Chapter 3

A hush settled over the corridor as lawyers, reporters, and spectators filed inside. The case had attracted unusual attention. Although Zhao Ming's company was not one of Shanghai's largest corporations, the alleged fraud involved hundreds of millions of yuan and several well-known investors. Many believed the verdict would become a benchmark for future financial crime cases.

Lin Xinyue stepped into the courtroom with calm, measured strides.

Her black suit was immaculate, her long hair neatly tied back, and the expression on her face was composed despite the weight of the day. She had learned long ago that confidence reassured clients almost as much as legal expertise.

Beside her, Zhao Ming's hands trembled.

He kept glancing toward the gallery where reporters adjusted their cameras and whispered among themselves.

"Attorney Lin..."

She turned slightly.

"I'm afraid."

Her voice softened.

"That's normal."

"What if they don't believe me?"

"They will believe the evidence."

He lowered his head.

"I hope you're right."

Lin studied him for a brief moment.

During the three months she had represented him, she had asked him the same question dozens of times.

"Did you take the money?"

Every single time, his answer had remained unchanged.

"No."

She had investigated every financial statement herself.

Something never added up.

Money had indeed disappeared.

But the transaction records were too... perfect.

Almost as though someone had carefully arranged them to point toward Zhao Ming.

That thought had troubled her for weeks.

She intended to expose those inconsistencies today.

At the front of the courtroom, the prosecution team organized stacks of documents.

Leading them was Senior Prosecutor Wang Jian.

A seasoned lawyer in his late fifties, Wang Jian had spent more than thirty years prosecuting economic crimes.

His courtroom record was intimidating.

Very few defendants walked away after facing him.

As their eyes met across the room, Wang Jian offered a polite nod.

Lin returned it.

In court, respect for one's opponent was as important as confidence in one's own case.

The judge entered.

Everyone immediately rose.

"All rise."

The room fell silent.

After the formalities were completed, the proceedings officially began.

The court clerk read the charges.

"Defendant Zhao Ming is accused of financial fraud, embezzlement of corporate funds, falsification of accounting records, and illegal transfer of assets totaling approximately three hundred and eighty million yuan."

Each accusation echoed through the courtroom.

Reporters scribbled notes furiously.

The judge looked toward the prosecution.

"You may begin."

---

For the next hour, the prosecution carefully laid out its case.

Charts appeared on large screens.

Bank transfers.

Company ledgers.

Email exchanges.

Every document seemed to point toward Zhao Ming.

According to the prosecution, he had secretly diverted company funds into shell corporations before attempting to flee responsibility by blaming subordinates.

The presentation was thorough.

Convincing.

When Prosecutor Wang finished, he looked toward the defense table.

"These facts speak for themselves."

Several people in the gallery nodded.

Lin remained perfectly still.

She wasn't intimidated.

She had expected a strong opening.

When the judge turned to her, she stood gracefully.

"Your Honor."

The courtroom quieted almost instantly.

"The prosecution has presented an impressive collection of documents."

She paused.

"But evidence must not only exist."

"It must also withstand scrutiny."

Her words drew immediate attention.

She walked toward the digital display.

"Let's begin with Exhibit Thirty-Two."

A transaction report appeared.

"The prosecution argues this transfer proves my client authorized the movement of sixty million yuan."

She enlarged one section.

"However..."

"This authorization was digitally signed at 11:42 p.m."

She turned toward the judge.

"Security records confirm that Mr. Zhao had already left the company building nearly four hours earlier."

A ripple of whispers spread through the courtroom.

The prosecutor frowned.

Lin continued.

"Furthermore..."

She displayed another document.

"The login originated from a workstation that should have been inactive at that time."

She calmly highlighted the discrepancy.

"If someone had access to internal credentials..."

"They could easily create the appearance that my client approved these transfers."

The judge leaned forward.

"Do you intend to prove that?"

"I intend to demonstrate that the investigation remains incomplete."

Prosecutor Wang stood.

"Speculation."

Lin met his gaze.

"It is not speculation."

"It is reasonable doubt."

For the first time that morning, Zhao Ming looked hopeful.

---

During a short recess, Lin returned to the defense preparation room.

She placed several folders across the table and began reviewing the order of her next witnesses.

A soft knock interrupted her concentration.

"Come in."

Han Zixuan entered carrying two bottles of water.

"I thought you might need this."

She smiled faintly.

"You always remember."

"Old habits."

He set one bottle on the table before looking at the documents.

"You've done well."

"The prosecution is stronger than I expected."

"They usually are."

He hesitated.

"Do you still have the forensic accounting report?"

Lin looked up.

"Of course."

"It's the strongest piece of evidence we have."

"Good."

His smile returned.

"You'll need it."

He left only a moment later.

The room became quiet again.

Lin watched the closed door thoughtfully.

Something about the conversation felt... strange.

She couldn't explain why.

Perhaps it was simply the pressure of the trial.

She pushed the thought aside and reached for the thick blue folder containing the forensic accounting report.

Her fingers brushed the cover.

Still there.

She exhaled softly.

Good.

Without that report, proving the accounting manipulation would become much harder.

She carefully returned the folder to her briefcase and locked the clasps.

Just to be safe.

---

Across the city, on the top floor of Gu Group Headquarters, Gu Yichen stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of his office.

Below him, Shanghai moved with relentless energy.

Chen Wei entered carrying several documents.

"The board meeting has been moved to ten o'clock."

Gu Yichen nodded.

"What about tonight?"

"The chairman's secretary called again."

"He emphasized that your attendance is... mandatory."

Gu Yichen's expression remained unreadable.

"My grandfather doesn't use that word lightly."

"No, sir."

Chen Wei hesitated.

"The directors are also discussing succession again."

Gu Yichen looked out at the skyline.

"I expected as much."

For years, he had devoted himself to expanding Gu Group into an international powerhouse.

Yet he knew his grandfather cared about more than profits.

Family.

Legacy.

Stability.

Those were values Gu Zhengguo never compromised.

Whatever awaited him at the old residence tonight...

It would not be a casual family dinner.

---

Back at the courthouse, the bell signaling the end of recess echoed through the hallway.

Lawyers returned to the courtroom.

Reporters hurried back to their seats.

Lin picked up her briefcase.

She checked the lock one final time.

Everything appeared exactly as she had left it.

She had no idea that hidden beneath the calm surface of the trial, someone else was already making their move.

Someone who had spent months ensuring that today's outcome would not be decided by the truth.

As she stepped toward the courtroom doors, a man in a maintenance uniform quietly wheeled a cleaning cart past the defense waiting room.

He paused for only a second.

Long enough to glance toward the unattended corridor.

Then he continued walking.

No one noticed him.

And no one realized that the carefully laid trap had already begun to close.