The trial ends! The opposing lawyer goes to prison!

Facing the presiding judge on the bench.

Everyone at the plaintiff's and defendant's tables was nervous.

Ye Fei and Xie Jing were nervous about what sentence they would face.

Zhang Tongwei was nervous about whether he could keep his assets.

Li Xuezhen was still staring at Ye Fei, anxiously wondering whether they could put her behind bars!

Su Bai remained composed. When he noticed this little detail about Li Xuezhen, the corner of his mouth twitched, but he said nothing.

On the bench.

Yang Yu slowly began to announce the verdict:

"In this case, the plaintiff, Zhang Tongwei, sued the defendant, Xie Jing, for attempting to defraud him of his premarital assets during their marriage. The case was heard by this court, the Nandu Basic Court."

"This court has jurisdiction over the case, and all applicable laws are domestic laws."

"The court will now announce its judgment."

"Following deliberation by the Collegial Panel on the claims brought by the plaintiff."

"In accordance with the objective, subjective, and offender-related elements constituting fraud under our country's laws."

"The defendant used coercion and threats to override the plaintiff's wishes, seeking to convert his private premarital assets into jointly owned assets. Although the attempt failed, her intent was clear and constituted fraudulent conduct."

"The circumstances were egregious, and the assets involved were of substantial value. However, as the plaintiff and defendant remain legally married, a lighter sentence shall be imposed: six months' imprisonment."

"The fraud committed by the defendant, Xie Jing, against the plaintiff violated the fundamental principles of marriage.

"The plaintiff's request to dissolve the marriage is granted."

"Regarding the plaintiff's request that the defendant compensate him for his years of labor and financial losses."

"The claim is dismissed on the grounds that a legal marital relationship existed. However, the money and property the defendant gave her younger brother and parents were jointly owned assets. Any portion transferred without the plaintiff's consent must be returned."

"The plaintiff's claim for emotional distress damages is dismissed."

"The plaintiff's claim for compensation for serious harm to his image and reputation is dismissed."

"The plaintiff's request that the opposing party pay his legal fees is dismissed pursuant to our country's regulations on the payment of litigation costs."

"Furthermore."

"The plaintiff's accusation against the defendant's attorney was raised during this case and concerned a party to it. It therefore falls within the scope of this hearing."

"Ye Fei, the attorney retained by the defendant, Xie Jing, instructed and thereby induced Xie Jing to defraud the plaintiff, Zhang Tongwei, of his premarital assets. This satisfies the elements of criminal instigation."

"In view of the serious circumstances and conclusive evidence, she is sentenced to one year's imprisonment, and her license to practice law is revoked."

"This court will notify the Procuratorate to initiate public prosecution proceedings against the defendant's attorney, Ye Fei."

"Regarding the claims brought by the defendant, as the defendant is implicated in a criminal offense, all her requests for division of assets are dismissed."

"This is a first-instance judgment. Under our country's procedural laws, if the defendant believes there is an error in the ruling or has any questions concerning it, she may apply to a higher court for a retrial."

"The written judgment will be delivered to both parties within fifteen days of the close of this hearing."

Bang! Bang!

The gavel fell.

"Court is adjourned!"

With Yang Yu's authoritative declaration, the trial ended.

At the defendant's table.

Upon hearing the verdict, Ye Fei was utterly stunned!

What...

The fuck!

I came here to represent a client and ended up sending myself to prison?!

And...

And they even revoked my license to practice law!

Wasn't the price of taking this case far too steep?!

I didn't earn my legal fees, lost my license, and got sent to prison?!

"Presiding Judge! I contest this verdict!"

Ye Fei broke down, completely and utterly!

Who could have imagined this outcome?!

Unfortunately.

Faced with Ye Fei's furious shouting, Presiding Judge Yang Yu had only one response: "If you contest the first-instance judgment, you may appeal to the Intermediate Court. If you believe there was any illegality in the handling or procedures of this case, you may report it to the relevant law enforcement authorities!"

After speaking, Yang Yu gave Su Bai an intrigued glance, then left the courtroom.

At the defendant's table.

Xie Jing stood frozen, utterly at a loss.

Didn't she say we would win...?

But now...

Not only had she lost, she had landed herself in prison for six months!

The house was gone.

The millions were gone.

The jointly owned assets were gone.

The good life was gone.

All she fucking had left was a six-month prison sentence!

"Attorney Ye, what the hell is going on?! Why... why did we lose and end up going to prison? What did you promise me back then?!"

Driven into a frenzy, Xie Jing lunged at Ye Fei beside her.

Fortunately, a nearby bailiff restrained her in time.

Faced with Xie Jing's furious shouting, Ye Fei looked utterly lost.

Impossible!

There was definitely something wrong with this trial!

A backroom deal!

There must have been a backroom deal!

Unlike the scene at the defendant's table, Zhang Tongwei was positively ecstatic at the plaintiff's table.

"Lawyer Su, you... you were absolutely ruthless!!"

"Not only did you protect my premarital assets, you even sent their lawyer to prison?!"

"Holy shit! Holy shit!"

"Lawyer Su, you're incredible!!"

"Wang Li was absolutely right to recommend you to me. Lawyer Su... you're just... just..."

For a moment, Zhang Tongwei could find no fitting words. His face flushed with excitement as he struggled for an adjective. "Anyway, you're fucking amazing!!"

Su Bai patted Zhang Tongwei on the shoulder.

"Just the basics. No applause needed. Remember to pay my legal fees."

"Don't worry, Lawyer Su. I'll pay the balance as soon as I get back!"

With Su Bai this formidable, Zhang Tongwei would never dare withhold his fees. Who knew whether Su Bai might send him to prison next?

Besides, the victory had been so complete and so satisfying.

The legal fees were a trivial matter by comparison.

Li Xuezhen clenched her little fists and let out a long breath.

Her eyes sparkled brightly.

She looked at Su Bai. "Lawyer Su, the opposing lawyer is going to prison!"

"She is, mm..."

"Going to prison. Don't get so excited."

Li Xuezhen had spent practically the entire trial staring at Ye Fei.

Su Bai suspected Li Xuezhen had stared her straight into prison-or perhaps cursed her into it.

As for this case.

He had been confident they could win, but he had had no real confidence that they could put the other side behind bars.

Under ordinary circumstances, the court would have dismissed the defendant Xie Jing's claims and ordered her to return the assets, while Ye Fei would have had her law license revoked.

He had not expected such a forceful judgment from Presiding Judge Yang Yu. It had far exceeded his expectations.

Not only had he secured a fraud conviction.

The sentences imposed were also quite severe.

It had been a crushing victory!

Their courtroom statements must have played a major role.

What a rush!

"Lawyer Su, that Attorney Ye is staring at you."

Li Xuezhen spoke quietly beside him.

Su Bai chuckled. "Staring at me? Maybe her eyes are twitching."

"Lawyer Su, that was a pretty funny joke. Hehe."

Li Xuezhen did her utmost to play along with Su Bai's lame joke.