Chapter 28: Advertising in Court

"Ran away?"

"Unbelievable! Is there any knowledgeable guy who can explain whether Lawyer Zhao leaving like this counts as contempt of court?"

"It doesn't amount to contempt of court."

"But if one leaves the courtroom without permission, they will lose their right to defend."

"In other words."

"Even if Lawyer Zhao returns to the courtroom, she can no longer serve as Li Huihui's defense attorney."

"So, does that mean Li Huihui has to defend herself?"

...

The live broadcast room was in an uproar.

The audience was chattering away, discussing Lawyer Zhao Qiuxia's behavior.

The scene also became chaotic. The lawyers sitting in the first row opened their mouths wide, looking incredulous.

"Before this lawsuit started, I had thought of two scenarios."

"The first scenario was that Lawyer Zhao would bring honor to our Jingzhou legal circle and win the case!"

"The second scenario was that Lin Chuan would create a miracle and emerge victorious in this lawsuit."

"But I never expected."

"To hell with it, there could actually be a third scenario where the plaintiff's lawyer runs away before the case is over..."

...

"Cough cough cough..."

"According to courtroom regulations, a defense attorney who leaves the courtroom without the permission of the judge will lose the right to defend."

"I hereby announce."

"Lawyer Zhao Qiuxia from Jingzhou Huayun Law Firm no longer has the qualification to defend Li Huihui."

Presiding Judge Feng Jianjun's voice was hoarse from shouting, but he couldn't get Zhao Qiuxia back. It seemed that the pressure of going head-to-head with Lin Chuan was extraordinary. Even the famous "Extinction Master" in the Jingzhou legal circle had become a deserter.

"My defense attorney ran away. Then... Your Honor, what should I do?"

Li Huihui panicked. Due to excessive nervousness, her fingernails dug into her flesh.

"The trial is not over yet. You can either temporarily recruit a defense attorney on the spot or defend yourself," Feng Jianjun pointed to the first row of the spectator area, where all the elite lawyers from Jingzhou were seated.

"Defend myself?"

"That's tantamount to sentencing myself!" Li Huihui was on the verge of tears. She turned around and looked at the first row of the spectator area with pleading eyes.

However, when Li Huihui's gaze swept over, everyone did the same thing - they lowered their heads in silence, avoiding eye contact with Li Huihui.

Are you kidding? Defending Li Huihui? That would be suicidal!

The "Extinction Master" Zhao Qiuxia was at the top echelon of the Jingzhou legal circle and was even regarded as the number one female lawyer in Jingzhou. No one present dared to claim they were stronger than Zhao Qiuxia.

However, the fact was right in front of them. Even Zhao Qiuxia had her resolve shattered and ran away. One could imagine how terrifying Lin Chuan must be.

Therefore, no matter how much money was offered, no one was willing to be Lin Chuan's guinea pig.

"Your Honor, no one is willing to be my defense attorney," Li Huihui was about to collapse. The presiding judge had made it clear that if no one was willing to defend her, she would have to do it herself.

But Li Huihui knew she was a legal novice. Defending herself? Wasn't that just handing over the victory?

"Since no one is willing to be your defense attorney, I can't help it. You'll have to defend yourself," Feng Jianjun spread his hands, indicating helplessness.

Hearing this, Li Huihui started sobbing.

Some viewers in the live broadcast room began to feel sympathy.

"Let it go. Don't make things difficult for a girl."

"Yes, look at her crying. She's so pitiful."

"Men shouldn't bully women. What Lin Chuan did is a bit excessive. I think we should let her off."

...

In the live broadcast room, a small group of people felt sympathy. They had no idea what had happened. Seeing Li Huihui crying, they thought she was pitiful.

But Lin Chuan wasn't going to indulge Li Huihui, a fraudster. If a few tears could exempt someone from legal punishment, what would become of the world? Would the courtroom become a playground?

"Li Huihui, will you confess voluntarily or shall I expose your fraudulent behavior?" Lin Chuan's gaze became as sharp as an eagle's.

'Wuu wuu wuu...' At this moment, Li Huihui felt lost and helpless, crying incessantly.

Seeing this, Lin Chuan spoke directly.

"In June 2018, you were 24 years old and registered on the matchmaking website Ai Yuan Wang."

"Due to your outstanding appearance, you soon met your first match."

"At that time, you approached the matchmaking with a serious attitude."

