Miss President wants to talk to you

Chapter 97: Am I the one who's shameful? It's the Federation!

"This child is mine."

Eleanor's answer had barely left his lips when an eerie silence fell over the entire courtroom.

What... what's going on?

Has Eleanor given up the struggle? Is he going to admit it?

But something feels off.

Why did that woman ask beforehand? I don't understand!

Boom boom boom!

The judge struck the gavel!

"defendant!"

He said sternly, "Can this court consider your remarks just now to be an admission of guilt and all charges against you?"

Finally, it's my turn to speak!

Eleanor was getting impatient.

He slowly stood up and bowed to the judge.

"Your Honor, first of all, my stance has never changed: I am innocent!"

He said, "But you want to ask if these children are mine?"

"Your Honor, I don't recall ever saying from the beginning that these children aren't my illegitimate children, were I?"

These words were like a mental bomb, exploding throughout the courtroom.

Everyone was stunned.

What do you mean?

Hopkins acknowledged the illegitimate children, but claimed innocence?

What a joke!

Isn't abandonment a crime?

Wait a minute!

Some people with slightly more active minds began to think.

So that's what you were planning, Eleanor!

They've figured it out.

These children should indeed be from Eleanor Hopkins.

Hopkins himself was well aware of this, so he simply gave up arguing, since there were too many people to refute anyway.

Therefore, Hopkins decided to take a different approach.

To open up new tracks and find new strategies.

At this moment, the Southern-affiliated lawmakers just kept sneering.

"So, this is the solution Hopkins came up with after all this time?"

"They probably want to pursue the women's liberation movement."

"This isn't news; people have been bringing it up all along."

With just a few words, they seemed to have completely seen through Eleanor!

Women's liberation was not a concept unmentioned in the Union.

Following the last World War, the economic boom of the 1920s gave rise to a number of "flying wave girls" who challenged tradition.

They cut their hair short, wear short skirts, smoke and drink, and openly discuss sex.

It began to emphasize that women are not appendages of men, and that they can decide their own freedom regarding their lower bodies.

Although this voice is niche, it does exist.

but

"If Hopkins thinks this method can save him, then he's overthinking it."

A Southern congressman shook his head, feeling that Eleanor was now desperate and had no choice but to make a series of blunders.

Even if there is an era of women's liberation in the future, it will not be now.

The prevailing atmosphere in the Norton Federation remains conservative overall.

Moreover, even in the most open-minded era, the courts would not publicly recognize the act of abandoning one's wife and children, even if the two parties were not married.

"People always say that Hopkins is good at sophistry, but today I see that he's nothing special!"

Another Southern-based legislator also offered his assessment.

"If he really wants to take the women's liberation approach, he shouldn't have brought in a jury; he should have insisted on letting the judge preside over the trial alone!"

"I think he's lost his mind!"

That assessment is indeed correct.

If the judge were to preside over the case alone, and Eleanor were lucky enough to have a liberal or progressive judge on her side.

Perhaps these words will actually be heeded.

Unfortunately, he strangled his own only way out.

Since that's the case, there's nothing more to say now.

The Southern congressmen all crossed their arms and legs, ready to enjoy the final moments of Hopkins' death.

dock.

"Mr. Elinor!"

Truman was also getting anxious and couldn't help but whisper a reminder, "Do you know what you're saying? Don't provoke the judge!"

Elinor simply gave him a reassuring look in response to this reminder.

Don't worry about it, I know what I'm doing.

At this point, the judge's expression had turned completely dark.

"Hopkins".

His tone was harsh, clearly indicating his extreme dissatisfaction.

"This court is giving you one more chance to explain what you just said!"

"Your Honor, I have no explanation to give."

Eleanor shook her head. "I will always stand by my position. I am innocent."

"But if you insist on whether those children are mine or not, I only have one answer."

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this answer, the judge's eyes sharpened instantly.

He had already given Eleanor enough face, giving her multiple opportunities to explain.

In the end, all my good intentions were wasted on feeding the dog, and this is the response I received!

good good!

You, Eleanor, have some nerve!

Do you think that as long as you're associated with the president, you can disregard even federal laws?

Then I'll show you what the separation of powers really means today!

Boom!

He immediately banged the gavel, wishing he could declare Eleanor guilty right then and there!

However, when the gavel struck, the judge suddenly realized what was happening.

Eh!

wrong!

A jury was present at today's court hearing.

Whether Eleanor is guilty or not is not up to her to decide.

it is good!

I'll let you off the hook for now!

The judge looked at the jury, wanting them to make a decision.

However, at that moment, Sula, who had been silent all along, suddenly raised her hand.

"Th-that..."

She asked timidly, "Your Honor, do I need to continue testifying?"

Oh right, the judge realized that he had been too emotional and had forgotten that the witness was still in the audience.

The trial is not over yet.

Although the outcome is already decided, the necessary procedures still need to be followed.

“Ms. Grant, please continue your testimony.”

The judge said calmly, "Please let the plaintiff's lawyer continue with the questioning."

"Ok."

The plaintiff's lawyer, Bell, had been feeling uneasy, but his initial anxiety had now vanished.

He was really worried that Eleanor might suddenly pull some unexpected move and catch him off guard.