The Scheming Ex-Husband's Courtship-Chapter 669 - 580 Trial

Mu Rongchen asked: "Defendant, was giving birth to Jian Zheng merely a spur-of-the-moment decision?"

Jian Si lowered her eyes: "No."

Perhaps there was a period when she truly wanted to abandon all hope, but after careful consideration, she was clear-headed. This child was a gift from heaven, her most important solace after losing her parents.

"May I ask, was the defendant’s relationship with Jian Zheng’s father purely a transaction at that time?"

Jian Si glanced at Nan Zhan subconsciously and admitted in a low voice: "Yes."

Immediately, a wave of murmurs swept through the gallery. Except for Jian Chuan, the look in the eyes of those observing Jian Si shifted to mockery, disgust, and a pretentious sense of superiority.

Mu Rongchen continued to ask: "How much was the amount of the transaction?"

At this moment, Nan Zhan stood up and interrupted: "Your Honor, this question is irrelevant to the case."

Mu Rongchen: "No, I believe it is relevant and closely so. This pertains to whether Jian Zheng is merely a product of money and transaction."

The judge glanced at Helan Ying and after seeing her nod, said: "Defendant, please answer the prosecutor’s question."

Nan Zhan also looked at Helan Ying, his gaze sharp, while Helan Ying disregarded it.

Jian Si clenched her fists at her sides, striving to remain calm. Before the trial, Nan Zhan had prepped her that personal questions would definitely arise, and he would intervene, but the judge might show bias due to Helan Ying’s influence and that she should be mentally prepared.

Indeed, that was the case.

Jian Si took a deep breath and answered truthfully: "Fifty thousand."

The gallery buzzed again, clearly leaning towards one side. A child born from a bodily transaction, such a mother in the eyes of others was equated with filth, and naturally, her child shouldn’t live with her to avoid leading a good child astray. They only saw the surface, never delving deep into why a girl in the prime of youth would sell herself.

The judge struck his gavel: "Order, the prosecutor may continue questioning."

Mu Rongchen continued, "May I ask the defendant, after the incident with Jian Zheng’s father, did you engage in similar transactions with other men, and what was the price?"

Jian Si felt insulted and glared at him sternly: "No."

"Objection." Nan Zhan raised his objection again, his eyes icily confronting Mu Rongchen: "Your Honor, the prosecutor’s question borders on character assassination. Please halt his questioning."

The judge pondered for a moment, then said, "Prosecutor, be mindful of your words. You may continue questioning."

This apparent bias caused Nan Zhan to frown subconsciously. Having been a lawyer for so long, he had encountered such situations and could handle them calmly, but this time it involved Jian Si, and he felt a bit unsettled.

Mu Rongchen continued, "Defendant, what is your relationship with Jian Hedong?"

Upon mention of Jian Hedong, Jian Si felt a pang in her heart, and Jian Chuan in the gallery also looked somber. He knew these people would definitely make a big fuss over Jian Hedong. Such scum.

"Jian Hedong is my uncle."

Mu Rongchen turned to the bench: "I think it necessary to introduce the defendant’s uncle, Jian Hedong, whose corpse was thrown into a well, elevator, and wall, and the fourth victim was his son’s girlfriend."

The gallery erupted again.

The judge had to strike the gavel again to quiet the scene.

"The defendant Jian Si has lived with her uncle Jian Hedong since her parents’ death, being exposed to his depraved behavior over the years. Perhaps she hasn’t done anything crazy yet, but subconsciously, she might have accumulated a lot of violent tendencies. Allowing Jian Zheng to continue living with her could impact his mental wellbeing and pose a threat to his personal safety..."

"Objection." Nan Zhan looked at Jian Si’s visibly pale face: "The prosecutor is making subjective assumptions without any factual basis."

The judge said: "Objection sustained. Prosecutor, your questioning ends here."

"Yes, Your Honor." As Mu Rongchen returned to his seat, passing by Nan Zhan, he shot him a provocative cold smirk.

He didn’t need to do much; Jian Si’s past was the best weapon. Just a few words had already turned the jury.

He noticed two jury members, both in their thirties and clearly mothers, placing a high priority on children’s physical and mental health education. Upon learning of Jian Si’s disreputable past, their faces quite clearly displayed disdain.

"Defense attorney, your turn to question."

Nan Zhan got up and walked towards Jian Si, their gazes meeting in the air, her composure evidently restored.

Although Mu Rongchen’s words infuriated her, she reminded herself to endure,

because this was just the beginning.

