Love You Till the End Chapter 1189 - 1187: Shi Mei vs. Shi Keke (34)

The court hearing was scheduled for half-past four in the afternoon. Just ten minutes prior to its commencement, the involved parties began to arrive, including the plaintiff, Zhang E, accompanied by her husband, Qian Hao.

Qian Hao exuded an air of smugness, showing little regard for the judge or the jury. He observed the unfolding situation like a spectator at a play, chuckling with excessive confidence, seemingly certain of his impending victory in the lawsuit.

Shi Keke was not taken aback by his demeanor, as Qian Hao's defense counsel was renowned as an elite in the legal profession, boasting a decade of practice and a formidable record of wins.

Nevertheless, this lawyer's reputation was sullied by a profound lack of professional ethics. He was known for frequently exploiting legal loopholes to secure acquittals for criminals, readily clearing charges for any client who offered substantial compensation, regardless of the means employed.

The lawyer's name was Chen Shijin, a thirty-four-year-old man of moderate stature and build, possessing a handsome face marred by the pair of glasses perched on his nose.

Shi Keke harbored a strong aversion to men who were nearsighted, always harboring the suspicion that such a condition in a man stemmed from a lecherous nature.

She conceded this might be a prejudice, yet she quickly rescinded that thought, believing Chen Shijin exemplified the very type – outwardly appearing gentle and courteous, but inwardly a cunning old fox.

He often used professional discussions as a pretext to make unwelcome advances toward female colleagues. Given his standing in the legal community and the extensive network he had cultivated through questionable methods, many female associates chose to endure his transgressions silently, preserving their peace.

This society operates on stark realism; to thrive, one must master the art of navigating social dynamics by observing others' expressions.

Upon Shi Keke's entrance into the courtroom, Chen Shijin promptly approached her with a cordial demeanor, extending his hand. "Lawyer Shi, it has been quite some time. I am honored to face you as an opponent today, and I sincerely hope you will go easy on me."

Although Shi Keke had not practiced law for as long as Chen Shijin, her accumulated experience rivaled his own. She held the unique distinction in the industry of never having lost a single case. Consequently, even Chen Shijin felt compelled to address her with respect, referring to her as "Lawyer".

While his tone was undeniably amiable, an unspoken warning was subtly conveyed, urging Shi Keke to exercise caution.

Naturally, Shi Keke perceived the underlying implication, as this was hardly her first encounter with Chen Shijin.

The two had previously faced off in court on three occasions. Shi Keke had secured a narrow victory once, while the other two instances resulted in draws. In those draws, Chen Shijin, recognizing he was outmaneuvered, had brokered settlements between the involved parties during recess, thus averting a definitive loss.

Shi Keke was acutely aware that Chen Shijin posed a formidable challenge. Indeed, he was arguably the most formidable adversary she had ever encountered.

Prior to the trial, she had been unaware that Qian Hao's legal representative was Chen Shijin. Nor had she anticipated he would enlist Chen's services, which led to her own oversight. She had been careless, neglecting to review cases previously handled by Chen Shijin.

As the adage wisely states, 'Know your enemy and know yourself, and you shall win a hundred battles without defeat.' However, this time, her preparation had been insufficient, compelling her to engage in a fight without full knowledge.

She could neither predict nor control the ultimate outcome of victory or defeat. Yet, what remained within her power was to dedicate her absolute best effort to this lawsuit, striving fervently to secure justice for her client.