American comics: I am full of martial virtues and I love to be kind to others.

Chapter 212 Specially Invited Me
Lin En stopped and glanced at the other person coldly. "What I care about is not your company, but the truth. What you should worry about is not the future of the company, but your own."

The man's expression changed slightly, but he said nothing more and turned away.

In the evening, Lin En returned to the office and sat at the table to sort out the next plan for the case. He knew that this battle would not end easily, but his intuition told him that the Hallock family had not yet revealed all their cards.

He glanced down at the folder on his desk, which contained the case records for Kate's father. Although the core of the case pointed to Richard, Lynn still had a sense of unease. He knew that the Harlocks were hiding more secrets, and these secrets might be more terrifying than the crimes they had already discovered.

"This isn't over yet," Lin En whispered, a cold glint in his eyes. He slowly clenched his fists, as if gathering strength for the next battle.

A few days later.

The atmosphere in the courtroom was so heavy that even the air seemed to stop moving. Heavy wooden benches lined the courtroom, and the audience held their breath, each one waiting for a dramatic event to unfold. At the front of the courtroom, Matthew Hallock and his father, Richard, sat side by side. Their figures stood out: one a wealthy second-generation man enveloped in power and wealth, the other a corporate titan manipulating everything behind the scenes.

The judge sat upright in the bench and banged the gavel. A deep voice echoed throughout the courtroom: "The case of Matthew Hallock and Richard Hallock is now in session."

Lynn sat next to the plaintiff's table, sorting through documents on his desk. He wore a dark suit, his back straight, his gaze calm and focused. Kate sat in a corner of the back row, clutching her handbag tightly in both hands, her face pale. Despite her efforts to maintain composure, the tears in her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil.

"Defense counsel, please speak," the judge said coldly.

Victor Kahn stood up, still looking calm and composed. He smiled slightly, his tone polite but subtly aggressive. "Your Highness, my clients, Matthew and Richard Hallock, as key figures in the Krox Group, have been unfairly accused in this case. Whether the prosecution's evidence is direct enough remains to be seen."

He glanced around, a hint of disdain in his eyes. "More importantly, our social system cannot be swayed by emotions. It must be based on fairness and justice."

Lin En snorted coldly, his voice so low that only the people around him could hear. He stood up, holding a document in his hand, and nodded to the judge. "Your Honor, I will prove that every accusation in this case is based on solid evidence. Emotions are never our weapons—truth is."

The judge nodded and said, "The prosecution may begin its statement."

Lynn walked to the center of the courtroom, holding several key documents in his hands. His eyes swept over everyone in the courtroom, finally stopping at Matthew and Richard. At that moment, the entire courtroom fell silent, and only Lynn's deep and powerful voice could be heard.

"Matthew and Richard Hallock committed a series of heinous crimes. Not only did they manipulate the flow of illicit funds and engage in large-scale money laundering, but more importantly, their crimes directly led to the death of an innocent life – Carl Miller."

Kate's body trembled slightly, and she clutched her handbag tightly, as if this would prevent her from making any sound.

Lynn continued, "Let's go back to 2003. Carl Miller was an ordinary high school teacher and father. He participated in a community volunteer project, trying to create a better educational environment for local children. However, he accidentally came into contact with financial documents related to the Krox Group, which exposed the existence of a large amount of illegal funds."

He paused here, his eyes becoming more fierce. "And Matthew Hallock, fearing that these documents would expose his and his father's crimes, ordered truck driver Alvin Clark to create a car accident disguised as an 'accident', taking Carl Miller's life."

Lynn's words stirred a murmur in the courtroom. People in the audience whispered, their faces filled with shock and anger. Kate's eyes were already filled with tears. She bit her lip hard, forcing herself not to make any sound, but her shoulders were shaking slightly.

Lynn turned and pointed to the evidence table. "This is the confession of the truck driver, Alvin Clark. He described in detail how Matthew threatened him to commit this crime. In addition, there is also surveillance footage from the accident scene. It clearly shows that the truck deliberately accelerated and hit Carl's car. And all this was because of Matthew Hallock's order."

He turned his gaze to Matthew, his voice low and cold: "This is the fact, Matthew. One order from you destroyed a family."

Matthew's face was as pale as paper, and his lips trembled slightly. He tried to open his mouth to defend himself, but his voice seemed to be suppressed in his throat and no syllables came out.

Victor Kahn tried to interrupt Lynn's statement, "Judge, I protest--"

But Lin En didn't give him a chance. His voice became more and more firm. "Protests are invalid. This is not only what I stated, but also the truth pointed to by every piece of evidence."

He turned to look at Richard Hallock, his eyes cold enough to send chills down one's spine. "As for Richard Hallock, he's not only an accomplice to this crime, he's the controller of the entire criminal empire. Every illegal transaction and every dirty flow of funds in the Krox Group is inseparable from him. He is the king of this kingdom of crime, and Matthew is just his pawn."

