Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 460 - 456: The Secretary Arrives, But the Timing Is Off!

Chapter 460: Chapter 456: The Secretary Arrives, But the Timing Is Off!

Zhang Wei once again changed the mind of the jury by exploiting a weakness in the testimony of a witness.

The answers given by the witness, Ms. Ji, couldn’t be said to be completely useless, but they also didn’t prove anything.

She told the court that Zhan Qingze had requested a reimbursement of 11.2 million expenses from finance under the guise of public relations fees.

But everyone knew that this money was used to bribe self-media practitioners to provide false reports and post fake messages.

It was a bribe for professional duties, and it was the money from Dongxing Securities.

But the question arose, was this money disbursed in the name of Zhan Qingze?

The documents were signed in Zhan Qingze’s name, but the person who went to the finance department for reimbursement wasn’t him; it was the president’s secretary.

The ins and outs of this were not at all clear.

"The prosecution seeks to ask further questions!"

Zhao Chunming naturally couldn’t sit still.

How could he tolerate witness after witness being caught in inconsistencies by Zhang Wei?

"Ms. Ji, you just said that the person who came for reimbursement to finance wasn’t the defendant Zhan Qingze, right?"

"Yes."

"So, to process a reimbursement of 11.2 million, there must be some way to notify the person involved, right?"

"Yes, the company sends emails internally to notify the defendant."

"And did you send one?"

"We definitely did."

At the defense’s table, Zhang Wei turned his head.

"Do you have this email?"

"I haven’t seen it."

Zhan Qingze spread his hands, indicating that he had received no such email.

Besides, I was busy with the engagement ceremony at the time, how could I pay attention to an email.

"Lawyer Zhang, if it really was a reimbursement of 11.2 million, even if I were busy, I couldn’t possibly overlook such a matter, so I really didn’t receive this email."

"You didn’t receive the email, or are you saying that you did receive it, but didn’t notice it?"

Zhang Wei narrowed his eyes, then beckoned to Zhan Qingze with a hook of his finger.

"Let me ask you, have you ever been called away from your desk while working by someone?"

"That happens a lot, either a client comes by, or I am summoned by a supervisor or by the president."

"Summoned by the president?"

"Yes, I remember a month ago, the president’s secretary notified me to meet with President Qian. You know, I’ve always been just an ordinary broker, I shouldn’t be receiving personal visits from the president, so that truly surprised me."

"And it was after that visit that the president planned to promote you to head an independent project, this was the project?"

"That seems about right, the president mentioned evaluating my later performance and putting me in charge of an independent project."

As Zhan Qingze spoke to this point, his expression suddenly turned a bit unsightly.

Obviously, it was from that time that he became the scapegoat for Qian Moli, the fall guy for their schemes.

"I understand now!" Zhang Wei had also carefully compared the timeline and seemed to have made a discovery.

Then, he looked toward the witness stand.

"So you mean to say, you informed the defendant, and in fact, he was aware of this expenditure?"

"That should be the case."

The witness did not give a definitive answer, but still managed to gain a bit of support for the prosecution.

"My questioning is over!"

Zhao Chunming concluded his questioning and stepped down from the stand.

"The defense also requests to ask additional questions!"

Zhang Wei also stood up and walked to the witness stand.

"Ms. Ji, please recall carefully when did you, on behalf of finance, approve the 11.2 million reimbursement?"

"It was about a month ago, in early July."

"Oh, early in July!"

Zhang Wei nodded his head and looked over at the prosecution’s table.

"Judge Chen, my side requests to present one of the public exhibits from the Financial Bureau, the visitor log from the president’s office at Dongxing Securities."

"The court grants permission!"

Since it was a public exhibit from the Financial Bureau, anyone in the court could use it, and naturally, Zhang Wei, as defense, could also present it.

However, the prosecution had already examined this document and it didn’t seem to be of any use.

Zhang Wei gestured to Tan Yingying on the prosecution’s bench, who sighed resignedly, found the document on her laptop, and opened it.

"Xiao Tan, bring up the log for early July."

Tan Yingying didn’t need Zhang Wei to remind her, she had already anticipated this.

After all, if you’ve asked about the time frame, how could she fail to react.

The July log showed many names listed in the front row.

