Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 663 - 655: Xiao Baihe Falls into Despair, I’m Back!

Chapter 663: Chapter 655: Xiao Baihe Falls into Despair, I’m Back!

"Witness, I want to ask, did Mrs. Wang love Mr. Bao?"

The first question immediately captured the attention of the entire courtroom.

Whether the artist Mrs. Wang loved the defendant Mr. Bao was indeed a question.

But it was said that the two had already divorced!

So between the two of them, had there ever been love, or had there never been, or was love always there?

"My sister-in-law, she actually always loved my brother, it’s just that for a long time, my brother was unsatisfactory, occasionally even causing quarrels with my sister-in-law. Their conflicts weren’t formed overnight. Although they eventually got divorced, that divorce served merely to let both parties cool off, and they quickly got back together."

"So you’re saying that Mrs. Wang did love Mr. Bao, right?"

"Objection, leading the witness!"

Just as Xiao Baihe posed the question, she was abruptly interrupted by Bai Meiqi.

"Objection sustained, the question is dismissed!"

Judge Ni had no choice but to nod in agreement and respond.

Xiao Baihe took a deep breath, calmed herself, and then continued questioning.

"Witness, did Mrs. Wang ever say that she loved Mr. Bao before she passed away?"

"Objection, leading the witness!"

Xiao Baihe’s second question was interrupted by Bai Meiqi once again!

This time, Xiao Baihe could hardly bear it.

"Objection sustained!"

But Judge Ni’s response left her feeling helpless.

Xiao Baihe could only rephrase her question: "Did Mrs. Wang ever speak about Mr. Bao before she passed away?"

This time, Bai Meiqi did not object.

"Yes, after my sister-in-law divorced, she spent some time unable to find a rental house and temporarily stayed at my place."

The witness recalled, "During that time, my sister-in-law was in agony every day, crying so much that saying she washed her face with tears would not be an exaggeration. This is what she said to me."

"I just hoped that guy would show some ambition. Is that wrong? I hoped he would show a little responsibility. Is that wrong? I’m so tired, I can’t support this family, and if we were to have children in the future, I really don’t want to harm our children by making them live with such a decayed man. I only want him to be better, not that he needs to accomplish great things, just that he could..."

The witness spoke, explaining to the jury, "These were my sister-in-law’s exact words."

The jury members subconsciously nodded their heads.

From these words, one could also discern the helpless cries of a woman.

From this, two points can be drawn!

The first point is that Mrs. Wang indeed still cared for Mr. Bao; otherwise, she wouldn’t have mentioned him three times in her tearful complaints.

The second point is that Mr. Bao is indeed worthless, with his wife caring so much for him, not even asking for progress but just hoping for a slight change, and yet he remained so useless.

"Everyone has heard it, if Mrs. Wang didn’t love my client, why would she mention Mr. Bao multiple times while crying? Isn’t repeatedly mentioning someone a sign of caring about them?"

Xiao Baihe said, then asked, "Witness, did Mrs. Wang ever talk to you about her paintings?"

"Yes, my sister loved painting, and while she was staying at our home, she even painted a family portrait for us, and I have placed that painting in the most prominent position in our living room until now!"

"Then, have you ever talked with Mrs. Wang about the ownership of her other paintings?"

"We discussed it, my sister-in-law said that her paintings were her dreams, but I once asked her what if my brother wanted one of the paintings..."

"And then what?"

"My sister-in-law said, she would prepare the best one for my brother!"

As soon as these words were uttered, there was an uproar in the courtroom.

Which painting is the best one?

The best one would naturally be the most expensive one.

And currently, the most expensive one was "Me"!

The wind in the courtroom changed once again, and this time it blew towards the defense, towards Xiao Baihe’s side.

Seizing the opportunity, she pressed her advantage!

Xiao Baihe could naturally see that she had to push further!

"Ms. Bao, before the creation of "Me", did Mrs. Wang give any other paintings to your brother?"

"No, before the creation of "Me", she stored all her paintings at the plaintiff’s gallery for sale."

"So that means, those paintings were not considered by Mrs. Wang to be the best one. Otherwise, according to her own promise, she would have kept the best painting for your brother. That promise hadn’t been fulfilled until before "Me" was created, right?"

"Yes!"

"Would "Me" be considered the best painting Mrs. Wang created?"

"I think so."

"Why?"

