Chapter 258: When the Gavel Falls, the Dust Settles

The judge's expression was solemn as he began deliberating with the jurors.

During this time, Lin Shutong's gaze repeatedly fixed on Jiang Lai's face.

Jiang Lai pretended not to see.

She straightened her back, slightly lifted her chin, and directed a respectful look toward the judge and the jurors.

Looking at the gleaming judicial seal, she knew she would win.

The spectators in the gallery also wore solemn expressions, anxiously awaiting the verdict.

When deliberation ended, the judge struck the gavel in court.

"Having examined the case, it is found that the defendant Shen Xun, during the marriage, maintained an improper extramarital relationship with the defendant Lin Shutong and unilaterally gifted a huge portion of the marital community property to Lin Shutong without compensation. This conduct violates public order and good morals, is beyond his authority, and is hereby declared void."

"The investment contract submitted by the defendant Lin Shutong lacks any basis for actual performance; her claim of good‑faith acquisition has no factual or legal foundation and will not be accepted."

"The defendant Shen Xun committed marital infidelity and repeatedly transferred and concealed the marital community property, constituting a serious fault."

"The judgment is as follows."

"1. All gifts from the defendant Shen Xun to Lin Shutong are declared void."

"2. Within fifteen days of the judgment taking effect, the defendant Lin Shutong must fully return the transferred sum of 120 million yuan, as well as the real estate, vehicle, and jewelry."

"3. As the party at fault and the one who transferred assets, the defendant Shen Xun shall receive no portion of the original marital community property; all of it shall belong to the plaintiff Jiang Lai."

"4. The litigation costs of this case shall be borne jointly by the two defendants."

The gavel falls, and the dust settles.

Lin Shutong slumped in her seat, her face ashen; the original amount was only 118 million yuan, and it did not require her to return the house, car, jewelry, and so on.

She had originally planned to sell the car, house, and jewelry to raise 118 million yuan, but now the amount is 120 million, and she must also return the car, house, and jewelry—both money and assets must be repaid!

Whenever trouble arises, Lin Shutong instinctively seeks the support of her grandfather and parents.

Yet she hurriedly looked up toward the gallery, which remained empty.

Her grandfather is not there.

Her parents are also absent.

Lin Shutong collapsed into a seat, salty cold tears streaming down one after another.

Shen Xun does not want to see Lin Shutong, nor dare to look at Jiang Lai, and can only keep his eyes lowered.

Only Jiang Lai, with her back still straight, stood at the plaintiff's table; faced with this verdict, she felt no ecstatic joy, only a sense of relief.

Legal justice was not absent; she finally gave a complete answer to the four years of her effort.

Zhong Poqian smiled and extended his hand: "Congratulations, Dr. Jiang."

Jiang Lai shook his hand, then released it: "Thank you, Lawyer Zhong."

Zhong Poqian: "Everyone's effort."

Jiang Lai nodded: "Yes, everyone's effort."

She looked at the people who had already stood in the gallery; Ke Zhongyu was watching her, and Ke Zhongying waved her hands, excitement evident on her face.

Assistant Zhou kept his head down, his fingers typing rapidly on his phone, presumably reporting the situation in a group chat to Secretary Guan and Secretary Cen.

The teacher's wife and Steward Deng looked at her with satisfaction, while Xiao Qian kept wiping away her tears.

Doctor Chi gave her a thumbs‑up; beside her, Fu Daxiaojie raised a slight eyebrow, then fixed her gaze on Shen Xun, sighing.

Nearly two hundred million yuan, presumably all the wealth Shen Xun earned after work, was thrown entirely at one woman; it is unclear whether to praise his devotion or condemn his foolish spending.

The trial ended; both plaintiff and defendants must verify the trial and verdict transcripts, but Lin Shutong left with a pale face, having not signed.

Not signing does not affect the judgment's validity, but it is regarded as a waiver of objection.

Lin Shutong knows she has been completely defeated; if she appeals again, she has no idea how much more she would have to return—perhaps beyond restitution, Jiang Lai and her lawyer estimate she will be required to pay for emotional damages!

At present, her grandfather is certainly in the hospital, and her parents are there as well; she must rush to the hospital to fulfill filial duties and admit her mistake.

Without her grandfather's help, she could not possibly raise the money!

