"Do you have prove that the shopping centre and apartment project was not belong to your team ?" Prosecutors asked more.
Lawyer Noda was very satisfied that the prosecutor took the bait perfectly. It was his intention for the prosecutor to reveal the truth with his hand to shame him. Because coinsidently, the prosecutor on this trial was his rival since they were young. They had grudge from the past on the court.
"Yes" the witness said. He than took two files from this suitcase and handed to the judge. He managed to obtain these documents from someone within the company.
The prosecutor and Lawyer Noda went to the judge table to view the documents. The judge made a quick scan. He marked few important information and showed it to everyone on his table.
Lawyer Noda came back to his table with smile but the prosecutor looked sour.
Lawyer Noda continued "witness, is there anything you want to say more ?Otherwise, you can go back to your seat. Thank you"
"I do" He looked at Kenichi and ducked his head "I owe apology to planning director. I'm so sory for what I did. Sory for had a bad thinking about you, sorry for accusing you being narrow minded. I'm guilty towards the victims too. Back then, I was dancing happily when the project was approved. it's same as I celebrated this incident. I'm sory"
He bowed his held very low before went back to his seat. Kenichi was stunned. He was not the only one, the mastermind who framed Kenichi was also startled. He never predicted that employee, who used to hate and againt Kenichi, decided to defend him out of guily. Looked like he underestimated humanity value on society.
Sean was satisfied with the progress but it was not enough for him. He asked lawyer Noda to be more aggressive.
Lawyer Noda smiled "Lets play a little more. It's fun" Then he continued "your honour, please allow me to call our second witness"
"Permission Granted"
The second witness for Kenichi came forward. He was from the secretary office. He used to work with Andrew's long time ago.
"What is your occupation ?" Lawyer Noda started.
"I used to work as the secretary in the company".
"Do you know my clien ?"
"Definitely"
"was the minutes of meeting written by you? "
"Yes. I attended every single meeting"
"Is it true that my client had resigned before the projected was approved? "
"Yes".
"There's nothing else from me" Lawyer Nida went back to his seat
"Prosecutor, please feel free to ask" Judge continued.
The prosecutor walked forward "I have minutes of meeting stating Mr Anderson was agreed with the project. It signed on 30 of april"
The ex-secretary laughed "The minutes of meeting on your hand is the fake one. We held three meetings in regards of the choosing project. Both meeting was attended by shareholder. First was in december. At that time, Our planning director proposed the resort project in southern island. It was very promising and profitable but it required a lot of work and longer return of investment. Second project was the shopping centre and apartment project. This project return of investment was faster but the profit was smaller. So no decision was made"
The secretary took a deep breath "The second meeting was held in mid February. There was no significant change made by from first team lead by director Anderson. However, second team lead by Mr Yamaguchi Mamoru significant amended the project".
"significant amendment ?"
"Yes. initially, the building was 16 level high Three level for shopping centre and the rest for apartment. It was upgraded to 28 level. 6 level for shopping centre and leisure and the rest for apartment building"
The secretary signed "At that second meeting, everyone were excited with second project. But planning director Mr Anderson decided nothing. He asked for time to consider"
"The third meeting was fews weeks later. Mr Anderson refused the project. there was big argument on the meeting. He said that he's going to resigned if the project went ahead"
"Then ?"
"The meeting was halted for one hours. Then majority of shareholder and director chose the second projects, 62% strongly supported the project and 36 againts, one shareholder with 2% share abstain. Mr Anderson resigned on the spot. However, He agreed only to manage then project in Switzerland. He flied there few days after and we never seen him again as our colleagues"
He took his bag and took off three documents and a recorder. He gazed at Grandpa Yamaguchi who nodded to him.
Few days ago, he told his ex-chairman that Andrew Anderson was asked him to be the witness for his son. He did not say yes rightaway He discussed it with Grandma Yamaguchi that he had moral obligation to reveal the truth and could not let innocent party bear the consequences. However, he reminded the chairman that his other family member would be in trouble if he did so. Chairman told him to tell only the truth and no other.
"These are all minutes of meeting. This is recorder. Due to my age, I was a little slow. I often missed some point during meeting. So, I recordered the meeting and used this recorded to write the meeting. Also, every minutes of meeting has to be signed by relevant parties. Mr Anderson had differen way to verify his signature and stamp. You can compare it with your self"
One of the officer took the minutes of meetings from the secretary as well as from the prosecutor.
The judge called lawyer Noda and prosecutor to come forward. They analised the signature and stamp together.
Kenichi signature on the documents looked similar but the stamp difference on the one that prosecutor had. Judge also appointed that in every mintes of meeting that the secretary had, there was special number written manually on every Kenichi's stamp but not on the one that prosecutor had. It was Kenichi's code for himself.
Grandpa Yamaguchi just closed his eye. Mix of anger, sad, helpless and disappointment arose. He could not believe that his own son and grandson plotted this scenario against their own nephew and cousin. Shareholders and all employees, who knew the truth, were sorry for Kenichi. At the same time, they disgusted by the culprit.
"Your honour, on behalf of justice, please play the recording " Lawyer Noda pleaded after they finished verifing the minutes of meeting.
"permission granted"
Kenichi knew before hand regarding this recording. When the first time Lawyer noda tell him that he was going to use it, he opposed the idea. He did not want to expose his uncle fault in this trial. Not because he wanted to protect his uncle but for his grandfather shake. Hitoshi was his mother's brother after all.
Lawyer Noda and Sean managed to convince him to agree. They said that it was important to made everything crystal clear from the start otherwise they might use it to drag him down again in the future.
Moreover, Sean reminded Kenichi that Cacha and the baby needed him the most. What ever happened to him would implicate them. He warnes him that the whole family would tolerate if their sister and little nephew suffer.
Cacha was the most important person for Kenichi. She was his breath, his mind his life. Her happiness was above everything. He did not want to take any risk. Hence, he agreed with their plot.