Kissinger’s answer was in response to Eric’s questioning.
In litigation, the plaintiff takes the offensive position. Since they’re suing the defendant, they naturally must provide evidence and witnesses. The defendant takes the defensive position, finding ways to refute this evidence.
Kissinger presented in court the commission agreement between Mrs. Wilson and GMP Firm.
What was special about this commission agreement? It specifically designated Xia Xiaolan as the project leader.
“Thank you for your cooperation, witness!”
The terms of the commission agreement were very favorable to Xia Xiaolan.
Due to the client’s special request, Xia Xiaolan was able to lead the theater renovation as an intern, while Lisa was just an assistant assigned to Xia Xiaolan by GMP.
Myers, Lisa’s lawyer, questioned Kissinger’s testimony:
“According to American architectural practice regulations, firm interns don’t have registered architect qualifications. She couldn’t have been responsible for such a project. Partner Kissinger, considering business interests, violated architectural professional regulations…”
Kissinger pressed his lips together.
Indeed, he hadn’t put Xia Xiaolan in charge because he saw her potential, but because the client specifically requested her. To keep the business, he had bent the rules.
Xia Xiaolan wasn’t a registered architect. For her to make major interior renovations, the plans needed a registered architect’s signature.
That was Lisa’s role.
Damn it—
“Objection! The question is irrelevant to this case!”
If Kissinger violated architectural practice regulations, that should be a separate case against him. Today was about copyright.
Eric wouldn’t allow Kissinger to be attacked like this.
“Objection sustained.”
Thank heavens, the judge supported him.
Myers knew when to back off.
After beating around the bush, he still managed to ask several questions that made Kissinger quite uncomfortable.
What was the point of this meandering?
To attack Kissinger’s credibility, making his testimony unreliable.
Xia Xiaolan produced original drafts, and Lisa had original drafts too.
The “original drafts” submitted by both parties, when examined, were created around the same time. This examination technology could determine approximate timing based on paper aging and ink changes, but couldn’t pinpoint exact dates.
Who was first?
Family members could observe but not speak in court. Liu Fen and others were present but could only worry silently.
Liu Fen worried the most. Her English wasn’t good enough – she could understand simple daily conversation, but with so many professional terms and rapid speech, she was completely lost.
She could only guess from the expressions of Hu Ying and Professor Wen.
Hu Ying seemed anxious, so Liu Fen grew anxious too.
Her gaze fell on her daughter. Xia Xiaolan sat in the plaintiff’s seat, looking quite calm.
Xia Xiaolan wasn’t arrogant enough to disrespect the court. When she needed to be docile, she wasn’t foolish.
She suppressed any desire to show off. Having trusted Eric, she let him control the proceedings. If needed, someone would question the plaintiff – no need for her to speak hastily—
Lisa seemed calm too.
At least outwardly.
Lisa had rehearsed extensively for today. Initially, she felt guilty claiming the work as hers before the AIA review panel.
But after repeating the lies so many times on TV shows and to reporters, she had developed quite thick skin.
Xia Xiaolan looked away.
This was how trials worked – attack and defense, lawyers from both sides trading moves.
After Kissinger came the second witness, Matthew.
Matthew, as another intern and participant in the ‘Theater Renovation Project,’ testified that Xia Xiaolan was the project’s creator:
“Though young, she led me and Lisa in this work.”
“She proposed and designed the plan. She asked if Lisa or I had anything to add, and Lisa said no.”
“Have I seen Lisa’s original designs? No. Lisa mainly supervised on-site.”
After Eric finished, it was Myers’ turn to question.
This shameless legal hack’s questions made the jury members exchange glances.
“Matthew Carlton, you and the plaintiff both studied at Cornell’s School of Architecture. Did you interact during school? I notice you both participated in the Wilson Hotel-sponsored Cornell Architecture design competition.”
Did classmates interact?
Participating in the same competition counted as interaction.
Matthew’s expression soured. Xia Xiaolan had won first place; he and Jonathan’s poor teamwork only got third. Why bring that up?
“Yes, we interacted—”
“You and the plaintiff interned together at GMP. Did you help each other?”
“Yes.”
Should he admit he had hoped Xia Xiaolan would perform poorly so he could stand out?
Myers smiled. “Matthew Carlton, you were classmates and colleagues with the plaintiff. Spending time with such a beautiful Chinese girl, were you inevitably attracted to her, developed feelings… Please answer, do you like the plaintiff?”
“Objection! Question irrelevant to the case!”
Eric now understood Myers’ intention.
This time, the judge, lost in thought, overruled Eric’s objection:
“Objection overruled. Witness, please answer the defense attorney’s question.”
All eyes fell on Matthew.
Including Xia Xiaolan’s.
Matthew’s face instantly reddened.
“Matthew Carlton, you swore to tell the truth. Please answer my question – during your time working together, were you attracted to the plaintiff, did you fall for her?”
Having sworn an oath, he couldn’t perjure himself or lie.
“…Yes.”
It was over. This cunning lawyer – Matthew wanted to slap himself. He had never planned to confess, let alone in court! He’d never intended to confess, he just wanted to be stronger than Xia Xiaolan, okay? Fine, he had a bit of admiration for strength.
Matthew lowered his head in shame, having fallen into the lawyer’s trap.
“I—”
“Your Honor, I have no further questions.”
Myers decisively ended his questioning.
The jury buzzed with whispers.
The plaintiff Xia Xiaolan had presented two witnesses: GMP partner Kissinger, whose professional ethics Myers had questioned seriously.
The other was Matthew Carlton, whom Myers had forced to admit romantic feelings for Xia Xiaolan in court.
Could these two witnesses’ motivations and testimonies still form a complete chain of evidence?
What would the judge think? The jury?
Even Xia Xiaolan was surprised. Lisa’s lawyer, experienced in entertainment industry cases, deserved his reputation – he could bring romantic relationships into a copyright case? Was the logic that Matthew would commit perjury because he had feelings for her?
—Why did Matthew like her?
The completely straight woman fell into deep confusion.
Wasn’t Matthew that schemer who always tried to steal her opportunities?
Later when they grew closer, it was just a weakling’s reverence for a boss after being repeatedly crushed. When did “like” happen? Please excuse Xia Xiaolan’s blindness, she really hadn’t noticed… I treated you like a brother, and you confess to me in court?!