CHAPTER 95: HEAT ON THE COURT ROOM

Zhao Yiming sat on the farthest bench at the back of the courtroom, slouched low with a baseball cap pulled down to his eyebrows and a black mask covering half his face.

He wasn’t stupid. If Golden Earth spotted him here, they’d start poking around again—and this time, they might do more than stalk old people and destroy the stores in Lianwu Street.

But he wasn’t going to miss this. Not when Madam He almost died.

Not when the bastard who caused it was seated stiffly beside his visibly agitated defense attorney. His head was bandaged slightly, still healing from a recent outburst with Boss Chi.

He looked smaller than Zhao remembered, no longer the smug enforcer who once terrorized tenants.

The judge, a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and a perfectly stiff bob cut banged her gavel. "The court is now in session. Defendant Ma San is being charged for attempted assault resulting in grievous injury."

Ma San’s lawyer stood up, some cheap-suited sleazeball with a voice like syrup. "Your Honor, my client maintains this was a tragic accident."

"There is no direct evidence that he caused Madam He’s fall. The CCTV footage does not capture the moment of sabotage."

"Bullshit," Zhao Yiming murmured, arm crossed.

Lin Xian stood slowly, adjusting the cuffs of his black tailored suit. The man looked like he walked out of a lawyer drama and into real life. Cold, calculating, with eyes so sharp they could probably slice open bank vaults.

"If I may, Your Honor," Lin Xian said, "while the CCTV does not directly show Ma San placing an object, it does capture him on the scene. Please refer to Exhibit A."

The screen lit up and grainy footage video started to start. Everyone could see a man with a black hoodie, confirmed as Ma San, walking up the pedestrian bridge. The timestamp was two hours before Madam He fell.

Then, stopped at one of the steps, bent down—clearly doing something—but his hand and the step were blocked by the railing.

Zhao Yiming squinted.

He remembered watching that frame by frame with Officer Han and almost punching the monitor.

You sneaky rat.

"Now, Exhibit B," Lin Xian continued.

A new video popped up. Ma San again on a different day. Following Madam He, just far enough not to be obvious. With the same hoodie and keep the distance from her.

He almost in every video of Madam He shopping or going to spa. As if trying to note all the old woman’s behavior.

Mr. Wu who was sitting beside Lin Xian looked shocked and angry. His face turned red and looking at Ma San as if wanted to slit his throat.

"And Exhibit C. This CCTV is shown post-incident. Ma San returns to the overpass hours after Madam He is confirmed hospitalized. In the same spot, he pointers around and then leaves."

The courtroom murmured.

Ma San’s lawyer looked nervous now. "All circumstantial. The footage never shows him placing an object. For all we know, he could’ve been tying his shoes."

"Conveniently tying his shoes in the same spot she fell?" Lin Xian arched a brow. "Multiple times?"

Ma San’s lawyer was lost for words.

The judge furrowed her brows. "You claim the accused tampered with the steps?"

"We believe so. But that alone may not be enough. Which is why Madam He Lianhua will give a statement." Lin Xian nodded.

Mr. Wu then pushed Madam He wheelchair to the witness stand.

"Can you recount the day of your injury?" Lin Xian asked.

She nodded. "It was early. I was heading to the market like always."

"I remember... it was quiet. But I felt like someone was following me, it wasn’t the first time because, for a few days, I kept seeing the same man..."

’I didn’t recognize him, but he’d always disappear when I turned around. That day, when I walked the stairs... something felt off. The middle step wobbled under me. Then, everything went black."

Lin Xian asked, "Do you recognize the man who followed you?"

Madam He turned her head. Her eyes locked on Ma San.

"It was him." she said, "Even when he wears a hoodie, I once see his reflection in the mirror, and since that man is the same man that threatened my husband to sell our land and shop... It all makes sense for me."

Ma San’s face turned pale.

The judge leaned forward. "Do you wish to cross-examine?" he asked Ma San’s lawyer.

However, Ma San stood up suddenly. His face was pale, he knew if he didn’t end this now, he would be buried alive by Boss Chi. The more the court goes, the more the truth will be found.

"I did it!" he barked.

The room froze, everyone looking at him with surprise and Zhao Yiming with a frown.

