This hearing was being livestreamed, and with numerous media outlets promoting it online, Nandu Bank was under enormous pressure.
If it lost the case, the consequences for Nandu Bank's reputation would be severe.
Wang Wu, the executive in charge of Nandu Bank, would also be seriously affected.
So they could not lose!
The livestream's viewers included not only people connected to Nandu Bank but also numerous media outlets rebroadcasting it. After all, the hearing had attracted considerable attention.
For the media, riding that wave of interest was a good opportunity.
One prominent legal commentator was streaming the hearing while explaining what was happening.
"At the moment, the judge is verifying the identities of the parties and their attorneys. This is a standard part of court proceedings."
"On the left is counsel for the defendant, Nandu Bank. On the right is the plaintiff's attorney from White Jun Law Firm. Since these cases are being heard together, the prosecutor is also seated on the left."
The legal commentator shook his head slightly as he watched the livestream.
"From the looks of it, White Jun Law Firm will have a very hard time winning. Still, there's some chance of getting their client's sentence reduced."
The comments below all echoed the same sentiment.
"Exactly. I'm rooting for White Jun Law Firm, but their chances don't look good! They're taking on a bank, after all."
"Yeah, that makes sense, but it's still hard to stomach."
The comments were unanimously pessimistic when a new one suddenly appeared.
"Do you think a miracle could happen? What if the attorney from White Jun Law Firm on the right is actually some big-shot expert keeping a low profile?"
A flurry of rebuttals followed.
"Unlikely! Look how young that lawyer is. He'll have a hard time winning."
The legal commentator, Luo Daxiang, nodded slightly. "This case really will be difficult to win. Let's hold off on further comments and keep watching. If anything comes up during the hearing that you don't understand, I'll explain it."
Inside the courtroom.
Once the identities had been verified, Yu Caixia struck her gavel.
"The plaintiff may now state the facts, grounds, and relief sought on appeal."
Seated at counsel's table, Su Bai knew the crucial moment had arrived. He straightened his suit slightly and presented his claims aloud.
"The relief we seek is very simple."
"First, we contest the judgments at both the first and second instances. Our client committed no crime, yet he was falsely accused of robbery. We appeal for both judgments to be overturned, for the existing conviction to be vacated, and for our client's innocence to be established."
"Second, we request compensation for our client from the defendant, Nandu Bank. The bank's erroneous assessment led to our client being wrongfully sentenced to twenty years in prison and held in a detention center for an extended period. We seek two hundred thousand yuan in compensation for lost earnings, emotional distress, and damage to his reputation. This amount was calculated in detail and is by no means excessive."
"Third, because Nandu Bank seriously damaged our client's reputation, we demand a public apology. This must include, but is not limited to, apology statements posted on major platforms such as V Blog and short-video platforms for no fewer than twenty days."
"Fourth, we demand that Nandu Bank's senior management come forward to clarify the facts, not only clearing our client's name but also apologizing to other victims who received the same treatment from Nandu Bank."
The courtroom fell utterly silent.
Everyone: ????
Was he serious about these claims?
He wasn't just asking to overturn the first- and second-instance judgments. He was claiming his client was innocent and demanding that his name be cleared!
Fine, forget that for a moment. He was actually asking Nandu Bank to pay compensation!
Wait, as the lawyer for a robber, you're asking the bank to pay your client two hundred thousand yuan for lost earnings, emotional distress, and reputational damage?
Are you trying to rob it all over again? Only this time out in the open, with a price tag attached?
By comparison, the third and fourth demands were child's play, hardly worth discussing.
Outside the courtroom, those watching the livestream were stunned-not just ordinary viewers, but also court personnel, lawyers, and other legal professionals following the case.
They had originally assumed this lawsuit against the Nandu court would inevitably fail. Still, given the livestream's enormous reach and the presiding judge's experience, a reduced sentence might have been possible.
Overall, that would still have been a gain, and could barely have counted as a win.
But these demands? Was he making wishes? Even someone making wishes wouldn't dare ask for this much!
"Holy shit, this lawyer... Legendary! Guys, flood the screen with '666'! Whether he wins or not, these claims are one of a kind! They might even go down as a 'classic case' in legal history."
"Hahaha, incredible! 9999-he's turned those sixes upside down!"
"These demands are more than anyone would dare wish for. Even Buddha couldn't make them happen."
"Don't start mocking him yet! Let's hear what Teacher Luo thinks."
Teacher Luo...
Daxiang shook his head slightly. "Since he's made these requests, he should have corresponding factual grounds to support them.
"This attorney's demands may look outrageous, but the actual outcome will depend on the factual grounds he presents.
"If he has no relevant evidence, then these are false statements and would amount to perjury. As a lawyer, he should know better than to make that mistake."
"I can't say for sure, either. Let's keep watching."
Inside Nandu Bank's legal department.
Wang Wu frowned slightly, while Xu Zhiqiang beside him spoke with a smile.
"President Wang, these claims are nothing but grandstanding. Just watch. He won't be able to produce any factual grounds or legal arguments to support them."
"He might even end up behind bars himself for perjury."
"Then Nandu Bank will win the battle for public opinion outright."
Wang Wu stared fixedly at the livestream.
"Yes! But remember, no matter what happens, Nandu Bank has to win this hearing decisively!"
"Understood, understood."
Xu Zhiqiang gave him an ingratiating smile.
In the courtroom, Yu Caixia frowned slightly at the relief Su Bai had requested.
Weren't these claims complete nonsense?
At that point, Li Mo could no longer hold back and spoke with a sneer.
"Regarding these claims, can counsel produce the relevant factual evidence and supporting legal arguments?
"If not, you could be sentenced for obstruction of justice!"
Su Bai smiled faintly. "That hardly seems to be any concern of defense counsel, does it?"
"Your Honor, opposing counsel is verbally attacking me and attempting to interfere with the proper course of these proceedings. I request that he be removed from his seat!"
"You..."
Li Mo was just about to say more when Yu Caixia frowned slightly on the bench and struck her gavel.
Bang!
"The request is without merit. Plaintiff's counsel's request is denied. It is not yet defense counsel's turn to speak. Defense counsel is hereby warned."
Faced with the gavel and the warning, Li Mo could only bottle up his anger and swallow the words he had been about to say.
(End of chapter)
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