"Because my sister-in-law knew that her health would not last much longer while she was creating this painting, so she deliberately painted herself, wanting to leave the last painting of herself in the world for my brother, which led to the creation of "Me"!"

The witness spoke, her eyes reddening, ""Me" is what my sister-in-law created to leave for my good-for-nothing brother. I don’t understand why anyone would prevent all this, to stop my sister-in-law from fulfilling her promise!"

Hearing this, Xiao Baihe finally showed a hint of triumph in her eyes.

Enough, that was sufficient!

The jury looked at each other while the spectators’ gallery was abuzz with talk.

In the plaintiff’s seats.

"Lawyer Bai, look at them!"

Ms. Mi lowered her head, leaning in close to Bai Meiqi’s ear.

"Lawyer Bai, you need to think of something fast, or that painting will go to that useless man!"

"Ms. Mi, rest assured, I have a way!"

Though the client was scared, Bai Meiqi was not, and even had a hint of mockery on her face.

In the courtroom.

"Judge Ni, our side has finished questioning."

Finally, Xiao Baihe finished her questioning, feeling confident of victory.

This was in the bag!

After returning to her seat, Mr. Bao approached her with a look of joy.

"How did it go? That painting is mine now, right?"

"Mr. Bao, please be mindful that you just lost your wife, yet all you care about is that painting!"

Xiao Baihe was frustrated. Your sister just delivered such a moving testimony, and you show no reaction at all?

And you’re still laughing? Laugh at your granny’s chicken thighs!

Haven’t you noticed the jury is looking at you? They see you snickering, do you want to die?

Forgetting Xiao Baihe’s internal rant, Bai Meiqi was already prepared.

"Lawyer Bai?"

"Judge Ni, our side is ready!"

Bai Meiqi approached the witness stand, directly questioning the witness: "Ms. Bao, you’re the biological sister of your brother, right?"

"Yes, I am..."

Ms. Bao looked bewildered. What was the point of this question?

I am indeed my brother’s biological sister. Is there something strange about that?

"Your parents, who are also Mr. Bao’s parents, are they not?"

The witness did not answer but stared at Bai Meiqi with an odd expression.

"Objection, irrelevant questioning. These questions are devoid of any informative value!"

Xiao Baihe couldn’t help herself and spread her hands in dissatisfaction to Ni Qiuping.

"Lawyer Bai, what’s the meaning of these questions?"

"Judge Ni, I’m asking these questions to clarify one thing!"

"Oh, what’s that?"

"Inheritance rights!"

"Inheritance rights?"

Judge Ni was momentarily stunned but then glanced at Ms. Bao on the witness stand, then at Mr. Bao beside Xiao Baihe, and suddenly understood.

"This court understands. Please continue, but I suggest you get straight to the point without beating around the bush!"

Understood, understood what?

Xiao Baihe had always been a criminal defense lawyer and, when serving as a prosecutor, also handled the investigation and prosecution of criminal offenses, naturally not realizing the crux of the issue immediately.

"Alright, Judge Ni, I understand." And on that note, Bai Meiqi was ready to proceed.

She took a deep breath, then leaned in close to the witness: "Witness, your parents, who are also the defendant’s parents, have passed away, correct?"

"Yes, my parents have been gone for many years."

"I want to ask then, if the painting ’Me’ ends up in your brother’s hands, and your brother and Mrs. Wang have no children of their own, assuming your brother leaves a will, or if inheritance is considered, you could possibly be the sole beneficiary of your brother’s estate, right?"

"Objection!"

Xiao Baihe at last caught on to Bai Meiqi’s strategy.

Inheritance rights. She’s actually using inheritance rights to contest the witness’s testimony!

"Judge Ni, we are discussing a painting worth 20, 30, or even 40 million or more. I believe establishing the order of inheritance is quite important!"

After pondering for a moment, Ni Qiuping nodded: "Objection overruled!"

Xiao Baihe frowned, but had no choice but to sit down.

Meanwhile, Bai Meiqi’s face lit up with triumph as she looked at the witness.

"Ms. Bao, you haven’t answered my question yet. If something unexpected happens to your brother, you are the sole legal heir to his estate, correct?"

"Yes," the witness nodded reluctanly.

"Well then, in testifying in court, I have ample reason to suspect that you are also motivated by self-interest!"

Upon these words, the courtroom erupted into an uproar.

