4 March, Municipal Courthouse, City K

Lexi looked around and realised her words had finally sunk into the male lawyers. In all of this they had forgotten that simple thing.

Taking a breath, Lexi gathered her courage and continued "I do not want to choose, but I am going to have to. I need my lawyers to be fully behind me. Even saying that, gentleman, I am willing to give you a chance. You know my family background and your firm is aware of the previous fights with respect to Dominic. But, start questioning the situation, and attempting to get me to compromise without a clearly articulated position, and that will change."

"Madam Rong, compromise is the best way .."

"What did I just say? Do not pressure me to compromise without an articulated position."

Sensing that Lexi was about to lose it, Matthew said "The real problem gentleman is that all the security checks have not come back acceptable.."

Matthew was interrupted with a call for all parties in Dominic's case to come to the court room. As they were exiting the room, Lieutenant Li said, "I have this boss."

"Thank you."

Matthew then escorted Lexi towards the courtroom. As they arrived Richard's parents were waiting outside, and Madam Yao said "Just you wait b*tch. My grandson will soon be where he is meant to be."

Not wanting to engage in that game, Lexi quickly responded "I see someone has tickets on themselves. As if the court process can be brought, like some people try to buy everything else.."

"Watch it b*tch. You are talking to your mother-in-law. I am entitled to respect."

"Get it right, former mother-in-law. I know my mother-in-law hates my husband and I, but at least she is honest about it. She is the same in public as she is in private, telling me exactly what she thinks of my husband, my brother, my brother-in-law and me. That honesty I can respect, unlike those who are two faced, like.."

"B*tch.."

"A dog? How original. And here I thought I you were referring to yourself give that you look more like a rabid dog that a human presently."

"How dare you, you b*tch. I am entitled to respect and you should give it to me. Given you have a lapdog beside you I guess you are the dog, not me."

Matthew, knowing he had stirred Madam Yao enough, gently took Lexi's hand and lead her into the courtroom. As they sat down Lexi whisperer to him "Why did you stop my fun?"

"Fun, talk about causing trouble Lexi."

"So, she started it. And you know, and the moment because she wants to take my son away from me I am not going to roll over for her. I was young and intimidated by her son, but I am not going to let her try it with me."

"And yet, she provoked a reaction from you. That allows her to portray herself as the bullied former mother-in-law victimised by her former daughter-in-law who is determined to cut her out of the only living reminder of her deceased son.."

"Yet, she helped and encouraged his affair throughout our marriage, while should I respect her."

"Psychological warfare Lexi. She wants you to react like that and knows how to react. However, when you play nice and do not react like that, she will be at a loss on what to do."

"Sneaky, Matthew, sneaky."

"Standard operating procedure Lexi. Do not react as someone suspects and you constantly keep them guessing and gain the upper hand. You see that she does not know how to react to me?"

Matthew turned and saw a confused look on Lexi's face, but continued "What your former mother-in-law expects is that I am going to be reactive to protect you from her. My standing back, letting her do what she does and simply supporting you her challenges and she cannot adapt in her reactions. Hence her implication that I am a lapdog, because I just stood there and did not react."

Pausing Lexi though for a few seconds and said, "So that is why she looks confused at you and continued to challenge me?"

"Absolutely, and her reaction today says it all. She cannot stand me, because I am not reacting as she wants me to react. That, will provoke a reaction later, when she can least afford it."

"You have something up your sleeve?"

"Lieutenant Li is going to deliver it, not me. Last time we were here, in her reactions I noticed how she hates females who challenge her. As you are challenging her, she is verbally attaching you, but trying to keep calm as she cannot overreact as her lawyers will have told her that will damage her case. But she will not be able to help herself when Lieutenant Li speaks.."

Lexi shot an accusatorial look at Matthew and said, "You had this planned?"

Throwing his hand up slightly Matthew said "Not initially. National Command tasked Lieutenant Li to the case, because of my posting, but I would be stupid, and not deserving of my post or my rank, if I did not opt to use her and her skills properly to help you.."

Now angry at Matthew, Lexi added "You know I wanted to deal with this myself, hence I said nothing.."

"I know Lexi and I have not gotten too involved. This is your battle, but at the same time I am going to support you the whole way. If that means using my skills and resources thrown my way, I will." Matthew paused, and noticed the court staff getting ready for the hearing to start. He added "We can talk about this later, as I believe the judge is about to come out to deal with this matter."

As Matthew finished the judge came out and sat down on the bench.

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