Chapter 203: Court Case Resumes (5)
The judge called for another recess, and as soon as it concluded, they all returned inside the courtroom. Ao Junfeng was poised for any developments, confident in his legal strategy. The judge, commanding order, cleared his throat and addressed the court.
"With the witness statements read in this court and the evidence provided, I have reached a conclusion that DreamScape Estates failed its workers. We might not know who was involved in the low-quality cement, but we do know that it resulted in the injury of 30 people," the judge declared.
Continuing, he announced, "With that said, I will be granting the workers the requested compensation. DreamScape Estates will compensate the 100 million yuan asked." The courtroom erupted in a mixture of surprise, relief, and dissatisfaction.
Master Gu, unable to contain his frustration, stood up and shouted, "That is absurd!" The judge, sternly addressing him, reminded, "Master Gu, this is my courtroom; you will be respectful. I am not one of your employees."
Mr. Shi, though visibly annoyed by his client’s outburst, recognized the importance of maintaining decorum in the court. He promptly apologized, saying, "I apologize for my client, Your Honor."
The judge then delivered another significant judgment: "Furthermore, Manager Pang and Mr. Lui lied under oath, which is a very serious offense. Hence, I will be giving them each a sentence of two years imprisonment for obstruction of justice." The pronouncement sent shockwaves through the courtroom, signaling the consequences for those who had tried to manipulate the legal proceedings.
The courtroom, now buzzing with reactions and discussions, awaited the next steps in this legal drama, which had unfolded with unexpected turns and revelations.
The judge’s verdict sent shockwaves through the courtroom. Dreamscape Estates, once a symbol of prosperity, now faced the consequences of its negligence. Master Gu’s face turned red with anger, realizing that his empire was crumbling in the wake of the legal battle.
Ao Junfeng, on the other hand, maintained his calm demeanor. He had meticulously built a case that exposed the systemic issues within Dreamscape Estates. As the workers’ representative, he stood vindicated by the judge’s decision.
Manager Pang and Mr. Lui, both now convicted of obstructing justice, appeared stunned. The reality of imprisonment hung heavy in the air. Mr. Shi struggled to contain the situation, sensing that his client’s empire was at stake.
The judge continued, "In addition to the compensation and sentences, I hereby order an independent investigation into the construction site incident. The truth must be unveiled, and those responsible for endangering the lives of the workers must be held accountable."
Master Gu, infuriated by the unfolding events, shouted, "This is a conspiracy! I won’t let you ruin my business!"
The judge maintained his authority, "Order, Master Gu. Your outburst will not change the court’s decision. We will proceed with the investigation, and justice will prevail."
The judge concluded, "Compensation should be paid to the workers within 7 working days; failure to do so will result in more extreme legal actions. Case dismissed." Brother Song and Tang Junjie exchanged glances, a shared smile reflecting the relief of justice being served.
On the contrary, Mr. Lui felt an overwhelming sense of regret. The deal he had accepted from the Gu family now seemed like a Faustian bargain. His decision to betray his colleagues and side with the Gu family had consequences that he hadn’t anticipated. As he was escorted out of the courtroom by the police, he couldn’t help but dwell on the impending two-year prison sentence and the uncertain fate of his daughter.
Outside the courtroom, Brother Song, accompanied by Ao Junfeng and Tang Junjie, confronted Mr. Lui. Disappointment was evident in Brother Song’s voice as he expressed, "Mr. Lui, I was really disappointed in your decision to turn against us."
Mr. Lui, burdened with guilt and regret, replied, "As a family man, I am sure you understand; my daughter comes before everything." Tang Junjie added, "Do you think the Gu family will continue with the deal you made now that you are being sent to jail?"
Reflecting on his actions, Mr. Lui tearfully apologized, "I am sorry; please apologize to my daughter for me." Ao Junfeng intervened, "We are not animals, Mr. Lui. Your daughter’s heart transplant will continue, but I hope this will teach you a lesson."
Brother Song, unyielding in his disappointment, remarked, "Yes, you sure did." Manager Pang, seething in anger, glared at Brother Song and Tang Junjie as the police led him away. In contrast, Mr. Lui, now less worried about his daughter’s future, found solace in Ao Junfeng’s promise to take care of her during his incarceration. As he was taken away by the police, he held onto the hope that his daughter’s health was secure under the care of those he had betrayed.
