Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 540 - 535: Acting Up Again, The Assistant’s Betrayal!

Chapter 540: Chapter 535: Acting Up Again, The Assistant’s Betrayal!

Child!

This is of the utmost importance!

Nowadays, as soon as people hear the word "child," they tense up.

Although at home children are treasured like ancestors, in others’ eyes, a child is everything!

And now, in this case, Gu Shimang has surprisingly revealed that she is pregnant, carrying Gao Tianri’s child.

Then the nature of the case has changed.

Originally, everyone thought that Gu Shimang was suing Gao Tianri for her own sake.

But unexpectedly, she has a child, and it is very likely that she is suing Gao Tianri on behalf of both herself and her child.

Compassion, understanding, pity.

These are the jury’s feelings toward Gu Shimang.

They sympathize with her predicament, understand her thoughts, and pity her for having such a husband.

It can be said that after the child’s matter was revealed, Gu Shimang had garnered the support of everyone present.

The direction of the courtroom’s winds had completely shifted towards the plaintiff’s side.

The jury consisted of six people, three men and three women.

The three women, needless to say, all leaned towards Gu Shimang.

Even the three men shook their heads at Gao Tianri, their eyes filled with disdain.

If the verdict were to be announced at that moment, the plaintiff’s side would definitely secure all six votes.

Laura, seeing how effective her trump card was, was also somewhat surprised.

But as a veteran of the court, she knew that a child was always a "major weapon in court"; the result was not unexpected.

So, she decided to follow up on her victory.

"Shi Man, you chose to endure, for the sake of your child, right?"

"Yes!" Gu Shimang almost cried as she nodded.

"Then why, why are you now taking the defendant to court?"

"Because, because he threatened me, and he threatened our child!"

Gu Shimang pointed at Gao Tianri and also at Zhang Wei as she said, "He has a history of threatening people with a lawyer. I thought he wouldn’t do that to me, after all, I am carrying his child, but he still did. He brought in the most dangerous lawyer from Dongfang Capital to threaten me, he... wuwuwu..."

Gu Shimang broke down in sobs once again in court, yet her statement had already made her point.

Many people were reminded of Gao Tianri’s three ex-wives, and though the affairs of the ex-wives were in the past, their testimonies still resounded in everyone’s ears.

Putting aside the bad things they said about Gao Tianri, all three ex-wives seemed to agree that Gao Tianri liked to threaten them with lawyers.

The first ex-wife said that Gao Tianri hired a lawyer.

The second ex-wife said that Gao Tianri hired an impressive lawyer.

The third ex-wife said that Gao Tianri hired a lawyer who was snobbish and acted as if he was very powerful.

And now, for Gu Shimang, his fourth wife, whom had Gao Tianri hired?

Zhang Wei!

From Jincheng Law Firm, ranked first among Dongfang Capital’s Top Ten Firms, the notorious "Homicide Lawyer."

Moreover, he was a lawyer with a real record of "hitting his mark," arguably a top figure in the legal circle of Dongfang Capital.

Indeed!

Gao Tianri may have changed some habits, but his method of hiring lawyers has remained the same all this time.

Not only that, the lawyers he hired seemed to be more formidable one after another.

All three ex-wives mentioned that the lawyers hired by Gao Tianri threatened them.

So now, when Gu Shimang said that Zhang Wei had threatened her, it didn’t come as a surprise to anyone.

"Shi Man, are you saying that the defendant conspired with Zhang Wei to threaten you?"

"Yes, they took advantage of the negotiations for a settlement to threaten me. It was then that I made up my mind to fight them to the end!"

As Gu Shimang spoke, the tears on her face disappeared, but the marks remained.

Her expression became incredibly serious, she furrowed her brows, clenched her teeth, and put on a face that said "I will fight you to the end."

And her transformation was witnessed by everyone.

This was a strong woman!

She was not afraid of power and chose to fight Gao Tianri and Zhang Wei to the end just for the sake of her child, which was truly admirable.

She was sure to win!

If she really won, she would be the perfect template for a female protagonist, and a future full of goodness beckoned to her.

