In the courtroom

He couldn't take it anymore!

Li Mo narrowed his eyes and stared daggers at Su Bai. How could this guy be such a bastard?

Which law school's legal department had churned him out?

Not only were his claims complete nonsense, but now the moment Li Mo said anything, this guy requested his removal from the courtroom!

Removal meant temporarily leaving the courtroom because one had disrupted the court or the opposing party.

Clearly, nothing he had just said had interfered with the other side.

But his opponent insisted on being this obnoxious!

He had actually requested Li Mo's removal!

Li Mo let out a long breath and reassured himself:

This lawyer's claims are entirely unfounded. He has already disrupted normal judicial proceedings.

If he can't produce evidence, he faces detention, possibly even criminal detention.

Not only will I win this case outright, but Nandu Bank will also win the battle for public opinion. There's no reason to get angry.

Li Mo gradually calmed down.

On the bench, Yu Caixia frowned slightly and issued a warning:

"Counsel for the plaintiff, Su Bai, as the presiding judge, I have a duty to seek further confirmation."

"If you cannot substantiate your submitted claims with facts or legal grounds, then under the Criminal Law, giving false evidence in court may result in prosecution for false litigation and criminal liability. Are you certain there are no issues with your claims?"

Beside him, Li Xuezhen was so nervous that tiny beads of sweat appeared on her face. She wanted to tug at Su Bai's jacket and tell him to calm down.

But Su Bai nodded solemnly.

"Your Honor, I understand the consequences of making false statements. I take responsibility for everything I say in this courtroom."

An uproar erupted!

A wave of chatter immediately swept through the courtroom.

Bang, bang!

"Order, please!"

Yu Caixia struck her gavel, then continued:

"Very well. Since you have confirmed your claims, the defendant, Nandu Bank, may now present its defense and requests for relief."

Here's my chance to hit back!

As Nandu Bank's attorney, Li Mo straightened slightly and read out his defense and requests for relief.

"Our defense is as follows."

"First, we request the dismissal of all allegations brought against Nandu Bank by the plaintiff, Wang Li. We further request that this egregious conduct be dealt with seriously and punished to the fullest extent, to instill respect for the law."

"Second, we request that the first- and second-instance judgments against the plaintiff by the Nandu Basic Court and the Nandu Intermediate Court be upheld."

"Third, we demand full compensation for the damage the plaintiff has caused to our reputation, in the amount of five hundred thousand yuan."

"Fourth, we request that the plaintiff bear all our legal fees."

"Your Honor, that concludes my defense and requests."

Li Mo finished presenting his defense and requests for relief.

Bang!

Yu Caixia struck her gavel.

"Both parties have now presented their claims. The plaintiff's counsel may present the relevant factual and legal grounds."

As soon as Yu Caixia finished speaking, all eyes turned to Su Bai. After all, the plaintiff's claims were rather outrageous.

Everyone, whether in the courtroom or watching the livestream, focused on Su Bai, eager to see what facts and legal grounds he would produce.

As Su Bai's assistant, Li Xuezhen was so nervous that her palms were sweating. "Lawyer Su, what do we do now? Do we have evidence to support this...?"

"No, wait... do we have any supporting evidence?"

Li Xuezhen kept leafing through the case documents in her hands.

Su Bai was speechless.

What kind of question is that?

You're an intern at the firm, and you're still worrying about that at this stage?

Su Bai took the documents from Li Xuezhen's hands and spoke unhurriedly:

"Your Honor, before submitting the relevant legal grounds, I would like my client to describe the events surrounding the incident."

Bang!

"Granted. The party may now describe the events surrounding the incident."

At the parties' table, Wang Li slowly rose from his seat.

He looked at the two court officers beside him, his expression slightly nervous.

Only when his gaze fell on Su Bai did he settle down a little.

"Your Honor, I'd like a drink of water."

"Granted."

After Yu Caixia spoke, a court officer handed Wang Li a bottle of water.

After drinking, Wang Li's nerves settled completely, and he began:

"What happened was very simple. My dad was in the ICU and urgently needed money. I went to Nandu Bank to withdraw some, but the bank staff refused because I wasn't the account holder. They told me to have my dad come to the bank himself, or produce proof that I was his son. Even our household register wasn't enough."

"I remember that while I was arguing with the bank staff, a group of robbers suddenly came in and robbed the bank. One of them noticed me sitting on the floor crying and gave me some of the money he'd stolen."

"Then... I took the money to the hospital to pay the bill."

Su Bai raised his hand.

"Your Honor, I request permission to ask my client about some details."

Bang, bang!

The gavel came down.

"Counsel may question his client about details relevant to the case, but may not ask about unrelated matters or lead his client's account of his intentions."

"Understood, Your Honor."

After receiving Yu Caixia's permission, Su Bai asked:

"Did you take part in the robbery?"

"No."

"Then could you describe in detail how the robber gave you the money?"

Wang Li frowned slightly, trying hard to remember.

"At the time... I remember it was a short robber. He saw me sitting on the floor, crying with my head in my hands. He called me a coward and asked why I was so scared. I told him my dad was in the hospital, and I hadn't been able to withdraw any money. I was crying because I was worried about my dad."

"That robber seemed to be robbing the bank to get money to save a family member too. When he heard what had happened to me, he took out two bundles of cash and shoved them into my arms."

Su Bai continued his questioning:

"And then? What was the first thing you did after the robber shoved the money into your arms?"

Wang Li answered quickly, "I remember that very clearly. At first, I didn't dare take it. I was scared... Then the robber cursed at me and said I was an unfilial son, so I accepted the money."

"Good! Thank you for your cooperation. Your Honor, we have finished our questioning."

Bang!

The gavel came down.

Yu Caixia looked toward the plaintiff's table.

"Now that counsel for the plaintiff has finished questioning his client, you may begin your legal explanation."

"Yes, Your Honor."

Su Bai slowly pulled from the documents the key issues raised by the prosecution during the first-instance hearing.

"Your Honor, these are the issues raised by the prosecution at the Nandu Basic Court during the first-instance hearing, along with the judgment finding my client guilty. I believe this judgment contains numerous problems and unreasonable findings that have seriously infringed upon my client's rights."

(End of chapter)