Me! A disgraced celebrity! Starting by seeking justice for impoverished students.

Meanwhile, in the lounge.

Zhang Zhengyang took off his glasses and gently wiped the lenses with a soft cloth.

Liu Min sat opposite him, flipping through the case files on the table with a calm expression.

Zhao Qihang stood by the window, his hands in his pockets.

"Zhang Ting, this case..."

Zhao Qihang turned around.

"My opinion is that the plaintiff's claims should be fully adopted."

Zhang Zhengyang didn't look up and continued wiping his glasses.

"reason."

Zhao Qihang walked back to the table and picked up the bank statement document.

"The chain of evidence is complete, from spending records to report cards, from student testimonies to bank statements, every link is connected."

"The plaintiff's lawyer's investigative capabilities exceeded my expectations!"

The fact that the plaintiff was able to produce so much evidence shows that they made a lot of effort.

Liu Min nodded.

"I agree. And the plaintiff's lawyer performed exceptionally well in court!"

She paused, recalling Jiang Chen's performance in court.

"Every legal provision he cited was accurate, and his responses to every question raised by the defendant's lawyer were just right."

"He presented the evidence in a logically rigorous and progressive manner, moving from individual cases to general principles and from the personal to the systemic."

"This is not the level of skill a rookie lawyer should have!"

Zhao Qihang added, "There's also his statement on values: impoverished students also have the right to live a normal life."

"This statement is not merely a legal argument, but also an expression of social values!"

"The court should not only determine right and wrong, but also convey correct values!"

Zhang Zhengyang cleaned his glasses and put them back on.

His gaze swept over his two colleagues, and he smiled faintly, a hint of approval in his eyes.

"There's one more thing."

He said with a smile.

"Those 127 student testimonies are not something that can be collected in a day or two."

"The plaintiff's lawyer has barely had a break since taking on this case."

He opened the case file and his gaze fell on Jiang Chen's name.

"He's not fighting a lawsuit; he's seeking justice for those students."

"People like this deserve our respect."

The other two nodded in agreement with what he said.

Zhang Zhengyang closed the case file and stood up.

"Then it's settled."

"Finally, let's hear both sides' statements. If there aren't any major changes, then we'll proceed with the established sentencing standards!"

"..."

Inside the courtroom.

After deliberation, the three judges returned to their seats.

"Thump!"

The gavel fell, and the courtroom fell silent instantly.

Zhang Zhengyang's gaze swept across the entire room, his expression serious.

"Now, let's proceed with the final statements from both sides!"

"First, please allow the defendant's representative to make a final statement."

Fang Yuan slowly stood up.

His movements were slow, as if all his strength had been drained.

He glanced at the three people in the dock and sighed silently.

Those in the spectator stands also turned their attention to him, their eyes filled with curiosity.

They were curious to know what else Fang Yuan could say.

Fang Yuan looked at the presiding judge.

"Presiding Judge, Judges."

His voice was hoarse and filled with helplessness.

"We have no further comments."

"The defendant is willing to bear the corresponding legal responsibility and return all the funds involved!"

"We hope the court will take into account the defendant's cooperative attitude and impose a lenient sentence."

After Fang Yuan finished speaking, he bowed deeply and sat down.

Upon hearing this, the live stream chat exploded!

No further comments? Is this an admission of defeat?

[They've definitely given up; I don't see even a sliver of hope of winning!]

They're willing to refund? Why didn't they do that sooner! Now they know to refund?

[Lighter punishment? Dream on! Embezzling three million and expecting leniency?]

Fang Yuan is making a last-ditch effort; he'll try to get away with it for as long as possible, even if it means being a year younger!

But I think it's useless; the presiding judge already knows what's going on.

Justice will prevail!

The presiding judge nodded and turned his gaze to the defendant's dock.

"Does the defendant have any final statement?"

Zhou Haibo stood up shakily, his voice broken and intermittent.

"I...I plead guilty, I'm willing to return the money, I beg the court...to give me a lenient sentence!"

Han Zhengming stood up, his lips trembling: "I have no objections and am willing to take responsibility."

Chen Yongchang was the last to stand up.

He glanced at the plaintiff's seat, his gaze settling on Jiang Chen.

"I have no objection and am willing to take responsibility."

"However, I hope the court will deliver a fair verdict!"

In his view, their loss was not due to Fang Yuan's lack of ability.

Instead, Jiang Chen was trying to curry favor with the presiding judge.

If the judges were fair and impartial, they might not have received the harshest punishment.

Lin Xuyang sat in the plaintiff's seat, turned his head to the side, and asked Jiang Chen in a low voice.

"Attorney Jiang... is it really possible for them to get their sentences reduced?"

Jiang Chen's lips curled up slightly, and he let out a cold laugh.

"Reduce sentence? Impossible."

"but……"

He paused, his gaze falling on the judge's bench.

"If he wants fairness... then that's fine."

Lin Xuyang paused for a moment, then nodded.

The judge's gaze fell on Jiang Chen.

"Finally, please have the plaintiff's representative make a final statement."

Jiang Chen stood up.

"Presiding Judge, Judges."

His voice wasn't loud, but every word was firm and resonant.

"This case has been ongoing for seven full days, from its filing to today!"

"During these seven days, I witnessed the helpless tears of a poor student after his scholarship was taken away."

"I saw the haggard look on a sister's face, from running around for her brother and not sleeping all night."

"I witnessed the school using the guise of isolation and calm to lock up an 18-year-old for nearly twelve hours!"

"I saw that the counselor, dean, and principal embezzled over three million yuan of national student aid funds over three years!"

"I also saw 127 student testimonies! Those children who were bullied, oppressed, and deprived of fair opportunities dared not speak out, dared not sue, dared not resist!"

Jiang Chen's voice grew louder and louder.

The defendants in the dock lowered their heads further and further.

"Therefore, I request the court to impose a severe sentence!"

"It's not for punishment, it's for deterrence!"

"To make it clear to everyone who tries to embezzle national student aid funds that they will be caught!"

"To let every impoverished student know that the country will not abandon them and that the law will protect them!"

"To make this society believe in fairness and justice, it's not just a slogan, it's the sunshine that falls on everyone!"

After Jiang Chen finished speaking, he bowed slightly.

"This concludes the plaintiff's final statement."

The courtroom was silent for a few seconds.

Then, thunderous applause erupted from the gallery.

The official live stream chat was flooded with comments again:

Well said! Strict measures must be taken! They cannot be let off lightly!

[Those students who dare not speak out must be severely punished!]

Jiang Chen's words brought me to tears.

This is the essence of being a lawyer!

Regardless of the verdict, Jiang Chen has already won big!