In The Other Corner Of The Court:
Attorney Chen was whisper talking with his client Hu Ge and his father elder Hu.Though Neil could not understand what they were talking,their expressions were enough to give him a hint.
Attorney Chen:You must consider out of court settlement!Neil Long has already played his game and there is no way we can control the judges now.That man is known to be honest and forcing the others to be honest as well..Mr Hu,I have a 99% success rate in my cases but that man has 101%..He is known to scare away the contenders against him even before entering the court.."
Hu Ge who was listening quietly to what the court was saying but his hands were fisted at the sides.The elder Wu was,however had no control over his temper or his tongue.He lashed at Attorney Chen:"We are paying you to fight the case and not to preach against fighting.That Neil Long is mostly a corporate lawyer.Are you saying that even though he has not fought custody cases he is better than you?"
Chen let out a frustrated sigh,"The last time he fought a case,he made the child"s custody go in the hands of the step mother instead of the real mother.What do you think about that?"
Before he could continue,the bailiff announced the entrance of the court judge.Everyone rose and the judge sat down on his seat.The judge was a corrupt man through and through.He had already taken the money for the case and now he was stuck between a rock and a hard place.It was a straight forward case where he could easily hand over the child to the father but with the sudden media attention and the entry of Neil Long,this had just become a thorn in his side.This was the reason that his stern face was set in even more harsher lines.
Once the judge and everyone in the court had sat down,Neil got up from his place and with a bow introduced himself as Onita Dew"s lawyer.Before,the hearing could even begin,Neil continued,"Your Honor,before we begin,I would like to submit these medical certificates by Dr Wen stating that Ms Onita is currently physically unwell and needs rest.Also,as the honorable court knows,Ms Dew did not have a lawyer until yesterday so I would request the court to give me a little more time to prepare and Ms Dew some more time to recover.
The judge took the papers that Neil had pa.s.sed to the bailiff and glanced at the medical certificate issued by one of the top doctors and closed the file without expression.Giving a fierce glare to Onita and Neil,the judge gave the papers back harshly and said,"I will give Ms Onita and you two days to finish your preparations.But be warned,if you even try to involve the media then I will sue you both for contempt.No case in my court will be subject to public ruling!I do not need the public to do my work and judge.The matter of a child is sensitive and the media should not be involved.I hope I am clear."
Neil just bowed with no expression and said nothing.The judge continued,"The court is adjourned."
The hearing had lasted only a few minutes and Onita was at a loss.She did not understndwhy the judge was cautioning them but she was really grateful that Neil had purchased her more time.As the people in the room left,he turned to Onita and sighed,"Guess we will have to change out plans..No need to act now..Come on,we"ll go to my office and discuss further.
As Onita and little Alicia went towards the office,Onita could not help herself and said apologetically,"I am sorry!I did not mean to be rude and not co operate you..I don"t know what I would have done if you had not helped us and I repaid your kindness by being rude with you..I am so sorry Neil."
Neil looked at Onita"s pale face and said,"You needed to vent and I was there.Nothing to be guilty about.We are all humans who have their shortcomings."
Silence reined for a few moments and then in a sudden s.h.i.+ft of mood,Neil asked,"Do you know how to bake?"
Onita looked at his before answering the question which just came out of the blue and nodded in affirmative.
"So in case you are feelng reallllllyyyyy bad,you can do something for me."
Onita eagerly looked at Neil and said,"Yes please tell me what I can do to make it up to you!"
"Brownies!"
"Huh?"Onita looked at Neil confused and just let out a questioning sound making Neil give an explanation,"I want to eat home made browniesI do not know how to make it and the person who makes mine is in Country A and rarely sends any for me!She is stingy!"
Onita looked at Neil"s childlike pouting expression and involuntarily let out a small giggle whereas Al who was sitting in Country A gave a little sneeze.If Al knew that theinnumerable brownies and cookies she sent diligently every month were considered stingy,she would have bashed Neil over the head with her rolling pin.
Hearing Onita"s giggle,Neil let out a satisfied smile and just then a little girl opened her eyes and seeing her mother let out a coo..Onita looked at little Alicia in the ca seat and started playing Peek a boo with her.Neil looked at the scene satisfied with himself and said nothing.