American comic book: I, with my abundant martial virtue, love to do good to others.

Chapter 212 specially invited me

Lynn stopped and coldly swept her gaze over the other person. "I'm not concerned about your company, I'm concerned about the truth. What you should be worried about is not the company's future, but yourselves."

The man's expression changed slightly, but he didn't say anything more and turned to leave.

That evening, Lynn returned to his office and sat down at his desk to organize the next steps in the case. He knew this battle wouldn't end easily, but his intuition told him that the Harlock family hadn't revealed all their cards yet.

He glanced down at the folder on the table, which contained the case file of Kate's father. Although the crux of the case pointed to Richard, Lynn still had a nagging feeling of unease. He knew that the Harlocks were hiding more secrets, secrets that might be more terrifying than the crimes they had already uncovered.

"This isn't over yet," Lynn said in a low voice, a cold glint in his eyes. He slowly clenched his fists, as if gathering strength for the battle to come.

A few days later.

The atmosphere inside the courtroom was so heavy it seemed as if even the air itself had stopped moving. Rows of heavy wooden benches stood in the audience, who held their breath, each person anticipating the unfolding drama. At the very front of the courtroom, Matthew Harlock and his father, Richard, sat side by side. Their figures stood out starkly: one a wealthy heir enveloped in power and money, the other a mastermind behind it all.

A major corporate player.

The judge sat upright on the bench, tapped his gavel, and his deep voice echoed throughout the courtroom: "The case of Matthew Harlock v. Richard Harlock is now in session."

Lynn sat next to the plaintiff's seat, reviewing the documents on the table. He wore a dark suit, his back straight, his gaze calm and focused. Kate, meanwhile, sat in a corner of the back row, her hands tightly clutching her handbag.

Her face was pale. Although she tried her best to remain calm, the tears in her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil.

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

Victor Kahn stood up, still composed, and smiled slightly, his tone polite but with a hint of aggression: "Your Honor, my clients, Matthew Harlock and Richard Harlock, as key figures in the Corlocks Group, are unjustly accused in this case. Whether the prosecution's evidence is direct enough remains to be seen."

He looked 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."

Lynn gave a cold snort, his voice so low that only those nearby could hear him. He stood up, holding a document in his hand, and nodded to the judge: "Your Honor, I will testify that every charge in this case is based on solid evidence, and that emotions are never our weapon—the truth is."

The judge nodded. "The prosecution may begin its statement."

Lynn walked to the center of the courtroom, holding several key documents in his hand. His piercing gaze swept over everyone in the courtroom, finally settling on Matthew and Richard. At that moment, the entire courtroom fell silent, with only Lynn's deep, powerful voice audible.

"Matthew Harlock and Richard Harlock committed a series of heinous crimes. They not only manipulated the flow of illicit funds and engaged in large-scale money laundering, but more importantly, their crimes directly led to the loss of an innocent life—Karl Miller."

Kate's body trembled slightly, and she gripped her handbag tightly, as if that would prevent her from making a sound.

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

He paused here, his gaze becoming increasingly sharp, "And Matthew Harlock, fearing that these documents would expose his and his father's crimes, ordered truck driver Irwin Clark to stage a car accident disguised as an 'accident,' which took Carl Miller's life."

Lynn's words sparked a murmur in the courtroom, and whispers rippled through the audience.

Her face was filled with shock and anger. Kate's eyes were already brimming with tears, and she bit her lip tightly.

She forced herself not to make a sound, but her shoulders were trembling slightly.

Lynn turned and pointed to the evidence table. "This is the confession of the truck driver, Irwin Clark, who details how Matthew threatened him to commit this crime. Also, here's the CCTV footage from the crash scene, which clearly shows the truck deliberately accelerated and rammed into Carl's vehicle. And all of this was because of Matthew Harlock's orders."

He turned his gaze to Matthew, his voice low and cold: "This is the truth, Matthew. One order of yours destroyed a family."

Matthew's face was ashen, and his lips trembled slightly. He tried to speak, but his voice was stuck in his throat, unable to utter a single syllable.

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

But Lynn didn't give him a chance; his voice grew even more resolute: "Protests are invalid. This is not only what I've stated, but the truth that every piece of evidence points to."

He turned to Richard Harlock, his gaze chillingly cold. "As for Richard..."

