The atmosphere in the courtroom was even more oppressive than outside.
The trial had not yet begun, but the courtroom entrance was already guarded by bailiffs, with a group of early-arriving Qiaos seated in the gallery.
Qiao Zhengchong, Qiao Ruixian, Qiao Zhengjiang, Qiao Xianting, and the two young ladies of the Qiao family, Qiao Xue and Qiao Xin... everyone was present except for Grandma Qiao and Qiao Zhengyuan.
They sat in the second row on the left side of the gallery, with Qiao Zhengchong alone in the middle seat. Assistant Hou glanced over and silently took a seat with Yu Feng on the right.
Qiao Dongyang did not go over to them but directly followed and sat down with him.
"Dong, why did you arrive so late?" Qiao Xin, the youngest daughter of Qiao Zhengjiang and only 18 years old this year, was innocently exuberant. Like many young girls, she idolized her talented and handsome elder brother Dong and her tone showed no hostility.
