A betrothal gift of 1,080,000 yuan is no small sum.

"Judgment Chief, respected judges, as the situation has developed, there have been some changes. Therefore, our client intends to temporarily amend the litigation claims."

At the plaintiff's bench, before Wan Zhongyuan could speak, Qi ZhaoYu hurriedly produced a new statement of claim, which a bailiff then submitted to the court.

Zhou Quanmin and the other judges exchanged glances. They reread the document.

"Changing the litigation claim in court complies with trial requirements. Permission granted," Zhou Quanmin nodded.

In many civil cases, the litigation claims made at the time of acceptance often change as events evolve. Therefore, litigation law specifically stipulates that claims can be amended before and during the court session, allowing for a new direction in the litigation.

At the plaintiff's bench, Wan Zhongyuan saw this and immediately stood up. He recited his new claim: "Respected Judgment Chief and judges, on the 12th of this month…"

In front of everyone, he changed his legal action from accusing fraud to suing for unjust enrichment.

"After taking my 1,080,000 yuan, the defendant refuses to return it."

"Therefore, I earnestly request the court to order the defendant to return my 1,080,000 yuan transfer, and to pay civil damages and accrued interest, totaling 36,000 yuan."

After Wan Zhongyuan finished his statement, Yan Yeyun, at the defendant's bench, was suddenly dumbfounded.

She couldn't help but turn to Zhang Wei, asking with a bewildered expression, "Lawyer Zhang, this isn't what you said would happen. How did they change their claim to something else…?"

Zhang Wei hadn't anticipated this development either. However, he calmed down and said in a low voice, "They're suing for unjust enrichment. Just make a simple statement later; I'll handle anything you don't understand."

Lawsuits often involve unexpected developments. This shift to a claim of unjust enrichment, for instance, was completely unforeseen by him. However, he didn't lose his composure and instead urgently began to strategize a way out of this predicament.

"The defendant may now respond. Do you have any objection to the plaintiff's statement?" Zhou Quanmin then looked at Yan Yeyun.

Yan Yeyun swallowed hard but still argued resolutely, "The money he transferred to me was agreed upon as the betrothal gift for the marriage."

"Originally, he was going to give more, but considering everyone's difficulties, we didn't ask for more."

"We raised a daughter who married into their family. They couldn't possibly contribute nothing, could they?"

"This 1,080,000 yuan is the betrothal gift money!"

She adamantly insisted that this sum was the betrothal gift.

Nearby, Zhang Wei showed a satisfied smile upon hearing this.

To win this lawsuit, this 1,080,000 yuan must be characterized as betrothal gift money. Otherwise, the claim of unjust enrichment will be substantiated.

Subsequently, Zhou Quanmin gravely summarized, "Currently, the crux of this case is whether the 1,080,000 yuan constitutes a betrothal gift."

"Next, both parties will present evidence and conduct cross-examination."

The trial quickly moved to the evidence presentation and cross-examination phase.

On Wan Zhongyuan's side, Qi ZhaoYu presented numerous notarized documents proving that these assets belonged solely to Wan Zhongyuan. The marriage registration also occurred before the 1,080,000 yuan transfer. He further stated that a betrothal gift of 1,080,000 yuan was excessively unreasonable and should not be classified as such.

Zhang Wei quickly stabilized his position, presenting chat records between the parents of both parties and records of the transfers made in installments. He also requested that both the groom and bride testify in court regarding this matter.

"Call the witnesses!"

After a brief consultation, the collegiate panel decided to have Wan Feizhang and Wen Le testify.

Zhou Quanmin asked them both, "During your marriage, did you promise that the 1,080,000 yuan would be a betrothal gift?"

Wan Feizhang gulped. He glanced at Wan Zhongyuan to his left, then at Wen Le to his right. For a moment, he didn't know how to answer.

"During your marriage, did you promise that the 1,080,000 yuan would be a betrothal gift?" Zhou Quanmin repeated sternly.

Seeing Wan Feizhang remain silent, Wen Le took the initiative and nodded. "When we were discussing the marriage, the 1,080,000 yuan betrothal gift was already promised."

But Wan Feizhang still stammered, not giving an answer.

Sensing something was amiss, Zhou Quanmin sternly warned, "This is a court of law. Every word you speak will be held as legal testimony. If you commit perjury in court, you may face criminal charges!"

Startled, Wen Le quickly corrected herself, "They initially agreed on a betrothal gift of 660,000 yuan; it was increased later…"

Seeing this, Wan Feizhang also chimed in with agreement.

"Unfilial son!"

"You unfilial son!"

At the plaintiff's bench, Wan Zhongyuan saw his son siding with the opposition and trembled with anger again.

"Order!" Zhou Quanmin struck the gavel and continued his inquiry, "Was your marriage subjected to any external coercion?"

This point was also crucial for the case's determination.

"No, we married voluntarily, and our relationship now… is also very good," Wen Le replied.

Wan Feizhang hastily agreed, despite having been berated all day yesterday.

The collegiate panel then asked other questions related to the case.

The plaintiff and defendant continued to argue over evidentiary materials. Both sides held firm to their arguments. One side argued the 1,080,000 yuan was not a betrothal gift and demanded its return. The other maintained it was indeed a betrothal gift and should not be returned.

In the public gallery, Qin Mu, who had been engrossed in the proceedings, watched the compelling arguments from both sides with keen interest.

Zhang Wei and Qi ZhaoYu were two of Jin City's top lawyers. Their handling of the case was very precise.

The two sides debated for two hours, yet no clear victor emerged.

Actually, this was mainly because Wan Feizhang had sided with the defendant. This meant that rulings concerning the marriage and related matters tended to favor the defendant. Otherwise, if Wan Feizhang had claimed the marriage was unhappy, involving deception or exploitation, the situation would have been entirely different. But now, in the courtroom, both Wan Feizhang and Wen Le stated their relationship was good and their marriage happy.

This made the issue of the betrothal gift even more complex and convoluted. For a legitimate marriage, a betrothal gift is considered reasonable and is a recognized custom. Thus, Wan Zhongyuan's side couldn't entirely argue that the 1,080,000 yuan was personal property; it would inevitably carry some attributes of a betrothal gift.

It looks like… the 1,080,000 yuan can't be fully reclaimed. Qin Mu glanced at Wan Zhongyuan, who was trembling with anger, and sighed lightly.

Originally, according to his method, it could have all been reclaimed. Even if they couldn't prove the other party guilty of fraud, they could still have recovered the full 1,080,000 yuan based on unjust enrichment.

"Did any of you understand that? So, are they changing their strategy or not?"

"Weren't we supposed to sue them for fraud? How did it suddenly become about the couple's marital problems?"

"That son of the Vice President... are we sure he's biologically his? Why is he always siding against his own family?"

"If I had a son like that, I'd beat him to death without a second thought!"

"…"

Next to Qin Mu, Zhang Qingyuan, Li Weiguo, and others began whispering among themselves. Although they didn't understand the nuances of the legal arguments, it didn't stop their blood pressure from soaring. The father is in court fighting a lawsuit, while his son sides with the opposing party. Anyone in that situation would probably blow a fuse.

CRACK!

Finally, the debate concluded, and the gavel fell. Zhou Quanmin announced a half-hour recess.

During this break, Wan Zhongyuan, his face livid, left the plaintiff's bench and walked towards the witness stand. As he passed the public gallery, he once again snatched up an elderly man's cane.

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