Harlock was not only an accomplice in this crime, but also the controller of the entire criminal empire. Every illegal transaction and every smuggled flow of funds within the Krox Group was inextricably linked to him. He was the king of this sinful kingdom, and Matthew was merely his pawn.

Lynn's words struck like a hammer blow, each syllable echoing in the air of the courtroom. A deathly silence fell over the entire hall; everyone held their breath.

Kate could no longer control herself; tears finally streamed down her face, dripping onto her handbag on her lap. She looked up, her gaze blurring through her tears, and saw Lynn. His back was straight and resolute, like a wall that would never fall.

Lynn returned to his seat, his voice low but powerful: "Justice may be delayed, but it will never be absent. Today, we must let the truth be revealed to the world, so that the innocent victims can rest in peace."

After the trial, Kate stood in the corridor outside the courthouse, leaning against the wall, tears still streaming down her face. She tried to calm herself, but everything seemed to overwhelm her. The cause of her father's death, the truth behind it, and the past she could never change, all rushed towards her like a tidal wave.

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

She slowly turned around and saw Lynn standing not far away, his expression complex yet gentle. He approached her, a hint of barely perceptible worry in his eyes.

Kate sniffed and wiped away her tears with the back of her hand. "Thank you, Lynn—thank you for bringing the truth to light."

Lynn nodded slightly, his voice low and gentle, "It's what I should do."

Kate looked at him, her eyes flashing with complex emotions. "Over the years, I've been chasing the truth, trying to find an explanation for that pain. But when the truth was laid bare before me—I found it to be far heavier than I had imagined."

Lynn didn't speak; he simply reached out and gently patted her shoulder. He knew that any words of comfort would be inadequate at this moment, but he also knew that Kate was stronger than anyone else.

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

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

Lynn gave a faint smile, then turned and left. His figure appeared tall and aloof in the sunlight, while Kate stood there, watching him, a sense of respect and gratitude she had never felt before welling up inside her.

The streets of Brooklyn were still bustling at night, the lights casting hazy shadows on the wet pavement. Lynn leaned against the car door, looking up at the red-brick apartment building in the distance. He held a bottle of red wine in his hand, hesitated for a second in the cold wind, then raised his hand and pressed Kate's doorbell.

The doorbell rang a few times, followed by light footsteps. The door opened, and Kate stood in the doorway with a warm smile on her face. She had changed out of her reporter's signature trench coat and high heels, and was now wearing a simple beige sweater and jeans. She looked less professional and more like a warm, homey person.

"Lynn, you're right on time." She stepped aside to let Lynn into the house, her tone light and teasing. "I thought you'd stand me up because of some unexpected case."

Lynn raised the glass of red wine in her hand, smiled slightly, and said, "I always need some time, don't I?"

Kate looked at him, seemingly surprised by his half-joking reply, then smiled and said, "Come in, I just put the last dish on the table."

Lynn stepped inside, a warm and inviting atmosphere filling the room with a rich fragrance. He looked around and noticed that Kate's apartment felt more lived-in than when he last visited. Several dishes were already laid out on the kitchen table, the soft candlelight illuminating the pristine white plates—every detail showed thoughtful attention to detail.

"It smells good." Lynn put down her wine glass, looked at the dishes on the table, and raised an eyebrow slightly. "I really didn't expect you to cook yourself."

Kate stood in the kitchen doorway, holding a plate of freshly roasted chicken. "What? Do you think I'm the kind of workaholic who only orders takeout?"

"You do look like it." Lynn's tone was indifferent, but a barely perceptible smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

Kate gave him a dramatic glare. "You really don't know how to talk, Lynn. But I'm going to change your mind today."

She placed the roast chicken in the center of the table, then took a bottle of decanted wine from the kitchen and said softly, "Sit down and try my cooking. But I must remind you, no work-related questions at the table."

This man is my ark.

Lynn sat down, looked at the dishes on the table, and nodded. "Okay, I'll do as you say."

Kate sat across from him, poured him a glass of wine, and her expression changed from its usual sharpness to relaxation and pleasure. "Try this. Black pepper roasted chicken is my specialty."

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

Kate smiled smugly. "I knew it!"

The two began to eat slowly, and the atmosphere was unexpectedly peaceful. Lynn noticed that Kate was completely different at home than she was as a reporter. She was still sharp, but she had gained a more relaxed and natural charm.

