Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 529 - 524: Lion’s Big Mouth! There’s Actually a Child!

Chapter 529: Chapter 524: Lion’s Big Mouth! There’s Actually a Child!

Sunday, afternoon.

William International Law Office, a large conference room.

At the head of the large conference room, Lawyer Laura sat next to Gu Shimang.

Next to Gu Shimang was a young woman clad in a uniform, her personal assistant Xiao Xue. Although not highly attractive, she had excellent work abilities, which was why Gu Shimang kept her as an assistant.

To Laura’s side sat several divorce litigation lawyers from the law firm.

Not only that, to boost their own presence, both Laura and Gu Shimang had several bodyguards in black standing behind them.

This time, William International had brought out its top players.

Laura knew that this time their opponent was Zhang Wei, and the afternoon negotiation was the first face-to-face confrontation between the two sides.

So many people were prepared to intimidate the other party.

"Miss, they’ve arrived!"

"Hmph, they’ve finally come!"

Laura signaled her subordinates to open the door, but just as one of them approached the doorknob, the door was already being pushed open.

Bang!

The person entering had a lot of force; the subordinate was hit by the door, stumbled, and fell to the floor.

Everyone looked toward the doorway, only to see two girls in black uniforms and sunglasses leading the way.

Following them were two guys, also in black suits and sunglasses, flanking the sides.

At the back of the group was a casual-looking girl carrying a notebook, who curiously looked around, taking in the conference room as she entered.

Protected in the center of this entourage of five, was a man dressed in a colorful robe, also wearing sunglasses.

Upon closer inspection, the man’s robe was plastered with many images, surprisingly those of various cartoon and video game characters, including but not limited to a certain well-known Blue Fatty, a yellow-skinned electric mouse, an ever-present red-hatted plumber, a duo of cat and mouse friends.

Pfft!

Seeing the decals on the man’s robe, someone failed to hold back their laughter.

And laughter... is contagious.

"Pfft, this is just too..."

"My gosh, that’s Doraemon, my favorite when I was a kid!"

"Is that Mario? Why not draw his brother Luigi, the one in the green hat?"

"Pikachu, right? I prefer Blastoise, Squirtle of course, and forget about Charizard."

"Oh, that’s Tom. The mouse is Jerry. I can’t help it; they make me want to laugh!"

Everyone chuckled and burst into laughter on the spot.

The previously serious conference room instantly became harmonious.

Tension dissipated into thin air, and a light-hearted and cheerful atmosphere spread throughout the meeting room.

After all, how could a place filled with laughter and voices be taken seriously?

Laura had never imagined that while she was planning to put on a show of force against Zhang Wei, it was their side that ended up being humbled.

The imposing atmosphere created by her own people was completely shattered by a robe printed with cartoon characters.

You’ve all had enough, right? I know you had childhoods, but seriously? This is a law firm, a place meant to be serious. Laughing like this, do you even consider my feelings?

Laura’s expression suddenly darkened.

The newcomers finally sat down.

The group of six took their seats directly across from Laura and Gu Shimang.

Zhang Wei, Xia Qianyue, Zhao Xiaoxiao, Zhang Xinwu, Zhang Xinyan, and Gao Tianri were all seated.

"Miss Laura, hello there!"

Zhang Wei took the lead in greeting Laura, then turned to Gu Shimang with a teasing compliment, "Yo, is this Mrs. Gu Shimang? Indeed, a well-established figure in the entertainment industry. I can sense the wear and tear of the years on your face!"

"You..."

Gu Shimang could clearly hear the backhanded nature of Zhang Wei’s words.

Especially the emphasis on "old," which was clearly intentional.

Wasn’t this just openly calling her old?

This was unbearable, and Gu Shimang was about to react aggressively.

Fortunately, Laura was quick to react, pressing down on Gu Shimang’s shoulder to prevent her from standing up.

"Lawyer Laura, you..."

"Miss Gu Shimang, please restrain yourself. Let’s not leave a bad impression on our guests!"

"But that little bastard called me old, he..."

"Stay calm!"

Under Laura’s "warning" glance, Gu Shimang finally took a deep breath and refrained from losing her temper.

