“Mr. Monde, you are a renowned architect whom young students should learn from. You’ve achieved remarkable success in the architectural field and are the role model I aspire to be. For a student like me, it’s nearly impossible to cross paths with an acclaimed architect like yourself. If I hadn’t fortunately been your daughter’s classmate for a year, such an encounter would have been impossible. I’m standing just meters away from you now, but in reality, my position compared to your hard-earned status is like the distance between China and America – like the gap between China’s architectural circle and the world’s mainstream architectural sphere. I’m nobody in China’s architectural circle, so how could I compare to you, a Pritzker Architecture Prize winner?”

Xia Xiaolan looked directly at Monde Dawson.

Two portfolios lay before Monde, which he hadn’t yet opened.

But those sent by Eric to the jury members were already being reviewed.

The jury’s architectural appreciation wouldn’t be more sophisticated than the crowd waiting outside the courthouse – none were professionals, they could only appreciate from a layperson’s perspective.

Rustle, rustle, rustle –

The sound of glossy paper being turned.

“I certainly can’t compare to you, but I’ll work toward that goal. I’m only 22 – naturally, I can’t match you now. By the time I’m 32 or 42, I might be qualified to converse with you as an equal… provided I have that chance and am not excluded from the international architectural circle due to others’ slander!”

“The most ironic thing about this infringement case isn’t the defendant’s smearing, but that in America, a country advocating equal rights, people would prejudge me based on stereotypes!”

“My appearance was given by my parents. Just because my looks happen to match some people’s aesthetics doesn’t mean I shouldn’t strive.”

“Being Chinese doesn’t mean my intelligence should be lower than others. How many Americans has the ‘American Dream’ inspired? Everyone has a chance to create miracles, so why is a Chinese person questioned when they show excellence?”

“Using someone’s private life to attack a woman is the most despicable method. What’s the point of forcing a witness to admit his attraction to me in court? Attraction doesn’t equal desire, nor does it mean he should lose basic moral standards and commit perjury for me!”

“I said these words outside the courthouse this morning. I hope those waiting outside, those keenly following this lawsuit, can be good ‘judges.’ Who has better work, and who is more capable of creating the ‘theater renovation plan’ – I hope all jury members can participate in this evaluation. Your approval might not determine the case’s outcome, but I believe you’ll have your judgment!”

“As for Mr. Monde Dawson, with your highly professional perspective, who has more capability between Lisa and me? If Lisa isn’t as capable as I am, why would I steal work from an architect of lesser skill and ability?”

“Reportedly, Mr. Monde expressed doubts to the AIA Rising Star Architect review panel. You once spoke with the defendant Lisa at the theater construction site, and from one conversation, you determined Lisa was the creator – can you swear on your reputation that you can judge fairly? Did you personally witness the defendant creating this plan?”

Buzz, buzz, buzz.

The jury’s discussion grew louder.

Finally, one juror spoke:

“I think Monde needs to answer her question.”

“Monde should make a judgment in court.”

“She has the right to demand this of Monde.”

The jury members lack legal backgrounds – they’re a mix of old and young, men and women, all randomly selected ordinary citizens.

Some say the Anglo-American jury system leads to prolonged litigation, violating modern society’s principle of litigation efficiency. Because jury members have no legal background or understanding of legal provisions, their case judgments aren’t based on rigorous logical reasoning but on so-called “social justice sense” – that’s why Lisa wanted to manipulate media opinion.

It’s hard to say what kind of media brainwashing these jury members had experienced before being selected.

If the judge rules in Xia Xiaolan’s favor but the jury opposes, this litigation becomes a war of attrition.

The jury system, though constantly questioned, continues because these randomly selected ordinary citizens effectively prevent judges from abusing their power! Temporary assembly, random selection, post-trial isolation – these are the jury’s basic rules. This system also prevents judicial corruption… bribing just the judge isn’t enough. If a judge’s ruling is too absurd, these jury members serve as the final line of defense!

Strange-sounding judicial bias must be unjust, and the jury can speak out!

While playing for sympathy from the jury might work, Xia Xiaolan’s calm confidence could also win respect.

Those who’ve done wrong will be nervous, flustered, and aggressively defensive.

The jury, having experienced the morning and afternoon trials, had formed their judgments.

They demanded Monde answer the questions!

Was the so-called professional barrier really that strong?

They wanted to see if works chosen from a layperson’s perspective would differ completely from a Pritzker Architecture Prize winner’s selection – could it be that all these American witnesses willing to testify for Xia Xiaolan, a Chinese female student insisting on filing suit in America, were bought off?

GMP’s partner testified.

Cornell senior testified.

Cornell professor testified.

Wealthy magnate testified.

In comparison, Lisa’s witness testimony seemed weak.

Mrs. Wilson couldn’t even say much before being destroyed by Harold’s court appearance.

Two open portfolios lay before the judge as well.

“Mr. Monde Dawson, please answer the plaintiff’s questions and make your judgment as a professional.”

The judge didn’t just want Monde to determine whose work was superior; he also presented the original drafts previously provided by Xia Xiaolan and Lisa to Monde Dawson.

Because the two drafts were created so close together, technical examination couldn’t determine which came first.

What about from a professional standpoint?

Could Monde Dawson judge based on the design’s approach?

There were differences between original work and imitation – only master-level figures could judge.

If Monde Dawson couldn’t make a judgment, the court would have to consult other master architects. He could refuse to evaluate or make a careless assessment, but then he’d have to pray that Lisa would continue to “create” good works while Xia Xiaolan would never design again… otherwise, it would be too embarrassing.

What would Monde choose?

Xia Xiaolan smiled at him.

After staying silent these days, this was the moment for checkmate!

She had worried Monde wouldn’t testify for Lisa.

Fortunately, Monde came.

Would Monde risk validating Lisa and condemning Xia Xiaolan, or would he cut his losses and stop while ahead?

Monde finally reached out and opened the two portfolios before him. The courtroom was silent; no one disturbed him – his heart must be in agony, having to pretend this was his first time seeing Xia Xiaolan’s portfolio when he had seen it long ago!