Attorney Zhang stood up again: "Your Honor, the witness's statement about the 'kidnapper's confession' is a verbal statement and cannot be used as a basis for conviction in the absence of other direct evidence. Moreover, the witness has a close relationship with Ms. Zhong Hua, which shows obvious bias, and the credibility of his testimony is questionable."
Ah Yu suddenly looked at Attorney Zhang, then turned to Gu Yanting, her long-suppressed anger finally becoming uncontrollable: "Bias? Gu Yanting, for his own selfish gain, will stop at nothing and disregard human life! He not only persecuted me and Zhong Hua, but also Lin Wanqing! He used Lin Wanqing's background to manipulate her, threaten her, and even..."
"Objection! Witness, please note that your testimony must focus on the charges against you and avoid irrelevant statements." The judge tapped his gavel.
Ah Yu took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his anger: "I'm sorry, Your Honor. I just want to say that Gu Yanting is a person who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. His crimes are countless, and what I experienced was only the tip of the iceberg." His gaze met Gu Yanting's again, this time not with anger, but with a cold, all-knowing understanding: "Good and evil will be rewarded in the end. Gu Yanting, what you are suffering today is what you deserve."
Gu Yanting finally couldn't hold back any longer. The smile on his lips vanished, and his eyes fixed on Ah Yu with a sinister glint, as if he wanted to pierce through him with his gaze. But he didn't speak. Only at Lawyer Zhang's prompting did he revert to his indifferent demeanor.
Chapter Three: Zhong Hua: Documents and Truth
"Summon witness Zhong Hua to court."
Zhong Hua stood up. She was dressed in a simple black business suit, her hair tied in a ponytail, and her face was lightly made up, yet she appeared unusually calm and resolute. As a journalist, she was used to maintaining objectivity in all situations, but at this moment, her heart couldn't help but race. She knew that the "old document" in her hand might be the key to permanently shaming Gu Yanting.
After the oath was taken, the prosecutor asked, "Ms. Zhong Hua, you are an investigative journalist. Please state your connection to this case and the evidence you have."
Zhong Hua nodded, his voice clear and steady: "I met A Yu and Lin Wanqing because of a series of public opinion events manipulated by Gu Yanting. I myself suffered severe cyberbullying, which greatly affected my work and life. Later, I discovered that behind this cyberbullying was Gu Yanting instructing online trolls and media to carry out malicious hype."
She paused, then took out a yellowed document from her folder: "But more importantly, during the investigation, I unexpectedly discovered an old document related to the 'Lin family old house fire' many years ago. This document is a draft of the preliminary investigation report of the fire accident that year, with some marks of erasure and modification, as well as a shocking signature—Gu Yanting's father, the project leader at the time."
A slight commotion arose in the courtroom. Gu Yanting's expression changed noticeably for the first time. He looked up abruptly, staring intently at the documents in Zhong Hua's hand, his eyes filled with disbelief and a hint of panic.
"Objection!" Attorney Zhang's voice was tinged with urgency. "Your Honor, the source of this so-called 'old document' is unknown, its authenticity is questionable, and it has no direct connection to the charges in this case!"
“Your Honor,” the prosecutor stepped forward, “this document may seem unrelated to the current charges, but it reveals potential historical issues within the Gu Yanting family, which could very well be one of the motives behind Gu Yanting’s subsequent series of crimes—to cover up past secrets and maintain the family’s ‘honor.’ Furthermore, we have evidence that after learning of the document’s existence, Gu Yanting attempted to send people to seize it and threatened Ms. Zhong Hua.”
The presiding judge pondered for a moment and gestured for Zhong Hua to continue: "Ms. Zhong Hua, please explain in detail the contents of this document and its connection with Gu Yanting."
Zhong Hua unfolded the document and held it up towards the judge's bench: "This draft report originally recorded suspicious traces of arson at the fire scene, but this part was deliberately redacted. More importantly, on the appendix of the report, there is a procurement list of materials at the time, which includes an unusual purchase record for 'special materials,' and the signatory is none other than the young Gu Yanting. Combined with the fact that after the fire at the Lin family's old house, the Gu family took the opportunity to acquire some of the Lin family's properties at a low price, this inevitably raises suspicions that the fire was not an accident."
Her gaze shifted to Gu Yanting, her voice icy as she questioned, "Gu Yanting, have you been meticulously pursuing Lin Wanqing? Is it truly just because of 'love'? Or is it because she is the sole survivor of the Lin family, and you fear she will discover the truth of what happened back then? You manipulated her, used her, and even dragged her into various conspiracies when she tried to escape your control. Is all of this stemming from your fear of that fire back then?"
Gu Yanting's chest heaved violently. He abruptly stood up from his chair, pointed at Zhong Hua, and his voice was distorted with anger: "You're talking nonsense! You made this all up! You think you can frame my father and me with an old document of dubious origin? Zhong Hua, you're only helping them frame me because Ah Yu likes you! You're a pathetic and hateful woman!"
"Gu Yanting!" the presiding judge shouted sternly, "Maintain order in the courtroom! Those in the defendant's dock, sit down!"
At the bailiff's signal, Gu Yanting reluctantly sat down, but his eyes were still fiercely glaring at Zhong Hua, as if he wanted to devour her alive.
Zhong Hua was not intimidated by his imposing manner and continued, "Your Honor, I know this document may not be enough to directly prove that the fire back then was arson, but it at least proves that Gu Yanting had an unknown connection with the incident. And the series of threats and kidnappings that Gu Yanting took to cover up this document precisely demonstrate his guilty conscience. In addition, I also have a recording here."
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