Lynn had initially hesitated about this private invitation, but at this moment, he felt a rare sense of relief.

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

"Not really that often." Kate poked at the vegetables on her plate with her fork. "When I'm busy with 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 more.

Kate glanced at him, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Lynn, do you usually not relax much? I feel like you're still tense right now."

"It's a professional habit." Lynn put down his knife and fork, looking at her calmly. "You're the same, aren't you?"

Kate smiled, not denying it. "Maybe. But I want to try to change things. After all, life has to be lived properly."

Lynn did not respond, but there was a thoughtful look in her eyes.

After dinner, Kate stood up to clear the table. Lynn got up to help, but Kate gestured to stop her, saying, "You're the guest today. I haven't hosted anyone in a long time. Let me enjoy this feeling."

Lynn didn't argue; he simply leaned against the kitchen doorway, watching Kate deftly clear the dishes. He rarely saw this side of her—lacking the sharpness of a journalist, the toughness in the face of threats, only a very natural composure and authenticity.

"Lynn," Kate said suddenly while washing the dishes, her tone much softer, "thank you."

Lynn nodded slightly. "What are you thanking me for?"

Kate stopped what she was doing, turned around and looked at him, her eyes filled with complex emotions. "Thank you for bringing the truth to court. Thank you for getting justice for my father."

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

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

"But there's one thing I still don't understand," Kate suddenly spoke, a hint of curiosity in her voice. "Why are you so fixated on this case? It's clearly beyond the scope of your work."

Lynn was silent for a moment, then leaned slightly forward against the doorframe, his voice low but carrying a hint of frankness, "Perhaps it's because your father reminded me of certain people. Those who pay the price for doing the right thing, they deserve a just end."

Kate stopped what she was doing and fixed her gaze on him. "You've never talked about your past. You've always been a mystery."

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

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

Lynn nodded, as if satisfied with her answer.

After everything was tidied up, Kate took a bottle of whiskey from the cupboard, poured Lynn a glass, then sat down on the sofa, pointed to the seat opposite her, and said, "Sit down, the night isn't over yet."

Lynn took the glass, sat down opposite her, and took a small sip. "What are your plans?"

"No plans," Kate smiled and shook her head. "I just wanted to talk to you. It's rare to see you relax like this, and I cherish these moments."

Lynn chuckled softly, but did not refute.

The two chatted for a long time, from work to life, from the past to the future, the conversation surprisingly light and lengthy. Kate's laughter echoed in the room from time to time, while Lynn, though not very talkative, showed a rare hint of relaxation.

Late into the night, as Lynn got up to leave, Kate stood at the door, watching his retreating figure, and suddenly said, "Lynn."

Lynn turned around. "What is it?"

Kate's eyes shone with a serious yet gentle light. "Sometimes, I feel you're carrying too much on your shoulders. Perhaps you should give yourself a chance, try to trust others, and rely on others."

Lynn paused for a moment, then didn't answer, but his eyes softened. He nodded, turned, and walked into the night.

Kate stood at the door, watching his figure recede into the distance, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her.

The morning sun shone through the thin clouds, casting a gentle glow on the streets of Brooklyn. A slight chill filled the air, but instead of the biting cold of winter, it brought a refreshing and invigorating feeling.

Lynn drove, the atmosphere inside the car as quiet as ever. His hands were on the steering wheel, his gaze focused intently on the road ahead. In the passenger seat, Kate silently looked out the window, holding a delicate bouquet of white chrysanthemums, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the stems.

"You don't need to take me to the cemetery," Kate finally spoke, her voice low and soft, as if afraid of breaking the delicate silence.

"Didn't you invite me specifically?" Lynn's tone was calm, but with a hint of gentleness.

Kate glanced at him sideways, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Yes, I did invite you specifically. But I know you're busy; you always have more important things to do."

"This is important," Lynn replied, his voice low but firm, leaving Kate momentarily speechless.

She lowered her eyes, her gaze falling on the flowers in her hand. "For me, yes."

The car fell silent again, with only the low rumble of the engine and the occasional sound of wind coming from outside the window.

Lynn knew that today meant a lot to Kate. Since the case ended, he had sensed an unspoken emotion in Kate's tone. Justice had been served, but for her, it came too late, and this belated justice could not fill the void of losing a loved one.