Chapter Five: The Finale - The Judgment of Justice
After the witness testimony session concluded, the final debate began. The prosecutor delivered a passionate speech, summarizing Gu Yanting's various crimes, emphasizing the sufficiency of the evidence and the credibility of the witness testimonies, and demanding that the court severely punish him according to the law.
Attorney Zhang made a last-ditch effort, attempting to find a breakthrough by examining the "flaws" in the evidence and the "subjectivity" of the witnesses. However, faced with overwhelming evidence, his defense appeared weak and ineffective.
Gu Yanting sat in the defendant's dock, his face ashen. He looked at Ah Yu, Zhong Hua, and Lin Wanqing—the three people he had once tried to control, suppress, and even destroy—who now stood on the side of justice, sending him into an abyss of no return. He remembered his ambition and ruthless methods along the way, his father's "teachings" from years ago, and all the people and things he had trampled underfoot. Only now did he truly realize that he was wrong, terribly wrong. But it was all too late.
The presiding judge adjourned the court.
An hour later, the court reconvened. Everyone held their breath, awaiting the final verdict.
The presiding judge picked up the verdict, his voice solemn and resounding: "...Defendant Gu Yanting is guilty of commercial fraud and sentenced to ten years imprisonment; guilty of malicious manipulation of the securities market and sentenced to eight years imprisonment; guilty of false accusation and sentenced to three years imprisonment; guilty of illegal detention and sentenced to five years imprisonment; guilty of kidnapping and sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment; guilty of intentional injury and sentenced to two years imprisonment... The sentences are to be served concurrently, resulting in a total sentence of twenty years imprisonment and a fine of RMB 50 million."
"Boom—" The entire courtroom seemed to erupt in chaos at the verdict. A twenty-year prison sentence, for Gu Yanting, who was nearly forty, almost meant he would spend the rest of his life in prison.
Gu Yanting slumped into his chair, his face ashen, his eyes staring blankly ahead, seemingly still reeling from the devastating blow. A bailiff stepped forward and handcuffed him. When the cold metal touched his wrists, he jerked violently, raised his head, and his gaze swept over Ah Yu, Zhong Hua, and Lin Wanqing one last time. Gone were the previous resentment and arrogance in his eyes; only endless regret and despair remained.
"Take him away," the bailiff's voice rang out.
Gu Yanting was escorted away from the courtroom, his back hunched, his former glory and majesty gone.
Inside the courtroom, Ah Yu, Zhong Hua, and Lin Wanqing exchanged glances, all seeing a sense of relief in each other's eyes. There were no cheers, no shouts, only a heavy silence. This long battle had finally ended in a victory for justice, but the price they paid and the scars left behind could not be healed in a short time.
"Court adjourned." The judge's voice fell, the gavel struck, and the courtroom battle came to an end.
Sunlight still streamed into the courtroom through the stained glass windows, but now it seemed brighter and warmer. Ah Yu, Zhong Hua, and Lin Wanqing walked out of the courthouse together. The world outside was sunny and the air was fresh. They knew that Gu Yanting's collapse didn't mean everything was over; the past wounds needed time to heal, and the future required them to face it together.
But at least for now, they stand in the sunlight, free and open. Justice may be delayed, but it has not been absent. And their story will turn a new page after this thrilling courtroom showdown.
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