Chapter 4
The second session of the trial resumed just after noon.
Sunlight filtered through the tall courtroom windows, casting long beams across the polished wooden floor. The atmosphere was noticeably different from the morning session. The confidence displayed by the prosecution had begun to waver after Lin Xinyue exposed several inconsistencies in the evidence.
Even the spectators seemed less certain.
Perhaps this case wasn't as straightforward as everyone had believed.
Lin Xinyue rose from her seat.
"Your Honor, the defense would like to call its first witness."
The judge nodded.
"Proceed."
A middle-aged man wearing rimless glasses walked to the witness stand.
His name was Xu Jian.
He had worked as the head of information technology at Zhao Ming's company for nearly twelve years.
After taking the oath, he sat upright, though his nervousness was obvious.
Lin approached him calmly.
"Mr. Xu, could you tell the court your responsibilities within the company?"
"I oversee our internal computer systems, employee access accounts, and cybersecurity."
"Who had access to the company's financial database?"
"The finance department... senior executives... and Mr. Zhao."
"Was Mr. Zhao the only person capable of approving large financial transfers?"
"No."
The courtroom grew quieter.
"Several executives possessed administrative privileges."
Lin nodded.
"So it was technically possible for another authorized individual to initiate transactions using company credentials?"
The witness hesitated.
"...Yes."
The prosecutor immediately stood.
"Objection. Counsel is leading the witness."
"Sustained."
Lin inclined her head respectfully.
She changed her approach.
"Mr. Xu, based on your professional experience, could an administrator's credentials be used by another individual?"
The witness adjusted his glasses.
"If passwords are compromised... yes."
"Would ordinary transaction records automatically reveal that?"
"No."
A murmur spread through the gallery.
Lin didn't smile.
She simply continued building her case, one careful brick at a time.
By the time the witness stepped down, doubt had begun to settle over the courtroom.
Not enough to win.
But enough to make people think.
During the afternoon recess, Zhao Ming released a long breath.
"For the first time in weeks... I feel hopeful."
Lin offered him a reassuring smile.
"We're making progress."
"You really believe we can prove it?"
"I don't believe."
She tapped the thick blue folder inside her briefcase.
"I know."
Inside that folder rested the forensic accounting report prepared by one of Shanghai's most respected independent auditors.
It identified irregular access to the company's financial system and questioned the authenticity of several electronic approvals.
It wasn't enough to identify the true culprit.
But it was enough to dismantle the prosecution's narrative.
Once introduced, everything would change.
Lin checked the time.
The next session would begin in twenty minutes.
"I'm going to review my notes one last time."
"I'll be waiting in the courtroom."
After Zhao Ming left, Lin carried her briefcase into the defense preparation room.
The room was small and quiet.
She placed the case on the table.
Unlocked it.
Removed several files.
Then the blue folder.
She read through the report again, underlining several key paragraphs.
Satisfied, she returned everything to the briefcase.
Her phone vibrated.
Mom Calling.
A gentle smile crossed her face.
She answered immediately.
"Mom."
"Have you eaten?"
Lin laughed softly.
"I'm in the middle of a trial, and that's your first question?"
"Of course."
"You always forget."
"I had lunch."
"...Half of it?"
Lin hesitated.
Her mother sighed knowingly.
"I'll cook your favorite dinner tonight."
"Only if I win."
"You don't need to win."
Lin Meiling's warm voice came through the speaker.
"You only need to know you did the right thing."
Those familiar words eased some of the tension in Lin's chest.
"I'll come home after court."
"I'll be waiting."
The call ended.
For a few moments, Lin simply looked at the dark phone screen.
Whenever life became difficult, her mother somehow managed to make everything feel a little lighter.
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Attorney Lin?"
It was a court officer.
"The judge requests both legal teams return in fifteen minutes."
"I'll be there shortly."
The officer nodded and left.
Lin closed her briefcase.
Just then, another vibration came from her phone.
This time it was Xiao Chen.
She answered while gathering her notes.
"What's wrong?"
"There are reporters outside your office."
"Already?"
"Someone leaked information that today's hearing could change the direction of the case."
Lin frowned.
"Don't speak to anyone."
"I won't."
"I'll handle it later."
She ended the call.
Thinking only about the trial, she stepped into the hallway.
The courtroom was only a short distance away.
She intended to return in less than five minutes.
The preparation room door remained slightly ajar.
At the far end of the corridor, a maintenance worker slowly pushed a cleaning cart.
He glanced around.
The hallway was empty.
His pace changed.
He turned toward the open preparation room.
Inside, the unattended briefcase sat on the table.
The man quietly slipped on a pair of thin gloves.
He didn't search through every file.
He knew exactly what he wanted.
His fingers located the blue folder within seconds.
He removed it.
From his cart, he took another folder of identical color and thickness.
He placed the replacement inside the briefcase.
Locked the clasps exactly as he had found them.
Then disappeared into the corridor.
The entire exchange lasted less than forty seconds.
By the time another court employee walked past, the maintenance worker was already mopping the opposite hallway.
No one looked at him twice.
Meanwhile...
Across Shanghai, Gu Group's executive board meeting had just concluded.
Directors quietly left the conference room.
Some looked relieved.
Others looked exhausted.
Gu Yichen remained seated at the head of the table.
Chen Wei entered carrying another folder.
"President Gu."
"What is it?"
"The chairman's secretary called again."
"He insists your presence tonight is non-negotiable."
Gu Yichen closed the document he had been reviewing.
"My grandfather never repeats himself unless he has already made a decision."
Chen Wei nodded carefully.
"The directors are... speculating."
"About marriage?"
The assistant looked surprised.
"You already know?"
"My grandfather has wanted great-grandchildren for years."
"He finally believes business alone isn't enough."
Chen Wei hesitated before speaking.
"There have also been rumors that several family members are lobbying for changes to the succession plan."
Gu Yichen stood and walked toward the window.
His reflection stared back at him.
Cold.
Controlled.
Unshakable.
"They're welcome to try."
His voice remained calm.
"But Gu Group won't fall because of family politics."
Back at the courthouse, Lin Xinyue returned to the preparation room.
She picked up her briefcase.
Everything appeared exactly where she had left it.
She smiled faintly.
Good.
The report was safe.
Or so she believed.
Outside, the court officer announced the afternoon session.
"The court is now back in session."
Lin straightened her jacket.
With quiet confidence, she walked toward the courtroom doors.