Everyone was eager to see the scene where Gu Shimang, holding her child, enjoyed a beautiful life.

And in that life, there was no need for Gao Tianri, and certainly no need for Zhang Wei!

"Amazing!"

At this moment, even Zhang Wei had to admire Gu Shimang.

An excellent actor can perfectly manage their expressions, laughing when they want to laugh and crying when they want to cry—it’s almost a compulsory course for fine actors.

But a formidable actor isn’t just about impromptu performance; their acting must also resonate with the audience, creating an emotional harmony.

And now, Shi Man seemed to have achieved this—the words she spoke, combined with her nearly flawless acting skills, made the mood in the courtroom shift in the direction she anticipated.

Having such a formidable actor as an opponent is indeed quite tricky!

Zhang Wei watched the performances of the two women in the courtroom, his brows furrowing unconsciously a bit more.

In the courtroom, the "performance" continued.

"So you’re saying, Shi Man, you chose to fight back for yourself and for the child in your womb?"

"Yes!"

"And it’s also because of the child that you chose no longer to tolerate, but rather to seek everything you deserve from the defendant—more precisely, everything your child deserves?"

"Yes!"

"Do you have absolute confidence in winning?"

"To be honest, I don’t, but for my child, I’m willing to risk everything!"

When Shi Man answered these questions, she appeared determined, with a tone that was concise and efficient.

She made everyone see a "strong mother," see her growth, and see her resolve.

"Shi Man, I support you!"

Seeing this, Laura also subconsciously nodded her head, as if moved by the nuanced acting of the person before her.

"Judge Ni, our side has finished questioning the party concerned!"

Laura returned to the seat of the plaintiff, nodding to Grey, her subordinate. A hint of triumph was in both their eyes.

It seemed they had it in the bag!

"Uh-huh, since the plaintiff’s self-attestation is complete, Lawyer Zhang, it’s your turn for cross-examination..."

Reminded by Judge Ni, Zhang Wei slowly rose and approached the stand.

Everyone wanted to see how Lawyer Zhang, who might not have his nose in the air but was definitely impressive, would question Shi Man.

"Hello, Shi Man."

"Hello, Lawyer."

The two exchanged greetings, their tones bland as if they were strangers.

However, Shi Man internally scoffed—Shi Man was what you called me, are we familiar?

It’s one thing for Simple-minded Laura, but you, Zhang Wei, what standing do you have to call me Shi Man?

Yet, due to the persona she had just crafted, Shi Man could only rant internally; such words could never be spoken in the courtroom.

"By the way, Shi Man, may I ask how far along you are with the child?"

"You mean how long I’ve been pregnant? About one month."

"Oh, one month."

Zhang Wei nodded, then his brow furrowed: "According to the time of conception, roughly 6-7 days, that would be one month and a week ago, you and the party concerned..."

"Yes, that’s correct." Shi Man naturally wouldn’t deny this point regarding gynecological knowledge.

"That’s odd..."

Zhang Wei scratched his head, showing a puzzled expression.

"What’s odd?"

"Because the timeline doesn’t match up."

As he spoke, he took another document from Zhao Xiaoxiao, then walked back to Shi Man.

"You see, it’s the end of September right now, and tomorrow is the start of October. One month and a week ago would have been the early days of late August, right?"

"Yes."

"Take a look here, this is my client’s schedule for August, and he was on location shooting for a film throughout late August. And you were filming with the crew as well, right? I visited the crew of ’The Martial World of Two’ and learned from the staff that during those few days, you were on the film city base in Dongfang Capital."

At this point, Zhang Wei lifted the schedule he held in his hand and pressed, "So I want to ask, with my client being more than a hundred kilometers away from you, how did he manage to get you pregnant from such a distance?"

At these words, the entire courtroom was taken aback.

Although it wasn’t the outcome everyone was expecting, it was the fact of the matter.

Gao Tianri was filming on location outside the city at the end of August.

At the same time, Shi Man was also filming in Dongfang Capital. It could be said that there was no possibility of any interaction between them.

Separated by over a hundred kilometers, how could Gao Tianri have made Shi Man pregnant—could one of them teleport?