Lin En's words were like heavy hammers, each word hammering through the air of the courtroom. The entire hall fell into a dead silence, and everyone held their breath.

Kate could no longer control herself, and her tears finally fell, dripping onto the handbag on her knees. She raised her head, her eyes blurred by tears, and looked at Lin En. His back was straight and resolute, like a wall that would never fall.

Lin En finally walked back to his seat, his voice low but powerful: "Justice may be late, but it is never absent. Today, we must let the truth be known to the world, so that those innocent victims can rest in peace."

After the trial, Kate stood in the hallway outside the courtroom, her hand on the wall, tears still streaming. She tried to catch her breath, but everything seemed to overwhelm her. The cause of her father's death, the truth behind it, and the past that she could never change, all came flooding back to her like a tide.

"Kate." Lynn's voice came from behind her.

She turned slowly and saw Lin En standing not far away, his face showing a complex and gentle expression. He walked towards her, his eyes revealing some subtle worry.

Kate sniffed and wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand, "Thank you, Lynn…thank you for letting the truth out."

Lynn nodded slightly, her tone low and gentle, "This is what I should do."

Kate looked at him, her eyes flashing with complex emotions. "Over the years, I have been chasing the truth, trying to find an explanation for the pain. But when the truth is laid before me... I found that it is heavier than I imagined."

Lynn didn't say anything, he just reached out and patted her shoulder gently. He knew that any words of comfort would be pale and powerless at this moment, but he also knew that Kate was stronger than anyone else.

"Kate, your father paid the price for justice, and we owe it to him to ensure that this crime never happens again." Lynn's voice was low and powerful, like a promise.

Kate nodded, tears still welling up in her eyes, but her gaze became firm. "I will continue my work and expose those who try to cover up the truth. Just like you."

Lin En smiled faintly and then turned to leave. His back looked tall and stern in the sunlight. Kate stood there, looking at him, feeling a kind of respect and gratitude she had never felt before.

At night, the streets of Brooklyn were still bustling with activity. Lights cast a hazy shadow on the wet ground. Lynn leaned against the car door, looking up at the red brick apartment building not far away. He stood in the cold wind, a bottle of red wine in hand, hesitating for a second before reaching up and pressing Kate's doorbell.

The doorbell rang a few times, and soon there was the sound of brisk footsteps. The door opened, and Kate stood there with a warm smile on her face. She had changed out of her reporter's signature trench coat and high heels for a simple beige sweater and jeans. She looked less professional and more homely.

"Lin En, you're so punctual." She stepped aside to let Lin En in, her tone light with teasing. "I thought you were going to stand me up because of some emergency."

Lin En raised the red wine in his hand and smiled slightly, "I have to have some time, right?"

Kate looked at him, seeming a little surprised by the half-joking answer, then smiled and said, "Come in, I just put the last dish on the table."

Lynn walked into the house, and was greeted by a warm atmosphere, filled with a rich aroma. He looked around and found that Kate's apartment had a more lively atmosphere than when he last visited. Several dishes were already set on the kitchen table, and the soft light from the candlesticks illuminated the white plates. Every detail seemed carefully thought out.

"It smells good." Lin En put down the red wine, looked at the dishes on the table, and raised his eyebrows slightly. "I didn't expect you to cook by yourself."

Kate stood at the kitchen door, holding a plate of freshly roasted chicken. "Why? Do you think I'm some workaholic who only orders takeout?"

"You do look like it." Lin En's tone was calm, but there was an imperceptible curve at the corner of his mouth.

Kate glared at him in an exaggerated manner. "You really don't know how to talk, Lynn. But today I'm going to change your mind." She placed the roast chicken in the center of the dining table and took out a bottle of decanted wine from the kitchen. She said softly, "Sit down and try my cooking. But I have to remind you, don't bring work issues to the table. This is my territory."

Lin En sat down, looked at the dishes on the table, and nodded, "Okay, I'll listen to you."

Kate sat across from him and poured him a glass of wine. The expression on her face changed from her usual sharpness to a relaxed and happy one. "Try this. Black pepper grilled chicken is my best dish."

Lin En cut a piece of chicken and put it into his mouth. He chewed it for a while, his expression not changing much, but he finally nodded, "It's really good."

Kate smirked, "I knew it."

The two of them slowly began to eat, the atmosphere surprisingly peaceful. Lynn noticed that Kate was completely different at home than she was as a reporter. She was still sharp, but with a more relaxed, natural air. Lynn had been hesitant about such a private invitation, but now, he felt a rare sense of relief.

"So, you cook often?" Lynn asked, her tone unusually casual.

"Not often." Kate used a fork to stir the vegetables on the plate. "When I'm busy at work, I do order takeout more often. But sometimes, I need this sense of ritual. Cooking is like giving myself a chance to breathe."

