Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 547 - 542: Gao Tianri is renting a hotel room, so nerve-wracking!

Chapter 547: Chapter 542: Gao Tianri is renting a hotel room, so nerve-wracking!

Civil Court, the scene.

"The court declares that today’s hearing will now begin!"

After announcing, Ni Qiuping looked toward the plaintiff’s bench, "Plaintiff Gu Shimang, before you take a seat in the witness stand, the court needs to ask you, after resting on Tuesday night, all day Wednesday, and this morning, have you adjusted your mentality?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Honor. My mentality has been adjusted well. Even if the defendant’s side asks some unreasonable questions, I can handle them!"

As Gu Shimang spoke, she looked towards Zhang Wei, her face bearing a hint of determination.

This scene also made the jury and those in the gallery feel somewhat distressed for her.

This woman was about to face the courtroom’s destruction by the defendant’s lawyer, yet she showed such a resolute attitude, which was really admirable.

In comparison, the defendant’s lawyer was too inhumane, how could he bear to trouble a weak woman in court!

The jury and the gallery cast numerous hostile gazes towards Zhang Wei, hostility evident.

"Hey, hey, hey, why have I become the villain, have I done something terribly wrong?"

Zhang Wei keenly felt these hostile gazes, and his inner monologue became even more speechless.

He had to admit that Gu Shimang’s acting skills seemed to have skyrocketed in the last two days, managing to stir up most people’s emotions in the courtroom with just a look.

"This woman, she really is incredible..."

Zhang Wei muttered to himself, but still approached the witness stand.

"Shi Man, have you rested well these past two days?"

"Thank you for your concern, Lawyer Zhang. With the blessings of my supportive fans, I have rested very well!"

"Is that so? If I ask you questions today, can you answer them, or do you need to rest a little while longer?"

"No need, ask whatever you want to ask, I won’t hide anything!"

Gu Shimang responded coldly to Zhang Wei’s "aggressive questioning."

"No, no, no, I think you haven’t rested well, you see, there are even some wrinkles at the corner of your eyes."

"What, wrinkles, where?"

Gu Shimang was shocked, as she was especially diligent about her skincare, how could it be possible for her to have wrinkles.

However, Zhang Wei let out a sly laugh, "Oh, I was just joking, to lighten up the mood!"

Gu Shimang’s initially panicky expression suddenly turned cold.

You little rascal, playing me like that?

Now you still can laugh, but wait until I beat you with my exquisite acting skills, then you definitely won’t be able to laugh.

Just you wait!

Gu Shimang thought spitefully.

Meanwhile, Zhang Wei, after bickering with Gu Shimang, turned towards the judge’s bench.

"Judge Ni, our side believes that the plaintiff witness Gu Shimang hasn’t rested well enough and requests that she return to her seat to rest some more, therefore we will temporarily refrain from questioning her!"

"Huh?"

Ni Qiuping was startled for a moment, not quite able to grasp the situation.

You, Zhang Wei, are actually planning to let Gu Shimang off the hook?

All day Wednesday, this morning, and even Tuesday afternoon, didn’t you pull some stunt?

In your past hearings, whenever there was a break, weren’t you always able to catch the opponent’s slip-up?

Could it be that this time you are really planning to give up?

"Give up my foot, I just want to let her start getting comfortable first, so that later when the bombshells drop, she won’t be able to take it all in at once!"

Zhang Wei seemed to see through Judge Ni’s thoughts, and sneered to himself.

That’s right!

He had a trump card prepared for Gu Shimang, but it would make the most impact if used at the very end.

If he finished off Gu Shimang right away, wouldn’t that spoil the fun?

After all, today’s court session had just begun.

"Since the defendant’s side does not wish to question, then witness Gu Shimang, you may return to your seat."

Judge Ni was unaware of Zhang Wei’s inner thoughts, and since he did not want to ask, she proceeded to the next witness.

Gu Shimang was also surprised. Zhang Wei didn’t incessantly hassle her, even going so far as to be extremely tenacious?

Lawyer Laura had said before that Zhang Wei was notoriously difficult in the courtroom.

But seeing him today, it seemed that the rumors were somewhat exaggerated.

"Is this him giving up?"

Gu Shimang mused as she returned to the plaintiff’s bench.

Meanwhile, Lawyer Laura started weighing the pros and cons.

