As soon as McCarthy took the stand, he laid out the grievances between Monde and Xia Xiao Lan.

What was wrong with telling the truth about how Mrs. Dawson, a former beauty pageant contestant, had caused scenes at Cornell? These were facts!

It was those reporters who ignored these facts and only reported sensational angles… McCarthy had been unhappy about this for a long time!

“Does she have the ability to independently complete the ‘Theater Renovation Project’? Yes. Cornell’s School of Architecture is willing to provide all her transcripts and coursework from her year as an exchange student.”

“The C·W Architecture Design Competition was fair. Claims of power-for-favor dealings are groundless. After the competition, Mr. Holmes from P&W firm eagerly invited her to work there after graduation – this is high recognition for an undergraduate architecture student.”

“In conclusion, exchange student Xia Xiao Lan from China demonstrated architectural talent and professional expertise far beyond her peers during her time at Cornell’s School of Architecture. Though still an undergraduate, she possesses the capabilities of a registered architect—I mean, surpassing most mediocre registered architects!”

“I take full responsibility for all my testimony.”

People might question Xia Xiao Lan on two points: First, she’s Chinese while Lisa is American – how could a Chinese person be more capable than an American? Second, she’s a student while Lisa is a formal architect – how could a student surpass an architect with years of experience?

Professor McCarthy told the judge:

Being a Chinese student doesn’t diminish Xia Xiao Lan’s excellence.

Though still a student, she possesses registered architect-level skills.

The formidable professor spoke with absolute certainty, nearly calling out everyone in court as mediocre for failing to understand that “geniuses” exist, questioning why they used ordinary standards to limit a genius’s potential.

If average students couldn’t achieve it, that was because they weren’t smart enough.

There will always be extraordinary students who could!

If McCarthy had been more cutting, he would have started critiquing Lisa’s past academic work. He had seen Lisa’s “works” – if those could even be called works, they were barely enough to keep her from starving in the architecture industry.

Of course, McCarthy was being too harsh. If Lisa were that poor, she couldn’t have stayed at GMP for years—McCarthy didn’t go there because that part was left for someone else.

As a tenured professor at Cornell’s School of Architecture, he had absolutely no vested interest in Xia Xiao Lan.

Looking at his serious face, no one would imagine anything improper between McCarthy and Xia Xiao Lan.

The forbidden relationship between professor and female student? Even fantasizing about it with McCarthy would be sacrilege.

His outstanding professional expertise combined with his peculiar, unlikeable personality and complete disregard for social relationships, plus his secure income from tenure and textbook royalties meant he didn’t need to please anyone… someone like this was impossible for Lisa’s lawyer Myers to bribe, even if he wanted to.

Myers had considered this angle. After failing to reach Matthew, he had anticipated Xia Xiao Lan’s side would have McCarthy testify. Myers had thought about approaching McCarthy – criticism from a professor would destroy Xia Xiao Lan. But Monde knew McCarthy’s character and directly told Myers to give up!

Myers had a splitting headache.

As the defense lawyer, Myers should have been standing up now, skillfully questioning and attacking McCarthy.

But with McCarthy sitting there, what could he attack?

Just like Harold earlier, Myers knew the other party might be lying, yet they made their lies sound more convincing than the truth!

Myers was frustrated.

Harold’s testimony had been completely unexpected, turning the situation unfavorable for Lisa and disrupting Myers’ rhythm.

Could he pin his hopes on the final witness, Monde Dawson?

Monde would surely support Lisa, but he had to – if Monde didn’t stand with Lisa, others would question his character!

Professor McCarthy had already told his “story” in court. Monde could choose to persist, firmly telling others the story was false—just like Hollywood celebrities who deny wrongdoing even when evidence hits them in the face!

What did it matter?

Though the AIA refused to testify for Lisa, Monde was an AIA member and vice chairman of the AIA Rising Star Architects review panel. The AIA wouldn’t actively undermine Monde.

Myers had lost focus during the trial.

“Your Honor, Professor McCarthy as a witness has confirmed my client’s ability to complete the theater renovation project design commission and explained the reasons behind all this unfair treatment of my client. Now I would like to request the court to summon the defendant’s witness.”

The defendant’s witness – only Monde Dawson remained.

Monde walked out, passing the departing McCarthy.

McCarthy couldn’t even be bothered to look at such a person.

Monde Dawson took the witness stand.

Now it was Eric’s turn to smile.

“Mr. Dawson, you are a Pritzker Prize winner and vice chairman of the AIA Rising Star Architects review panel. You have an excellent reputation in New York’s architectural circle, even worldwide. Your professional expertise is beyond doubt. Now my client would like you to evaluate two portfolios. Would you agree? Your Honor, this is closely related to our case. We have prepared two different portfolios, one from my client and another from the defendant Lisa.”

Eric had prepared more than just two portfolios.

Xia Xiao Lan wasn’t short of money – she had printed many copies, enough to give two to each jury member with some to spare.

Xia Xiao Lan thought Lisa should thank her – without her sparing no expense, could Lisa’s work have been compiled into a portfolio?

Xia Xiao Lan was going to bring the chaos she created outside the courthouse this morning into the courtroom – how dare she!

Fear had already appeared in Lisa’s eyes.

Eric had the portfolios distributed. “Your Honor, my client has maintained silence throughout this case. Now as the trial enters its final stage, she requests an opportunity to speak for herself in court!”

Indeed, Xia Xiao Lan had been quiet throughout.

As the plaintiff, her emotional composure was unusually steady.

Even when Myers was dominating earlier and the situation looked unfavorable, she hadn’t panicked.

The judge also found emotionally unstable defendants troublesome, their “self-testimony” often degenerating into illogical abuse, unable to clearly state their claims. However, Xia Xiao Lan’s composed demeanor made the judge willing to give her this chance.

“Granted!”

Xia Xiao Lan stood up smiling, standing face to face with Monde Dawson.

This matter had always been between her and Monde – what did it have to do with Lisa? Someone like Lisa, Xia Xiao Lan hadn’t even considered her an opponent.

All of Lisa’s various tactics could only delay the trial process, not change its outcome.

Truth couldn’t be made false, and false couldn’t be made true.

This was the moment Xia Xiao Lan had wanted – to confront Monde face to face!