“The prosecution, do you wish to cross-examine the witness?”
The judge asked.
“Yes, we will.”
Ryan didn’t even look at the witness. It was a face she didn’t particularly want to see.
“Witness, you have worked as someone who has been Geum Moran’s right-hand.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Despite significant evidence that the defendant was involved in the crime, do you claim not to know any of these facts?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then, on that day, did the President of Korea University go for a meal schedule alone?”
“On that day, that meeting was conducted through me using Chairman’s name.”
It was as Ryan and Juhyeok had expected. Geum Moran’s right-hand secretary had come not to testify but to turn the charges upside down. There was a reason why Geum Moran remained undisturbed throughout.
The thought crossed her mind that the reason she mentioned the money might be because of something like this. However, Ryan couldn’t just stand by and watch an evildoer prosper.
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
As befitting Geum Moran’s right-hand secretary, he stood firm.
“You were involved in the fraudulent admission and academic achievement manipulation of Na Song-woon and Na Song-rim.”
“Yes.”
“And you were the one who laundered money through high-priced paintings.”
“Yes.”
“Were you also the witness for embezzlement of Taesung funds?”
“Yes.”
It felt as if a recorder had been turned on. The witness, Geum Moran’s secretary who attended as a witness, claimed consistently that he committed all the crimes. Ryan asked questions meticulously, one by one.
Even in a situation where the witness admitted everything, the trial court could not blindly cut off the prosecutor’s witness examination. They only gave a brief caution.
Although Ryan tried to present evidence of the charges briefly, there were many crimes committed by Geum Moran, requiring a considerable amount of time. The witness was getting tired.
“A while ago, did you instruct harm against Na Song-kang, who decided to attend the trial as a witness?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
A stillness spread within the courtroom for a moment. The defense lawyer was startled and stood up from his seat. Geum Moran’s face turned contemplative, and Chairman Na, sitting next to her, couldn’t contain his anger.
Na Song-rim and Na Song-woon didn’t know what was happening, merely watching for cues.
“Judge, this has nothing to do with the case at hand.”
The defense lawyer spoke with a cultured voice, trying to dismiss the situation.
“No. If this attempt was to conceal the truth of this case, it is related to evidence destruction. Moreover, someone lost their life in that accident, and someone was seriously injured.”
Ryan continued to pursue relentlessly.
“Witness, thank you for confessing to numerous criminal activities.”
Geum Moran’s eyes flickered anxiously as the defense lawyer looked toward her. In a low and soft voice, the defense lawyer reassured Geum Moran that everything was okay.
“Up until now, the defendant Geum Moran has stated that all the charges admitted were unheard of. Na Song-kang has been claiming responsibility for the crimes. Today, with the witness’s confession, it has been proven that the previously unheard-of events were indeed factual. As Geum Moran’s right-hand person, the credibility seems sufficient.”
“Judge! The prosecutor is deceiving the court with wordplay!”
The defense lawyer strongly objected and stepped forward.
“Counsel, be quiet.”
The judge scolded the defense lawyer.
“Prosecutor! Doesn’t the witness admit to everything he has done?”
The defense lawyer openly accused Ryan.
“Counsel, listen to what I am claiming until the end.”
Ryan stared at the defense lawyer. The defense lawyer, too, shot a sharp glance at Ryan.
“So, what benefits did the witness gain?”
The witness, unsure of what answer to give, rolled his eyes in confusion.
“That’s… I received a large sum of money from Director Geum Moran.”
“I will invoke the right to remain silent!”
Suddenly, Attorney Na shouted, exercising the right to remain silent to prevent the witness from speaking further. However, Ryan, like a villain, continued to press for more words from the witness.
“A large sum of money. No. Not that. Were there no other benefits?”
“I will invoke the right to remain silent!”
Amid the intense battle between the prosecutor and the defense attorney, the witness found himself unable to say anything.
“You only need to answer what you know. Didn’t you just say you received a large sum of money? What’s so frightening in admitting what you’ve already decided to confess? Do you have nothing more to say? Can we conclude with the statement that you received a large sum of money?”
In the psychological warfare launched by Ryan, the witness couldn’t affirm or deny, glancing at the signals from Attorney Na and Geum Moran. Such questions were not part of the prearranged agreement.
Geum Moran tightly closed her eyes. The defense attorney signaled with his eyes for her not to say anything more.
“Witness examination is concluded.”
Ryan finished the witness examination. Only after both sides completed the witness examination did the witness leave the courtroom.
Once the witness left, Ryan obtained the floor.
“As the witness has stated, all these charges were indeed factual events. Although I’ve submitted sufficient evidence, the situation has been that the defense denies everything until the end.”
The defending attorney, now realizing that Ryan was attempting to reverse the witness’s testimony, couldn’t help but admire.