"Please look here, the name of my client, Zhan Qingze, appears, which means that on the day the expenses were reimbursed, he met with President Qian of Dongxing Securities!"

"What does that mean?" Zhao Chunming from the prosecution side couldn’t help but ask.

He pointed at the registration form with a look of confusion on his face.

"Old Zhao, don’t be impatient, how about we imagine a scenario?"

As Zhang Wei spoke, he gestured towards Qian Moli in the front row of the hearing seats, and to her secretary beside her.

"After all, President Qian is a busy person; she couldn’t possibly have gone to notify my client herself, right?"

Qian Moli didn’t respond but tilted her head up with an air of arrogance.

Obviously, it would be impossible for a CEO to make such a trip in person.

"So, President Qian wouldn’t meet my client but would have her subordinate, the secretary, to inform him, wouldn’t she? There’s no problem with that, I assume?"

Nobody around objected, which clearly indicated their agreement with this point.

"What if, on the day of the reimbursement, my client had been working at his desk when suddenly the CEO’s secretary appeared and told him the CEO wanted to see him, what would he do? Would he leave his workstation?"

Several people nodded, agreeing that if the CEO wanted to see you, you wouldn’t dare refuse or fail to be present, would you?

That would clearly be impossible.

"Alright, my client left his workstation and then went to the CEO’s office to meet with her, there’s nothing wrong with that, is there?"

Zhang Wei pointed to the registration form on the projection screen, where Zhan Qingze’s name was registered for meeting the CEO in early July.

Therefore, neither Zhao Chunming nor Qian Moli objected to this point.

"Are you all only seeing my client go to meet the CEO, but overlooking another matter?"

"What’s that?"

Zhao Chunming couldn’t hold back and quickly inquired.

"It’s quite simple; that my client had left, but the CEO’s secretary remained at his workstation!"

Upon hearing this, many in the courtroom were astonished.

Then, they considered a possibility

Yes!

Everyone had overlooked that fact.

If at that moment, an email had arrived, specifically the notification email for reimbursement of 11.2 million yuan, wouldn’t Zhan Qingze have completely missed the notice from the finance department?

"I know everyone is guessing something, and I had the same thought. What if President Qian’s secretary had deleted the email and also removed it from the recycle bin? Then wouldn’t my client have been kept in the dark from start to finish?"

This conjecture had many nodding in agreement, deeply endorsing it.

Indeed, such a possibility existed.

The reimbursement matter was clearly something Zhan Qingze was unaware of.

He didn’t even know when he had applied for reimbursement of 11.2 million yuan.

"Objection, speculative conjecture!" Zhao Chunming immediately stood up, interrupting everyone’s train of thought.

"Director Zhao, you think I’m guessing, but I believe I have uncovered the truth!"

Zhang Wei, anticipating Zhao Chunming’s objection, retorted with a calm and teasing demeanor.

"Objection... sustained!"

Old Chen hesitated for a moment but still sided with Old Zhao.

However, in his heart, he was clear that once again, Zhang Wei had gained the upper hand.

Even though it was conjecture, when combined with the registration form and witness testimonies, it was highly likely to be true.

At least in the eyes of many, it was the truth.

"Ms. Ji, you’re a finance officer, so let me ask you, how many notices of expense reimbursement are sent at one time?"

"Only one."

"Then, isn’t it possible that my previous conjecture could be true?"

"It’s possible... No, no, that should not be possible..."

The witness had just nodded in agreement, but feeling the sharp gaze from the front row of the hearing seats, she quickly shook her head.

Zhang Wei smiled at her then turned his gaze towards Qian Moli in the hearing seats.

"President Qian, why do you keep making faces at your own company’s employees, do you have a guilty conscience?"

With those words, the jury and those in the hearing seats all looked toward Qian Moli.

The latter’s expression turned dark, but she was unable to lash out, her complexion worsening.

"Judge Chen, the cross-examination of this witness by our side is concluded."

Zhang Wei returned to the defense’s bench, a smile on his face.

"Lawyer Zhang, you’re formidable!"

Back at the defense’s bench, Zhan Qingze finally let out a sigh of relief and gave Zhang Wei a thumbs up.

He could feel that the hostility in the courtroom towards himself had greatly diminished.

