Chapter 255: That

Lin Shutong slightly lifts his chin: "Of course."

She doesn't believe Jiang Lai could manage to investigate abroad, and from the lawyer's letter to the postponed trial is only a little over half a month.

Half a month to investigate her more than three years of expenses abroad? Joke.

So she also didn't tell Meng Lü the exact situation of that three‑million‑per‑month sum.

With an investment contract in place, she's not too worried about the "research funding" matter.

Meng Lü's main responsibility is how to rationalize the things Shen Xun gave her after she returned, reducing the amount to be repaid.

However, she still can't figure out how the 118 million on the lawyer's letter was calculated.

If the "research funding" is included, it's more than that.

If only the car, house, jewelry, etc. after returning are counted, it couldn't be that much.

Jiang Lai, hearing Lin Shutong's solemn answer, according to the original plan did not ask further, but exchanged a glance with Zhong Lü beside her.

Zhong Lü stands and says, "Presiding Judge, our side submits four sets of evidence."

"First, bank statements proving that during the marriage's duration of four years and 145 days, for three years and four months of that period, Shen Xun transferred three million yuan to Lin Shutong each month, noted 'research funding', totaling over 120 million yuan."

Ke Zhongyu once asked Jiang Lai how long she had been married to Shen Xun; Jiang Lai said four years and 115 days, and Zhong Poqian counted the thirty‑day divorce cooling period as well.

It also let Shen Xun unjustly take Jiang Lai's husband's name for thirty days.

Heh.

In the courtroom, Zhong Poqian continues, "Second, property, vehicle, and jewelry purchase certificates and registration information prove that all assets were fully funded by Shen Xun, registered under Lin Shutong's name, with no consideration paid."

Lin Shutong's tension gradually spreads to his face.

Zhong Poqian: "Third, intimate chat logs between Shen Xun and Lin Shutong, cohabitation itinerary records, embrace and kiss photos, and Lin Shutong's pregnancy report, prove an illicit extramarital relationship between the two."

"Fourth, during the marriage Shen Xun concealed the whereabouts of the aforementioned assets, proving malicious transfer and concealment of marital communal property."

The evidence projected on the screen showed clear transfer records, ambiguous chat logs, explicit embrace and kiss photos, pregnancy test report, property transfer certificates, and so on, all laid out plainly.

Lin Shutong knows that in one of the kiss photos, that night he deliberately kissed Shen Xun in front of Shen Xi.

She knows Shen Xi will send it to Jiang Lai.

She never imagined that one day this photo would appear in court, becoming part of the evidence accusing her of being the other woman.

However, compared with other kiss photos, this one is childish; once the pregnancy report is out, Shen Xun's affair and her status as the third party are already firmly established.

Lin Shutong's complexion turns ghastly; his mind is filled with too many worries.

Her grandfather and parents already know she is involved with a married man, but they have never actually seen the evidence.

Such vulgar material falling before elders is unbearable for anyone who cares about face.

Lin Shutong's terrified gaze lands on Ji Lao and her parents; everyone's faces turn dreadfully dark, showing anger, distress, and a sense of lost face.

Lin Shutong personally nails his own family onto the pillar of shame.

Meng Lü whispers to Lin Shutong that the third‑party relationship is now fully established, this cannot be defended, and the only hope is that the research funding will not be required to be returned.

Lin Shutong feels a chill all over, even trembling slightly.

Meng Lü reminds her again that she can return the car, house, and jewelry after returning, but the focus remains on that research funding.

A staggering 120 million!

Meng Lü stands, looks at the judge, and calmly explains, "Presiding Judge, our client, before returning, only had a legitimate investment cooperation with Defendant Two; the parties exchanged funds based on a research project, with a genuine contractual basis and commercial purpose."

"The evidence the plaintiff presented in court only proves that after our client returned, there was some interaction with Defendant Two; it does not directly or fully demonstrate that before the return, the parties had an illicit romantic relationship, nor does it overturn the previously lawful investment cooperation agreement."

"Therefore, the portion of the disputed funds that occurred before our client's return should be deemed normal investment transactions, not gratuitous gifts, and should not be included in the repayment scope."

After the defendant's lawyer finished this statement, Jiang Lai looks straight at the three opposite and says, "So, you admit the fact of the affair."

Shen Xun looks at Jiang Lai, never having imagined that one day they would reach this courtroom showdown.

Jiang Lai is no longer his ever‑obedient wife, but a former wife whose every word is sharp as pearls.

Facing Jiang Lai, Shen Xun cannot utter a single rebuttal; he feels guilty toward her.

Facing Lin Shutong, he also feels guilty toward her.

Shen Xun's throat is tightly gripped by two invisible giant hands; in this courtroom standoff he cannot utter a sound.

He chooses to remain silent.

Lin Shutong can no longer argue; the screen full of evidence sits there, still cannot claim the picture is fabricated, still cannot claim the child in the womb isn't Shen Xun's, how can anyone look at her?

How can anyone look at her? How will Shen Xun treat her next? She even risked harming her own body to induce a miscarriage, just to stir Shen Xun's guilt; whatever she wants thereafter, Shen Xun will continue to give.

Zhong Poqian: "The disputed assets are all marital communal property. After Lin Shutong returned, Shen Xun's large gifts were not for daily family needs, violating public order and morals, thus legally invalid. Lin Shutong knowingly received them without reasonable consideration and, combined with the intimate relationship, is not a bona‑fide third party and should return the full amount."

Regarding the car, house, jewelry, etc., that Shen Xun gave Lin Shutong after she returned, it has been determined they must be fully returned.

The courtroom's focal dispute centers on the 120‑million research funding: is this money an investment or a gift? Should it be fully returned? Should Shen Xun's assets be indivisible?

Jiang Lai argues it is a gift.

Lin Shutong retorts, "Jiang Lai, stop slandering me. During the more than three years abroad, Shen Xun and I had a proper investment cooperation; that money was research funding, clearly stated in the contract, not a so‑called gift! You can't ruin me just because you didn't receive financial support from your husband."

Ke Zhongying truly witnessed Lin Shutong's shamelessness and saw how cowardly Shen Xun, the impeccably dressed scoundrel, really is.

She whispers, "I really want to go up and slap her twice, to let her know why the flower is so red; it infuriates me."

Everyone who cares about Jiang Lai is angry; Butler Deng, eyes never blinking from fury, still holds a fast‑acting heart‑saving pill, fearing that Cui Zhai's female lead might get so angry she suffers a sudden heart attack.

Wang Ruohua remains very calm, though his expression is solemn, his gaze at Shen Xun and Lin Shutong as if ready to kill.

Ke Zhongyu says in a deep voice, "Don't worry, Jiang Lai can handle it."

As soon as the words finish, Jiang Lai lifts her eyes toward Lin Shutong, her gaze cold as morning frost.

"Investment?" her voice is not loud, yet each word is clear, "Lin Shutong, tell me, what investment pays a fixed three million per month for three years and four months, with no reports, no results, no accounting, no dividends?"

"Shen Xun, also tell me, where is your investment's result? Is it the child in her womb?"

"Lin Shutong, Shen Xun, I think I should correct you both." She suddenly raises her voice, striking the floor with force: "That's called a sugar‑baby arrangement, not an investment!"