CHAPTER 262: CHAPTER 148 GENG JINGLU: HURRY AND INVITE ZHANG WEI! _3

That’s right. After the meeting ended, he sought out Chen Ming to confirm the details once more. Chen Ming’s gaze during the meeting had been incredibly strange. Ultimately, from Chen Ming himself, he learned of a terrifying sentence!

More than twenty years, but less than twenty-five! Under the principle of concurrent sentencing for multiple offenses, if the total theoretical sentence doesn’t exceed thirty-five years, the maximum penalty imposed is typically twenty years. This meant that the cumulative theoretical sentence for all his crimes had already surpassed thirty-five years!

Consider this: a life sentence effectively meant twenty-five years! His potential sentence was essentially the most severe one possible short of actual life imprisonment! Recalling Qin Mu’s "illustrious track record," which he had looked up on Baidu, Geng Jinglu had been scared senseless. He was adamant: he would not help Qin Mu set a new record.

"After repaying most of the assets, the total theoretical sentence has been reduced to below thirty-five years. With concurrent sentencing, it will likely be around twenty years." Chen Ming, being very responsible, had provided this precise estimate.

"Another twenty years?!" Geng Jinglu’s eyes widened in disbelief. Heaven knew how much money he had repaid during this period. He had practically returned all the money he had "earned" over the years, aside from some funds he had set aside for "retirement."

"President, there are simply too many charges," Chen Ming said with a wry smile. He then listed all of the more than ten economic crimes Geng Jinglu was suspected of. Being able to reduce the total theoretical sentence to below thirty-five years was, in fact, already an ideal outcome.

"Isn’t there any other way?" Geng Jinglu’s face was ashen as he slumped into his chair.

Chen Ming shook his head. "The special task force has already obtained all the necessary evidence. Our legal department can begin preparing for the lawsuit."

Once the evidence was secured, the next step would be prosecution by the public prosecutor’s office. Their bank had a comprehensive legal department that had, in Chen Ming’s experience, never lost a lawsuit. During his tenure heading the department, he had successfully prosecuted numerous defaulting clients and debt evaders. They almost invariably won their cases, without a single defeat.

However, this time their opponent was no ordinary entity. It was the prosecutor’s office, an agency of public prosecution. They were no longer the plaintiffs but had become the defendants. Furthermore, they weren’t fighting the economic or civil disputes they excelled at. Defeat seemed almost certain.

"I’ve heard... there’s a lawyer in Jin City who’s exceptionally good at getting sentence reductions." Geng Jinglu swallowed hard before making a suggestion. He wanted the bank’s legal department to collaborate with this lawyer to defend him. Procedural law, after all, allowed a defendant to hire up to two lawyers.

"Hiring another lawyer?" Chen Ming frowned upon hearing this, his expression clearly displeased. He felt Geng Jinglu was questioning his professional expertise. He had defended lawsuits for the bank for so many years, proving both his and the legal department’s capabilities! Yet, at this critical, do-or-die moment, Geng Jinglu actually distrusted him! He wanted to seek help from an outsider! This lawsuit was incredibly extensive and involved a tremendous sum of money; the legal fees alone would be astonishing! He certainly didn’t want to share such a lucrative case with anyone else!

Just then, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK— The office door sounded.

Three staff members from the prosecutor’s office entered, displayed their identification, and presented an arrest warrant.

"Geng Jinglu, correct? You are suspected of a series of economic crimes. Please come with us."

Without waiting for a response or caring if Geng Jinglu was willing, they moved forward and directly handcuffed him with a pair of silver cuffs.

As an investigative authority, the prosecutor’s office possessed the direct power of arrest. Arrest procedures initiated by public security organs ultimately required reporting to, and approval from, the prosecutor’s office before a suspect could be detained. When necessary, they could even bypass public security organs and arrest suspects directly.

Geng Jinglu was terrified, his face deathly pale, but he seemed to have resigned himself to his fate and offered no resistance.

This day... had finally arrived.

As he was being escorted from the president’s office, Geng Jinglu suddenly remembered something. He quickly turned to Chen Ming, a powerful will to survive flaring within him, and shouted, "Quick! Go hire that lawyer! His name is Zhang Wei!"

Chen Ming: "..."

「Two hours later.」

Zhang Wei Law Firm.

After considerable deliberation, Chen Ming decided to follow Geng Jinglu’s instructions and found his way to the firm. He then explained the reason for his visit to Lawyer Zhang Wei.

"Such a major... case?" Upon hearing Chen Ming’s explanation, Lawyer Zhang Wei sank into deep thought. A private bank being prosecuted by public authorities, involving a series of charges, and currently looking at a sentence of at least twenty years. The man sitting opposite him was the head of legal affairs for this private bank; his professional skills were undoubtedly high.

After a moment, Lawyer Zhang Wei voiced his question: "You have your own legal department, so why seek me out?"

Chen Ming’s mouth twitched, but he replied, "Our president specifically requested that you co-defend with us."

On the way over, Chen Ming had carefully researched Lawyer Zhang Wei’s past defense record. He wouldn’t have known if he hadn’t looked, but the findings were startling. The sheer number of cases Lawyer Zhang Wei had handled was immense. In the most famous "sue the entire internet" case, he alone had represented over nine hundred clients! His expertise in securing criminal sentence reductions was, without a doubt, exceptionally impressive.

"Our legal department has primarily handled civil and economic litigation in the past; we have seldom dealt with criminal proceedings. We would like to request your cooperation in this defense." Chen Ming paused briefly before continuing, "As for the legal fees, we will adhere to the highest standards in Jin City."

Lawyer Zhang Wei regarded him intently, not rushing to a decision. This case... was indeed exceedingly complex. A private bank, currently under investigation by the Financial Regulatory Authority, with the prosecutor’s office already involved. Lawsuits would be filed imminently, bringing the matter to court.