After all, the court would be over if he just acknowledged everything and the truth about Golden Earth would never come to light.

"I put the stone there, okay?!" Ma San snapped.

"That old hag deserved it. Her husband looked at me like trash for years" he glared at Mr. Wu, "Yes, I know you and your wife long before this happened!"

"But then I got a job to persuade them to sell their land and store! And I know that was the right time to get revenge!"

Zhao Yiming leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing with suspicion. He didn’t know what kind of twisted past Ma San thought he had with the old couple. But whatever excuse he gave, Zhao could tell it was bullshit.

After all, he had the video.

The one where they confessed everything... but unfortunately, it couldn’t be used in court.

’Damn it, Han Queying should’ve just registered that damn video as evidence,’ he cursed inwardly, jaw tightening.

Moreover, Ma San was good at licking boots, but when it came to taking the fall, he made sure the boots stayed clean. Even if it meant dragging himself through the mud.

The judge tapped her gavel once. "You are admitting guilt, Mr. Ma San?"

"Yeah! I did it myself! For revenge! That’s all."

Mr. Wu, sitting beside Madam He, clenched his fists. The old man looked like he was about to leap out of his chair and clock Ma San across the face. Madam He grabbed his sleeve gently.

Han Queying stood, calm but intense. "Your Honor, while Mr. Ma San claims personal motive, we must acknowledge that he works under the corporation."

"And that the incident conveniently lines up with several known attempts by the same corporation to pressure Lianwu Street tenants."

"That’s speculation," Ma San’s lawyer barked. "There is no direct link in this case."

The judge scribbled something on her notes.

Lin Xian didn’t even blink. "We have transaction records showing payments made to Ma San around the dates of the incident. "

"It was in large sums. From an unregistered account previously linked to shell companies under Golden Earth."

The courtroom buzzed louder.

Ma San’s face turned white, this time he was really fucked up. Even with no confession, they had him.

Zhao Yiming folded his arms. ’Yeah, keep pretending it was just revenge, scumbag.’

’Let’s see you explain the bonus payments.’

The judge cleared her throat. "The court finds sufficient evidence to proceed to final ruling. Mr. Ma San, you will be held in custody pending sentencing. Investigation into possible connections with Golden Earth will continue. The court is adjourned."

Gavel slammed.

Zhao Yiming stood slowly, heart still beating hard.

One step closer.

And Golden Earth had one less dog to hide behind.

***

Later that evening, the neon lights of a lowkey upscale bar flickered outside as Han Queying, Zhao Yiming, and Lin Xian sat tucked into a dim booth near the corner.

The old couple had already gone home, exhausted from the emotional weight of the trial. Mr. Wu looked like he was ready to collapse the moment they stepped out of court, and Madam He was practically almost fainted with nervousness.

Zhao Yiming made sure they got into a taxi safely before turning back and dragging his ass to this place with the other two.

He took off his mask and hat finally, slouching into the velvet seat as he sighed. "Heavens... That courtroom was more nerve-wracking than fighting thugs in a back alley."

Han Queying laughed dryly, twirling a glass of strong baijiu in her fingers. "You weren’t even the one talking most of the time."

"Exactly! That’s why it’s more nerve-wracking!" he groaned. "I had to sit still and shut up."

Lin Xian didn’t say much, sipping a dark cocktail that looked suspiciously expensive.

Zhao Yiming was also stunned at first since the lawyer from the system could act so humanly like this. Eating, drinking, laughing, and many more activities as if he were just a human being.

"A win is a win. But this isn’t over yet." Lin Xian said.

He raised a brow. "You mean because Ma San didn’t spill anything about Golden Earth?"

"Exactly, they’re still hiding behind that ’grudge’ excuse. Even if everyone and their grandpa know Golden Earth was involved, it’s not on paper. Not yet."

Queying leaned forward, slamming her glass on the table. "Right... Especially Golden Earth has many connections with the government and officers. I’m sure they will do something even more horrible to stop us."

Zhao Yiming tapped his fingers on the table, knowing that Han Queying was right... They would definitely try to stop this lawsuit and even went to drastic measures.

"We need to protect Mr. Wu and Madam He."