“Nothing has changed even now. Even if such events occurred, all the charges are unrelated to the defendant. Geum Moran.”
The bewildered defense attorney cut in, objecting to Ryan’s words. Ryan lightly ignored such interference and continued to assert herself confidently.
“However, the witness has admitted to receiving a large sum of money. If received, there must be someone who gave it.”
“Prosecutor, don’t fixate on ambiguous expressions. It was just a common phrase.”
Contradicting the expression ‘ambiguous,’ the defense attorney objected with his face turning red.
However, the trial judge paid no attention to their exchange, focusing only on the notebook and documents in front of them. A faint tremor passed through Geum Moran’s facial muscles as she observed the situation.
“Indeed, can the ultimate beneficiary of all these charges be satisfied with just receiving a large sum of money? Did the witness have any benefit if Na Song-rim and Na Song-woon attended prestigious universities? The evidence of stock manipulation involving the witness is not convincing. The witness didn’t own a single share of the related stocks.”
Ryan waved a document she had secured in advance. It was the witness’s stock trading records.
“Could all these plans have stopped at just receiving a large sum of money? Who first mentioned all these allegations?”
Ryan displayed evidence received from Song-kang on the screen. It was a document containing Geum Moran’s delegation of authority from Chairman Na.
Male lead Asks for a Divorce Every Day
It’s not often you come across a plot like this in the female-dominant genre — make sure to check it out!
This is a novel I’m planning to reread as well.
The male lead is strong, skilled in martial arts, and not the usual fragile type you often see in matriarchal novels.
Meanwhile, the female lead is a scientist—rational and logical. Even when she falls for the male lead, she doesn’t let her emotions cloud her decisions.
If you push through the first few chapters, you’ll gradually find the story really intriguing.
It has a mix of mystery, detective elements, and romance.
The author’s writing style is like crafting a puzzle—except they deliberately leave out a few pieces, making it hard to predict what happens next, yet keeping you hooked.
In the end, everything will come together and be explained.
One-sentence summary: Wife, stop playing with beakers and look at me!
In a laboratory accident, research scientist Zhu Wansheng accidentally travels to a matriarchal world. The original owner of the body is an eighteen-year-old only daughter of a wealthy rouge merchant, already married with a handsome young man.
Zhu Wansheng grins: Nice! She always said she was heaven’s favorite granddaughter. After a life of toil in her previous life, she can enjoy blessings in this one.
However, her joy lasts no more than three seconds as bad news arrives: the original owner’s family is about to go bankrupt, and her husband wants a divorce.
Even worse, she’s stuck with a research system full of restrictions.
Zhu Wansheng: ? Is this the destiny of a research dog?
——
Faced with this mess, Zhu Wansheng pours herself a bowl of wine to drown her sorrows. In her drunken haze, her husband arrives.
His figure is imposing, holding a long sword, with a dignified air that captivates Zhu Wansheng.
Gu Yingqing, however, looks at the alcohol-reeking Zhu Wansheng with undisguised disgust and coldly asks, “Divorce or not?” The intoxicated Zhu Wansheng mumbles vaguely, “I think… it’s not… it’s not… impossible!”
——
The next day, after sobering up, Zhu Wansheng is full of energy, rolling up her sleeves ready to make a big move. As for yesterday? She has no memory of it.
Zhu Wansheng is ambitious; a research dog fears nothing!
Upgrading rouge, extracting fragrances, producing perfumes, researching lipsticks… all shall bow to the power of modern technology!
The original owner’s dying rouge shop is revitalized. Her mother is pleased and with a wave of her hand, passes on the family business to her. As she takes control and her experimental results gain popularity, it’s the pinnacle of her life…
——
But there are always those who can’t stand to see her doing well. Jealousy, scheming, assassination attempts – they want nothing less than her life.
The person who has always kept his distance from her suddenly holds her tightly in his arms, eyes full of concern.
She is unharmed, but he falls into a pool of blood…
Zhu Wansheng feels guilty, “I can grant you one wish.”
Gu Yingqing tentatively circles his arms around her, carefully resting his head in the crook of her neck, pleading softly, “I regret it. Can we not divorce?”
Zhu Wansheng: ? When did I agree to a divorce?
[Small Theater]
The newly developed rouge is beautifully packaged, and Zhu Wansheng is eager to try it.
Gu Yingqing suddenly appears: “My lady, may I apply it for you?”
Cool fingertips lightly brush her lips. His Adam’s apple bobs as he leans in for a light bite.
Zhu Wansheng: ?
Gu Yingqing: It smells so good, I wanted to taste it…
On a warm spring day, Zhu Wansheng tries a new perfume: “Spring Night.” Gu Yingqing corners her against a wall.
Warm breath lingers on her neck.
“My lady, from now on, may I test the fragrances for you?”
[Humorous female scientist vs scheming live-in son-in-law male lead]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
