Chapter 200: Court Case Resumes (2)
Ao Junfeng, with a calculating demeanor, continued, "Mr. Lui, I am sure you are aware of the consequences of lying in court." Mr. Lui affirmed, "Yes, sir."
Ao Junfeng, nodding, pressed on, "Mr. Lui, you have one child, right?" Mr. Lui responded, "Yes, sir." Ao Junfeng, maintaining his composed stance, inquired further, "Your daughter, 15 years old, has been in the hospital for almost all her life due to her heart condition, am I correct?" Mr. Lui confirmed, "That is correct."
The judge raised a brow, expressing impatience, and cautioned, "Laywer Ao, please don’t waste the court’s time." Ao Junfeng, acknowledging the judge’s concern, apologized, "I apologize, Your Honor, but I have to ask these questions. I will get to the point shortly."
Turning back to Mr. Lui, Ao Junfeng continued with a piercing gaze, "My investigation tells me that your daughter was recently transferred to Shanghai Private Hospital and is awaiting her heart transplant." Mr. Lui, feeling the pressure, reluctantly admitted, "That is correct."
Ao Junfeng then dropped a bombshell, stating, "Shanghai Private Hospital costs more than 500,000 yuan for a heart transplant. Now tell me, Mr. Lui, how can a former construction worker like you, who now depends on selling street food, afford such money?" Mr. Lui, visibly uneasy, stammered, "I have been saving for years."
Ao Junfeng, seizing the moment, turned to the judge, "Your Honor, I have a few pictures here that I would like the court to see." The judge, granting permission, stated, "Go ahead, Lawyer Ao."
The pictures were displayed on the big screen for all in the court to see. The images revealed Mr. Lui having a conversation with Master Gu’s assistant. Another photo captured the assistant signing papers at Shanghai Private Hospital. Ao Junfeng seized the moment, stating, "The man with Mr. Lui in the pictures is Master Gu’s assistant. What I find stunning is how this assistant was seen with Mr. Lui at a restaurant, then a day later, he was seen signing papers at Shanghai Private Hospital."
Mr. Lui, wiping his sweat, nervously asserted, "I didn’t know that man was Master Gu’s assistant, and I don’t know why he was at Shanghai Private Hospital." Ao Junfeng cautioned, "Don’t rush to explain, Mr. Lui."
Turning to the judge, Ao Junfeng declared, "I have more evidence here, Your Honor, evidence that Master Gu’s assistant was the one who signed the transfer papers, even settling the bill for Mr. Lui’s daughter." Mr. Shi immediately objected, saying, "Objection, Your Honor. What does that have to do with Mr. Lui?"
Ao Junfeng confidently responded, "That is because the assistant paid the bills using the Gu family company account." The courtroom erupted in mutters, and people started to question the credibility of Mr. Lui’s testimony. The suspicious involvement of Master Gu’s assistant in paying off Mr. Lui’s daughter’s hospital bills cast a shadow over the proceedings, leaving everyone on edge. The air in the courtroom crackled with uncertainty as the implications of this revelation began to sink in.
The judge, realizing the significance of this new revelation, called for order in the court. "Order! Order in the court!" The room gradually settled into a hushed anticipation as all eyes were on Master Gu’s assistant, whose presence had become a focal point of suspicion.
Mr. Shi, with a furrowed brow, questioned Ao Junfeng, "Lawyer Ao, how is Master Gu’s assistant’s involvement relevant to Mr. Lui’s testimony?" Ao Junfeng, with a cunning smile, replied, "Your Honor, it establishes a clear conflict of interest. If Mr. Lui’s daughter is receiving financial assistance from the Gu family, it raises questions about his objectivity in this case."
The judge, pondering the implications, allowed Ao Junfeng to continue. "Proceed, Lawyer Ao."
Ao Junfeng, addressing the court, continued, "Furthermore, this assistance wasn’t a mere act of kindness. The bills were paid using the Gu family company account. This raises serious concerns about the motivations behind Mr. Lui’s testimony. Is he speaking the truth, or is there a hidden agenda influenced by his connections?"
The atmosphere in the courtroom became charged with tension. People exchanged uneasy glances, and whispers of doubt circulated among the spectators. The defense attorney, sensing the need to regain control, requested permission to cross-examine Master Gu’s assistant.
The cross-examination unfolded with both sides presenting arguments, probing into the assistant’s role, and trying to unveil any ulterior motives. The court became a battleground of conflicting narratives, each side vying to establish its version of the truth.
As the proceedings continued, the once clear-cut case became entangled in a web of intrigue, raising more questions than answers. The fate of DreamScape Estates, already hanging by a thread, now faced an even more uncertain future.
Ao Junfeng, maintaining his confident demeanor, turned his attention back to Mr. Lui, who appeared increasingly flustered. "Mr. Lui, can you explain why Master Gu’s assistant was involved in your personal matters, particularly your daughter’s medical expenses?" Ao Junfeng’s voice cut through the tension in the courtroom.
Mr. Lui, now cornered, stammered, "I... I don’t know. I didn’t ask for his help." Ao Junfeng pressed on, "Yet he willingly used the Gu family company account to settle the bills for your daughter’s treatment. Are you telling this court that you had no knowledge of this arrangement?"
Caught off guard, Mr. Lui faltered, "I... I didn’t know he used the company account. I thought he was helping out of goodwill." Ao Junfeng, raising an eyebrow, continued, "Goodwill or not, the use of company funds for personal matters raises ethical questions, Mr. Lui. Do you deny any connection to the Gu family beyond what you claim?"
Mr. Lui, unable to provide a convincing response, mumbled, "I... I don’t have any connection. I didn’t ask for their help." Ao Junfeng, with a tone of authority, declared, "Your Honor, it’s evident that Mr. Lui’s testimony is compromised. There is a clear conflict of interest, and his credibility is in question. I move to declare a mistrial and further investigate these questionable connections."
The judge, contemplating the gravity of the situation, called for a brief recess to assess the new developments. The courtroom buzzed with speculation as people whispered about the unexpected twists in the case.
As they walked out, Ao Junfeng’s chuckle echoed in the courtroom, leaving Mr. Shi visibly frustrated. Master Gu leaned in and whispered reassuringly to his lawyer, "Don’t worry, the case is not yet over."
Acknowledging Master Gu’s words, Mr. Shi nodded, recognizing that the legal battle had taken unexpected turns. In the courthouse corridor, Master Gu continued, "We still have options. This trial is just a part of the larger strategy."
Ao Junfeng, now more relaxed, said to Brother Song, "The defense will need to regroup. We’ve managed to expose the vulnerabilities in their case. We’ll exploit this situation to our advantage."
As they strategized, the legal team discussed their next moves, recognizing the need for a meticulous approach to dismantle the prosecution’s case. The courthouse corridor became a hub of whispered discussions and exchanged glances, each participant well aware of the stakes involved.
The case had transformed into a chess game, with each move carefully calculated to gain an upper hand. The uncertainties of the courtroom drama left everyone on edge, but Master Gu remained resolute in his pursuit of justice, determined to protect his family’s legacy from any threats that lurked in the shadows.
