Chapter 112: She Deserved That Beating

“Mr. Huang Pu, could you please put your clothes on?” The little girl’s eyelashes fluttered, her voice fragile, like a delicate ice doll not easily touched.

Huang Pu stepped back tenderly, picked up the clothes on the floor, and put them on.

“Ah—”

The sudden movement caught Shangguan Ranyan off guard, revealing the man’s body, especially a certain part still standing tall. She quickly covered her eyes.

“Hmph.” The man snorted softly, and before long, he was fully dressed.

“All done. Now, take your hands down.”

Shangguan Ranyan peeked through her fingers to confirm he was fully dressed before lowering her hands.

Huang Pu leaned forward affectionately, reaching out to touch her, but she turned her head away, still carrying a trace of fear.

“What are you hiding from?” The man gently wiped her tears with his fingertip, his tone fierce, but his touch incredibly soft.

“Why did you scare me, Mr. Huang Pu?”

“Do you think this was scaring? It was a lesson. If you forget what you just promised me, I’ll make sure you understand what a real lesson is.”

“Hmph.” The little girl reverted to her previous demeanor and dodged his hand from her face.

Huang Pu casually withdrew his hand, his movements natural. “I’ll help you with the lawsuit.”

“I can handle it myself.”

“Alright, if anything happens, remember to tap your bracelet.”

“Got it.”

“Of course, you can also tap it whenever you miss me.”

“I won’t.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” The little girl nodded firmly, lifting her head to meet his gaze before quietly looking away. “Hurry up and open the door. I want to go home.”

It was nearly two o’clock now, wasn’t it?

Shangguan Ranyan checked her watch; indeed, it was 2:15, already over two hours late.

Huang Pu gently lifted her index finger and pressed it against the fingerprint lock on the door, which instantly opened.

Shangguan Ranyan really wanted to tap her own head. Had she known her fingerprint was registered, she would have left long ago instead of being questioned here for so long.

She cast a somewhat resentful and accusing glance at the man behind her. He must have done it on purpose.

The man touched his nose, thinking the little girl knew, after all, she had recorded it before.

Huang Pu escorted the girl to the company, then returned to his own.

Meanwhile, the overseas villa’s butler was left bewildered, unsure of what had just transpired.

...

Soon, the day of the trial arrived. Jun Rui wore a hat and mask to conceal her face, but the swollen cheek was impossible to ignore.

The plaintiff was Jun Rui, the defendant Shangguan Ranyan.

The judiciary was a solemn place where photography and video recording were strictly prohibited.

Therefore, the two-thousand-seat auditorium was fiercely contested by onlookers eager to witness the proceedings.

Huang Pu sat in the audience behind the defendant’s seat, accompanied by Gong Yi, Ouyang Mufeng, Ouyang Muya, and Ye Xin.

Lin Yan was unable to attend the court in Country Z; otherwise, the media would spin wild stories.

Originally, Zhen Mi and Shang Mingcheng also wanted to come, but Shangguan Ranyan knew they were busy filming and told them it was unnecessary—both inconvenient and a disruption to their schedules. Besides, it wasn’t a major matter.

On the other side sat Jun Rui’s parents, her brother Jun Ruocheng, and a group of assistants and bodyguards.

Seeing the group opposite, their pupils contracted slightly, confused by the situation.

Could it be that this woman was acquainted with Huang Pu and his group?

This case was turning complicated.

However, since the matter had reached court and legal documents were submitted, it could only proceed. After all, they were the plaintiffs.

Within the solemn courthouse, the grand emblem of justice hung prominently, instilling a profound sense of reverence.

The strict law commanded respect; criminals feared arriving here to face judgment, while the wronged hoped for justice.

The presiding judge struck the gavel seriously. “Court is now in session.”

“Let me introduce the case. On November 26th, we received a criminal complaint from Miss Jun Rui. She accuses Miss Shangguan Ranyan of inhuman assault at an underground bar around ten o’clock on the night of November 25th. I now invite the plaintiff’s counsel to present their case.”

Jun Rui’s lawyer spoke with heavy sympathy and accusation. “I deeply sympathize with my client, who suffered severe assault. The defendant repeatedly beat and insulted her that night, speaking vilely with an arrogant attitude, showing blatant disregard for the law. We present hospital injury reports and photographs of my client that night as evidence. Your Honor, please review.”

An assistant handed the evidence to the judge, who examined it before passing it to the prosecutor, clerk, and decision-maker.

After their nods, the presiding judge solemnly spoke, “The evidence provided by the plaintiff is authentic. Does the plaintiff have any further remarks?”

Jun Rui shook her head; everything she needed to say had been said.

“Now, I invite the defendant to defend herself.”

Shangguan Ranyan finally lifted her head and looked around. Her cold voice echoed through the courtroom. “Yes, I did hit her.”

In the audience, Ye Xin stood worriedly. This was clearly her doing; why was the lady being accused instead of her?

The judge sharply struck the gavel. “Miss in the audience, please be seated, or I will rule you disruptive to court order.”

Shangguan Ranyan signaled with her eyes for her to sit. She had her own plan.

Ouyang Muya tugged at Ye Xin’s sleeve, calming her nerves, and Ye Xin quietly sat down.

Her cold voice resounded again, “She deserved it.”

A collective shudder passed through the crowd.

“She is also suspected of human trafficking. Miss Jun, am I correct?”

What?

Everyone was stunned. Wasn’t Jun Rui a public figure? A young lady from a high society family? Could she have committed such vile acts?

“You’re lying. How could I do such things? Your Honor, she’s trying to evade her own guilt. Please judge her swiftly and punish her.”

The presiding judge banged the gavel repeatedly. “Silence! Plaintiff, please calm down, or the court will dismiss Miss Jun Rui’s lawsuit.”

“Miss Shangguan Ranyan, please present your evidence. Otherwise, you will be judged for baseless defamation, an offense with increased severity.”

“Of course I have evidence. But please, Your Honor, let me finish. Jun Rui has not only done these detestable things—she has also committed murder. A newcomer to the entertainment industry, Ming Li, was killed by Jun Rui, who lost control after failing to force her compliance. There are also numerous cases of abuse in the industry, where artists are coerced into becoming her subordinates through manipulation of resources. I need not elaborate further.”

“You’re lying, Shangguan Ranyan! You wretched woman! You will get what you deserve, you damn wretch!” Jun Rui raged furiously.

Her lawyer was at a loss, unable to understand how such a promising situation had turned into a deadlock.