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CHAPTER 323
Seated in the fairly big courtroom with Lawyer Chang by her side, Andromeda straightened her dark blue fitted knee-length gown with her head straight and face looking forward.
Even with the firm look on her face, her fingers played with the matching blue watch on her left wrist as she swallowed with every passing minute.
Staring right at her was the empty seat of the proposed judge who was presiding over her case.
'Judge Lie Junjie.' Andromeda voiced inwardly and breathed out slowly.
At her back among the crowd was Liu Xueyi. To his side was Lawyer Tang Yan, Peng Xiaoli and Jian Xiaofei.
On the opposite side of the courtroom, Wu Bai was seated with a few of his trusted people, his legs crossed, looking noticeably unfazed by the situation that was happening.
His nonchalant attitude towards the view in front of him was rescinded as a light smile played on his not so handsome feature.
Liu Xueyi's lips pulled back to the side. His eyes remained focused on Wu Bai rather than on Andromeda.
After dinner at his family's house, they went on the full war to get their hands on some more evidence.
He was determined to win and wipe that smirk away from Wu Bai's face.
Ignoring him, Liu Xueyi fixed his gaze in front of him. From this angle and the way she sat straight, he could tell she was tense and stiff.
A warm smile enshrouded his face. If he could walk up to her and place a kiss on her lips, he would have.
He knew then and there that this was not easy for her. Regardless, it prepared her for the outside world, especially for his secret life.
While he concerned himself with thoughts about her, a voice rang out loud and clear to the hearing of everyone present.
"All rise."
Following the bailiff's word, everyone rose as a man putting on a black gown and a white collar stepped into the courtroom in front of them.
Seeing him first-hand, Andromeda pressed her lips together and shut her eyes briefly.
She recalled the words told to her by Liu Xueyi. They had personally looked the judge up to see how he handled previous trials.
Not that she was scared at all. She only hoped that whatever mischief Wu Bai played would not affect the case's verdict.
Before her eyes, a few prison officers escorted Beatrice into the court, leading her to stand in the prosecutor's box, her manners reserved and composed.
Soon enough the trial started with Lawyer Chang giving his opening statement. After that, Beatrice Zhang's lawyer did the same and the trial went on.
Attorney Longwei stood and walked up to the judge, where the curious crowd behind her could also listen in.
"My client has been accessed of theft, plagiarizing Miss Kai's work," she gestured towards Andromeda, the look on her face carried no hostility, she was just professional in her manners of approach as she returned it back to the judge who was sitting at the elevated desk, overlooking the courtroom.
"If the court doesn't mind, I would like to ask Miss Kai a few questions."
The judge whose gaze was indifferently focused on the scene before him, nodded his head in approval, "proceed."
Turning to look at Andromeda's seat, she began, "Miss Kai, can you please stand before the podium?"
Andromeda's heart drummed in her chest after being called out, she really wasn't worried about that, but she's heard how most attorneys are talented in twisting the words of others, making them say things that don't match the corresponding cases.
She had a feeling that Beatrice's lawyer was about to pull the same stunt on her.
Rising to her feet, Andromeda stole in a deep breath before moving to the podium at the left side of the room, just as the lawyer had requested.
"Miss Kai," attorney Longwei professionally began, "how sure are you that my client is responsible for the plagiarism of your work?" She questioned.
Not giving Andromeda any breathing space, she added, "Apart from that, I got information that you both made the same dress on the very same day, I won't call it a coincidence but what if things were actually the other way around?"
Her words left Andromeda staring in puzzlement, seeing as the lady circled the podium she was standing on, her gaze intent on her every move, waiting and watching for Andromeda to show a little bit of hesitancy.
"What if you were the one who plagiarized my client's work first?"
"I object!" Lawyer Chang rose to his feet, wanting to defend that statement, but the hammer being hit on the judge's desk silenced him.
"Objection overruled."
Seeing his words were dismissed, Lawyer Chang was left with certainly no other option but to take his seat.
Meanwhile, from the corner of Liu Xueyi's eyes, he could see Beatrice smiling to herself, as though there was still hope to win the case and he only felt sorry for her false hope.
"Thank you, my lord." Attorney Longwei showed her appreciation before turning her attention to the dumbstruck Andromeda.
"It is possible that you stole the dress first from my client. You were in connection with one of her workers, correct?"
Andromeda had sensed this but regardless of it all, she was fully ready for the outcome, "Yes," she responded, "but it's..."
"You said yes, and that's enough." Attorney Longwei cut her off, looking over at the court reporter who was recording all proceedings before shifting her gaze back to Andromeda.
"It's possible, you and this friend or worker of hers hatched a clean plan to get my clients to work first, then being the first to advertise it and give out a clear picture that my client stole your work."
"She did," Andromeda decisively retorted.
"Did she?" Attorney Longwei glanced at Beatrice who still held her head high, before turning to look at Andromeda.
"I also heard that you once dated my client's current boyfriend until he left you for her, is this out of jealousy? You know jealousy is a strong word when there's a woman attached to it."
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