However, the look she gave Zhang Wei was filled with ill will, with an undertone of resentment.

"Lawyer Zhang, I often hear about your great reputation. You’re quite the celebrity in Dongfang Capital, with a customer satisfaction rate of one hundred percent. I’ve heard that even your opponents sing your praises... that is, if they live to tell the tale!"

Laura, mimicking Zhang Wei’s style, offered a backhanded compliment.

Your opponents sing your praises, they’re probably all cursing their mothers by now.

As for that last line, it was a jab at Zhang Wei’s nickname, "Homicide Lawyer."

"You too, Lawyer Laura, to be able to sit at the helm of the second-ranked law office in Dongfang Capital, your skills and experience must be truly extraordinary. William International evaluates their performance annually, and every time you manage to come in second. Such consistent performance is indeed rare. I’ve heard everyone outside praising you, saying you’ve always been the second most formidable lawyer in Dongfang Capital. It seems you and the number ’two’ have a real affinity," Zhang Wei responded with "respect," while emphasizing the word "second" repetitively.

You little scoundrel, that’s harsh!

Laura cursed inwardly. Are you deliberately bringing up my sore point?

You’re calling me an eternal runner-up, you think I can’t hear the sarcasm?

Laura had never anticipated that Zhang Wei would be such a formidable opponent when it came to trading insults.

Those brief few words had already ignited the tempers of both her and Gu Shimang.

"Lawyer Zhang, I invited you and your client to my law office, not for pleasantries but to discuss matters pertaining to the divorce case between our clients," Laura finally decided not to beat around the bush with Zhang Wei and got straight to the point.

She primarily feared that continuing the banter would make her so angry with Zhang Wei’s sharp tongue that she would get sick.

"Sure, that’s what we’re here for!"

Zhang Wei nodded and then gave a signal to his client Gao Tianri, who was beside him.

Gao Tianri took off his sunglasses, revealing a sincere expression as he looked toward Gu Shimang.

Unfortunately, Gao Tianri’s earnest gaze did not elicit a response from Gu Shimang.

She picked up a nail file and was busy giving her manicured nails a beauty treatment.

Indifference!

Zhang Wei could tell, Gu Shimang’s attitude toward Gao Tianri was utterly indifferent!

"Lawyer Laura, what are your thoughts?"

Laura didn’t answer but nodded at a middle-aged man with gray hair beside her.

"I’m Lawyer Grey from William International. This is the compensation claim draft that our Divorce Litigation Department has prepared for Ms. Gu Shimang. We hope that your client, Mr. Gao, will compensate our client according to the items listed in the draft," the man with gray hair said as he pulled out a hefty file and pushed it toward Zhang Wei and Gao Tianri.

"Grey, Lawyer Grey, right?"

Zhang Wei muttered the name of the person in front of him. Like the previous case’s Black, this time it was Grey.

Ignoring the opponent’s names, he flipped open the file to its first page and began reviewing it.

"Wow, these are the contributors?"

On the first page, Zhang Wei saw a neat row of names.

The lawyers beside the gray-haired man didn’t miss the opportunity to introduce themselves immediately.

"I’m Kelin, from the Divorce Litigation Department!"

"I’m Reed, also from the Divorce Litigation Department!"

"I’m Brown..."

The gray-haired man looked at Zhang Wei and scoffed, "Let me reintroduce myself. I’m Grey, head of the Divorce Litigation Department, a partner at William International, in charge of assisting Miss Laura with this case."

"Wow, your names really are full of talking points!"

Zhang Wei couldn’t help but mock. What have we got here, green, red, brown, plus the department head’s grey—all colors, right?

Is William International fond of forming color squads?

"Do you guys have a female lawyer called Yellow? I would like to meet her."

The folks from William International were rendered speechless.

Do you really think we have all the colors in our law office?

Just go on and read your file!

Indeed, Zhang Wei stopped being bothered by their names and seriously went through the file.

minutes later, he had gone through every word and detail.

Bang!

Zhang Wei slammed the thick stack of documents onto the table and internally exclaimed at their audacity.

"Are you serious?"

"You find these terms amusing?"

"Or do you think that my client would agree to these utterly unreasonable demands?"

Zhang Wei said, as he looked at the group of people in front of him.

