically assigned to you. In addition, my superior has requested that I assist you with this case investigation. So for the next while, I will be your assistant for this case!"

"What kind of case requires the involvement of a High Prosecutor to take charge, and even the assignment of a dedicated assistant prosecutor to be my helper?"

Lu Wenwen received the dossier from the person before her and casually flipped it open.

"It’s the murder case involving Lin Xiangwan. Wasn’t it supposed to be handled by your Bright Moon District?"

"Yes, but just a while ago, my leader told me to come to you!"

Wei Min showed a helpless smile, a bit awkwardly, "Although I raised objections, believing that I could handle this case independently, it seems the leaders did not acknowledge my request!"

Lu Wenwen appeared slightly puzzled and looked up to ask, "The evidence in this case is conclusive, even ironclad. You’re not a rookie prosecutor either, so why can’t you settle it?"

"This... I’m not sure either?"

The latter scratched her head but then smiled and said, "However, it obviously isn’t a bad thing. I’ve long admired Prosecutor Lu Gao’s reputation. To be able to learn under you for a while is a rare opportunity. My colleagues are all envious of me!"

After hearing this, Lu Wenwen showed no reaction, as she had heard such remarks from the committee too often.

Instead, she focused all her attention on the case at hand.

Ding-a-ling-a-ling!

Suddenly, the landline phone in front of her rang.

"Hello, who is this?"

"Junior sister, it’s me, Lan Zhengye!"

"Brother Lan?"

Upon hearing the voice on the phone, Lu Wenwen felt a slight surprise in her heart.

Because the person on the other end was a top prosecutor from Dongfang Capital Procuratorate Headquarters. Although they were of the same rank, she was with the city’s General Procuratorate, while the other was with the Southern Headquarters.

Moreover, Lan Zhengye had always been an impressive figure back at school, and she, Lu Wenwen, had once admired him.

But she hadn’t expected that, with little contact after graduation, the other party would suddenly call her today.

"Sister Lu, you must be careful with this case!"

"Which case, are you talking about Lin Xiangwan’s case?"

Lu Wenwen thought for a moment and understood the ins and outs of the entire matter.

Why Wei Min had transferred the case from the local Procuratorate to the General Procuratorate and why Lan Zhengye had bothered to call from afar; it was all because of this case.

As far as she knew, Lin Xiangwan was from the Lin Family of Dongfang Capital, and Lan Zhengye, being in Dongfang Capital, would certainly be aware of the Lin Family’s influence.

Clearly, the Lin Family wouldn’t let Lin Xiangwan just quietly plead guilty and go to jail, so they would send people to handle the matter.

"Thanks for your concern, brother, but I’m confident. I’ll handle this case well, and I’m not afraid, no matter how many people the Lin Family sends!"

"No, I wasn’t telling you to be careful of the Lin Family, but to be wary of the defense attorney for this case!"

On the other end of the phone, Lan Zhengye rubbed his forehead and then began awkwardly, "This person’s name is Zhang Wei, a criminal defense attorney from Jincheng Law Firm. He is very troublesome!"

"Very troublesome?"

"Correct, very troublesome. I lost to him because of a case before!"

"Even you lost, brother?"

Lu Wenwen finally realized the gravity of the situation.

Lan Zhengye had always been a top student in school, and after joining the Procuratorate, he had a remarkable record.

And such a person considered a defense attorney to be troublesome?

"Junior sister, you must be careful. According to the information I’ve received, Zhang Wei left half a day ago and should have already arrived in Nandao City by now!"

"Don’t worry, brother. We cannot lose this time!"

Lu Wenwen ended the call with Lan Zhengye and then wrote down the name "Zhang Wei" in her notebook.

She knew that in the upcoming case, this person would be her opponent.

Ding-a-ling-a-ling!

Another round of phone ringing started.

"What, a bail hearing?"

"The defense attorney has submitted a bail application. What was the lawyer’s name?"

"Zhang Wei, it’s indeed him. He sure arrived quickly!"

Lu Wenwen hung up the phone once more and then turned to face the female prosecutor in front of her.

This was going to be her assistant in what was to come.

"Let’s go, let’s meet this Zhang Wei at the bail hearing!"

...

minutes later.

Nandao City, City Court Bail Hearing Chamber.