"We’re at a significant advantage right now, and if we call further witnesses, we might expose weaknesses that could damage our client’s image in the eyes of the jury. Therefore, I propose that we don’t present any further evidence and let the defense begin to make its case,"

At Laura’s words, Gu Shimang and Grey both nodded in understanding.

It was clear to everyone just how advantageous the plaintiff’s position was.

There was no need to call more witnesses.

So, Laura immediately stood up and declared, "Judge Ni, the plaintiff’s side has decided to conclude our statement, and we will not call any further witnesses!"

"Since the plaintiff has concluded its opening statement, the defense may now start preparing,"

Judge Ni acknowledged, then gave Zhang Wei a reminder.

"Alright, thank you for the reminder, Judge Ni. We’ve been eager to proceed!"

Zhang Wei said with a look of excitement and then quickly walked to the front of the courtroom, cleared his throat, and announced, "The defense calls Mr. Chen to the stand!"

Following Zhang Wei’s announcement, a man dressed in a suit and tie walked into the courtroom and sat down in the witness box.

"Mr. Chen, please tell us your occupation."

"I am the lobby manager at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jingui City’s film and television city base!"

"Oh, the hotel manager, right?"

Zhang Wei nodded, confirming the witness’s occupation.

"The hotel manager of Jingui City’s film and television city?"

Upon the witness stand, Gu Shimang also frowned.

It seemed that the hotel manager could prove something.

After all, during the days she was pregnant, Gao Tianri was indeed not always in Jingui City.

If this hotel manager could prove that Gao Tianri was always in Jingui City’s hotel, wouldn’t that indirectly prove that the child in her belly wasn’t Gao Tianri’s?

"Shi Man, don’t panic; I’ve already prepared a strategy for this witness,"

Seeing Gu Shimang’s slightly furrowed brows, Laura calmly responded.

Her face was full of confidence; she was not at all surprised by the appearance of this witness.

"Very confident, eh!"

In front of the witness box, Zhang Wei caught the change of expression on Gu Shimang’s and Laura’s faces.

However, he didn’t care and methodically started his questioning.

"Manager Chen, tell us, have you seen my client, Director Gao, during the period from late August to early September?"

The witness carefully glanced at Gao Tianri in the defendant’s seat and then nodded, "Yes, I have."

"Where did you see him?"

"At the hotel I work in, of course."

"You mean at the Four Seasons Hotel within Jingui City’s film and television city base?"

"Yes."

"During that time, was my client staying at the hotel every day?"

"Yes."

"And the person staying with him in the hotel was a female, correct?"

"Yes."

"Was it the plaintiff, Ms. Gu Shimang, who was with him?"

"Certainly not, that woman was much younger."

With Zhang Wei’s questioning, the witness calmly stated some facts.

Gao Tianri had an affair, and it was with a younger woman.

This, although detrimental to Gao Tianri’s reputation, paradoxically became the basis for his "innocence" in this case.

"So strange, during this time, Director Gao was supposed to have returned to Dongfang Capital to commit the alleged assault on the plaintiff, Ms. Gu Shimang, yet he was at the hotel in Jingui City all along. How could he possibly assault the plaintiff, who is over a hundred kilometers away, while being at the hotel?"

As Zhang Wei spoke, he spread his hands in a gesture of incomprehension.

His statement left many in the courtroom stunned.

Indeed, how could that be possible?

Gao Tianri, though unfaithful, was in a hotel in Jingui City with another woman.

But regardless of his unfaithfulness, he was physically in Jingui City; how could he have simultaneously assaulted Gu Shimang in Dongfang Capital and impregnated her?

Although Gao Tianri was a scoundrel, obviously he couldn’t have assaulted Gu Shimang.

Could it be that Gu Shimang had been lying all along?

Upon hearing this fact, the jury and those in the public gallery began to whisper and point at Gu Shimang.

They all speculated why Gu Shimang would lie.

"Lawyer Laura..."

"Shi Man, don’t be nervous, let him show off for a while!"

After a brief reassurance, Lawyer Laura looked towards Zhang Wei with a grim face.

Just let you show off for a while, soon you’ll see what’s coming to you!

In the courtroom.

"Manager Chen, are you certain that Director Gao stayed at your hotel on those days?"

