Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 519 - 514: Laura Goes to Court, Proves Her Innocence?

Chapter 519: Chapter 514: Laura Goes to Court, Proves Her Innocence?

"Mr. Li, please answer me, did you have any knowledge about the evidence being tampered with?"

"I didn’t know, and I haven’t incited anyone to tamper with the evidence!"

Facing Lawyer Zhang’s cross-examination, Mr. Li answered very decisively.

Clean and clear, he denied it on the spot.

Of course, everyone knew he would never admit it.

But it was only Lawyer Zhang who, seeing Mr. Li’s denial, seemed very convinced.

The guy probably really didn’t know.

When he answered, his gaze was firm, without any pretense.

"Mr. Li, then let me ask you another question, did you abduct and murder the eight victims, including Dong Juan, years ago?"

As this question was asked, Mr. Li’s eyes instantly changed, and he looked over to Black on the prosecution’s bench.

The latter’s head moved frantically in a slight shaking motion.

"That’s not true, I..."

"Objection, the lawyer is leading the witness to incriminate himself!"

Prosecutor Zheng from the prosecution’s bench also spoke up at this moment.

"Sorry, I withdraw my previous question!"

Likewise, Zhang Wei paid no mind to Mr. Li’s answer.

He had long since determined that Mr. Li was the serial killer who had murdered the eight victims, and Yang Chunyuan hadn’t arrested the wrong person all those years ago.

Similarly, the cases involving Mr. Li had already been adjudicated 20 years prior.

This time, the case was about whether Yang Chunyuan had tampered with evidence and reports, a public prosecution case that was a separate matter from Mr. Li’s past case.

Likewise, Lawyer Zhang could tell that Mr. Li never considered tampering with evidence to ease his own path to freedom.

He wasn’t the person secretly contacting Old Cao, nor did he plan to slander Yang Chunyuan.

But if it wasn’t him, who could it be?

Just then, the courtroom door opened.

A woman, escorted by a crowd of black-suited bodyguards and dressed in a brown gown with sunglasses, clearly a person of status, walked into the courtroom.

Laura Campbell, she had arrived.

Clearly, under the court’s summons, this heiress of William International had eventually come to attend the trial.

And with Laura’s arrival, many in the court showed surprise on their faces.

"Miss..."

Black, the original plaintiff’s lawyer, was especially shocked.

He had not expected Laura to appear in court at all.

Indeed, he believed that this case had absolutely nothing to do with Laura!

Meanwhile, the jury and those in the public gallery didn’t recognize Laura.

They were simply curious as to who this impressive foreign woman was who carried herself with such swagger.

What was the deal with her entourage of black-suited bodyguards, ready as if to star in The Matrix?

Seeing the "main character," Lawyer Zhang felt satisfied.

Now that Laura had arrived, there was no longer any value in continuing to question Mr. Li.

"Mr. Li, thank you for your answer!"

Lawyer Zhang thanked him, looked towards the bench, "Judge Liu, we have concluded our questioning of Mr. Li!"

"Huh?"

Judge Liu was taken aback. Aren’t you going to ask more questions?

Could it be that seeing Laura appear, you can’t wait anymore?

Please don’t do something to aggravate the opposition, or else I’ll be the one carrying the can.

It was I, Judge Liu, who summoned her here; if I were to provoke her now and William International took note, it would be my problem.

Lawyer Zhang didn’t care about Judge Liu’s frantic internal monologue; he quickly finished his cross-examination.

He sat back down on the defense bench, while giving an inquiring glance towards Prosecutor Zheng on the prosecution’s bench.

"Judge Liu, the prosecution has concluded its questioning and hopes the defense will quickly present its case!"

Prosecutor Zheng gave Lawyer Zhang considerable respect, or perhaps he, too, was eager to see what would unfold, and even hurried things along.

"Alright, the court announces that the prosecution’s statement is concluded, and now it’s time for the defense’s statement," Judge Liu pronounced, indicating for Lawyer Zhang to begin.

"Judge Liu, the defense requests the court to summon Laura Campbell, attorney of William International Law Office, to testify!"

As these words were spoken, many in the court turned their gaze toward the woman surrounded by a cluster of black-clad bodyguards in black suits, namely Laura herself.

This Laura Campbell must be the other party.