When Lu Wenwen arrived at the courtroom with Wei Min, they just spotted Zhang Wei arriving neatly dressed with Lin Xiangwan.

"Let’s go, say hello!"

Lu Wenwen took the lead and approached Zhang Wei.

On the other side, Zhang Wei had just submitted some documents and was about to say something to his client.

"Hostility!"

He felt it slightly and looked to one side, only to see a woman in a black suit, about thirty years old, nearly looking up at him as she came over.

"This posture is obviously that of a prosecutor, with an assistant following her. This woman must be of a high rank, it looks like she’s coming at me."

"Her demeanor is not bad—walking briskly, brimming with confidence. She must be a star prosecutor who often wins cases... Looking at her, she might even be a senior prosecutor..."

While Zhang Wei was sizing her up, Lu Wenwen, accompanied by Wei Min, arrived in front of him.

"You’re Lawyer Zhang Wei, right?"

"I am Zhang Wei. And you are?"

"My name is Lu Wenwen, I’m the High Prosecutor from the Nandao City General Procuratorate. In the case of Madam Lin, we happen to be opponents."

"Oh, I see. Well then, Prosecutor Lu, I hope to learn a lot from you in this case!"

Zhang Wei understood at once—it was a challenge.

And Lu Wenwen was also sizing up Zhang Wei.

An average appearance, and very young!

Uncomfortably young!

The defense attorney before her looked significantly younger, even more so than Wei Min, who was behind her, by three or four sessions. He appeared as though he had just graduated from law school, a complete novice.

Could her senior brother have made a mistake?

This was Lu Wenwen’s first thought.

How could such a young lawyer cause any trouble for Lan Zhengye?

"Wei Min, search for some news from Dongfang Capital, focusing on the names Zhang Wei and Lan Zhengye!"

She turned and gave a command; Wei Min immediately started searching on his phone.

Soon, the search results came up.

Wei Min only glanced at it before passing the phone to Lu Wenwen.

"It’s true, even the photos match!"

In the search results, there were prominently photos of Zhang Wei and Lan Zhengye, with headlines clearly featuring words like "High Prosecutor" and "Defeat."

At this, Lu Wenwen finally lost her composure.

"Lin Xiangwan!"

It was at this moment that the bail court finally called the case involving Zhang Wei.

Zhang Wei hurriedly walked into the bail court.

"Let’s go, we should go too!"

Lu Wenwen led Wei Min toward the courtroom.

In the bail court.

"Defendant Lin Xiangwan, you are accused of second-degree murder. Does the defense wish to apply for bail?"

"Your Honor, my client is the CEO of Jincheng Group and is in Nandao to handle business orders worth billions. She also has many tasks to handle, which can bring tens of billions of profit to Nandao City and create thousands of jobs. So, we hope the judge will agree to bail?"

"And the prosecution?"

"Your Honor, the defendant is suspected of murder, and all the evidence points to her as the killer. Are you willing to let a murder suspect walk free in society? Moreover, she is not a local resident and poses a flight risk."

Lu Wenwen was resolute.

"Your Honor, my client owns her own house in the Bright Moon District of Nandao, and she guarantees that she will not leave Nandao City during the investigation of this case. Likewise, my client has an excellent reputation in Nandao City as a trustworthy businessman—last year alone, she donated tens of millions in charitable donations to Nandao City."

Zhang Wei spoke and handed a document to the bail judge.

"Your Honor, this is a letter of guarantee personally signed by Chairman Lin of the Dongfang Capital Lawyers Association, assuring, on the reputation of the Chairman of the Lawyer’s Association, that my client will not engage in any illegal activities during the adjudication of the case!"

The bail judge had initially wanted to give Lu Wenwen the benefit of the doubt, but having seen the "very significant" letter of guarantee provided by Zhang Wei, he immediately changed his mind.

"After consideration, this court believes the risk of Lin Xiangwan fleeing due to her charges is extremely low, especially with the Dongfang Capital Lawyers Association President’s letter of guarantee as a reference. The court approves the immediate bail of Madam Lin. As for the bail amount, since Chairman Lin is guaranteeing her, the court allows Madam Lin to be released on her personal guarantee!"

Seeing this outcome, Zhang Wei nodded in satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Lu Wenwen next to him narrowed her eyes, sensing that the man before her was going to be troublesome.

Truly worthy of being someone who had even frustrated her senior brother, he was indeed skilled!