"During the first date, the man touched you inappropriately. You felt harassed and reported him to the police."

"After police mediation, the man compensated you with eight thousand yuan."

'Thereafter.'

"You realized that you could make illegal money through matchmaking."

"From 2018 to 2023, you defrauded twelve victims, most of whom chose to pay to hush things up."

'Until.'

"You met your last victim, Ma Ming."

"You deliberately seduced Ma Ming into having relations with you, then reported him and collected evidence, all according to your plan."

"You thought the thirty thousand yuan betrothal gift was within your grasp."

"But did you expect?"

"The net of heaven has large meshes, but it lets nothing through!" Lin Chuan's voice fell, and he slapped a thick stack of documents on the table.

These documents represented the experiences of each victim. If taken individually, they might seem like isolated incidents, insufficient to label Li Huihui as a fraudster.

But when the documents were listed together and compared, it became clear that after each matchmaking, Li Huihui received a sum of compensation. Only a fool would not recognize this as fraud!

"Li Huihui, do you have anything to refute the plaintiff's lawyer's accusation of fraud?" Presiding Judge Feng Jianjun became serious.

The country was currently cracking down on fraud, and yet someone was still brazenly committing crimes.

"Your Honor, I... I have nothing to say..." Li Huihui felt mentally drained, overwhelmed by her fluctuating emotions.

She had thought the trial was over and the thirty thousand yuan would legally enter her wallet, but instead, not only did the money vanish, but she was also exposed for fraud and faced imprisonment!

"Li Huihui, can I take your silence as an admission of guilt?"

"Also, don't call me 'Your Honor.'"

"You must have watched too many TV dramas—"

"Just call me 'Judge' or 'Presiding Judge,'" Feng Jianjun was exasperated. In court, he was often called 'Your Honor,' all due to the influence of TV dramas.

'Yes.' Li Huihui felt as if all her strength had been drained, her gaze vacant, her expression regretful.

"Since the defendant Li Huihui has confessed to her fraud without denial, plaintiff's lawyer Lin Chuan, please state your demands."

Presiding Judge Feng Jianjun turned his head, making eye contact with Lin Chuan.

"My demand is to sentence Li Huihui to more than ten years in prison for fraud."

'Additionally.'

"Pay for the legal fees of our client, approximately twenty thousand yuan."

When mentioning the crucial point, Lin Chuan raised his voice.

When he took on this case, there were no legal fees. But now that he had won the case, it was a good opportunity to make some money. After all, it was a reasonable request.

"Pay for the legal fees of our hired lawyer?"

'I see.' Feng Jianjun rolled his eyes. Might as well just give you the money directly!

...

Ten minutes later, the judges tallied the amount involved in the case. Li Huihui had defrauded about one million two hundred thousand yuan in total.

"According to the evidence submitted by Lawyer Lin."

"Between 2018 and 2023, Li Huihui defrauded twelve matchmaking gentlemen, involving a total amount of one million two hundred thousand yuan."

"According to our country's fraud law."

"Any case involving an amount between one million and two million yuan."

"Shall be sentenced to more than ten years in prison."

"Considering that Li Huihui is a repeat offender with many victims."

'Therefore.'

"The Jingzhou People's Court sentences: Fraudster Li Huihui to fifteen years in prison and to pay Ma Ming twenty-five thousand yuan for hiring a lawyer."

...

Presiding Judge Feng Jianjun read out the verdict loudly. Scanning the audience below, there were no objections, and he prepared to adjourn the court. However, at this moment, Lin Chuan raised his hand again to indicate he had something to say.

"Presiding Judge, I would like to place an advertisement."

'What?'

"You want to place an advertisement in the solemn and sacred courtroom!" Feng Jianjun's face contorted.

'Is it illegal?'

Lin Chuan asked innocently.

"There's no law against it, but this behavior is immoral!" Feng Jianjun tapped the gavel.

"As long as it's not illegal, it's fine." Lin Chuan didn't care about morality. Now was the perfect opportunity to advertise for Mingjing Law Firm. He knew that among the live audience, there were many outstanding law students, and his law firm was about to be renovated and start recruiting. He couldn't waste such a good advertising opportunity!

"My Mingjing Law Firm is about to open. Everyone is welcome to consult us on legal matters."

'Additionally.'

"If there are outstanding law students who want to become lawyers, they are welcome to interview at our firm."