CHAPTER 33:A SISTER'S TRIAL

The court was packed. Reporters jostled for space, cameras clicked endlessly, and whispers buzzed through the gallery like a swarm of bees. But Mei Xing walked in calmly, her chin lifted, her aura powerful. Today wasn't just about justice—it was about truth finally being given a voice.

Across the room, Mei Li sat beside her lawyer, looking unbothered in her expensive white suit, her face plastered with a smug smile. But behind the facade, Mei Xing could see the cracks forming—the panic just beneath the surface.

The judge called the session to order, and the trial of Mei Li Zhang versus Mei Xing Li officially began.

Zhao Chen and Kai sat behind Mei Xing, a quiet force of support. Her legal team had prepared meticulously—evidence files stacked high, timelines detailed, and witness lists ready.

The prosecution began with a clear narrative: Mei Xing's son, Jin Hao, was unlawfully taken and raised under false pretenses by Mei Li, aided by Zhang Wei. Documents proving Jin Hao's birth, his hospital records, and DNA test results were laid out for the court to see.

But the most powerful moment came when Jin Hao was brought in to testify.

The room fell silent as the boy stepped into the witness stand, looking nervous but brave. Mei Xing's heart thudded in her chest, but she gave him a reassuring nod.

"Do you know who your mother is?" the lawyer asked gently.

"Yes," Jin Hao said firmly. "It's Mei Xing. She's my real mama."

Gasps rippled through the courtroom. Mei Li's smile wavered.

The defense tried to discredit him, claiming he'd been brainwashed and manipulated. But when the surveillance footage from the rescue operation was played—Mei Li's men guarding him, Zhang Wei's threats, the child's isolation—there was no defending it.

And then came the final blow.

Lin Yu, Mei Li's former friend and accomplice, testified under oath. "Mei Li knew Jin Hao wasn't hers," she said clearly. "She planned to take him to secure her place in the family. She even threatened me to keep quiet."

Mei Li's face turned pale.

Her lawyer scrambled to recover, but the damage was done. The evidence was overwhelming, the witnesses credible, and the emotional impact undeniable.

As the session closed for the day, the judge made one final statement: "In light of today's evidence, the court is leaning toward a criminal indictment against Mei Li Zhang for child abduction and conspiracy. Formal charges will follow pending final review."

The courtroom erupted in murmurs.

Mei Xing stepped out into the crowd of reporters, her voice calm but resolute. "This isn't just my story—it's every mother's fight. And justice is finally catching up."

That night, news outlets exploded with headlines:

"Mei Li Faces Arrest in Child Abduction Scandal!"

"Jin Hao's Identity Confirmed: Mei Xing Victorious."

But for Mei Xing, it wasn't about headlines. It was about healing.

Yet, deep inside, she knew Mei Li still had one card left to play—and it wouldn't be pretty.