Chapter 229 - Return bout (1)

4 March, Municipal Courthouse, City K

Walking into the courthouse with Matthew, Lexi realised dramatic a change had occurred since the last time she was here. Being willing to at least have somewhat of a fresh start in her relationship with Matthew meant that she was felt more at ease in what in the end was still a forced relationship. The stress of the constant fighting was not there, and she could focus on the most important thing, protecting Dominic. That meant not only protecting him from Richard's parents but keeping the secret of his paternity a secret.

As they were escorted by court security around the screening point, Lexi observed Richard's parents waiting in line to go through screening. As soon as his mother spotted her, she screamed "Why does sc.u.m like that get exempted from what ordinary decent people have to go through."

Matthew chuckled at that and quietly said to her "Ordinary Decent People. She can talk."

Lexi looked at Matthew, and through the look on his face she realised that he would not answer the question she had until they were in a quieter place. On entering the foyer, Lexi civilian lawyers were standing with Lieutenant Li, who on spotting Matthew snapped a salute.

Lieutenant Li said "Sir, Madam Rong. As I was just telling Madam Rong's lawyers I have a room arranged for us to briefly speak in before the matter proceeds before the court."

Without thinking Lexi immediately responded, "Lead the way Lieutenant." When she had realised what she had done, Lexi turned to look at Matthew who looked her in the eye while nodding as if to answer the unspoken question from Lieutenant Li. Lexi then felt Matthew take her hand in his and heard him whisper in her ear "Do not worry Lexi, you only anticipated what I had to say by a couple of seconds."

The two of them trailed the lawyers into an interview room near the courtroom. As they entered Warrant Officer Wang, closed the door behind them. Lexi simply presumed that he was standing guard outside the room.

Before Lexi knew it, Lieutenant Li pulled something from her briefcase, and flicked a switch on it before saying "Sir, we are free to speak."

Matthew, after taking a seat beside Lexi said "Gentlemen apologies for the cloak and dagger routine here, but when we speak you will understand why. You cannot make any notes about this as the screening on all your staff has not been complete therefore any written notes will jeopardise national security."

"But…"

"There are no exceptions. Your security clearances came back, but the lieutenant has standard national security disclosure notices for you to sign, but we can then explain things."

Lieutenant Li then handed each lawyer a one-page form, and added "Gentleman, do not worry you will not be the only people to sign this today. The court staff have all been handed their notices, and when hearing resumes, the Yao's legal team will be requested to sign. Presently the Yao's personally have not cleared the screening, so it will become a matter for the court whether the matter remains in a civilian court or is moved to a military court."

Very quickly the signed pages were handed back to Lieutenant Li. "As you figured out last time this matter was at court the judge noticed something. He is a member of the military court bench for cases heard here in City K and has the nominal rank of Major. His clearance and interactions with the military here enable him to identify various branches and he recognised the Colonel and myself are members of the Special Forces."

"What!" spat out the lead lawyer. "Why were we not told."

"Sir, you did not have the clearance to know the branch that the Colonel and I are in. That paperwork allows us to verbally disclose information, but it cannot be recorded in any way, simply to protect national security. The Major, spotted our insignias and from there was able to work out that the Colonel had recently been appointed to head special forces here in City K. That is the information to be protected. It also explains the need to ensure that Madam Rong and Dominic are protected as threats to them potentially impact national security."

"Damn, that is critical information. The courts will add that to what your former husband wanted to his son and tip the case in the favour of your former in-laws Madam Rong. One thing they will not allow is a child to be placed at risk."

Noticing Lexi about to explode at the reaction of her lawyers Matthew squeezed her hand and said "Gentleman, we are married. The risk will exist regardless of whether Dominic lives with us, which my wife and I believe is the best for him, or his paternal grandparents the risk will still be there. And by the way even if we were not married, the risks would still be there given the relationship between our brothers. And before you comment the Yao's already are arguing that their relationship is unnatural, despite being legal."

Hearing Matthew's words Lexi had the power to add "It should not matter what career either my husband or I have. Their material even attacks my career. I have developed a highly successful business from the scratch in the years since my first husband, their son died, without support from them and any financial support from my family. Why should it matter that I am a fashion designed, and my husband is willing to give his life for any citizen of this country? And speaking of finances, my first husband's will, while giving them control of certain things, made it clear that the money firstly was to be used to help support Dominic, which you know from me and from Chester they have never done, claiming we have the money that can support Dominic without them contributing. They are all about what they can get financially."