Su Bai sat at the plaintiff's table and straightened his suit, his expression calm. He laid the documents he had prepared-the facts and grounds for the lawsuit, along with the relief sought-on the table before him, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
The second case had begun!
In response to the presiding judge's question, Su Bai began his statement at an unhurried pace:
"Your Honor, our request is simple. We only ask that the court protect our rights and interests in accordance with the law."
"Our claims are as follows."
"First, we request that the defendant, Xie Jing, be convicted of fraud. The defendant has committed fraud against my client involving several million yuan. We request a strict and severe sentence."
"Second, in view of Xie Jing's fraudulent conduct against my client, we request the dissolution of the marriage and ask that the defendant reimburse my client for his years of labor and financial losses!"
"Third, the defendant's fraudulent conduct has caused my client severe emotional distress. We request compensation of twenty thousand yuan for each year, totaling sixty thousand yuan over three years."
"Fourth, the defendant used marriage to my client as a means of committing fraud, seriously damaging his image and reputation. We request compensation for these losses at ten thousand yuan per year, totaling thirty thousand yuan."
"Fifth, we request that the defendant pay the corresponding attorney's fees."
Su Bai's voice rang out through the courtroom.
Sitting at the defendant's table, Xie Jing looked nervously at Ye Fei.
What do I do?!
He really fucking sued me for fraud!
As Ye Fei listened to Su Bai's claims, her brow furrowed more and more deeply. Weren't these claims complete fucking nonsense?
Fraud?
Marriage scams count as fraud, sure, but you've been married for three years. What fucking fraud?
After hearing all of Su Bai's claims, Ye Fei felt reassured.
She could now more or less conclude that he was talking complete nonsense, hoping to steer her into arguing about something else.
Ye Fei looked at the nervous Xie Jing, signaling with her eyes that she had nothing to worry about.
At the bench.
Yang Yu reviewed the documents while listening to Su Bai's claims.
Once Su Bai finished, he struck the gavel.
Bang, bang, bang!
"The plaintiff has concluded his statement. The defendant may now present her claims."
Ye Fei cast a cold glance in Su Bai's direction, her eyes full of disdain.
Li Xuezhen noticed and tugged on the corner of Su Bai's jacket, speaking quietly.
"Mr. Su, that woman's giving you a look..."
"Ignore her."
Su Bai shook his head. Go ahead and sneer. Once the arguments start, you'll find out who's really in charge!
In court, lawyers often used unpleasant words or gestures to influence opposing counsel.
They tried to manipulate the other lawyer's emotions and draw them into their own line of argument.
In that respect, Ye Fei was nothing more than a rookie lawyer as far as he was concerned.
Seeing that Su Bai showed no reaction, Ye Fei withdrew her gaze and began presenting her claims.
"Your Honor, our claims as the defendant are as follows."
"First, we request the dismissal of all the plaintiff's claims. We reject his allegation that my client committed marriage fraud. An actual marriage existed, so the elements required to establish fraud are not met. We request that this claim be dismissed."
"Second, the plaintiff's accusations against my client demonstrate that he no longer retains the basic affection necessary for their marriage. Their marital relationship has broken down, and we therefore request the dissolution of the marriage."
"Third, we request the division of marital assets and shared responsibility for marital debts.
"The marital assets to be divided include a 128-square-meter property in South Field Garden, a 136-square-meter property in North Creek Garden, and various other assets.
"The debts to be borne jointly are as follows:
"My client borrowed two hundred thousand yuan for the family. We request that the plaintiff share responsibility for this debt.
"Furthermore, the emotional harm the plaintiff caused my client led to the breakdown of their marital relationship and caused her to develop depressive symptoms.
"We request that my client receive appropriate compensation in the division of assets."
"Fourth, we request that the plaintiff bear the attorney's fees and associated litigation costs."
Well, well!
No wonder your win rate in divorce cases is so high, Ms. Ye.
You've got a trump card!
Depression!
That's a woman's ultimate weapon in a divorce case!
Once depression comes into play, won't the judge have to consider her special circumstances when making a ruling?
Beside him, Li Xuezhen asked quietly, "Lawyer Su, if the other party has depression, wouldn't that have some influence on the ruling in a divorce case?"
The corners of Su Bai's mouth lifted slightly. "Do you think she has depression?"
"Well..."
Li Xuezhen shook her head. "She can eat, sleep, and spend money. She doesn't look like it..."
"Exactly. She doesn't look like it. Don't worry about her."
"It's almost our turn to submit our evidence. Get the documents I asked you to prepare organized now."
"Oh, right... okay, Lawyer Su."
Ye Fei looked at Su Bai smugly. She was certain he was going to lose this time!
Once she brought out depression as her trump card, the average lawyer simply couldn't withstand it.
My client has depression. What if I lose the case and she takes it badly and jumps off a building?
Or, given how much harm the other side has caused my client, surely the judge has to give her some consideration?
In any event, depression generally provided a foundation for at least avoiding defeat.
Thinking back to the compensation for lost youth Su Bai had demanded during the out-of-court mediation, what could he do now?
Compensation?
Compensation, my ass!
Noticing Ye Fei's expression, Su Bai's lips curved slightly. Rather than engage with her, he turned his attention to the bench.
At the bench.
After hearing Ye Fei's claims, Yang Yu glanced at the documents in his hand and frowned slightly. Depression...?
Bang!
The gavel struck.
"Both parties have now presented their claims in court. We will proceed to the stage at which the plaintiff and defendant submit the factual or legal grounds supporting their respective claims."
"We will begin with the plaintiff, Zhang Tongwei. His appointed counsel or
"the party himself may make a statement."
"Counsel for the plaintiff, do you have a factual basis for your allegation that the defendant committed marriage fraud?"
Yang Yu looked toward the plaintiff's counsel table.
He asked because this hearing concerned an established marital relationship.
Zhang Tongwei and Xie Jing had been married for three years. Establishing marriage fraud was almost impossible.
If Su Bai couldn't answer that question,
then this lawsuit would effectively be over.
Su Bai took the relevant case documents from Li Xuezhen and looked up at Yang Yu.
"Your Honor, before submitting the evidence, I would like to ask the defendant a few questions."
"Are these questions relevant to this case?"
"They are, Your Honor."
Bang, bang!
"As the questions are relevant to this case, the request is granted under the rules governing court proceedings. Counsel for the plaintiff may question the defendant."
When she heard the gavel fall, Ye Fei suddenly felt a faint sense of foreboding, though she couldn't say why.
(End of chapter)
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