Chapter 266: Turning Point (1)

“So, Mr. Dore, when did you sign the contract with the defendant?” Oscar asked.

“As recorded in the contract, March 14th,” Dore replied.

“And the exact time?” Oscar pressed.

“It was a year ago. I can’t recall the exact time,” Dore said, a hint of irritation in his voice.

“You don’t remember? It was only a year ago.”

“Perhaps between 3:00 and 4:00 PM,” Dore offered, the answer seeming improvised.

“From 2:00 to 5:00 PM, the defendant was fully scheduled with conferences. He couldn’t have met anyone else.” Oscar produced a schedule. “This is the Cooper Group’s conference schedule for March 14th of last year, including the defendant’s meeting minutes.”

The jury examined the document.

“Perhaps I signed it in the morning,” Dore added hastily. “My memory isn’t good. I can’t say for certain, but it was March 14th.”

“However, the Cooper Group’s secretary’s visitor register shows no visitors that day. The group requires all appointments with the chairman to be recorded in advance.”

“I didn’t sign it in the building,” Dore explained quickly. “It was a private contract. Why would I sign it in the office?”

“So, the defendant met you elsewhere and signed the contract?”

“Yes,” Dore affirmed.

“Where?”

“At a restaurant near the Cooper Group building.”

A subtle shift in Oscar’s expression was noticeable. The conspiracy's architect was clearly well-prepared.

Oscar fell silent. The courtroom sensed his hesitation. Many believed he was at a loss for further questions. His inexperience seemed confirmed. Derisive laughter, led by Charles, filled the air. Hannah looked at Charles, whose laughter was too blatant to ignore. Charles met her gaze with complacency. Hannah then turned, her anxiety evident, to Oscar.

“If you have no further questions, please resume your seat,” the judge announced.

“I have one more question,” Oscar replied firmly.

“Proceed swiftly,” the judge said sternly.

“Yes, Your Honor,” Oscar said respectfully. Turning back to Dore, he asked, “Mr. Dore, were you aware that a contract without fingerprints is void, even if signed?”

“I didn’t know.”

“You didn’t?” Oscar smiled. “Every contract here, including your agreement with Zhang, has an official seal and your fingerprint. Are you still claiming ignorance?”

“Alright, I knew,” Dore admitted. “I knew even if Miguel backed out, he would lose. Why would I remind him about the fingerprint?”

“Knowing the importance of fingerprints, do you think Miguel Cooper, the chairman of Cooper Group, was unaware?” Oscar asked rhetorically.

Dore was stunned.

“If the defendant knew the risk, why sign a private, legally unguaranteed contract? Any problems, and he bears the loss alone. Why insist on this contract?” Oscar continued, posing a rhetorical question that resonated throughout the courtroom.

“He must have been threatening me, believing I didn’t understand the importance of fingerprints,” Dore stammered, offering an excuse.

Oscar ceased questioning and addressed the judge. “Your Honor, his testimony is highly suspect. First, he equivocated about the signing time. One doesn’t forget something from a year ago. Even if he forgot the exact time, he should recall an approximate time frame. Second, he initially denied knowing about fingerprints, then retracted. I question the credibility of such a changeable witness and suspect he is lying or fabricating his testimony.”

“I didn’t!” Dore exclaimed anxiously.

“Silence!” The judge banged his gavel. “Mr. Dore, your testimony is legally binding.”

“Yes, Your Honor,” Dore subsided.

The judge, however, showed no approval of Oscar’s points, only warning Dore to be quiet, hinting at possible bias. Yet, Oscar remained composed.

“Your Honor, may I ask a few more questions?”

“Focus on the case. Mr. Wells, be mindful of the time,” the judge said, his bias apparent.

Oscar nodded calmly and addressed Dore. “Mr. Dore, you said nightmares drove you to report the defendant. Is that true?”

“Yes.”

“Mr. Dore, of the 830,000,000 you embezzled, how much remains?”

“Objection!” Jesse stood. “Your Honor, this is irrelevant and violates the informant’s privacy. He has the right to remain silent.”

“Sustained.”

Oscar countered, “It is relevant. His spending proves he didn’t embezzle all the money. He only took 230,000,000; the rest was transferred. This embezzlement involved an accomplice.”

“Objection!” Jesse stood again. “The defense is falsely accusing the informant.”

“I have proof!” Oscar insisted.

Jesse challenged, “If so, present it.”

“Okay,” Oscar replied.

Jesse, surprised by Oscar's confidence, awaited the evidence.

“Three contracts,” Oscar revealed, presenting documents. “A construction materials contract between Maxwell and Ocean Building Materials Corporation, totaling 105,000,000, with 5,000,000 for taxes. The remaining 100,000,000 precisely matches the funds from the private contract used to purchase the land!”