Laura gave the grey-haired man another meaningful look.

"Indeed, we’re serious. This compensation list is the result of discussions between our divorce litigation department and our accountants. We can say that this is our final compensation proposal,"

Laura declared.

Zhang Wei then turned to look at Gu Shimang.

At that moment, the woman wore a triumphant expression as if she had already agreed to this arrangement.

"Lawyer Zhang, what exactly do these contract terms mean?"

Gao Tianri asked from beside, pointing at the stack of documents with a puzzled look.

He did not possess the skill of Zhang Wei to read ten lines at a glance. It would take him at least half an hour to get through such a thick stack, and to fully understand each of the items listed, it might take him ten times longer.

"Ahem, let me summarize,"

Zhang Wei, aware of his client’s difficulty, immediately explained: "Firstly, Ms. Gu Shimang’s divorce requirement specifies that our side must comply with the ’Marriage Law’ in the disposition of joint property, giving her 50% of all assets!"

Upon hearing this request, Gao Tianri was not surprised; Zhang Xinwu and Xia Qianyue also nodded in agreement.

Typically, this is how joint property is dealt with in divorce proceedings, with each spouse receiving 50%.

The percentage seemed correct.

"However, they have compiled a list that includes all of your industries as joint property, not only including the downtown apartment of Dongfang Capital, the suburban holiday villa, and all real estate in the neighboring city but also bank financial products, overseas investments, and so on,"

Zhang Wei explained while picking up a page from the list and chuckled: "Oh, and the Northwestern ranch that you’ve been fond of, they’ve even appraised the price of every cow, every horse, making it clear Miss Gu Shimang doesn’t intend to let go of a single animal!"

"This..."

Gao Tianri, hearing that Gu Shimang hadn’t spared even a single animal, suddenly became frantic. "That ranch is my life’s work, every animal was handpicked and bought by me, how could you have the heart to take them away from me?"

"Hmph, as long as it’s joint property, I have a stake in it, and I intend to make a clear division, even if it is a single animal!"

Gu Shimang stood with her arms crossed, a disdainful sneer on her lips, her tone becoming more biting.

"You..."

Gao Tianri was so angry he could hardly speak.

"Director Gao, don’t get worked up.... There’s something even more outrageous coming,"

Zhang Wei consoled, then turned to the next page.

"They want 50% of all your assets, and that’s not the worst part yet!"

"Ah, there’s something worse?" Gao Tianri suddenly exclaimed.

"Yes, it’s written here loud and clear. Ms. Gu Shimang claims that the ten years she spent with you cost her the most precious years of her life, her youth, so she is demanding compensation for the loss of her youth!"

"This..."

Gao Tianri hadn’t expected Gu Shimang to make such a demand.

"So, how much is she asking for in compensation?"

"15% of your total assets."

"So, added to the earlier 50%, doesn’t that make it 65%?"

Gao Tianri shook his head immediately, refusing to agree. "No, no, this is just too unreasonable. I’ve spent years and resources to promote her. How does that count?"

"What do you mean you spent resources to promote me? I was a sought-after star back then. If it weren’t for marrying you, my career could have soared several steps higher. It’s because I married you that my career was delayed for years, and all the losses in that time amount to money,"

Gu Shimang, seeing that Gao Tianri was not inclined to compensate, sharply retorted: "Gao Tianri, you must compensate me for this, and you owe me an apology for the delays that caused me to lose so much in my career, so much money!"

"This..."

Facing the woman who was nominally his wife, Gao Tianri was trembling with anger at her unreasonable demands.

"Director Gao, stay calm, there is something even more outrageous still,"

Zhang Wei reassured, then turned to the next page.

"There’s more?"

"Yes, there’s more,"

Zhang Wei nodded, then pointed to one of the provisions and explained: "During the marriage, not only did you have affairs, but you also domestically abused Ms. Gu Shimang. Therefore, she is demanding compensation for her mental health and bodily harm, which amounts to 30% of your total assets!"

"I didn’t, I never hit her, and I didn’t have an affair either. When I attended social engagements, it was all just for show with those women, and even after I got married, I

rarely drank. I am being wronged..."

