Bella felt the misunderstanding was spiraling out of control, but she had no idea how to explain it. She could only maintain a polite smile while desperately trying to come up with an excuse.
Yet from that very smile, attorney Jeri Hogarth seemed to have "figured everything out." She waved her hand with an enlightened expression. "It's fine. You don't need to tell me anything. Our goals are aligned."
She even sighed inwardly.
She had always thought of herself as someone willing to do whatever it took, but her personal limit had been… bribing a witness at most. But today, this seemingly harmless high school girl had taught her an entirely new lesson.
Bribing a witness? Child's play.
Why bribe a witness when you could just threaten the opposing lawyer directly?
Turning the opposing counsel against their own client in open court—that was downright terrifying.
She felt not the slightest bit of sympathy. There was no such thing as "lawyer camaraderie" in her mind. Lawyers were natural enemies. If every lawyer in the world died and she were the only one left, that would be perfect.
I can't afford to be soft-hearted. If a high school girl can do it, then I need to be able to do it too. My bottom line clearly needs to go lower! she lectured herself silently.
Bella, seeing the lawyer's look of sudden realization, was utterly baffled.
Understand what? I didn't even say anything!
When she got home, Bella also felt she might have gone a bit too far today.
Next time, I should dial back this Infatuation Spell by half.
Three days later, court resumed.
This time, the defendant had replaced their lawyer with an elderly attorney.
Jeri Hogarth's heart sank instantly. She recognized him—a former law professor who had once taught her, now running his own firm, a true heavyweight in the legal world.
His mental resilience and willpower far exceeded that of the younger lawyer.
And yet, even he quickly fell under the influence of Bella's Infatuation Spell, his eyes turning kind and gentle as he rambled through a long stream of completely useless nonsense.
His questions were sharper than the previous lawyer's, but they somehow twisted into things like:
"Young lady, it's wonderful that you have such a strong sense of social responsibility. Very free-spirited. Very American. But Stark Industries also has its difficulties, you see. We didn't intend to delay pension payments…"
Or:
"This is a societal problem. Stark Industries cannot shoulder all the blame alone. If you're interested, I know several Republican congressmen. I could introduce you, and you could discuss this issue with them at the next gathering."
The defendant's representative was drowning in question marks.
Are you defending us? Or surrendering?!
He had no choice but to stand up and interrupt for the second time.
"Your Honor! I object!"
It was a shout dragged from the depths of his lungs, echoing through the modest courtroom.
The bearded judge had deliberately worn his reading glasses today. He carefully examined the defendant's representative and lawyer, half-suspecting they were old friends putting on an elaborate prank.
Then he shook his head.
Nope. Not his friends.
These two were just here to mess with him.
If even the defendant was surrendering, what was the point of continuing the trial? He glanced at the jury.
The jurors were equally dazed. They had never seen such a harmonious courtroom battle.
Could the rumors be true? Was Tony Stark really more money than sense? Did the company genuinely not care about paying compensation?
The world of the wealthy was beyond their understanding.
Seeing the jury about to speak, the defendant's representative panicked, sweat pouring down his forehead. Throwing all caution aside, he rushed forward and physically dragged the elderly lawyer—who was just about to write Bella a recommendation letter to the University of Pennsylvania—back to the defendant's table.
Three days ago, everything had happened too fast, and they hadn't been mentally prepared. But this time, Miss Hogarth would not miss her chance.
She stood up immediately. "Your Honor! The defendant's representative is disrupting court order. I request that he be removed from the courtroom!"
The bearded judge nearly choked.
The defense lawyer had already defected—and now she wanted the defendant's representative thrown out too?
Then who would even be left on the defendant's side?!
What were they supposed to do for the rest of the session? Play Truth or Dare with the plaintiff until adjournment?
"You, sit down! Disrupt the court again and I'll have you removed!" he snapped at the defendant's representative, then signaled for proceedings to continue.
The judge's rulings were clearly biased, but the defendant's representative was still being crushed step by step under Jeri Hogarth's questioning.
A normal trial was supposed to be two versus two—each side's representative dealing with the opposing lawyer, a contest of who made fewer mistakes.
But as the assistant manager of Stark Industries' Phoenix branch, he felt no such balance.
He felt like it was one versus three.
Him against two lawyers and the opposing representative.
"Did Stark Industries' Phoenix branch notify the labor union about the pension suspension? Did the branch follow regulations and hold discussions with all workers? Did management participate in any monetary transactions related to this decision?!"
Each question was sharper than the last, backing him into a corner.
With no options left, he unleashed his ultimate move—Play Dead!
Ah! I'm unconscious!
Without thinking, he tilted his head and collapsed straight to the floor with a heavy thud.
Seeing this, Bella—very unusually—spoke first.
"Your Honor! Juror Mr. Brandon is a certified physician. Please allow him to provide emergency medical assistance immediately!"
Dr. Brandon had absolutely no desire to get involved… but under Bella's gaze, he stood up as if bewitched.
The defendant's representative—lying on the floor pretending to be unconscious—was horrified.
What?! There's a doctor on the jury?! Did I faint for nothing?!
Saving a life was always politically correct, and the judge couldn't openly accuse him of faking it. As long as the court adjourned, the man would conveniently "recover."
He nodded, granting permission for Dr. Brandon to render aid.
Jurors came from all walks of life, so having a doctor among them wasn't unusual.
Encouraged by Bella's gaze, the doctor walked over confidently. But after examining him for a while, he still couldn't find anything wrong.
The judge was already preparing to adjourn and have the man sent to the hospital.
"It's too late! The patient needs emergency treatment right now!"
Dr. Brandon shouted as he drew a syringe. One milliliter of adrenaline went straight into the man's vein. When there was still no response, the doctor immediately began CPR.
He used tremendous force.
Unfortunately, the "patient" was on the chubby side—his chest was mostly fat. The doctor listened, still couldn't detect a heartbeat, and pressed even harder.
Bones cracked audibly.
I'm going to die!!!
If my ribs break, what then?!
The assistant manager of Stark Industries could only wonder in despair.
Does this count as a workplace injury? I don't get paid enough for this—this is not worth dying for!
Seeing the doctor about to administer mouth-to-mouth, and feeling the adrenaline finally kicking in, he had no choice but to "wake up."