Chapter 3464: Diva, Diva (21)

Because of that aged, retro-style notebook, Yue Wenlun gave her some face and increased his favorability by a few points.

However, Qiao Ling’er didn't feel any joy. She only felt that Yue Wenlun was incredibly pragmatic and didn't truly love her at all, as he had never really done anything for her.

Once his favorability was maxed out, she was definitely going to kick this man to the curb.

After handing over the notebook, Qiao Ling’er wanted to go home and rest. Having stayed up all night, she was reaching her physical limit.

The trial attracted many reporters, and Ning Shu also went along to watch the courtroom proceedings.

Yue Wenlun sat at the defendant's table with Qiao Ling’er sitting prettily beside him.

Ning Shu looked at the two of them and noticed they were quite calm, not appearing worried about the lawsuit at all.

She felt a bit puzzled. Did these two have some other trick up their sleeves, or were they just bluffing?

The reporters kept pressing their shutters, and the room was filled with the constant click-clack of cameras. This was a massive news story.

After the court came to order, both sides gave a brief introduction, and then the lawyers began their fierce arguments.

This lawsuit carried too much weight. The losing side would be labeled a plagiarist and would face total ruin, making it virtually impossible to continue working in the industry.

Both sides had to give their all, fighting for both reputation and capital.

Chen Xiang’s lawyer asked very sharp questions, focusing entirely on details within the script. For example, what was the second female lead’s adoptive mother’s name?

What was the father of the second female lead named?

What was the name of the female protagonist’s mother?

What was the character archetype of the second female lead’s brother?

What was the protagonist’s character archetype?

What happened in the twentieth episode of the script?

Qiao Ling’er: …

She had copied it all in a frantic rush. How could she have noticed such details? She could only stammer, unable to give an answer.

Seeing her like this, Yue Wenlun immediately spoke up. "This is unfair. Why are these questions only being directed at our side?"

The screenwriter, Chen Xiang, answered every question directly herself.

Yue Wenlun felt that something was wrong. He leaned toward Qiao Ling’er’s ear and whispered, "What’s going on? Can’t you answer them?"

Qiao Ling’er was incredibly anxious. "I wrote this script a long time ago. I don't remember the specific details very clearly. The other side is playing tricks."

Yue Wenlun frowned and said aloud, "This is unfair. You memorized these questions in advance."

Chen Xiang replied, "You can ask me whatever you like. I don't mind."

"You could have memorized the script beforehand. This method cannot be used as a basis for judgment."

Chen Xiang’s lawyer said, "Miss Qiao is completely unfamiliar with her own work. As the creator of the script, she should understand it better than anyone. Instead, you claim we memorized it, which is highly suspicious."

As soon as the trial began, Chen Xiang’s side had delivered a powerful opening gambit that Qiao Ling’er was unable to parry.

Qiao Ling’er regretted not memorizing the script. She had only scanned it briefly to get the general idea, knowing it was a beautiful, tragic love story.

Because she didn't know the specific details, her momentum was completely suppressed by the other side.

It was an unfortunate start.

Ning Shu watched the battle silently. As long as she didn't testify and prove that she had sold the outline to Chen Xiang, Chen Xiang’s chances of winning were very high.

Of course, Ning Shu wasn't stupid enough to go and testify against her own interests.

"Our side has evidence to prove that Miss Qiao wrote this script. She doesn't remember the specifics simply because so much time has passed!" Yue Wenlun’s lawyer produced the old notebook.

Ning Shu raised an eyebrow. There was a manuscript?

"This is Miss Qiao’s manuscript. If you don't believe it, you can verify the handwriting," the lawyer said. At this point, they had to produce concrete evidence. Talking too much would only work against them.

While Qiao Ling’er’s side presented their evidence, Chen Xiang’s side presented the digital timestamps from her computer, as well as records of repeated revisions, from the first draft to the final version.

Clearly, Chen Xiang’s evidence was substantial. As a professional screenwriter, she knew how to preserve evidence to prevent exactly this kind of situation.

She was very experienced, which made Qiao Ling’er’s evidence look thin in comparison.

"These aging techniques are too easy to fake. Given a little time, we could find someone to create this same antique look," Chen Xiang’s lawyer said directly.

Qiao Ling’er’s face went pale upon hearing this. Seeing Yue Wenlun looking at her with suspicion, she immediately tried to steady herself and argued, "That's ridiculous. How could something like this be faked?"

"Faking this kind of thing is all about the chemicals. If we put the book in water and test it, there will definitely be a result. What can't be faked these days?" the lawyer said unhurriedly.

Qiao Ling’er’s limbs went weak, and she saw stars before her eyes. How could this be? How did these people know she had faked it?

"No! This is mine! I worked hard to write this entire book myself. It can't be thrown in water. This is my property, and you have no right to touch it! I object! I object!"

Qiao Ling’er stood up in a panic. Her was voice full of fear, and her face was deathly pale.

Ning Shu sat in the spectator seats. She rested her chin on her hand as she watched Qiao Ling’er. That notebook was almost certainly a forgery. What surprised her was that Chen Xiang’s lawyer actually knew.

Ning Shu couldn't help but suspect that someone was monitoring Qiao Ling’er.

This was the power of capital. There were major investors behind Chen Xiang. If this were just a fight between two screenwriters, it wouldn't matter as much, but now the actors had been cast and the investment was in place. Every day of delay meant burning through a massive amount of money. Pure silver was just evaporating.

In reality, this was a battle between a major entertainment company and Yue Wenlun’s studio.

Chen Xiang’s lawyer ignored Qiao Ling’er’s objection. "It’s not a big deal. We only need to take a cotton swab dipped in water and touch it to a page. Or, you can just give us a single sheet of paper."

This completely blocked Qiao Ling’er’s path of escape.

Yue Wenlun pulled Qiao Ling’er back into her seat. "What exactly is going on?"

Even if Yue Wenlun were a complete fool, he could tell something was wrong from her violent reaction.

The judge allowed the notebook to be tested, and Qiao Ling’er’s face grew even whiter.

"What is going on? I don't want to hear the truth from anyone else's mouth," Yue Wenlun said, his expression grim.

He had asked her repeatedly before, and she had guaranteed him that she wrote the script.

If the situation reversed and they were found guilty of plagiarism, she might not care about her dignity, but he certainly cared about his.

"I really wrote this! I didn't steal it or plagiarize anyone else's work!" Qiao Ling’er thought to herself. This script was given to her by the system, so how could it be plagiarism? It didn't count.

But no one would believe that.

"Do not let anyone know of my existence, unless you want to die," the system said coldly in her mind. "Do you want to be studied on a dissection table?"

No matter how foolish Qiao Ling’er was, she would never speak of the system in her head.

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