An injury assessment report?
That single document had once been the cornerstone of the original conviction.
According to the report, Veronica Weiss had suffered multiple bruises and abrasions, injuries allegedly consistent with violent coercion. It was this report that had nailed Ethan Walker to the cross in the first trial.
Yet now—after secret relationships were exposed, collusion revealed, extortion laid bare, and accomplices had turned on each other in open court—
Lucas Carter was asking the court to re-examine it.
Why?
Was there really anything left to overturn?
At the plaintiff's table, Zachary Kang suddenly snapped his head up, like a cornered animal sensing danger. A flicker of resistance returned to his hollow eyes.
"Your Honor, I object!" he shouted, nearly leaping to his feet.
"This request is completely unreasonable! A forensic injury report is an authoritative legal document! Re-examining it at will undermines the credibility of the entire forensic system!"
He spoke forcefully, confidently—procedurally flawless.
Judge Sullivan regarded him coldly.
"Defense counsel," the judge said, "state your basis."
Lucas rose calmly.
"Your Honor, I am not questioning the authority of the Metropolitan Forensic Evaluation Center," he said evenly. "I am questioning the individual who authored this report."
Without looking at Kang, Lucas withdrew a document from his file.
"This is an independent forensic analysis prepared by a licensed medical examiner, based on the original injury photographs submitted in the first trial."
The document was handed to the bailiff and delivered to the bench.
"The analysis indicates that the bruise on Ms. Weiss's knee is light yellow with diffused edges. According to established healing patterns of soft-tissue contusions, this is characteristic of an older injury—formed no less than seven days prior to the alleged incident."
He paused.
"In other words, this injury could not have occurred on the night in question."
The courtroom went still.
An old injury?
Zachary Kang's face drained of color.
"That's absurd!" he snapped.
"You can't determine timing from color alone! Lighting, camera quality, angles—all of that affects appearance. This is speculation!"
Lucas finally turned toward him.
A thin, cold smile appeared.
"Attorney Kang," he said quietly, "you seem extremely confident in the Metropolitan Forensic Evaluation Center."
Kang stiffened. "Of course I am. It's one of the most reputable institutions in the state."
"I see," Lucas nodded.
"I assumed it was because you were… personally familiar with them."
The words landed like ice.
Lucas didn't wait for a response. He glanced back.
Lily instantly understood.
Suppressing her racing heartbeat, she retrieved a USB drive from the evidence case and handed it to the bailiff.
"Your Honor," Lucas said calmly, "since opposing counsel places such faith in that institution, we ask the court to view a short video demonstrating its… professionalism."
Zachary Kang's pupils contracted violently.
Impossible.
There couldn't be a video.
The courtroom screen lit up.
Not messages. Not audio.
Surveillance footage.
Timestamp and location appeared clearly in the corner:
November 5th, last year — 7:32 PM
Grand Regency Hotel — 15th Floor Corridor
The footage showed a sharply dressed man standing outside a hotel room, speaking with a middle-aged man in casual clothes.
The man in the suit was unmistakable.
Zachary Kang.
The live stream detonated.
"That's him!"
"What is he doing there?"
"No way—this is insane!"
On-screen, Kang removed a thick manila envelope from his briefcase and discreetly passed it over.
The hallway microphone picked up his voice clearly.
"Doctor Harris, you've worked hard on this case.
Just a small token of appreciation.
As for the report—let's proceed exactly as discussed."
The other man weighed the envelope, smiling.
"Don't worry, Counselor.
That kind of injury can appear whenever you need it to.
I'll make sure it looks convincing."
The video cut.
Then red text appeared across the screen:
Individual Identified:
Deputy Medical Examiner
Metropolitan Forensic Evaluation Center
Author of the injury assessment report used in the original trial.
Silence.
Then chaos.
Fabricated evidence.
Bribery.
Judicial corruption.
A scream tore through the courtroom.
Zachary Kang's face turned corpse-white. His body swayed. He tried to speak—failed.
His knees buckled.
Judge Sullivan's hands clenched so tightly the veins stood out. Fury burned in his eyes.
The live stream exploded.
"They bought the forensic report?!"
"This isn't a case—it's a criminal conspiracy!"
"Arrest him NOW!"
Lily stood frozen behind Lucas, trembling—not with fear, but exhilaration.
Lucas waited until the uproar subsided.
Then he straightened.
His voice was cold, precise, merciless.
"Your Honor."
"I hereby formally file a criminal complaint."
"Against plaintiff's counsel, Zachary Kang, of Rowe and co Law"
"For conspiracy with a medical examiner to fabricate evidence, obstruct justice, and knowingly submit false forensic testimony."
"These acts constitute tampering with evidence and obstruction of justice under New York Penal Law."
"I request the court immediately detain the suspect and refer the matter to the District Attorney for criminal investigation."
Zachary Kang's eyes rolled back.
His body collapsed forward, hitting the floor with a dull, final thud.
The courtroom had witnessed the end of an elite lawyer.