No one had expected that this witness was also after the painting.

But then again, it made sense. The painting could be worth millions who wouldn’t want it?

"Objection!"

Xiao Baihe immediately expressed her displeasure.

"I retract my previous statement," Bai Meiqi responded with a slight smile, the consummate professional.

After all, she had achieved her goal, the credibility of Ms. Bao’s testimony was severely undermined.

Perhaps she took the stand solely on behalf of Mr. Bao, her brother, but under this narrative of property and inheritance rights, the jury would undoubtedly find the latter more believable.

Thus, the tide of the courtroom shifted once again.

And Bai Meiqi decided to strike one last blow.

"Witness, may I ask how many years have Mrs. Wang and your brother been divorced?"

"This..." The witness thought for a moment, then said helplessly, "Probably, 15 years now."

"You insist they reconciled. Did they reestablish their marital relationship?"

"That, it seems they did not."

"How long did their reconciliation last?"

"About 2 years or so..."

"If you keep claiming that Mrs. Wang loves your husband and that the divorce was only to make Mr. Bao reflect, then why could they stay divorced for 15 years? And even in the so-called last 2 years of their reconciliation, they still maintained a status of sometimes living together but mostly living apart?"

"This..."

"Is that, then, what counts as love? If so, I believe anyone here who is married would say their family relationships, their marital relationships, are beyond what Mrs. Wang and Mr. Bao had in terms of love, right?"

"This..."

This time, the witness was at a loss for words.

However, the jury and the audience could see clearly, this wasn’t love, this was merely settling.

If it were truly love, how could there be a divorce and separation of 15 years?

"We conclude our cross-examination."

Confident of her victory, Bai Meiqi returned to her seat after finishing her questioning.

She gave Ms. Mi a look and then smiled.

She’s got this in the bag!

Ms. Mi was very satisfied too. Bai Meiqi’s cross-examination was indeed powerful, completely undermining the credibility of the witness, and even questioning the relationship between Mrs. Wang and Mr. Bao—it was killing two birds with one stone!

This one was really in the bag!

"Witness, you may step down."

Judge Ni dismissed Ms. Bao and then looked towards Xiao Baihe: "Lawyer Xiao, do you have any more witnesses to call?"

Xiao Baihe’s eyes unconsciously glanced at her client, Mr. Bao, beside her.

Mr. Bao nodded slightly.

This time, it must be me, right?

Xiao Baihe thought, I don’t even want to let you take the stand. Don’t you have any clue what you’re really like?

"Defense, do you have any more witnesses?"

Judge Ni pressed again.

Are there any or not? Is your client going to take the stand? Can you give me a clear answer?

"Judge Ni, I..."

Just as Xiao Baihe hesitated, the courtroom doors were suddenly pushed open.

"Judge Ni, the defense requests to add an important witness!"

As the newcomer spoke, all eyes in the courtroom were involuntarily drawn to them.

And at the sight of the newcomer, everybody reacted differently.

Bai Meiqi: (ΩДΩ)?

Xiao Baihe: Σ(⊙▽⊙"a

Judge Ni: (ｷ｀ﾟДﾟ´)!!

The jury: ???

The audience: Who is this guy?

"What, are you all surprised to see me?"

The newcomer spread his hands, a look of bewilderment on his face.

On the bench, Judge Ni raised her hand to slap her face, then closed her eyes. After a few seconds, she suddenly opened them again.

Her vision went from blurry to clear, finally resting on the face of the person before her.

Judge Ni: Holy shit!

Similarly, Bai Meiqi stared at the face of the newcomer for a long time, her expression changing from curiosity to surprise, and finally to disbelief.

Bai Meiqi: Holy shit!

Xiao Baihe, on the other hand, was stunned for a long time, her mouth hanging open without closing, as she didn’t know how to react to the appearance of the newcomer.

Xiao Baihe: Holy shit!

Perhaps, these two words were sufficient to express their inner thoughts.

"Old Xiao, close your mouth; take it easy!"

The newcomer walked up to Xiao Baihe and gently lifted her chin.

Xiao Baihe immediately took a few steps back but finally composed herself.

"Zhang Wei, you...you, you, you..."

She stuttered without finishing her sentence, shocked by the identity of the newcomer.

The newcomer was none other than Zhang Wei!

The man who disappeared for 2 years, now reappeared in Dongfang Capital, and stepped into the civil court—it was him, Zhang Wei!