Although she appeared somewhat reluctant, Laura still made her way to the witness stand under the watchful eyes of all present, one step at a time.

"Hello, Miss Laura!"

Zhang Wei hurriedly stood up and approached her.

"Boring!"

"Miss Laura, are you calling me boring?"

Zhang Wei was not annoyed; he chuckled and said, "However, could you please take off your sunglasses, Miss Laura? Otherwise, I cannot see your eyes and cannot tell if you are lying."

"Your request is too much!"

"Miss Laura, although I understand your mother tongue and I know you’re saying my request is too much, you’re sitting in a court in Dragon Country, so please speak the language of Dragon Country, thank you!"

Zhang Wei’s tone changed; his face turned stern and his expression conveyed an indescribable severity!

In the front row of the hearing area, the group of black-clad bodyguards seemed like they could no longer restrain themselves.

No one can bully our miss in front of us.

"Hmm!"

But on the judges’ bench, Judge Liu suddenly snorted coldly as the Court Guards each took a step forward.

The group of black-clad bodyguards immediately sat back down, each of them daring not to act rashly again.

Though Judge Liu’s heart was still pounding, he knew that some things could not be compromised.

"Witness, please answer the questions properly, and stop showing off in your dialect. According to this court’s understanding, you can speak the language of Dragon Country fluently, so please cooperate with the questioning, or else I will consider it contempt of court!"

Laura, under the "dual threat" of Zhang Wei and Judge Liu, had no choice but to compromise and even removed her sunglasses unwillingly.

"Hehe, ask away!"

Even so, her attitude was still quite disgruntled.

"Miss Laura, do you know why you are here in court today?"

"Hehe!" Laura sneered and looked somewhat annoyed at the judge’s bench, "Because a Judge surnamed Liu signed a subpoena to have me urgently appear in court to testify, that’s why I came!"

It was clear that this was the reason she was upset.

Judge Liu scratched his head awkwardly but then glanced at Zhang Wei as if to signal.

Don’t look at me; it was all this kid’s idea. I just issued the subpoena; it was him who summoned you!

"Judge Liu, is there something wrong with your eyes?"

Just then, Zhang Wei smiled at Judge Liu.

Clever Xiao Liu, are you trying to sell me out?

Judge Liu suddenly stopped talking.

"Miss Laura, let’s get back to the point. To my knowledge, you have been preparing to campaign for city council recently, haven’t you?"

"I also want to contribute to the city of Dongfang Capital!"

"Isn’t your answer a bit too sanctimonious?"

"That’s my thought."

Laura had the basic quality of a politician, which is thick-skinned.

Even though Zhang Wei made a sarcastic remark, she was unaffected, as cool and composed as if nothing had happened.

"Ahem, Miss Laura, your answer is actually quite good, really."

"Hehe!" Laura almost rolled her eyes.

You were just mocking me, and now you’re praising me; how hypocritical of you!

"By the way, I want to ask, did Miss Laura decide to join the city council because you heard some news?"

"I don’t know what you are talking about!"

Seeing Laura deny it, Zhang Wei smiled and said, "Miss Laura, you are the young mistress of William International, so it’s impossible that you haven’t heard any rumors, right?"

"Like what?"

"Like, for instance, Forensic Yang’s husband, who is also a member of the city council. However, due to the case involving Forensic Yang, he has been suspended from his duties in the council."

"Isn`t that common knowledge?" Laura chuckled, not even glancing at Zhang Wei.

"Indeed, it’s common knowledge. But how about I mention something that others don’t know?"

Zhang Wei continued, revealing, "Miss Laura, you seem to care very much about the position managed by Councilor Mo. I heard that your intention to join the city council is to replace Councilor Mo’s work, is that correct?"

"What do you mean!"

Laura’s eyes narrowed slightly, and her gaze turned hostile.

"Miss Laura, why do you seem so angry as if I’ve hit a nerve with my words?"

Zhang Wei hurriedly teased, insinuating that Laura had a guilty conscience.

Laura, seeing Zhang Wei like this, also knew that sitting on the witness stand, it seemed she couldn’t do anything to him.

But she suddenly looked toward the prosecutor’s bench, toward Zheng Fenyong, "Prosecutor, why don’t you object and allow the defence lawyer to ask me leading questions?"

