Chapter 171 - Legal Notice

31 January, LY Studio, City K

Lexi sat back in her office chair relaxing. While she was grateful her lawyers dealing with Richard's parents' application for custody were willing to come to us, dealing with them was challenging presently. She had been warned that their security screening had not been completed restricting her ability to provide them information regarding Matthew's military position. She did not care about him, but she knew saying the wrong thing could jeopardise Dominic's safety and that she would not do.

The other issue was the truth of Dominic's paternity. While revealing that would stop the court case, it would hurt too many people and cause Dominic to lose the identity that he had always presumed was his. The biggest worry if it did come out is who he would blame, and the fights that it would cause. The inability to be open and honest was so frustrating.

Pausing, she thought about the other legal matter that was taking some of her attention. Tuesday, a legal notice was sent to Madam Mo and her stylist about the attempt to pass off a fake as one of her couture designs. She never accepted that, as it tarnished her brand she had developed through her own hard work.

As the lawyers explained to her, when served with the legal notice, the stylist crumbled, particularly as the notice contained the evidence of the email exchange before Christmas when she attempted to obtain a couture gown for Madam Mo. Those emails clearly explained the conditions to obtain a gown. They had been countered by the stylist stating that Madam Mo had never countered a designed placing any conditions on her obtaining a couture design piece and that LY should be flattered that a leading person like Madam Mo was even considering wearing a LY design.

According to the stylist, every time she explained the position to Madam Mo, she become even more angry, increasing her demands until a week before the function dropping the demand. It was only the morning before that Madam Mo re-contacted her about having the LY couture piece at her home at a set time to get ready for the function, that the stylist commissioned on short notice a fake design. The stylist had been smart enough to protect herself, and in an email clearly advised Madam Mo that she had not been able to obtain a LY Couture design, but she had arranged for a similar piece to a design Madam Mo liked to be made for her.

That information would ensure that her lawyers could prove the case against Madam Mo, and for that reason Lexi had decided to not pursue damages from the stylist, as unlike Madam Mo she was repentant over the situation. The stylist had also provided Lexi's lawyers with details of previous stylists of Madam Mo's who she had destroyed as they had not achieved exactly what Madam Mo wanted. Madam Mo's attitude was also demonstrated when she was served with the legal notice as she abused and was aggressive to the server. Lexi knew that she pitted Monica, having a mother like that.

Lexi's thoughts were interrupted through a text message alert. Opening the message Lexi read 'Abigail told me about the notice served on my mother. Abigail believes she is on her way to LY Studio as she apparently ranted as she stormed out "LY will apologise to me for this and give me everything I want in compensation." Apologies in advance for whatever she does.'

Reading that Lexi quickly stood up to warn her staff of the potential trouble coming their way. There was an appropriate way to address the issue, but Madam Mo's sense of entitlement, for Lexi, was only second to that of her former parents-in-law. Before she reached reception, she was Madam Mo forcing her way into the reception area, and Lexi instructed a passing administrative assistance "Call the police and alert them to an issue here. If they will not come, ask to speak to John Nang, and tell him I said to call and say there was a problem."

"Yes Miss Yao," responded the assistant as she moved away quickly. The need to protect her staff, who were only doing their job was not related to whether they were part of the core staff that came back with her or were local hires. She took the decision to take Legal Action on behalf of her business and she had to stand by her decision to protect those who had no say in her actions.

Determinedly she went into the reception area, and at the same time as signalling to the receptionist to leave reception said in a polite tone "Madam Mo, how can we help you?"

"YOU! What are you doing here! I demand to see whoever is in charge and have them retract their false allegation that I was attempting to pass off a fake as a true designer piece. I bet you put people up to this to make out that you were right, you fake."

Lexi could see Monica's information was correct. She would have to thank her for alerting her to the problem. "Madam Mo, please be calm. This is a workplace and such behaviour is not tolerated here."

Madam Mo's anger over the situation was easily visible. Well, she only had herself to blame for the situation. As Lexi moved closer, Madam Mo spat out "You have no right to stop me. Out of my way as I am going to see someone who will fire you immediately for offending someone like me, and using this business to get at me."

With that Madam Mo tried pushing Lexi to the side and slapped her with an open hand. With all the strength she could muster Lexi continued to stand her ground and in a firm determined voice responded calmly "Madam Mo. This is a place of business, not somewhere you can simply come in and demand what you want. There are appropriate channels for you to deal with the Legal Notice you have been served, coming here is not one of the. But I can tell you we have irrefutable proof that you well and truly knew what you tried to pass off as a LY Couture gown was in fact a fake, so do not come in here making demands..."

"You piece of trash, you know nothing. Get out of my way..."

"Last warning Madam Mo. Stop what you are doing now or there will be more consequences..."

"Who cares what you want. You abandoned the principals of your family, and from what I have been told now are pushing your son's grandparents from his life for a piece of trash. Talk about consequences. I will make sure you pay."

"Well just try." Lexi slightly turned to send a message before turning back "I see my former in-laws are gossips, and you take what they have to say to heart. That, given your attitude is not surprising. However, if you think you will win just try. I have taken down many people like you before who know nothing, and I will do so with you."

"Threats, you..."

"It is not a threat; it is a promise. You are getting more respect than most people would receive as you, and I use the term loosely, are the mother of a friend. But I do not tolerate liars trying to pass off fakes as LY's designs nor do I take to bullying behaviour." Hearing the police sirens getting closer, Lexi continued "We will just have the police take you away for assault, and that is on CCTV."

"You, b*tch..."

Deciding she was sick of this, Lexi moved closer and said "Well Madam Mo, forget about ever getting a LY Couture design. There is no way I would trust a person who behaves as you do with one of MY pieces as it would damage MY brand."

Leaving her hanging, Lexi headed to the Reception door and explained to the police what happened, before they quickly moved to arrest Madam Mo. Lexi paused and realised that she would need to thank John for his prompt action to help her.

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