All of this, without a doubt, was thanks to Zhang Wei’s efforts.

With merely his words, Zhang Wei managed to defuse so many attacks against him.

Impressive!

Zhan Qingze internally gauged the situation, would there be the same effect if a lawyer from Qingmu Law Firm came?

Heh!

Obviously, that was impossible!

"Stay calm!"

Zhang Wei just patted Zhan Qingze on the shoulder, signalling him to keep his cool.

Then he gave Xia Qianyue, on the other side, a reassuring look; he could still hold the situation, no problem.

While Zhang Wei was okay, the situation was different for the prosecution.

Zhao Chunming looked at Zhang Wei’s composed face, his expression darkening.

"Prosecutor, call for a break!"

Just then, Chen Weitian whispered to Zhao Chunming.

Old Zhao thought about it and saw no reason for suspicion.

"Judge Chen, the prosecution requests a recess!"

"Hmm, very well, since we’ve called so many witnesses, let’s take a 20-minute break!"

Old Chen announced with a gavel strike, then rubbed his shoulders and left the courtroom.

The courtroom was temporarily adjourned for a mid-session break.

Inside the prosecution’s preparation room.

Zhao Chunming and Chen Weitian huddled together.

"Leader Chen, why did you call for a break? Do you have new evidence to submit?"

"There’s no new evidence, but there is a new witness!"

As he spoke, Chen Weitian walked to the door and gestured for the person outside to come in.

"Good day, Prosecutor, Leader Chen!"

"Ms. Qian!"

Zhao Chunming was somewhat surprised as Qian Moli entered with her secretary.

"Leader Chen, as a representative of Dongxing Securities and a victim, I have been actively cooperating with your investigation!"

"Ms. Qian, you are too modest. I am aware that you also wish to be responsible to the investors, which is why I introduced Director Zhao to you."

After seating, they introduced themselves.

But in fact, they were already well acquainted with each other.

Zhao Chunming glanced at Qian Moli, his eyes wary, but he started, "Looking at the current situation, Zhang Wei won’t give up easily, and for you, Ms. Qian, the situation is highly unfavorable!"

"What do you mean by that, Prosecutor?"

"Since previous witnesses have attested that there’s a problem with your secretary, why not let your secretary take the stand to speak for herself?"

Saying this, Zhao Chunming’s eyes were locked firmly on Qian Moli’s secretary.

In fact, he would have preferred to have Qian Moli herself testify.

After all, everyone knew that Qian Moli was the one in charge; the secretary was merely a gofer at best.

"Ms. Qian, Leader Chen’s right, let your secretary testify on your behalf!" Chen Weitian nodded in agreement.

Qian Moli hesitated for a moment, then gave her secretary a signal with her eyes.

"If both the Prosecutor and Leader Chen insist, of course I won’t object. It’s also a chance for the company to clear its name and give investors justice," she said.

Hearing Qian Moli’s response, Zhao Chunming and Chen Weitian couldn’t help but exchange glances.

But how much each truly believed the other, only Heaven knew.

minutes passed.

Court resumed.

"Judge Chen, after the recess, the prosecution would like to add a new witness," announced Zhao Chunming.

"Oh? Who might that be?"

"We wish to summon Secretary Zhu from the President’s Office of Dongxing Securities to testify," Zhao Chunming stated.

"The secretary?"

Old Chen looked over at the defense’s bench; Zhang Wei nodded his head.

"Very well, since there is no opposition from the defense, the court approves," Judge Chen declared.

Qian Moli’s secretary took the stand to testify.

"Hello, Miss Zhu."

"Good day, Prosecutor."

The secretary took her seat on the witness stand, adjusted her glasses, her face the picture of calm.

"The defense attorney made a conjecture earlier, and to be honest, I was nearly convinced, so I think it necessary to ask you to respond to that conjecture..."

"It’s false, all of it!"

Zhao Chunming had not even finished the sentence when the secretary outright denied it.

"You mean to say, it’s all false?"

"Yes!"

Secretary Zhu nodded and then said seriously, "My job responsibility is to help the president handle some company affairs, and our company has a strict set of rules and regulations, one of which is not to touch other colleagues’ personal computers. So how could I possibly touch defendant Zhan Qingze’s computer and even delete his emails?"