"Are you suggesting that the child isn’t Gao Tianri’s, that it’s the result of me being with another man?"

"Shi Man, I never said that. However, since you brought it up, I believe you owe me and everyone else an explanation, right?"

Zhang Wei smiled slightly, his gaze piercing as he looked at Shi Man.

This was something you brought up, I didn’t force you.

But now, the entire courtroom is eager to know the answer.

They all want to learn if it’s really possible for Gao Tianri to have made you pregnant from a hundred kilometers away?

Facing the locked gazes of the entire courtroom, Gu Shimang remained calm and composed, with not a trace of panic.

Because she knew that the more crucial the moment, the less one should panic!

"I know what you’re all suspecting, and indeed, as you say, if Gao Tianri were a hundred kilometers away, he absolutely couldn’t have gotten me pregnant."

"Right."

"Then there’s only one possibility left, which is that I had relations with another man, correct?"

"Mm-hmm, it could only be that."

What Gu Shimang said made Zhang Wei unconsciously nod in agreement.

"But what if Gao Tianri made a special trip back while he was out on business?"

"Huh?"

Now it was Zhang Wei’s turn to be surprised.

Came back?

How come back, leave the production to keep you company?

Don’t joke, okay?

Your marriage with Gao Tianri has been in name only for a long time, how could he possibly abandon work to come back just to be with you?

Don’t be fooled by Gu Shimang’s fine acting in court; Zhang Wei had witnessed this woman’s fierce and overbearing side in reality.

I still remember your attitude when you first came to our Jincheng Law Firm, Gu Shimang.

With your personality, you really think Gao Tianri would come back to keep you company?

"Shi Man, you’re seated at the witness stand; you should be aware that lying in court isn’t allowed, right?"

"I know, but I have an eyewitness!"

"An eyewitness!"

Hearing Gu Shimang’s response, Zhang Wei was completely flustered.

He quickly looked towards Gao Tianri, his eyes filled with questions.

What’s this situation, did you really go back?

But Gao Tianri was shaking his head furiously.

I really didn’t, I was on location out of town from the end of August to early September, and I haven’t seen Gu Shimang at all during that time, I didn’t lie to you!

Now Zhang Wei and Gao Tianri were both bewildered.

Impossible, Gao Tianri hadn’t returned to Dongfang Capital, Zhang Wei was clear on that.

So what’s the deal with this eyewitness?

At that moment, Laura stood up, "Judge Ni, given the question from the defense, the plaintiff requests to summon the eyewitness to corroborate our client’s testimony!"

"Hmm, the court grants permission!"

As Ni Qiuping signaled, the doors of the courtroom swung open, and a woman in uniform walked in.

"Isn’t this woman Director Gao’s assistant?"

Zhang Wei recognized the woman; she was Gao Tianri’s assistant. He had met her briefly when he visited Gao Tianri’s workplace before.

Unfortunately, Gao Tianri had been staying at Zhang’s Martial Arts School these past few days, and the female assistant had hardly visited, so they were not familiar with each other.

At this moment, the female assistant took her place on the witness stand.

"Witness, you..."

"I’m here to prove that Director Gao suddenly left the production crew for several days at the end of August and went missing!"

Zhang Wei hadn’t even begun his questioning when the assistant blurted out her statement.

"Went missing?"

Zhang Wei was startled again and looked at Gao Tianri.

Gao Tianri was still shaking his head frantically and looked astounded.

It seemed he was also confused about his own "disappearance."

"Witness, what do you mean he went missing?"

"Director Gao said he had something to take care of and then left the production crew. I couldn’t contact him for several days and had no idea where he went."

"Are you certain no one was able to make contact with him?"

"Yes, it wasn’t just me; no one in the entire production crew could get in touch with him!"

As the assistant spoke, she mumbled, "Perhaps he went home to see his wife, even though I know that their relationship isn’t very good; it’s the only possibility I can think of."

As soon as these words were spoken, many people in the courtroom couldn’t help but speculate.

Could it be that Gao Tianri really went home during those few days he was away, and then was with Gu Shimang?

And that Gu Shimang happened to get pregnant very coincidentally during those days?

