The Mafia Empire
Chapter 67: Chapter 67 A Game Of Sympathy And Scorn

Camille glared at Kevin, as if he wanted to tear him to pieces. Previously, he had boasted in the media that Nasha was one of the masterminds behind the case and vowed to pin the blame on her. But Kevin had suddenly turned everything around, and now the case was heading in the exact opposite direction from what Camille had hoped.

The worst part was that the bold claims he had made had already been published and attracted attention.

Even though the outcome of this case wouldn't harm him directly, those powerful figures who could decide his future might not appreciate a young man who acted so recklessly.

Thankfully, this was only the second of three trials—there was still one more. He still had a chance!

After the second trial ended, Kevin smiled and extended his hand to Camille. He felt confident, holding onto key evidence and witnesses. Regardless of whether Camille could replace new evidence and witnesses to support his "mutual murder case" argument, he would not be Kevin's match. After all, no evidence or witness could ever carry more authority than the killer himself.

Since victory was certain, why not display the cultured demeanor of an educated man?

Only the victor deserves a victor's smile!

Faced with Kevin's provocative gesture, Camille's face tightened, and his eyes flashed with anger. After a moment, he turned away and resumed his work, packing up the materials on the table. Finally, he gathered them up with force, slamming them onto the table with a loud bang.

Many of the spectators and jury members who had already left halfway turned around, curious. In their eyes, they saw Kevin, courteous and polite, even extending a friendly hand to his "opponent." Meanwhile, Camille, the district attorney, appeared rude, ignoring Kevin's goodwill and instead creating a loud noise to express his dissatisfaction and hostility.

People often like to side with the underdog challenging the powerful. Kevin, representing the poor girl, Natasha, undoubtedly gained their sympathy. It was as if they had forgotten that they once called Kevin the "Devil's Advocate." Now, they were more inclined to support Kevin against the rude district attorney.

This scene did not escape the judge's notice either. The judge smiled, shook his head, and left through a side passage. Based on his rich experience, he could already predict that during the final trial, Camille would lose, and lose badly.

This was not some mystical foresight but a judgment based on experience. The more confident someone was, the more polite they appeared, because they were certain of their victory. On the other hand, those who became flustered always ended up losing. Psychologically, Camille had already lost.

The judge had high hopes for Camille. He was young, energetic, and had an insatiable desire to uncover the truth. More importantly, he was a man of justice. However, the moment Camille was chosen as a candidate for the position of state prosecutor, he lost his balance.

He wanted to make a big splash and establish his dominance, but he had tripped up unexpectedly.

Kevin glanced at his right hand, shrugged, and then turned and walked briskly toward the door. Julian, who had been sitting silently, now stood up and followed Kevin outside.

"I must congratulate you. It looks like you've got this in the bag."

Kevin was pleased with Julian's compliment. This case would not only allow him to leave Camille far behind, but the ultimate victory would also add a bright feather to his cap. After all, not everyone could defeat a prosecutor when starting from a disadvantaged position—of course, cheating didn't count.

He had paved the way for his future in the capital and earned a thousand dollar fee. There was nothing about this case that didn't satisfy him.

Kevin's joy was written all over his face. "There's nothing really to be proud of, although I do feel proud..." He stopped, raised his arm, and adjusted his sleeve just enough to reveal his wristwatch. "I have a dinner later. Why don't you join me? I'll introduce you to two people."

As a seasoned lawyer, Kevin often mingled with all sorts of people, from vagrants to city magnates. Any of them could provide valuable information or become potential clients. Among his most frequent contacts were police officers and their chiefs.

In Ternell, you could offend anyone, but never the police chief.

According to imperial law, police had the right to briefly detain individuals they deemed suspicious. If they found even a shred of evidence, they could apply for arrest and search warrants. Over the past decade, at least three magnates in Ternell had been ruined after offending the police chief.

However, this didn't mean the chief was a tyrant; he was smart enough to know that not every magnate was an easy target.

Kevin's invitation was timely. With things heating up outside, Julian naturally needed a powerful backer to shield him, and the police chief was one of the strongest supporters available.

The two of them got into Kevin's car. It was notable that despite Julian's rising fame in Ternell, he still didn't own a car—quite humble, indeed.

Lunch was at Ternell's finest restaurant, Jasmine's Iridescent Onyx River. Jasmine was the name of the restaurant's owner, a stunning woman in her thirties. Rumor had it she was the mayor's lover, with some colorful versions of the story fueling the imaginations of workers. No one dared to discuss it openly though, whether true or not, as it meant crossing powerful people.

The restaurant's real name, "Iridescent Onyx River." Located at the corner of Twelfth and Eleventh streets in the city center, across from Ternell's City Hall, the restaurant was quite prestigious. Unlike other restaurants, there was no public dining area here. From the moment they entered, staff guided Kevin and Julian into Private Room 9.

Some said this restaurant was a hotbed of shady dealings, while others claimed it was a breeding ground for corruption. In any case, those who dined here were either chasing wealth through power or possessed vast fortunes and sought more influence.

Upon entering Private Room 9, the opulent decor made one feel as though they had stepped into a palace. The dominant colors were crimson, gold, and iridescent white, with every detail reflecting the designer's meticulous efforts.