Chapter 577 - Rachael, help is here (2)

5 June, Rachael's apartment, City K

"As if anyone can…"

Lexi put up her uninjured hand which stopped Rachael, before turning and nodding to Anna.

"Rachael, I do not know how much Lexi has told me about my background," came the calm measured statement from Anna.

After a couple of second's silences filled the room, Anna as calmly as before continued "I originally come from Australia and worked there for a number of years as a lawyer.  The firm I worked for had its focus on local and international commercial deals but was conscious of the fact that these do not exist in a vacuum.  Family disputes can happen, families break up and people get into trouble with the law.  So, it employed lawyers like me, who focused on those things but were conscious of the commercial aspects to situations."

"And I know what the next few words out of your mouth will be, this is a different country, and the laws are different.  That is correct and I am working diligently towards becoming a qualified lawyer in my new home country.  Doing that has taught me that there are several basic ideas that underpin most countries legal system.  It sounds corny when it is said that the rule of law is supreme, justice must be achieved by the system and it there to protect the citizens."

"What I have deduced from what Lexi has told me is that your parents are so caught up in, as I call it, hurting the other, that they do not care about the impact on others around them.  Your father wants what he sees is his by right, the largest share of the money and your mother in preventing him from getting that wants to hurt him because unlike him who has a new relationship, she has not moved on.  Neither of them understands that in the end the person most hurt by their need to get at the other is you, their child.  It is not uncommon that this happens, because when a relationship breaks up people react because they are hurt.  It is the rare case where those in the relationship are mature enough to understand that walking away, maintaining a good relationship and when there are children involved regardless of their age, knowing that the children are the ones that will be hurt if they do not consider their actions."

"Lexi has also told me about the deal you have with your family.  While I am prepared to be corrected if I have this wrong, I could not see how any agreement between your parents could force you to give up rights you have without appropriate compensation.  That would go against one of the key ideas of any justice system.  However, just looking at you now, I can tell that you are ready to snap about the whole situation."

Anna paused, looked at Lexi and continued "How about we chase Lexi out, and you and I talk.  While I cannot give you specific legal advice, I might, if you are willing, be able to give you some ideas on how to approach the situation."

Lexi looked over at Rachael, who was somewhat stunned.  Lexi quietly said "Rachael, your choice.  I will stay if you want me to stay or I can go.  Personally, I think the better option would be for me to go, so you do not fear talking to Anna.  In the end, if I am here, you will hold back because I know your parents.  Anna does not and therefore will not be affected by that."

Rachael looked between Lexi and Anna, before quietly saying "I think I want to talk alone."

Smiling, Lexi said "No problem.  Now get over here and give me a hug before I go and call me later tonight."

Both Anna and Rachael moved over and gave her a hug.  Anna whispered, "I will call you when I can."

Lexi smiled and said, "You better call me, and send me pictures of my god-son before explaining why in the world you are letting that a*se back into your life."

Anna laughed and said, "Now go."

As she signalled to the nurse to wheel her out Lexi laughed at Rachal using her hands to shoo her out of the house.

A couple of hours later, Lexi relaxing on a chaise in the master suite at home, heard a knock on the door, and Anna was shown in and sat down in the chair Lexi motioned for her to sit down in.

"I thought you were heading home early?"

"I can head home when I like, it is called a private jet."

"Bragging about money to a soldier's wife?"

"Soldier's wife yes, but you are a successful businesswoman and both you and your husband have inherited substantial wealth.  And then I had to go through that security around you to come in an see my friend.  I bet what I can see is only part of the security around you, given your husband has been promoted to being a General.  So," Anna smiled, and Lexi could see that she was not serious, "Do not complain about my husband making sure that I can, at your quick call, come and visit before returning home to my family quickly."

Lexi chuckled and said "I can only thank you for dropping everything and coming to talk to her.  I was worried given how stressed out she seemed about the situation, and her parents…"

"You do not need to tell me about them.  About ten minutes after you left, Rachael received a call from her mother screaming at her to tell her father what to do, before her father came with his infant son, demanding that she tell her mother to stop taking the food from her brother.  Over the years I have dealt with a few narcistic people, but these two are some of the worse I have seen.  I seriously worried about her safety because of the mental stress and convinced her to get some legal advice about getting a limited restraining order to prevent them dragging her into their dispute.  She seemed relieved about that.  She also promised me, before I left, she would get advice to protect her hard work…"

Lexi relaxed and said "Thank goodness.  I had the view that was what she needed, but I was struggling how, because I figured most lawyers would not be able to help her.  How…?"

"I give the occasional lecture on the English legal tradition at my local university, so I simply asked for a couple of contacts.  Friend to friend, just let her talk to you about what she wants, do not push her.  You and I both know the impact of domestic violence from an intimate partner.  If I am right, Rachael since she was young has constantly been dragged into her parent's arguments, with them wanting her to pick a side.  That has continued until now."

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