"Sounds good." Lynn nodded, but didn't say anything else.

Kate glanced at him, a sly smile on her lips, "Lynn, are you usually not very relaxed? I feel like you're still tense now."

"It's a professional habit." Lin En put down his knife and fork and looked at her calmly. "It's the same with you, isn't it?"

Kate smiled and didn't deny it. "Maybe. But I want to try to change. After all, life must be lived like life."

Lynn didn't respond, but there was a hint of thoughtfulness in his eyes.

After dinner, Kate stood up and began to clear the tableware. Lynn stood up and wanted to help, but Kate stopped her with a gesture, "You are the guest today. I haven't entertained anyone for a long time. Let me enjoy this feeling."

Lynn didn't argue, but simply leaned against the kitchen door, watching Kate swiftly clear the dishes. He rarely saw this side of her—none of the journalist's sharpness, none of the toughness she showed when facing threats, only a calm and genuine, down-to-earth manner.

"Lynn." Kate suddenly spoke while washing the dishes, her tone becoming much softer. "Thank you."

Lin En was slightly startled, "Thank me for what?"

Kate stopped and turned to look at him with mixed emotions in her eyes. "Thank you for bringing the truth to court and thank you for getting justice for my father."

Lynn didn't answer immediately, but looked down at the floor, as if he was choosing his words. After a moment, he looked up and said in a low and sincere voice, "Kate, that's what I should do."

Kate smiled, tears in her eyes, but she quickly lowered her head and continued washing the dishes, as if she didn't want Lynn to see her emotional fluctuations.

"But there's one thing I still don't understand," Kate suddenly said, a hint of curiosity in her tone. "Why are you so obsessed with this case? It's clearly beyond the scope of your job."

Lynn was silent for a moment, leaning forward slightly against the doorframe. His voice was low but contained a certain frankness. "Maybe it's because your father reminds me of certain people. Those who paid the price for doing the right thing, they deserve a fair ending."

Kate paused, her eyes locked on him. "You never talked about your past. You've always been a mystery."

"Maybe some mysteries don't need to be solved." Lynn's tone was calm, but there was a hint of deep complexity in his eyes.

Kate didn't ask any further questions, but smiled slightly, "Okay, then I won't ask. Everyone has their own secrets."

Lynn nodded, as if satisfied with her answer.

After everything was tidied, Kate took out a bottle of whiskey from the cupboard, poured a glass for Lynn, then sat down on the sofa and pointed to the seat opposite. "Sit down, the evening is not over yet."

Lin En took the glass, sat across from her, and took a sip of the wine. "What are your plans?"

"No plans." Kate smiled and shook her head. "I just wanted to talk to you. It's a rare opportunity to see you relax, and I have to cherish this moment."

Lynn chuckled but didn't object.

The two chatted for a long time, from work to life, from the past to the future. The topic was unexpectedly relaxed and long. Kate's laughter echoed in the room from time to time, and although Lin En didn't say much, he showed a rare relaxed expression.

Late at night, when Lin En stood up to say goodbye, Kate stood at the door, looked at his back, and suddenly said, "Lynn."

Lynn turned around and asked, "What's going on?"

Kate's eyes flashed with a serious and gentle light. "Sometimes, I feel that you carry too much. Maybe you should give yourself a chance, try to trust others, and rely on others."

Lin En was stunned for a moment and didn't answer, but his eyes softened a little. He nodded and turned to walk into the night.

Kate stood at the door, watching his back gradually walk away, with a complicated emotion in her heart.

The morning sun shone through a thin layer of clouds onto the streets of Brooklyn, casting a gentle glow on them. There was a slight chill in the air, but it wasn't the biting cold of winter, but rather a refreshing feeling that was refreshing.

Lin En drove, the atmosphere inside the car as quiet as ever. His hands were on the steering wheel, his eyes focused on the road ahead. In the passenger seat, Kate stared silently out the window, holding a bouquet of delicate white chrysanthemums, her fingertips unconsciously caressing the stems.

"You don't have to take me to the cemetery." Kate finally spoke, her voice low and soft, as if she was afraid to break the delicate silence.

"Didn't you invite me specially?" Lin En's tone was flat, but with a hint of gentleness.

Kate turned her head slightly to glance at him, a faint smile playing on the corner of her mouth. "Yes, I did invite you specially. But I know you are very busy and you always have more important things to do."

"This is very important." Lynn replied, her tone low but so firm that Kate didn't know how to respond for a moment.

She lowered her eyes to the flowers in her hand, "For me, yes."

The car became quiet again, with only the low engine sound and the occasional sound of wind coming from outside the window.

Lynn knew that today meant a lot to Kate. He had sensed a certain, unspoken emotion in Kate's voice since the case ended. Justice had been served, but for her, it came too late, and this delayed justice couldn't fill the void left by the loss of a loved one.

(End of this chapter)