Drunken Mistake

DM 18

It was Wednesday. The courtroom was buzzing with anticipation. As Wei Wuxian walked in, a hush fell over the room. He held his head high, his eyes scanning the familiar faces seated behind the counsel's table for Jiang Industries. It was strange to see them on the opposite side—once allies, now adversaries. His heart beat steadily as he took his place beside Lan Wangji, who stood tall and composed, ready to defend him. The brass plaques on the table read:

Plaintiff: Wei Wuxian 
Defendant: Jiang Industries

At the head of the courtroom, Judge Helan entered, his robes flowing behind him as he took his seat. He was known for his unyielding demeanor and sharp, discerning gaze, and today was no exception. The court was called to order, and Judge Helan began the proceedings with a stern, "Let us begin."

Lan Wangji, who had taken the role of Wei Wuxian's counsel, stepped forward. Clad in a dark, immaculately pressed suit, he addressed the court with a calm, steady voice.

"Your Honor, this case is about more than just wrongful dismissal. It is a story of exploitation, coercion, and abuse of power. Wei Wuxian was taken in by the Jiang family as a child, supposedly as a friend of the family, but was treated as a servant. His brilliance with computers was used to build Jiang Software, a company that should rightfully be his. Instead, he was dismissed without pay, blackmailed into relinquishing control over his shares, and subjected to emotional and physical abuse. Today, we seek justice for these wrongs."

The room was silent, hanging on his every word. Lan Wangji returned to his seat, where Wei Wuxian offered him a small, grateful smile.

Meng Yao, the defense counsel, rose next. He was impeccably dressed, with a confident smile that never seemed to leave his face.

"Your Honor, the defense will show that these allegations are baseless. Jiang Industries acted within the scope of the law. The plaintiff’s dismissal was due to a breach of trust, and his accusations of abuse and blackmail are fabrications meant to discredit a long-standing, respected company."

He sat down, his eyes gleaming, as if already assured of his victory.

The court began to dissect the evidence, piece by piece.

First, Lan Wangji presented diagnostic reports that Wei Wuxian had obtained from Xiao Xingchen, showing his pivotal role in thwarting a malware attack on the company. "These reports," Lan Wangji explained, "demonstrate Wei Wuxian’s dedication to the company. He did not, and would not, betray Jiang Industries."

Next came the CCTV footage, played on a large screen for all to see. There was Lin Sisi, an employee of the company, sneaking into the office late at night, her hands shaking as she accessed the files. Wei Wuxian watched the video play, feeling a strange sense of relief seeing the truth finally exposed.

Then came the financial records—the company accounts registry showing non-payment of Wei Wuxian's salary for eight long years. The numbers were stark, blatant in their proof of Jiang Industries' neglect.

Lan Wangji’s voice cut through the silence. "How does a company justify keeping a man on its payroll without ever paying him? How do they justify building their empire on his back, then casting him aside?"

Wei Wuxian caught sight of Jiang Cheng, seated in the gallery. There was a flicker of something in his eyes—guilt, perhaps, or regret.

"Call Jiang Cheng," Judge Helan ordered.

Jiang Cheng, the director of Jiang Industries and the son of Chairman Jiang, approached the witness stand. He was a stern-looking man, his jaw tight as he spoke.

"My parents believed Wei Wuxian was a threat," he said, his voice steady but pained. "They thought that if he had control, he would leave, and the company would crumble. I... I didn’t agree with everything they did, but I couldn’t stop them. When the accusations came, I didn’t know how to protect him."

"Did you know he was not paid for eight years?" Lan Wangji asked.

Jiang Cheng hesitated before nodding. "No. But my sister did. She informed me recently."

Wei Wuxian felt his chest tighten. The truth was out, but it still hurt to hear it spoken aloud by someone who had once been his friend.

Next was Jiang Yanli, Jiang Cheng’s elder sister, the ex-PR manager who had resigned in protest after Wei Wuxian's dismissal. Her demeanor was gentle, her eyes soft as she spoke.

"I could no longer stand by and watch what was happening," she said. "Wei Wuxian is a genius, and my family treated him like... like property. I left because I couldn't bear to see it anymore."

Meng Yao attempted to downplay her testimony, questioning her motives for resigning. "Ms. Jiang, you resigned for personal reasons, including your health. How can we trust your statement isn't just a way to cause further problems for your family?"

Jiang Yanli’s expression remained resolute. "I did not resign because of health reasons. I kept the copy of the resignation letter for this purpose. I have clearly stated my desire to stop working for a company that refuses to contribute the efforts of its core member. I left because of what was happening to Wei Wuxian. That is the truth." She stated, producing a piece of paper with the Jiang seal.

The courtroom's atmosphere grew tenser as Lan Wangji introduced the communication logs between Wei Wuxian and Madam Yu. These logs, displayed on the projector, revealed a chilling exchange where she threatened to withhold medical treatment for an old servant, Madam Yu's attendant of twenty years, unless Wei Wuxian surrendered his shares.

"Your Honor," Lan Wangji said, his voice calm but forceful, "this was not a negotiation. This was blackmail."

Meng Yao rose, his face betraying no emotion. "These are ambiguous statements, not a clear connection. Wei Wuxian willingly signed over his shares, and the court cannot ignore that."

Lan Wangji’s eyes flashed with a rare intensity. "Consent under duress is not valid consent, Mr. Meng."

Lan Wangji’s closing arguments were precise, powerful, and without flourish. "Wei Wuxian was exploited, blackmailed, and discarded. He gave Jiang Industries everything, and they gave him nothing. We ask this court to restore what is rightfully his and to ensure justice is served."

Meng Yao was no less persuasive, using every trick he could muster to sow doubt. "Jiang Industries has been a cornerstone of the tech industry for years. It cannot be shaken by unfounded claims. The plaintiff is trying to disrupt the lives of those who gave him a home, a career.

Judge Helan’s expression was unreadable as he called the session to a close. "This court will review the evidence and issue a verdict in two weeks. Until that time, Jiang Industries is ordered to cease all actions regarding the disputed shares and explain the delay in salary payments."

As the court adjourned, Wei Wuxian felt Lan Wangji’s reassuring hand on his shoulder. For the first time in years, he allowed himself a sliver of hope. Perhaps, just perhaps, justice would prevail.