Bella felt a big misunderstanding but didn’t know how to explain it. Smiling, she pondered her words.
Lawyer Jerry Hogarth didn’t know what to make of her smile but suddenly waved her hand in understanding, “OK, I get it. You don’t need to explain this to me. We have the same goal.”
She was also feeling a bit amazed.
She thought she was ruthless in her tactics, only going as far as bribing witnesses, but today, this seemingly harmless Bella taught her a lesson. Bribing witnesses was nothing; we could directly threaten the opposing lawyer!
The enemy lawyer defecting in court was frightening, even to imagine!
Jerry Hogarth wished all other lawyers would disappear, leaving her the last one standing.
She reminded herself not to be soft-hearted. If a high school student could do it, so could she! She needed to lower her standards even more.
Seeing the lawyer’s enlightened expression, Bella was puzzled. What do you understand? I haven’t said anything yet!
Returning home, Bella felt she might have gone too far today. Should she reduce the effects of her spell, which she named the ‘Enchantment Technique’, by half next time?
Three days later, the court reconvened.
This time, the defense had changed their lawyer to an experienced one.
Jerry Hogarth’s heart sank. She recognized the older lawyer; he was a former law professor who had taught her and now ran his successful law firm.
The professor’s resolve and willpower were greater than those of younger lawyers. Still, even he quickly succumbed to the psychic-boosted Enchantment Technique, ending up speaking a lot of nonsense to Bella.
The questions were sharper than last time but essentially asked, “It’s great that you, young lady, have thoughts about social engagement. It’s very free, very American. But we at Stark Industries have it tough, too. It’s not that we intentionally withhold pensions.”
Or, “This is a societal issue; Stark Industries can’t be blamed for everything. If you like, I know some Republican senators. Next time we meet, I can bring you to talk to them about these issues.”
??? The defense client was confused. Is this defense or surrender?!
He had to stand up again to interrupt his lawyer: “Your Honor! I object!”
He used all his strength, his voice booming defiantly in the not-so-large courtroom.
The bearded judge, who had donned reading glasses for today’s session, carefully examined the defense client and lawyer, wondering if they were old friends in disguise trying to prank him.
Shaking his head, he realized they were not his old friends; these two were just playing around!
If the defense has surrendered, is there still a need to proceed with the trial? He turned to the jury.
The jurors were also baffled, never having seen such a harmonious court session. Could it be true that Tony Stark was foolishly generous with his money? Maybe he didn’t care about the compensation.
We don’t understand the world of the wealthy!
As the jury seemed about to speak, the defense client, sweaty and desperate, disregarded court decorum and dashed forward, pulling back the old lawyer about to write a University of Pennsylvania recommendation letter for Bella on the spot.
This sudden move by Jerry Hogarth wouldn’t be missed again as it was too hasty and unprepared three days ago.
She stood up immediately: “Your Honor! The defense client is disrespecting the court order. I demand he be removed!”
The bearded judge almost choked, “Sit down! Make another disturbance, and I’ll have you removed!” He signaled for the trial to continue.
Although the judge was inclined, the defense client steadily retreated under Miss Hogarth’s questioning.
The trials are usually a two-on-two affair, each side’s client against the other’s lawyer, a battle of who’s more flawed.
Now, the assistant manager of Stark Industries’ Phoenix branch didn’t feel the two-on-two atmosphere; it felt like one against three—fighting two lawyers and an opposing client!
“Did Stark Industries’ Phoenix branch notify the union about the pension stoppage? Were all workers called to discuss as required? Did the branch management partake in any monetary transactions?”
Jerry Hogarth’s questions were intelligent. The defense client had no choice but to resort to his ultimate technique, fainting!
“Ah! I’ve fainted!”
Without thinking, he tilted his head and fell straight to the floor with a loud thud.
Seeing this, Bella unusually took the initiative: “Your Honor! Mr. Brandon from the jury has a medical license. Please allow him to provide immediate assistance!”
Initially reluctant to get involved, Doctor Brandon stood up as if possessed by Bella’s gaze.
The defendant’s client was startled. What? There’s a doctor in the jury? Was his fall in vain, then?
Saving lives is politically correct, and the judge couldn’t just.
Say the defendant was faking it. He nodded for Doctor Brandon to proceed.
Members of the jury came from various professions. Having a doctor among them wasn’t unusual.
Encouraged by Bella’s gaze, Doctor Brandon approached the defense client with renewed vigor. After examining him for a while and finding nothing, the judge decided to adjourn and send the defendant to the hospital.
“It’s urgent! The patient must receive on-site CPR!”
Doctor Brandon shouted, injecting a milliliter of adrenaline into the veins. Seeing the ‘patient’ not waking up, he immediately began chest compressions.
He pressed with such force that the overweight ‘patient’s’ fatty chest didn’t respond to the compressions. Struggling, the manager’s assistant had to consider: What if my ribcage breaks? Is this considered a work injury? I don’t earn enough to die for the company!
As the doctor was about to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and the adrenaline affected his body, he had no choice but to ‘wake up’.
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