"Of course, I saw it with my own eyes!"

"Pairings like Director Gao and his young female companion, such old-and-young combinations, they’re quite rare, aren’t they?"

"Certainly!"

After recalling for a moment, Manager Chen said, "In theory, I’m aware of all the film crews that come to shoot in our film city. As a renowned director, I’ve naturally heard of Director Gao’s fame. He has been to our Jingui City film and television base to shoot location scenes multiple times, so how could I possibly mistake someone else for him?"

"That’s good!"

Zhang Wei nodded, then turned to look at the jury.

Seeing that the jury seemed to take in the testimony of the witness, he naturally wrapped up while he was ahead.

"We have no more questions for Manager Chen!"

Zhang Wei returned to his seat and calmly sat down.

Gao Tianri, sitting next to him, leaned over hastily and asked with a puzzled face, "Lawyer Zhang, can this witness prove my innocence?"

"Director Gao, you don’t think that the opponent hasn’t made any preparations, do you?"

Zhang Wei, however, gave a look that said, "How can you be so naive."

"What? Does this mean the witness’s testimony is invalid?"

"No, the witness’s testimony is temporarily valid, but its effectiveness will be greatly diminished by the plaintiff’s forthcoming questions."

As he spoke, Zhang Wei gestured for Gao Tianri to continue watching because Lawyer Laura was about to make her move.

Then, from the plaintiff’s bench, Lawyer Laura rose calmly and approached the witness stand.

"Hello, Manager Chen."

"Hello, lawyer."

"Manager Chen, we’re in the peak of the tourist season now, right?"

"Yes, especially from the summer vacation until now, our film city’s hotel business has been quite good."

"Then I’d like to ask, for what reason did you leave the bustling hotel work in Jingui City and come to Dongfang Capital to testify instead?"

"This... isn’t testifying a duty?"

"Indeed, but the court didn’t issue a subpoena for you, right? It was the defense’s lawyer who found you, correct?"

"Yes."

"So, is it possible that the defense’s lawyer offered you some benefits to persuade you to come to Dongfang Capital to testify?"

"Objection, the plaintiff’s attorney is engaging in unfounded speculation, subjective conjecture, and hypothetical statements!"

Just as Lawyer Laura made the assumption, Zhang Wei immediately stood up.

"Judge Ni, our side has evidence that there was a financial interest between the defense and witness Manager Chen!"

"This..."

Ni Qiuping was about to declare the objection valid, but since Lawyer Laura had already spoken, she had to swallow her words back.

"Objection overruled."

Seeing this, Lawyer Laura’s mouth curled into a cold smile.

"Manager Chen, how much is your monthly salary?"

"If it’s the tourist season and the hotel business is good, it could be about ten thousand yuan..."

"Then, if there were an additional transfer of 50,000 yuan in your account, that money would likely be illicit, wouldn’t it?"

"This..."

Under Lawyer Laura’s questioning, Manager Chen’s expression suddenly became anxious, and faint sweat began to form on his forehead.

"Manager Chen, I’d like to know why there was a personal transfer of 50,000 yuan in your account between August and early September?"

"This..."

Manager Chen seemed to struggle to speak and cast a covert glance towards Gao Tianri.

"The money... that money is..."

"That money was given to you by the defendant, right!"

"Yes... yes, it was,"

Under Lawyer Laura’s pressure, Manager Chen finally admitted it.

"During that time, Director Gao came to our hotel to check in and said he didn’t want to be disturbed, so he gave me a service fee of 50,000 yuan to keep an eye on things, and I..."

"So, there is actually a clear financial and interest relationship between you and Gao Tianri, right?"

"This..." Manager Chen was lost for words.

"You took the defendant’s money, I guess you must be planning to speak for him in court, right?"

"This... The money was for him not to be disturbed while he was staying at the hotel. I collected it when they checked in, which has nothing to do with today’s trial."

"Oh, it has nothing to do with it? So, if you say it’s unrelated, it’s unrelated?"

Seeing how Manager Chen explained himself, Lawyer Laura scoffed again, "If you can take the defendant’s money once, you can certainly take it a second time, and a third time."

"Let me ask you, you said the defendant checked into your hotel with a young woman. You must know her, correct?"

"This..."

"Witness, please understand that you are sitting on the witness stand, and you should be clear about the consequences of perjury in court, right?"