While the workers present in the courtroom celebrated the victory, those who weren’t in attendance found joy in their living rooms as the news of the case conclusion reached them. Relief washed over them, knowing that justice was finally being served, and they would receive the compensation they rightfully deserved. The grievances and hardships they had endured seemed to be fading away with this legal triumph.
In their homes, some workers immediately began envisioning what they would do with the compensation money. Plans for paying off debts, investing in their children’s education, and securing a better future took shape. The positive energy of this long-awaited justice spread among the workers, creating an atmosphere of hope and renewal.
However, in stark contrast, the Gu family and Mr. Shi were left grappling with the repercussions of their actions. The courtroom defeat weighed heavily on them, and the jubilant atmosphere that had enveloped the workers was conspicuously absent in their quarters. The Gu family, once accustomed to wielding power and influence, now faced the consequences of their exploitative practices.
The workers’ victory became a symbol of resilience and a reminder that justice could prevail even against influential adversaries. As the workers savored the triumph that marked the end of a challenging Chapter, the Gu family and Mr. Shi were left to contemplate the ramifications of their choices in the face of a reinvigorated and empowered workforce.
As the Gu family, accompanied by Mr. Shi, walked out of the courtroom, the atmosphere was tense. Reporters swarmed around them, eager to get statements and reactions to the unexpected loss. Mr. Shi, visibly irritated by the turn of events, bristled at the relentless questions, having assumed victory and now faced with the harsh reality of defeat.
Reporter 1: "Master Gu, what’s your reaction to the court’s decision? Were you expecting this outcome?"
Master Gu: "No comments at this time. We’ll be releasing an official statement soon."
Reporter 2: "Madame Gu, how does the family plan to handle the compensation and imprisonment sentences?"
Madame Gu, maintaining her poise: "We are considering all our options. Thank you for your understanding."
Gu Hua, trying to offer a smile amidst the chaos, is approached by another reporter.
Reporter 3: "Gu Hua, any personal thoughts on the verdict? How does the family plan to move forward?"
Gu Hua: "It’s a challenging time for us, but we’ll face it as a family. Please excuse us."
Mr. Shi, growing increasingly frustrated, faces a barrage of questions.
Reporter 4: "Mr. Shi, did the legal team anticipate this outcome? What’s the next step for the Gu family?"
Mr. Shi, tersely: "We are exploring all legal avenues. No further comments at this time."
As the reporters persisted, the Gu family reached their waiting car. Master Gu, Madame Gu, and Gu Hua hurriedly entered, seeking refuge from the relentless scrutiny.
Master Gu, addressing the media from inside the car: "We appreciate your interest. As mentioned, an official statement will be released soon. Thank you."
The reporters, left outside the departing vehicle, continued their barrage of inquiries, creating a tumultuous backdrop as the Gu family’s car drove away from the courthouse. The once-untouchable family now faced a challenging journey ahead, navigating public opinion and legal repercussions.
Inside the luxurious confines of their car, Master Gu’s frustration and anger simmered beneath his usually composed exterior. Madame Gu and Gu Hua exchanged uneasy glances as they braced for Master Gu’s reaction to the unexpected turn of events.
"How did this happen? I had everything under control!"
"We’ll figure this out. It’s a setback, but we can still—"
"Setback? This is a disaster! I want answers. What happened to the men I hired to handle Tang Junjie?"
Gu Hua, anxiously glancing at his father, chimed in cautiously.
"Dad, maybe there was a mistake or some unforeseen circumstance. We need to investigate."
"Investigate? I want results! Find out where it went wrong. This should have been a simple task."
"We will address this, but we must also consider our legal position. We don’t want to attract more attention."
Master Gu, realizing the truth in Madame Gu’s words, leaned back in his seat, fuming.
"First the court, now this. I won’t tolerate any more failures."
As the car sped through the city streets, Master Gu seethed in silence, contemplating the consequences of a plan gone awry. The once untouchable patriarch now faced challenges from unexpected quarters, and the road ahead seemed fraught with uncertainty.
