Chapter 265 Court Hearing

As the vice president of the Jiangcheng Lawyers Association, Wang Zhengming holds a prestigious position in Jiangcheng's legal community.

When Attorney Zhang first entered the profession, he interned under Wang Zhengming.

"I am Mr. Lin Fan's lawyer. What, is it strange that I am here?" Wang Zhengming looked at him, his tone revealing a hint of elder's coldness.

Attorney Zhang felt his throat go dry and a layer of cold sweat instantly appeared on his forehead.

He suddenly turned to look at Lin Fan, his heart filled with turmoil.

How could a self-employed roadside restaurant owner and a stay-at-home husband who left with nothing possibly manage to get the top legal professional in Jiangcheng to come to his aid?

A lawyer of Wang Zhengming's caliber cannot be hired simply by having money; it requires truly top-tier social connections and immense personal favors to persuade him to come out of retirement!

Just now, I actually dared to engage in psychological warfare against Wang Zhengming's client in front of him? This is practically offering my face to be slapped!

Su Qing also sensed that something was wrong with the atmosphere.

Although she didn't know Wang Zhengming, she frowned deeply when she saw her chief lawyer, whom she had hired at great expense, trembling like a schoolchild who had done something wrong.

"Attorney Zhang, who is this?" Su Qing asked in a low voice.

Attorney Zhang swallowed hard and said quickly in a low voice, "President Su, this is Vice President Wang of the Jiangcheng Lawyers Association, a leading figure in the legal profession..."

Su Qing's heart skipped a beat.

The vice president of the Jiangcheng Lawyers Association? How could Lin Fan possibly invite someone like that? Could it really be that the Qin family is backing him up?

But Su Qing was, after all, the president of a group that was about to go public, and she quickly suppressed the slight panic in her heart.

Even if you hire a top lawyer, so what?

Ultimately, the court considers financial strength. She held proof of 500 million HKD in HSBC Hong Kong funds—that was her absolute confidence. Faced with overwhelming financial power, even the most skilled lawyer can't conjure up money.

"So it's Chairman Wang, I've heard so much about you." Su Qing resumed her aloof demeanor as she looked at Wang Zhengming.

"However, Chairman Wang, even if you are highly respected in the industry, it doesn't change the fact that your client is a penniless self-employed individual. Judges look at assets, not reputation."

Su Qing turned to stare at Lin Fan, her tone becoming even colder.

"Lin Fan, you think hiring a top lawyer to back you up will cover up the fact that you're penniless? I'd like to see what you have to offer me in court!"

Lin Fan didn't even glance at her settlement agreement.

"Keep your money and flaunt it in court," Lin Fan said calmly.

"clang--"

Just then, the heavy wooden door of the Third Trial Chamber was pushed open from the inside.

A clerk came out, holding a case file in his hand, his eyes sweeping over the two groups of people in the corridor.

"Time is up. Please bring both parties and their legal representatives into the courtroom."

The confrontation in the corridor came to an abrupt end.

Su Qing snorted coldly and didn't say anything more.

She pulled her black coat tighter around her, and, with the still somewhat dazed lawyer Zhang in tow, led the way into the courtroom.

Lin Fan and Wang Zhengming exchanged a glance and walked in side by side.

The third courtroom was decorated in a solemn and dignified manner.

The overhead incandescent bulbs emitted a cool light, and the national emblem hung in the center, exuding an aura of inviolable majesty.

Lin Fan and Wang Zhengming took their seats in the defendant's dock.

Across from them, Su Qing and Attorney Zhang were already seated in the plaintiff's seat.

"Everyone stand up!" the clerk announced loudly.

The side door of the courtroom opened. Three judges, dressed in loose black robes, walked up to the bench one by one.

Lin Fan raised his head and looked at the judge walking in the middle.

He was a middle-aged man with gray hair and black-rimmed glasses. He had a dignified expression and a steady gait.

When he walked to the center and sat down, and looked up, Lin Fan's gaze paused slightly.

It was him?!

The man who, a few days ago, stood in front of Xingkong Kindergarten, holding a thermos with peeling paint, chatting like an ordinary old man about "making money or spending time with children"—that was Chu Jianming!

It turns out that he not only knows how to grind flour with an old stone mill, but is also a senior judge at the Jiangcheng Court.

Chu Jianming sat in the judge's seat, his gaze sweeping across the entire room, finally lingering for a second on Lin Fan in the defendant's dock.

His eyes showed no fluctuation of personal emotion, remaining as professional and solemn as ever.

But in that instant of eye contact, both of them understood perfectly well what was going on.

"Thump!"

Chu Jianming picked up the gavel and struck it heavily on the base. The deep, steady sound echoed in the quiet courtroom.

"Court is now in session. Please verify the identities of both parties."

After going through a series of rigorous routine procedures, Chu Jianming looked at the plaintiff's seat.

"Plaintiff, state your claims and the facts supporting your lawsuit."

Attorney Zhang took a deep breath, forcibly pulling himself out of the pressure of facing Wang Zhengming.

He's a professional lawyer who gets paid to do things. Regardless of who the other party is, his only task now is to help Su Qing win custody using the most irrefutable evidence of assets.

Attorney Zhang stood up and straightened the hem of his suit jacket.

"Your Honor, my client, Ms. Su Qing, requests a change in custody of her daughter, Lin Yutuan, in accordance with the law."

He took out a thick document and handed it to the court clerk.

"This is proof of our client's assets and creditworthiness. The Su Group has already completed a 500 million RMB bridge loan and will be officially listed on NASDAQ next week. Ms. Su Qing, as the group's president, possesses substantial financial strength."

Attorney Zhang's voice grew louder and louder as he gradually regained his confidence in court.

"She can provide minors with top-notch international school education resources, private medical services, and affluent living conditions that transcend social classes."

Attorney Zhang paused for a moment, then turned to look at Lin Fan across from him, his tone suddenly becoming sharp and sarcastic.

"On the other hand, the defendant, Lin Fan, had no fixed assets at the time of their divorce. Currently, he only runs a roadside restaurant on a remote commercial street."

"The shop is a mixed crowd every day, filled with fumes and noise. The defendant leaves early and returns late every day, covered in fumes, and simply does not have enough time and energy to accompany and educate a five-year-old girl."

"Allowing a child to grow up in such a squalid environment is a grave irresponsibility towards the child's physical and mental health! Based on the legal principle of acting in the best interests of the minor, we earnestly request the court to award custody to the mother, Ms. Su Qing!"

After finishing his speech, Attorney Zhang confidently sat back down in his chair.

Su Qing leaned back in the plaintiff's seat, a cold smile playing on her lips, her gaze fixed on Lin Fan across from her.

Faced with such an absolute class difference, she wanted to see what Lin Fan would use to turn the tables today.