Chapter 17
Priscilla didn’t want to deal with the drama between Angelo and Miley anymore.
Three days later, she had another very important thing to do.
The “National Lawyers‘ Peak Debate” jointly organized by the National Bar Association is about to kick off in Radren.
Not only Priscilla’s Starlight Law Firm, but also other well–known law firms in the country will participate.
This was a grand event.
On the day of the debate, Radren International Convention Center was buzzing with excitement, and every seat was filled.
On stage, Priscilla, dressed in a black suit with sharp red lips, stood behind the sign that read “Law Above All“.
And across from him, Angelo in a dark gray three–piece suit, with a calm expression, representing the theme “Emotions are the foundation of law.”
The assistant whispered in her ear, “What a mess it is outside, and he still dares to come…”
“His past experience is still there after all, so it’s understandable to invite him.” Priscilla wasn’t surprised. “Keep it down, it’s starting soon.”
The assistant pursed his lips, focused on the computer screen, ready to take notes.
The host smiled and opened the show, saying: “Today’s debate is special – when law conflicts with emotions, which one comes first?”
The flashlights in the audience suddenly lit up, everyone knew, this was not just an academic debate, but also the first public intellectual showdown between this “legal and political couple.”
Priscilla was the first to present her argument as the affirmative.
“The reason why laws are laws is because they eliminate emotional variables,” she lightly tapped the table with her fingertips. “Imagine if judges leniently sentenced murderers out of sympathy, or if lawyers distorted evidence out of personal feelings – in such a world, do we still need laws?”
She listed several cases that had once caused a sensation nationwide.
“Three years ago, the ‘rich second generation drunk driving case‘ was clear to everyone, but the public opinion demanded a light sentence. In the end, the court resisted the pressure and sentenced heavily according to law, giving the victims‘ families the justice they deserved – that’s the dignity of the law.”
The whole audience was clapping and cheering.
When it was Angelo’s turn, he stayed silent for a long time.
“I used to believe in absolute rationality too,” he suddenly looked up and stared at Priscilla, “until I was researching the law code for a divorce case and realized that all the clauses stemmed from the same intention to protect the emotional contract in marriage.”
–
The big screen lit up with the first article of the “Marriage Law“: “This law aims to uphold equal, harmonious, and civilized marriage and family relationships.”
“The legal provisions are the skeleton, and emotions are the flesh and blood,” his voice gradually hoarse, “just like it took me three years to understand, what really matters is not how many cases you win, but…”
He looked at Priscilla with intense gaze.
“I lost you.”
The whole place fell silent in an instant.
Amidst everyone’s shocked looks, Angelo stepped down from the podium and walked straight up to Priscilla.
“I mistook obsession for love,” he said softly, almost causing the front row reporters to shake and drop their cameras. “It wasn’t until I lost you that I realized you were my only true color.”
Priscilla’s hand holding the pen paused slightly.
Three years ago, Angelo, who used to speak coldly to her in the study, overlaps and separates from the man who is bowing his head in public now.
She slowly got up and, as she passed by Angelo, she left a response that everyone could hear.
“Mr. Haley, the law doesn’t allow for assumptions,” she walked towards the center of the stage, “just like life has no turning back.”
The big screen suddenly switched to the slides she had prepared in advance.
“Emotions can deceive, memories can beautify, but legal documents are always black and white.” She clicked the remote, displaying the divorce Chapter 17
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agreement signed by Angelo three years ago, “Just like this document, once it takes effect, it’s irreversible.”
Angelo’s face was pale as a ghost.
A woman wearing sunglasses suddenly stood up in the back row – Miley.
“What a passionate performance!” she chuckled, taking off her sunglasses to reveal a tired face. “Angelo, did you really overturn a case you defended just to win her back?”
The media cameras were all over her, but she suddenly pulled out a stack of photos and threw them into the air.
Page after page, all filled with love letters Angelo wrote to her back in the days.
“Do you want me to remind you how you used to criticize Priscilla back then? ‘A boring wooden beauty‘?”
Angelo clenched his fist suddenly and said, “I don’t believe it! Those letters were forged by you!”
In the midst of chaos, Priscilla banged the gavel.
“You see – this is a typical case of emotions interfering with the law,” she calmly pointed to the scattered love letters, “When private emotions invade the public domain, truth becomes the cheapest sacrifice.”
She finally looked at Angelo, her eyes like a judge passing sentence.
“My speech is finished.”
The debate ended with Priscilla winning overwhelmingly.
Angelo stopped her backstage and said, “Priscilla! Believe me, I had no idea she would come…”
Priscilla quietly watched him for a long time, then suddenly smiled.
“Was it important? Even without Miley, the issues between us never changed – you only loved the me in your fantasies.”
“I have always been myself, just changed my identity, and you suddenly started to regret, suddenly had a sincere heart. Angelo, is your sincere heart so cheap, did you even deceive yourself with your deep affection?”
When she turned and left, Angelo suddenly shouted, “What if I can prove it?”
She didn’t look back.
Chapter 17
