Chapter 46: The Truth Unfolds
A hush fell over the courtroom, thick with disbelief. Everyone had come expecting a guilty verdict for Infinity—headlines, outrage, a quick end to the scandal. But Dr. Fang's testimony had upended everything. Whispers rippled through the crowd, as people leaned in, straining to hear, as if afraid they'd misheard.
*A setup?*
*Antibiotics and alcohol?*
Reporters scribbled furiously, their pens scratching against notebooks like insects. This wasn't just a verdict—it was a bombshell.
The judge, regaining his composure, gestured to the bailiffs. "Help the gentleman up."
Two bailiffs lifted Dr. Fang, whose shoulders shook with sobs. "I'm a sinner," he croaked, his voice raw. "A lifetime of healing, and I took blood money. Shame on me."
The courtroom absorbed his words, piecing together the story: a greedy pharmacist, two scheming men, a bribe, and a beating. It was like a bad crime novel—but real.
"I didn't think much of it at first," Dr. Fang continued, wiping his eyes. "Kids in clubs, drinking too much… happens every night. But when I heard it was *those two*—the ones who'd begged for cefoperazone? My blood ran cold. I wanted to scream, to tell the truth. But then a man came to my shop. Slid me 10,000 yuan. 'Forget what you saw,' he said. I… I took it."
He hung his head, shame etched into every wrinkle. "Foolish old man. Greed clouded my sense. But three nights ago? Masked men broke in. Beat me within an inch of my life. 'Keep your mouth shut,' they said. If not for some good Samaritans passing by… I'd be dead."
A murmur rose—*who? Who ordered the hit?*
Qian Baoqing sat rigid in his seat, his face a sickly white.
The judge leaned forward, his voice gentle. "Dr. Fang, we'll verify your injuries. There's a private room—"
Dr. Fang waved him off, a bitter smile on his lips. "No. Let them see. Let everyone see what happens to those who cross them. I've been a coward once. Never again."
Before anyone could stop him, he pulled off his Tang suit, baring his upper body to the courtroom.
A collective gasp echoed.
His back and chest were a map of brutality—bruises the color of eggplant, lacerations where skin hung in rags, pus oozing from infected wounds. The stench of rot hung in the air, thick and nauseating. This wasn't a few blows; it was a torture.
Silence. Absolute, suffocating silence.
Even the reporters fell quiet, their cameras lowering. This wasn't spectacle anymore. It was tragedy.
"I've lived long enough to know right from wrong," Dr. Fang said, his voice steady despite his trembling. "They wanted me dead because I knew their secret. But I'm still here. To tell the truth. To clear Infinity's name."
With that, his knees buckled. He crumpled to the floor, unconscious.
"Someone get an ambulance!" Song Mingjie roared, leaping from his seat. He rushed to Dr. Fang, his usual cockiness replaced by raw fury. "You see this? This is what happens when you cross Qian Baoqing! This is the man you wanted to lionize!" He rounded on the reporters, his face red. "You vultures! Printing lies, ruining lives—happy now? This man nearly died for telling the truth!"
The judge banged his gavel. "Order! Mr. Song, return to your seat!" But there was no heat in it. Even he looked shaken.
As paramedics carried Dr. Fang out, the courtroom remained silent. No one needed to say it: the "alcohol poisoning" was a lie. A brutal, premeditated lie.
When order was restored, the judge turned to Zhou Tianming. "Does the defense have further evidence?"
Zhou smiled, calm as ever. "Two more exhibits, Your Honor. First: testimony from Infinity's liquor supplier, confirming all shipments are authenticated and tracked. No counterfeits have ever passed through their warehouse."
The prosecutor started to object, but Zhou held up a hand. "Second: a confession from Wang Haibin—the lab technician who 'verified' the 'fake' liquor. He admits to taking a 5,000-yuan bribe to falsify results. Here's his signed statement."
He slid the paper across the bench. The judge scanned it, his eyebrows rising.
Qian Baoqing stood abruptly, knocking over his chair. "This is a farce! Forgery! All of it!"
But his voice cracked, betraying his panic.
The two "victims"—now pale as ghosts—dropped to their knees. "We did it! We lied!" one shouted, tears streaming. "Qian paid us! 500,000 yuan to frame Infinity! We took the antibiotic, then drank on purpose—*he told us to*!"
The courtroom erupted.
The judge banged his gavel, silencing the chaos. "The court will recess for ten minutes. We'll return with a verdict."
In those ten minutes, the mood shifted. Reporters swarmed Ye, their questions now reverent. "Ms. Ye, how does it feel to be vindicated?" "Will you press charges against Qian?"
Ye smiled, exhaustion softening her features. "I just want to rebuild. Infinity's more than this scandal."
When the judge returned, his voice was firm. "In the case of *People v. Infinity KTV*, the court finds the defendant… not guilty. All charges are dismissed."
He turned to the "victims." "As for you two: fraud, perjury, conspiracy. Expect a lengthy sentence. And Mr. Qian Baoqing—you're under arrest. Bribery, assault, conspiracy to frame. We'll be in touch."
Bailiffs moved to handcuff Qian, who struggled, screaming obscenities. "This isn't over! I'll ruin you, Ye Xiwen! I swear it!"
But no one listened. The story was already written: the little KTV that fought back, the corrupt tycoon brought down, the brave doctor who risked his life for the truth.
Outside the courthouse, sunlight blazed. Ye shielded her eyes, laughing as reporters snapped photos.
Wu walked up beside her, grinning. "Told you we'd win."
Ye rolled her eyes, but there was warmth in it. "You're insufferable. But… thank you. For everything."
"Anytime, Boss Ye. Anytime."
As they walked away, arm in arm, the headlines were already hitting newsstands:
*"Infinity Cleared: Scandal Exposed as Plot"*
*"Whistleblower Doctor Beaten for Truth"*
*"Qian Baoqing Arrested in KTV Frame-Up"*
Infinity would reopen the next day, busier than ever. People came not just to drink, but to stand with the little club that had defied the odds.
And Ye? She stood taller, her faith in people restored—by a grumpy security guard, a loyal lawyer, a brave old doctor, and even a loudmouthed kid named Song Mingjie.
Some truths, she realized, were worth fighting for.
And with Wu by her side? She was ready for whatever came next.