"I... I know her!"

Under the relentless pressure from Lawyer Laura, Manager Chen eventually couldn’t bear the strain anymore and confessed.

"Who is this woman?"

"It’s... it’s Yang*!"

As soon as these words came out, the whole court was in an uproar.

Because the name Manager Chen mentioned was that of a rising national idol.

Even several people in court were her fans.

Broken hearts, shattered dreams, and the collapse of an idol’s image.

In any case, the commotion in the courtroom was considerable, with many people showing expressions of disbelief and incredulity.

"Well, well, Director Gao, you really have a type, don’t you? If they’re not young and beautiful female stars, you’re just not interested?"

Zhang Wei looked at Gao Tianri with an astonished face. You old rascal, masquerading as a director and again using your position to take advantage of a popular female star.

"No way, Yang* is involved with you? Doesn’t she have a boyfriend?"

Zhao Xiaoxiao couldn’t contain herself anymore, her face turning incredibly surprised.

Zhang Wei seemed to remember his second daughter used to be a fan of Yang* for a while.

It seemed the image of the idol had crumbled.

"Manager Chen, you mean to say that Miss Yang and the defendant checked into your hotel, right?"

Manager Chen also knew that disclosing this matter would shock many people.

But now that he had told the truth, he no longer intended to cover it up.

Since it was all out in the open, he nodded directly in admission, "Yes, that’s correct."

"Wow, fascinating!" Lawyer Laura showed a look of surprise at that moment.

Then she looked directly at the bench, "Judge Ni, regarding Manager Chen’s testimony, our side requests to submit a video evidence that can prove there are falsehoods in Manager Chen’s testimony."

"Is that so, I approve it!"

Seeing Judge Ni nod, Lawyer Laura turned and gave a nod to her subordinate Grey.

He immediately opened his laptop and connected to the projector screen.

Shortly after, a video appeared on the projector screen.

"Hello everyone, I’m Yang*. I would like to declare that during the shooting in Jingui City, my relationship with director Gao Tianri was that of ordinary work colleagues. I absolutely deny the online rumors about the so-called ’casting couch’. Also, if Director Gao or anyone else produces any evidence to the contrary, it would be fabricated. I will definitely not engage in any inappropriate private meetings with any key member of the crew because of the drama series. Please do not spread rumors, or else I will instruct my lawyer to retain the right to sue the rumor-mongers!"

In the video, the person speaking was indeed the rising national idol, Miss Yang.

But the video didn’t end there; there were statements from others as well.

"Hello everyone, I am Yang*’s boyfriend. I can testify that during the shooting in Jingui City, I was with Yang* the whole time. It is impossible for Yang* to have gone to a hotel with the crew director. When she wasn’t on the set, she was always with me! As for the so-called casting couch rumors, I hope the rumor-mongers take a good look at themselves. If I see any more of these rumors online, I will have a lawyer sue you to the fullest extent!"

The man’s statement contained anger and a warning, and he was visibly seething.

"Impressive, even though he’s been cuckolded, he still stands up for his girlfriend and acts as if nothing happened. Tough break for the guy."

Zhang Wei burst into laughter as he watched the couple in the video testifying.

Indeed, Gao Tianri had checked into a hotel with the Miss Yang from the video, and they stayed for several days.

As for Miss Yang’s boyfriend, aside from showing up at the opening ceremony, he didn’t appear again until the end of the filming.

Therefore, during the period when Director Gao was in the hotel room with his girlfriend, he never came to the film studio base. How could he have accompanied her the whole time?

What was this, swallowing a broken tooth without a grimace?

It must be said that this boyfriend had remarkable mental fortitude, knowing that his girlfriend might have cheated on him, yet he still pretended to be unconcerned. He even collaborated with Miss Yang to produce a video warning those spreading rumors.

Zhang Wei looked at Gao Tianri, who also appeared dumbfounded.

He remembered that when Yang* was with him in the hotel room, she had shown great disdain for her boyfriend, saying he was only with her for her fame and other such things.

In the end, Gao Tianri knew that it was Yang* who took the initiative to seduce him; it wasn’t that he wanted to take advantage of her—it was her who wanted to be taken advantage of!

One could only say that this boyfriend had an incredibly big heart.

Admirable, truly admirable!