"This..."

Zheng Fenyong was taken aback and then, reluctantly, stood up, "I object to the leading questions."

"Uh..."

Judge Liu was also stunned for a moment, but then could only nod, "The objection is sustained!"

They had almost forgotten that the person sitting on the witness stand was also an old hand in the courtroom, an outstanding lawyer.

It was just that since she was sitting on the witness stand, they had all overlooked this fact.

"Ahem, since Miss Laura, you do not wish to answer, then let me change the way I ask the question!"

Zhang Wei, seeing that the witness was uncooperative, decided to get serious.

"May I ask if you know the commissioning lawyer for Mr. Li on the prosecutor’s bench?"

Laura glanced at Black and nodded, "Of course, he’s Black from our law office!"

Seeing that Laura had admitted it, Zhang Wei immediately took a deep breath and pursued further, "Was it at your secret behest that Lawyer Black became Mr. Li’s commissioning lawyer, in order to operate on Forensic Yang in court and thereby affect Councilor Mo’s work, forcing him to resign under the pressure of public opinion and allowing you to take his seat in the City Council?"

With these words, many people in the courtroom were startled.

Wow!

So there was such a big issue hidden in this case!

What is this, political slander?

To have your wife stand trial and thereby affect your reputation, you would have to resign due to the pressure!

And with your resignation, your seat in the City Council would become vacant, so I could take the opportunity to step in!

One has to admit, this move is indeed ruthless!

As ruthless as it is, as long as it works, it’s good enough.

Now that Yang Chunyuan is under trial, Councilor Mo’s work has indeed been affected, and the City Council has even suspended his tasks, possibly requiring him to submit his resignation at any moment!

Councilor Mo’s seat is bound to be vacated sooner or later.

And currently, no one knows how many people are eyeing his seat.

But one thing is certain, Laura might have been eyeing this seat from the start.

Perhaps this whole affair was a play directed and acted by herself, to bring down Mo Juren.

So ruthless!

So venomous!

To satiate your own ambition, you don’t hesitate to frame an innocent person!

The entire courtroom seemed to see through Laura’s malicious intent, and everyone regarded her with varying degrees of malice.

The jury, those on the listener’s bench, all distinctly showed varying degrees of suspicion and disgust.

"Miss Laura, you need to give us an explanation!"

Zhang Wei also took this opportunity to strike, questioning with a cold voice.

"What if I deny it, deny all of this?"

Laura answered Zhang Wei’s question with a question of her own.

"I guessed as much!" Zhang Wei said with a slight smile.

You’d deny it, which would be perfectly normal.

"I knew you would say that too!"

Laura had anticipated this, but still addressed the jury, "I was unaware of these matters, and I did not instruct Black to take this case, nor did I hint for him to target Forensic Yang, thereby plotting against Councilor Mo!"

"In fact, I wasn’t even sure about my chances of being elected to the City Council. Why would I waste so much effort on a position I can hardly reach?"

As Laura spoke, she even mocked herself, "Besides, this matter is illegal upon hearing it, and I’m a person of status, why would I risk being discovered to commit an offense against others?"

Zhang Wei was somewhat taken aback and hastily asked, "Miss Laura, are you saying that you never considered running for City Councilor?"

"Yes!"

Laura’s response was clean and sharp, even with a hint of mockery at the corners of her mouth, "You say I did all this to be elected as a City Councilor, right?"

"Then let me tell you, if I now decide to drop out of the race for City Councilor, doesn’t that prove that I am not the instigator behind this matter?"

"This..."

Zhang Wei was thoroughly unexpected by Laura’s move.

But Laura stood up in the courtroom and announced loudly, "Since the opportunity is rare, I, Laura Campbell, will take this moment in court to announce that I’m withdrawing from the upcoming City Councilor election, to prove my innocence!"

"Similarly, I want to clarify that my involvement with Black taking the case is none whatsoever, I did not secretly instruct him to take this case, nor did I indicate that he should act against Forensic Yang."

"As for the speculations made by Lawyer Zhang representing the defendant, I deny them entirely. I did not intend to attack Councilor Mo’s family and cause him to resign under public opinion pressure to covet his seat in the council."