"We request a recess to confirm some details with our client!"

Zhang Wei said, and quickly walked up to Gao Tianri to converse in a low voice.

"Where did you go those days?"

"I was out of town, didn’t go back to Dongfang Capital."

"Were you with the production crew the whole time?"

"Not exactly, I spent a few days out with a female actress from the crew, she and I..."

Although he had been rather vague, Zhang Wei picked up on the implication immediately.

Old Gao, you’re quite something. Despite barely holding on, you still managed to have an affair with an actress, and it lasted for several days.

"Understood. Then does anyone know you two went out ’to gather inspiration’ together?"

"My assistant knew, she..."

Gao Tianri pointed at the female assistant in the witness stand, but Zhang Wei frowned, then his face relaxed.

"It seems your assistant has turned to the other side!"

The assistant knew about it, yet claimed ignorance, indicating clearly that she had chosen her side.

The female assistant on the witness stand had clearly decided to stand with Gu Shimang this time.

For that, she was even willing to commit perjury.

After all, one was a director about to leave the industry penniless and be blacklisted, while the other was a woman bravely fighting against evil, likely to gain massive exposure and fame as a future superstar.

If the assistant wasn’t too simple-minded, she’d know which side to stand on.

Adding flowers to the brocade is never as good as sending charcoal in the snow.

The assistant’s actions now were like sending charcoal to Gu Shimang in the snow, weren’t they?

"I’m asking you, who is that female star you went out with? Can you get her to testify in court?"

"She went abroad with her boyfriend for a holiday!"

"She has a damn boyfriend!"

Zhang Wei truly couldn’t restrain himself now.

I know the entertainment industry is messy, but does it have to be this messy?

Are you messing around with a married woman?

No, that’s wrong, it’s a boyfriend, not a husband. They’re not married yet. That’s not as bad...

A fat lot of good that does!

Now that she’s gone abroad, it means no witness can refute the assistant’s testimony, which puts immense pressure on us, the defense.

"Lawyer Zhang, have you finished your discussion?"

At that moment, Ni Qiuping pressed for an answer.

"Judge Ni, we’ve finished our discussion."

"Then, do you have any objections to the witness’s testimony?"

"I’d like to. But at the moment, we have no evidence to refute it."

"Oh, I see. That means you have no objections for the time being, right?"

"Guess so..."

Zhang Wei was helpless, as Gao Tianri had only himself to blame for his indiscretion.

You couldn’t control your own urges for a few days, and now you’re in this mess.

Even your trusted female assistant has turned to support Gu Shimang. What can he say?

There’s simply no solution for now!

"Alright then, the witness may step down. Your testimony will be recorded faithfully by the court reporter!"

With a wave of her hand, Ni Qiuping dismissed the female assistant from the witness stand.

Gu Shimang took the stand again, a barely perceptible smug smile on her lips.

Clearly, the female assistant’s statement had been orchestrated by her.

"What I want to tell everyone is, during those days, Gao Tianri came back. He returned to Dongfang Capital and at his villa in the suburbs, he raped me, forced himself on me."

"It was then, he hit me for resisting, and he said many unpleasant things, which made me want to fight back."

"Unfortunately, after that incident, I found myself pregnant, carrying his child."

Shi Man said, tears welling up, a sorrowful expression on her face, "I was hesitant. I didn’t know whether I should fight back, but I knew I wasn’t alone anymore, because I had a child."

"Even if the child’s father is scum, a devil, the person I hate most in this world, the child is innocent."

"That’s why I convinced myself over and over, for the sake of the child, I had to endure, I had to think of the future, but to my dismay, my repeated forbearance was met with his further encroachments... sob sob sob..."

Gu Shimang broke down in tears on the stand once again.

Even Ni Qiuping on the judge’s bench did not interrupt her at this moment.

It seemed that even Judge Ni had accepted this narrative, that Gu Shimang was the victim in this case.

"Now, this really is a tricky situation!"

Seeing this scene, Zhang Wei could only acknowledge defeat resignedly.

In this round, they were at too great a disadvantage, with no idea how to turn the tables.