This revelation set the jury and the audience abuzz.

Holy shit!

This is Zhang Wei!

Once a famous Homicide Lawyer, the mastermind behind the Dongfang Star tragedy, Dongfang Capital’s, no, Dragon Country’s most wanted criminal!

Jesus, this is too explosive, how could someone like this show up in court, show up here, isn’t that a bit too bold!

"What, everyone is surprised to see me?"

Zhang Wei spread his hands again, looking around.

Surprised!

Not just surprised, everyone is damn shocked, okay!

"Zhang Wei, you..."

"Old Xiao, let’s not worry about my issues first, you’ve got another witness!"

As Zhang Wei said this, he pointed towards the courtroom’s entrance.

Aside from him, another person had arrived.

The newcomer was a woman in uniform, wearing glasses, clearly a professional career woman.

"This is your new witness, remember to thank me."

Zhang Wei said this, then winked at Xiao Baihe and chuckled.

"Old Ni, it’s been two years, how have you been?"

"Zhang Wei, stirring up trouble as soon as you return?"

"Not at all, I’m just helping you, Old Ni, with your work. So this time, I’ve brought a heavyweight witness!"

"And you say you’re not giving me trouble?"

Ni Qiuping gave Zhang Wei a stern look, but then took a deep breath.

"You rascal, it’s good you’re back!"

"Yeah, I’m back."

Zhang Wei also smiled slightly, then turned his gaze towards Bai Meiqi.

"Lawyer Bai, how have you been?"

Bai Meiqi didn’t know how to respond and could only nod back.

Zhang Wei patted Xiao Baihe on the shoulder, then turned and walked towards the spectator seats.

In the first row of the spectator seats, many people got up and moved back as soon as they saw Zhang Wei sit down, as if trying to avoid any bad luck by getting too close to him.

And just like that, Zhang Wei sat in the front row of the spectator seats, watching the proceedings.

"Judge Ni, our side requests to add a new witness."

Although Xiao Baihe was shocked by Zhang Wei’s appearance, she still carried out her duties and looked at the new female witness, requesting Ni Qiuping’s approval.

Bai Meiqi wanted to object, but after glancing at Zhang Wei, she chose to remain silent.

She knew that even if she tried to stop it, Zhang Wei must have prepared a counter plan for her objection.

To speak out rashly would just be inviting humiliation.

And so, the new witness took the stand.

"Hello, witness, may I ask you..."

Because Xiao Baihe didn’t recognize the newcomer, she was somewhat at a loss.

"I am an entrepreneur. My company specializes in providing frames for paintings; you could call me a custom frame maker!"

"Then, may I ask what is your relationship to this case?"

"Last year, a Mrs. Wang commissioned me to make a black frame for a painting!"

As soon as she said this, the whole courtroom was taken aback.

This Mrs. Wang, could it be...

"Mrs. Wang said that the original gold leaf frame wasn’t her husband’s favorite, so she specifically chose a set of modern black frames, which we discussed many times. According to the details of the commission, Mrs. Wang should have brought the painting over at the beginning of the year, but she never did. After some inquiries, I learned that Mrs. Wang had passed away from cancer, so the order was cancelled."

Xiao Baihe was instantly startled by this answer.

What is this? Why didn’t she know about it?

However, she quickly picked up on something.

"Witness, you said Mrs. Wang ordered a new frame for a painting, could that painting be..."

"Yes, indeed, the ’Me’," the woman affirmed. "She told me all the information about the painting, including the name. Of course, what I cared about more were the dimensions of the painting, as that’s relevant to my work!"

"Then may I ask, did Mrs. Wang specify where to send the framed painting before she passed?"

"Yes, she filled out an address in the order!"

"Is this address the one where Mrs. Wang rented her apartment, or is it the location of plaintiff Ms. Mi’s gallery?"

"Neither, the address is defendant Mr. Bao’s residence!"

As the witness said this, she looked at Xiao Baihe and Ni Qiuping, "I asked Mrs. Wang about this, but she said this painting was the only work she was leaving to her husband, so it had to be sent to his home!"

"Do you still have a record of this order?"

"Yes, I’ve brought all the copies for you!"

The witness said, taking out a whole set of order documents from her waist bag.

Xiao Baihe’s eyes went wide at the sight of these documents.

A turnaround, indeed!

It’s truly a turnaround!