Lin Shutong's disheveled silhouette vanished from the courthouse.

Jiang Lai and Shen Xun are signing.

Shen Xun looked at Jiang Lai and, in a hoarse voice, said, "I'm sorry, Jiang Lai."

Jiang Lai still gave him no glance; under the guidance of Lawyer Zhong Lü, after reviewing the property division, the defendants' obligations deadline, and the litigation‑cost allocation, she neatly signed her name.

Shen Xun took out a fountain pen, still the one Jiang Lai had given him years ago; its nib had broken before, but he repaired it and kept using it.

Looking at the trial and judgment details above, Shen Xun's hand gripping the pen trembled, and he hesitated to sign.

It wasn't until Jiang Lai finished signing and was about to leave that he quickly put pen to paper, wanting to speak to her again.

However, the pen was broken.

The nib was snapped.

Completely broken.

Just like his relationship with Jiang Lai—utterly severed.

A tear fell from Shen Xun's eye corner.

He looked up at Jiang Lai.

Jiang Lai was grabbed by the rushing Ke Zhongying, who jumped excitedly: "Ahhh! We won! Beat the other woman! Fearless of scumbags!"

Her loud voice echoed through the courtroom.

Jiang Lai smiled and said, "Hmm, we won."

Her gaze passed over Ke Zhongying's shoulder to the Ke Zhongyu standing beside her.

The man's eyes curled in a faint smile, fixed on her without wavering.

Jiang Lai released Ke Zhongying, walked toward Uncle Deng and the teacher's wife; the teacher's wife gently embraced her, patting her back and saying, "Well done, Jiang Lai, I'm proud of you; Old Cui in heaven would also be proud of you."

"Uncle Deng."

They also simply hugged briefly.

Butler Deng smiled and said, "Miss Jiang Lai, from now on you are reborn."

Jiang Lai was actually moved to tears, and she echoed, "From now on I am reborn."

Xiao Qian cried herself into a tearful mess, hugging her and saying, "Senior sister, wuu wuu wuu wuu wuu..."

Jiang Lai patted Xiao Qian's back: "Don't cry, in the future when looking for a partner, keep your eyes open, don't follow my old path."

Xiao Qian nodded vigorously: "Mm-hmm!"

Jiang Lai then looked toward Chi Ce and Fu Youqing, shaking hands with each of them.

Luo Jiaai also walked over, her eyes red, and couldn't help hugging Jiang Lai briefly: "These years you've really worked hard; fortunately, the rotten cucumber and the mistress got what they deserved."

"Good heavens, Jiang Lai, I can't even believe it—if this happened to an ordinary person, like us ordinary people, I don't know how long we'd have to struggle to reach this point."

Jiang Lai fully understood her meaning, and actually felt the same way deeply.

If I were really just an ordinary low-level employee and housewife, without the help of the master's wife, without the investigation by Ke Zhongyu and Assistant Zhou, without having retained a lawyer like Zhong Poqian, the outcome would certainly not be like this.

Or rather, the victory's result wouldn't come so quickly; I don't know how much more time would be wasted in this mire-like marriage.

Luo Jiaai brought her cousin and said goodbye to Jiang Lai; they were going to have lunch, and in the afternoon they still had to attend a hearing on litigation divorce.

Wang Ruohua watched Luo Jiaai's back and praised, "Bringing her sister to directly observe the marriage tribunal is more practical and meaningful than mere persuasion."

Jiang Lai nodded.

She turned her head to look at Ke Zhongyu and Assistant Zhou, first thanking Assistant Zhou.

Assistant Zhou said, "It's all per Boss Ke's orders."

Immediately he then said to Boss Ke, "Boss Ke, the important things are saved for last."

The will to survive was maxed out.

Jiang Lai looked earnestly at Ke Zhongyu: "Thank you, Ke Zhongyu."

Everyone else either hugged or shook hands, but with him there was nothing; Ke Zhongyu said, "Different treatment?"

His tone was light, with no hint of anger.

Jiang Lai realized and reached out.

Ke Zhongyu stepped forward half a pace, his black leather shoes almost touching her white flats.

The man's gaze swept over Jiang Lai's fair hand, he bent over and embraced her, whispering softly in her ear:

"This is right."

"A Lai."

Warm breath sprayed onto Jiang Lai's neck side, her whole body jolted as if by an electric shock.