Chapter 67 - The verdict has been passed (1/2)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
On 22nd of May, Wen Xinya brought to court and sued Changjiang Press Media and a dozen other media press companies for defamation and reporting fabricated news about her.
Wen Xinya’s attorney was the top-performing lawyer from Chaofan Law Corporation. Gu Junlin, Xu Zhenyu, and Zhou Tianyu attended the trial as witnesses, and Old Mr. Wen and Old Master Mo sat in the spectator’s gallery to observe the hearing.
During the hearing, the attorney representing Wen Xinya cited a list of charges against Changjiang Press Media and a dozen other media press companies, accusing them of defamation towards his client. He showed a medical report that was extracted from Wen Xinya’s health check-up before she returned to the Wen Family. From the report, Wen Xinya was in good health condition, and there was no evidence of her taking any psychoactive drugs to enliven her mood. Chaofan Law Corporation had also investigated Wen Xinya’s past, and they concluded that, though Wen Xinya was part of a street gang, she did not do the ridiculous stuff the newspaper printed.
According to her attorney, Wen Xinya was underaged. Thus, it was unreasonable for the media to use her past wrongdoings for such extreme accusations. He was able to bring across his points convincingly, causing everyone in the courtroom to feel empathy towards Wen Xinya.
After a series of discussions amongst the judge and the panel of jurors, based on what Wen Xinya’s attorney had presented, the judge ordered the defendant parties to provide new supportive evidence to prove that the past articles they had reported were based on valid grounds.
“This verdict has been concluded. The plaintiff Wen Xinya sued Changjiang Press Media and a few other media press companies for defamation and creation of fabricated reports. The defendant was unable to provide evidence to support that their news reports are based on valid grounds. Thus, the Supreme Court will announce that the defendants are guilty.”
“According to Chapter 120 and Chapter 134 of ‘Country Z’s Human Rights Law,’ the Court orders the defendants to stop any misleading reports that will continue to defame the plaintiff’s reputation. This order is to be carried out with immediate effect.”
“The plaintiff’s attorney has requested Changjiang Press Media and the related media press companies to compensate his client with a sum of 5 million dollars for publishing misleading reports with no true evidence, causing harm to her personal reputation, together with another sum of 5 million dollars as compensation for the mental sufferings caused to the client. The Court orders the total amount to be paid in full by the defendants within a period of three months. The plaintiff’s attorney and the appointed law firm will have full rights to facilitate the debt collection from the defending companies.”
The panel of jurors had found Changjiang Media Press and the other press media companies guilty and liable for this compensation.
After the hearing, for a performance better than expected, Wen Xinya gave the Chaofan Law Corporation’s attorneys hugs and handshakes to thank them for their efforts. It was said that the law was nothing more than human relationships. Her attorney was able to stimulate the emotions of the judge and panel of jurors by making use of the fact that she was underaged and the implications this matter had on other influential figures in society. Therefore, she was able to receive a considerable amount of compensation money.
The result was not what Old Mr. Wen had expected. He was not involved in this incident nor did he render any help to Wen Xinya, but she was able to handle it so well. “Good! Good! Good! Xinya, you have not disappointed Grandpa at all.”
Soon after, Wen Xinya walked out of the Supreme Court building accompanied by Old Mr. Wen and Old Master Mo. There was a huge crowd of reporters already standing by outside, and when they saw her, the crowd swamped over and surrounded them, flashing their cameras all around them.
“Young Missus Wen, please share a few comments for your thoughts and feelings regarding this incident of your scandals.”
Wen Xinya stood in the middle of the crowd and remained calm. Though only of a young age, she displayed an unwavering aura. As she looked at the crowd of reporters in front of her, her eyes glittered like the stars in the night sky. She coldly replied, “If no one offends me, I will not offend anyone. For those who have offended me, I will avenge a hundred times. This is my principle.”