"And on that day, I was very busy. Besides notifying Zhan Qingze, there were many other things to do. After I notified him, I got busy with other tasks."

Zhao Chunming nodded, indicating agreement.

"So, you are saying that the defense attorney’s guess is completely baseless?"

"Yes."

"What about the incident where you went to claim expenses on behalf of Zhan Qingze?"

"Oh, that was after Zhan Qingze met with the president and asked me to pass it on. He even said it was instructed by the president."

As soon as this statement was made, the courtroom was in an uproar.

What does it mean to have the secretary claim expenses after meeting with the president? Isn’t it that you first go to claim expenses and then delete the notification email?

Secretary Zhu recalled and said, "That day, after meeting with the president, Zhan Qingze handed me the expense claim form to pass on to the finance department, so finance definitely notified him. He couldn’t possibly not have seen the email!"

"You’re saying that you first notified Zhan Qingze to meet the president, and then he asked you to claim 11.2 million on his behalf?"

"Yes, there are records of this in our company; they are in the public documents we submitted!"

Zhao Chunming’s expression changed, and he gestured to Tan Yingying, who opened the visitor log of the president’s office, showing Zhan Qingze’s meeting time with Qian Moli was in the morning.

Then, she opened a document from the financial system which clearly stated that the acceptance time for the 11.2 million expense claim was 4 PM.

Now, the tide in the courtroom changed once again.

Zhan Qingze’s face turned pale.

He indeed had gone to see the president that morning, and he remembered this clearly.

But he really had not received any email notification in the afternoon, and that was an undeniable fact.

"In my opinion, the defendant just wants to slander us, drag our company down with him. In fact, he himself bribed those media people and then had the company reimburse them, which is truly despicable!" Secretary Zhu continued, accusing Zhan Qingze.

Many in the courtroom became unsettled.

Indeed, you’ve got issues, buddy!

"Thank you for your statement, Secretary Zhu. We have no more questions!"

Zhao Chunming finally nodded in satisfaction, then walked down from the courtroom and returned to the prosecutor’s bench.

Qian Moli, sitting on the witness bench, and Chen Weitian, from the prosecution’s witness seat, also showed smiles.

It seemed like this round was secure!

At least the stains on Zhan Qingze’s reputation would never wash off.

"Defense?"

Old Chen looked at Zhang Wei with an inquiring expression.

"Lawyer Zhang, what do we do?" Zhan Qingze was also getting nervous.

He felt the way many around him were looking at him was off.

Hostility!

Naked hostility!

Zhang Wei remained calm. He stood up and pointed to the witness stand.

"Judge Chen, since the prosecution has summoned a new witness, the defense also requests some time to prepare our response to the testimony provided by this witness!"

"Hm, the court approves!"

Old Chen understood that the prosecution had caught Zhang Wei off guard and approved the defense’s request.

"Then, court will adjourn for today. The court will give you one day to prepare. We will continue the trial tomorrow afternoon!"

As Old Chen announced the adjournment, the courtroom began to disperse.

As the parties were preparing to leave, Zhao Chunming approached Zhang Wei.

"Lawyer Zhang, the current situation is very unfavorable for you. With a 15-year term, you might want to consider it!"

Before Zhang Wei could respond, Zhan Qingze’s face turned sour.

Fifteen years!

To waste fifteen years of his youth on a trumped-up charge, how could he possibly agree?

"Old Zhao, my client’s expression says it all. He won’t agree. You might as well stop asking."

"Humph, obstinate!"

Zhao Chunming glanced at Zhan Qingze, snorted coldly, then walked away with Tan Yingying.

Clearly, he wasn’t going to waste any more time.

Some people just won’t shed tears without seeing the coffin. Since you’ve been given a chance and didn’t cherish it.

You’ll regret it when you get a life sentence.

Zhang Wei glanced at the witness bench, where Qian Moli and Secretary Zhu had gathered and were showing a cold smile towards Zhang Wei.

He did not like that expression.

"Let’s get out of here!"

He said, patting Zhan Qingze on the shoulder, and left the courtroom with him and Xia Qianyue.

In the next 24 hours, they had a lot of work to do.