Nan Zhan gave her an untraceable nod, then began his inquiry: "May I ask my client, the fifty thousand yuan obtained from the transaction you mentioned, where did it eventually go?"

Jian Si said, "It was used for my mother’s medical treatment."

"What illness does your mother have?"

Jian Si clenched the corner of her clothing, tears vaguely visible in her eyes: "We were once a happy family of three. A sudden car accident took my father’s life, my mother was severely injured while protecting me, and was sent to the ICU after reaching the hospital. The treatment costs were enormous, and I was still in high school, unable to afford them."

Nan Zhan nodded, "As I understand, your parents had a company that was well-managed."

"Yes, my parents indeed had a company, but after the accident when I went to the company, I found out that it had been devoured by others. Not only that, our family’s property had also been mortgaged, leaving me penniless. At that time, my uncle Jian Hedong, against his wife’s wishes, took out all his savings, but it still wasn’t enough to save my mom’s life. Out of sheer desperation, I made a transaction to get fifty thousand yuan."

"And your mother?"

"Unfortunately, those fifty thousand yuan couldn’t save her life. She still left me." Jian Si said, unable to control her tears.

At that moment, the spectators’ gallery suddenly quieted down. Those who looked down on Jian Si began to develop deep sympathy after hearing her ordeal, seeing her cry so pitifully, and ceased their gossip.

"Objection," Mu Rongchen stood up, "This story is unsubstantiated, completely intended to elicit everyone’s sympathy."

Nan Zhan looked at him, scoffed coldly: "Want to see the evidence? Sorry, there really is some."

Mu Rongchen frowned.

Some documents were handed to the judge and the jury.

Nan Zhan said, "These include the medical certificate and cost breakdown from the hospital that treated Jian Si’s mother, as well as the testimony of the attending doctor. Moreover, the evidence that Jian Si’s parents’ company was renamed is also included. Jian Si didn’t lie, nor did she seek sympathy; from the beginning to the end, she did not need sympathy."

Helan Ying and Mu Rongchen exchanged a glance, Mu Rongchen gestured for her to stay calm.

The judge said, "You may continue your questioning."

Nan Zhan turned to Jian Si, whose eyes were reddened, feeling a twinge in his heart. It must have been hard on her. If the event of those years were to be scrutinized, didn’t he have a role as well?

If he had checked on her when he woke up, perhaps he could have helped her. He could have found the best medical team, and maybe her mother didn’t have to die.

But all these were hypotheticals, because Nan Zhan knew he was not a philanthropist; even if he had known of her plight, he might not have helped. The thoughts he had now were solely because he had fallen for her and was desperately trying to make amends.

"Please continue answering my question, under what circumstances did you give birth to Jian Zheng?"

Jian Si sniffed, her voice hoarse: "When I first found out I was pregnant, I was young and my initial instinct was panic, wanting to escape and abort the child. But after calming down, I felt this child was a gift from heaven, that I must keep him. My morning sickness was severe, even drinking water would make me vomit. During that period, my weight dropped drastically, and the fetus was not well-nourished. I had to go to the hospital every day for injections, later there were signs of miscarriage, and I lay in bed for months, almost unable to care for myself. I slept and ate while keeping my head down, my arms were full of needle marks. My uncle advised me to give up, but I couldn’t because the baby’s heartbeat was so strong. Whenever I felt like giving up, I could always feel him kicking me forcefully, encouraging me. When my child was born, I nearly lost my life due to severe bleeding, but I have no regrets. Seeing him healthy and coming into this world, I feel any price paid was worth it."

Two female jurors who had given birth couldn’t help but think of their own pain during pregnancy and childbirth, suddenly feeling a sense of empathy.

"My son is very sensible. Although we aren’t wealthy, I will do my utmost to give him the best life possible. He is intelligent, healthy, understanding, and a truly wonderful child. I hope to live with him until he can stand on his own."

After Jian Si finished speaking, Nan Zhan was still dazed, realizing that she had never mentioned these occurrences to him before. She had suffered so much to give birth to Zhengzheng.

A tide of pity for her surged in his heart, making him silently watch her, forgetting he was still in the courtroom.

The judge knocked the gavel in his hand: "Defense counsel."

Nan Zhan suddenly came back to his senses, blinked gently at her, then turned and walked towards Helan Ying.

Mother and son exchanged a glance, irony flashing in Helan Ying’s eyes. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

She had raised him for so many years, just so that one day, when he was ready, they could confront each other in court. This really was hitting one’s own face.

"Plaintiff Ms. Helan Ying, may I ask, what is your ultimate goal in fighting for Zhengzheng’s custody?"