Gao Tianri hastily declared his innocence, protesting on his own behalf.

Zhang Wei, however, ignored Gao Tianri’s grievances and looked directly towards Lawyer Laura and Gu Shimang.

"Ladies, you claim my client committed domestic violence and infidelity. You must have evidence, otherwise, you wouldn’t include this clause in the divorce settlement, nor ask for 30%

compensation of the total assets, right?"

"Indeed, we do have evidence. If your side doesn’t agree to the terms, we will disclose this evidence in court. At that time, your client will truly be ruined!"

Facing Zhang Wei, Lawyer Laura was very confident, as if the evidence she mentioned could indeed prove that Gao Tianri committed domestic violence and infidelity.

"Could it be conclusive evidence?"

Zhang Wei thought this as he watched the scene, particularly noting Lawyer Laura’s self-assured demeanor.

This confidence doesn’t seem like a bluff.

"Alright then, let’s put aside that 30% for now and discuss the remainder."

Zhang Wei said, flipping to the last page before pointing at a figure and asking, "According to your previous compensation clause, my client Director Gao has been left with only

5% of the assets. Why then are you trying to strip away this last 5%?"

"What, not even leaving me the last 5%?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Tianri’s mouth fell open in disbelief.

This is too malicious, not even leaving me 5%?

Zhang Xinwu and Xia Qianyue also looked at each other in dismay. Gu Shimang, this woman, truly is ruthless, malicious, and greedy!

50% + 15% + 30% = 95%. Now, wanting to take away the remaining 5% from Gao Tianri is clearly intending to leave him penniless!

"Also, what does ’alimony’ mean in this clause? After the divorce, my side should no longer be responsible for Miss Gu Shimang’s living expenses and such, right? Why is there still alimony?"

"Hmph, I don’t need his money, but the child in my stomach does!"

Gu Shimang said, her hand gently caressing her belly with a look of triumph on her face.

"Child?"

Zhang Wei was taken aback then looked at Gao Tianri.

Is this child yours?

"How could that be, haven’t we not shared a bed for over a year?"

Gao Tianri too felt wrongly accused and vehemently shook his head in denial.

Not cohabiting for over a year?

Zhang Wei’s gaze shifted from Gao Tianri to above his head, feeling as though there was a greenish light shimmering there.

"Hmph, have you forgotten what you did? That day, after you drank, right in the apartment..."

"Impossible, I am well aware of how much I drank. It couldn’t happen, especially since I’ve been on location filming for a long time recently!"

"You still want to deny it? I’ve seen a doctor, it was that day, the timing matches up!"

"Which day is that day? I have no memory of it?"

() Gu Shimang stood with hands on her hips, absolutely convinced Gao Tianri was the father of the child in her belly.

Gao Tianri naturally denied it, as he couldn’t even remember sharing a bed with Gu Shimang over the past year. How could the child possibly be his?

"So, you’re saying, Miss Gu Shimang is pregnant and this last 5% of alimony is all for the child in your belly?"

"Of course, that’s also Miss Gu Shimang’s request!" Lawyer Laura nodded, confirming this statement.

"Since this case involves a child, I need to consult with my client. Give us five minutes!"

Zhang Wei said, leading his group out of the conference room.

In the hallway outside the door, Zhang Wei looked at Gao Tianri, and Gao Tianri looked back at Zhang Wei.

In the end, Gao Tianri lowered his head guiltily.

"Tell me, what’s the deal with this child? Is it yours?"

"Lawyer Zhang, it’s really not mine. I truly haven’t touched her this year, and what’s more, I have no recollection of the day she mentioned."

"Are you saying you’re certain you weren’t so-called drunk and didn’t have relations with Gu Shimang on the recent day she referred to?"

"I’m sure!" Gao Tianri finally looked up, his face serious.

"Then, by your account, if you’ve never been with her, could it be the child isn’t yours, and there’s another man..."

Zhang Wei glanced at Gao Tianri, feeling that the greenish light above his head had grown even more vivid than before.

"I understand. Let’s go reject these unreasonable terms!"

Zhang Wei was certain in his mind; he must consider his client’s interests.

The terms set by William International were outright extortion against Gao Tianri!

This was simply bullying to the extreme!