The clamor of the courtroom fell into utter silence beneath Laura’s "candid disclosure."

Everyone couldn’t believe that Laura was proclaiming her innocence.

Moreover, to prove her innocence, she even publicly declared in court that she would withdraw from the election.

What did that mean?

It was clearly a statement.

"I’m doing all this, and you’re slandering me, saying I’m unscrupulous in achieving my goals, right?"

"Well, I’m giving up the goal now. I’m telling you I’m no longer interested in the council seat. What can you say about me now?"

"If I was doing all this for that council seat, and now I’m giving it up, doesn’t that prove my innocence?"

"This really is..."

Zhang Wei was dumbfounded.

He had thought he had grasped a crucial point.

But looking at Laura’s demeanor, it seemed like he might have targeted the wrong person!

The real manipulator behind the scenes was clearly not her!

"Thank you, everyone. My self-defense is over!"

After making her announcement, Laura looked toward Zhang Wei with mockery in her eyes.

"Lawyer Zhang, if you still have questions, feel free to ask, but my time is precious, so could you please be quick?"

"This..."

Zhang Wei was somewhat at a loss for words, as Laura’s response had caught him off guard.

"Since you have no questions, then let’s change the witness!"

Laura didn’t give Zhang Wei a chance and turned to the prosecution.

"Judge Liu, we do not wish to cross-examine this witness," said the prosecution.

A slight smile appeared on Zheng Fenyong’s face, and he immediately stood up to indicate he had no questions.

In fact, he couldn’t have been happier.

Laura’s response had taken the defense by surprise and helped the prosecution—a welcome turn of events.

Moreover, Laura’s denial of the accusations suggested there was no real mastermind behind this case.

The prosecution was not at fault, and they had involved Yang Chunyuan in judicial proceedings for the sake of justice and the right cause.

With this clarity, he naturally had no further inquiries.

"Lawyer Zhang, do you have any more questions?" Judge Liu also turned toward Zhang Wei, his gaze questioning.

"Judge Liu, we currently do not wish to ask any questions," said Lawyer Zhang reluctantly, but he had no option but to return to his seat. He had experienced a slight setback this time.

"Very well, this session has been long enough for today. The court will now adjourn until Thursday afternoon when we will proceed," announced Judge Liu, granting everyone a two-day break before the next hearing.

The court began to disperse.

In the prosecutor’s row, Black sighed with relief and then bowed respectfully to Laura, who was surrounded by a group of bodyguards at the center.

This time, it was thanks to their young lady’s performance that the prosecution had escaped danger.

Zheng Fenyong, meanwhile, approached Zhang Wei and Yang Chunyuan again.

"Lawyer Zhang, I don’t think there’s any need for you to struggle further. There is no issue with this case. Forensic Yang did indeed make a mistake in her work!"

"Prosecutor Zheng, then how do you explain the pollen and the disappearance of Old Cao?"

"Indeed, that’s a matter of concern, but it’s not the first time there has been an issue with evidence preservation. And considering the context 20 years ago, it’s not impossible that the evidence was already contaminated with pollen then," explained the prosecutor.

"As for Dr. Cao’s disappearance, since he has already given testimony, the court need not pursue his whereabouts. Whenever he wishes to leave Dongfang Capital is surely his freedom, isn’t it?"

Prosecutor Zheng continued, looking at Yang Chunyuan, "Forensic Yang, my advice is for you to plead guilty sooner. It would be better for you, for me, and for everyone."

"Otherwise, if we have to resume Thursday and you have to admit your mistakes in court, it wouldn’t reflect well on either the investigative department or the forensic department, and certainly not on any of us."

Prosecutor Zheng attempted to appeal to her emotions and reason, but Yang Chunyuan was having none of it.

"I am passionate about my work, and I would never forge a report just to catch a criminal!"

"Forensic Yang, my proposal for your plea bargain remains the same, and the deadline is before the hearing on Thursday. Please consider it," urged Prosecutor Zheng.

Prosecutor Zheng left.

Without looking back, he left the courtroom after dropping his last remark.

And Yang Chunyuan, although firm in her statement just moments ago, felt somewhat helpless now.

"Lawyer Zhang, considering the current situation..."

"Forensic Yang, I believe in you. The case has just run into some complications now, but I will find out what’s wrong!"