WMSR — QT Chapter 82

 

Chapter 82: The Caged White Moonlight

Xu Jiangzhe's outburst was abrupt, but Fang Ruoming's extensive detail of security personnel was hardly incompetent. They immediately stepped forward to block his advance, and the momentary chaos instantly drew the attention of nearby bailiffs, who interceded on the spot and issued a stern warning.

Left with no alternative, no matter how unwilling he felt, Xu Jiangzhe had no choice but to retreat to the defendants' bench.

Yet, even after returning to his seat, his gaze never drifted away from Bai Yichen for a single second. In stark contrast to his unblinking fixation, however, Bai Yichen did not spare him so much as a fleeting glance from start to finish.

Witnessing Bai Yichen's absolute indifference, a flicker of flustered embarrassment cracked across Xu Jiangzhe's usually composed, self-possessed expression. He knew that back when Ziqian yielded to his every whim and desire, it was solely because Ziqian had zero alternatives and could only depend on him. In the past, Xu Jiangzhe had occasionally pondered what might transpire if Ziqian ever gained the agency to choose freely, but he had always dismissed such thoughts as an impossible hypothetical. Yet now, the day had arrived where Ziqian had truly broken free from his cage—and exhibited zero lingering attachment toward him. Xu Jiangzhe realized with rising dread just how deeply panicked he was, utterly incapable of maintaining his self-proclaimed composure.

Ever since stepping into the courtroom, Bai Yichen had remained exceptionally serene and composed. Even the appearance of the Xu couple failed to trigger a single ripple in his expression. To him, far too much time in this world had already been squandered on this family; now that he had successfully severed ties with them, there was zero reason to remain entangled in their web. His sole priority was to reclaim what rightfully belonged to him and ensure they faced their due punishment, refusing to waste another drop of emotional energy on them.

In sharp contrast to Bai Yichen's tranquil demeanor, Xu Weihai and Liu Ling held their heads high with inflated bravado, radiating an air of supreme confidence—so much so that an outside observer might easily mistake them for the plaintiffs and Bai Yichen for the defendant.

However, this was a court of law, a venue governed strictly by hard evidence, where triumph was determined by facts rather than righteous posturing. As the trial officially commenced, Bai Yichen's legal team presented item after item of overwhelming evidence. Cold sweat began trickling down the foreheads of the previously imposing Xu couple. Even though they had come thoroughly prepared, the opposing side's evidentiary arsenal was exponentially more robust—and terrifyingly, certain pieces of documentation had been meticulously gathered years in advance. Back then, Bai Ziqian was still locked within the Xu estate, devoid of a single channel of outside contact.

Gazing at the figure standing beside Bai Ziqian at the plaintiff's bench, Xu Weihai's cheek twitched uncontrollably. He had never anticipated that the insignificant brat he had once dismissed—the kid he thought he had thrown away 1.5 million yuan on out of temporary pity, assuming it was money fed to a stray dog—had actually grown into a ravenous wolf capable of sinking its fangs deep into his neck.

Had he known back then that this child would become his ruin, he would have never permitted a single cent of that 1.5 million yuan to be spent on him.

Yet, no matter how bitter or regretful Xu Weihai felt, the wheel of time could not be rewound. As the opposing counsel engaged in sharp, back-and-forth arguments while submitting wave after wave of physical evidence, the trial gradually drew to its climax.

Because the prosecution assembled by Bai Yichen and Fang Ruoming was utterly airtight, no amount of sophisticated sophistry from the defense could sway the presiding judge's verdict. Ultimately, faced with undeniable, irrefutable proof, the court ruled decisively in favor of Bai Yichen.

Regarding the three defendants—Xu Weihai, Liu Ling, and Xu Jiangzhe:

As the legal guardian, Xu Weihai unlawfully embezzled massive quantities of assets belonging to his ward. Given the colossal monetary valuation, his actions constituted unlawful embezzlement, fully validating the charges brought by the public prosecution. Furthermore, during his tenure as guardian, he systematically deprived the ward of his personal liberty over a prolonged duration, inflicting severe physical and psychological damages. His actions constituted unlawful detention, fully validating the prosecution's charges. Due to the astronomical sum embezzled and the prolonged duration of the severe confinement, the offense was classified as exceptionally egregious. This court hereby sentences him to twelve years and six months of fixed-term imprisonment, with a mandatory order to restitute all illegally misappropriated assets in full.

Liu Ling conspired with her husband, Xu Weihai, to execute the unlawful detention of the plaintiff, and maintained full awareness of Xu Weihai's illegal infringement upon the ward's assets, as evidenced by her verified signatures across the plaintiff's documentation. She is judged as an accomplice and sentenced to six years of fixed-term imprisonment.

Xu Jiangzhe, being a minor at the initial onset of the crime, and subsequently demonstrated through evidence to have participated in the unlawful detention of the plaintiff after reaching legal adulthood, is granted leniency due to minor circumstances. He is sentenced to six months of criminal detention, with a two-year probation.

If unsatisfied with this judgment, an appeal may be lodged within ten days from the day following receipt of this verdict.

Upon hearing the judge pronounce the sentences, the Xu couple—who had barely managed to preserve their dignified facade—staggered, nearly collapsing onto the floorboards. Twelve years, six years... how was this possible?! The pair shrieked in unison: "I object! We will appeal!"

The judge reiterated in an ice-cold, impassive register: "Please lodge your appeal within ten days starting from the day following receipt of this written judgment."

Reeling from the crushing shock of the sentences, the Xu couple suffered an immediate mental breakdown. Xu Jiangzhe was equally shaken by the severe prison terms handed to his parents and rushed to support them, momentarily distracted. By the time he regained his composure and turned back around, he discovered that Bai Yichen had already departed from the plaintiff's bench.

Xu Jiangzhe's face turned instantly pale. Leaving his parents in the care of his assistants, he bolted straight out of the courtroom in pursuit. However, upon bursting outside, he discovered an enormous "surprise" waiting for him.

Outside the courthouse, a dense pack of journalists had gathered out of nowhere. The moment a figure emerged, they immediately pointed a barrage of cameras and long lenses straight at him. Several reporters recognized him on the spot, swiftly thrusting their microphones in front of his face and pressing: "Mr. Xu, are the rumors regarding the Baixu Group true? Did your father, Mr. Xu Weihai, genuinely execute the unlawful detention of the late Baixu Group chairman's sole heir?"

Before Xu Jiangzhe could process the assault, another journalist shoved forward, extending a microphone as far as possible: "Mr. Xu, when your father adopted Mr. Bai Ziqian, the sole heir of the former Baixu Group chairman, did he harbor malicious ulterior motives from the start? Is it true that Mr. Bai Ziqian is suing Mr. Xu Weihai for leveraging his guardianship to carry out unlawful asset embezzlement?"

"Mr. Xu..."

"Mr. Xu..."

The relentless barrage of probing questions echoed continuously without giving him a moment to catch his breath. Xu Jiangzhe was utterly baffled as to where these media outlets had materialized from. Reason dictated that they weren't public celebrities—merely executives of a locally prominent enterprise—and shouldn't command such explosive media coverage. Furthermore, his parents had taken strict confidentiality measures to ensure a low-profile arrival. How on earth did these journalists seem to possess insider knowledge deeper than anyone else?