14 May, Courthouse, City K

As the Yao's lawyer started to speak, Matthew knew Lexi was about to snap and sent her a text message 'Let it be Lexi.?They are only creating a worse situation for themselves.?Your lawyers and Bronwyn are passing messages to each other, so they know what to do.'

Watching Lexi, Matthew could see the minute that Lexi read the message and saw her relax.

Continuing the Yao's lawyer added "That then generates one other issue the court has to decide.?Our client's only use the income the shares produce to maintain their residence, which Dominic will eventually inherit.?It does not produce the income necessary for Dominic's everyday needs, including his schooling at the right school for him, and all the necessary security needed for them and Dominic due to the actions of their former daughter-in-law and the General.?Those costs are something with her business and the General's family wealth the court should order them to pay."

The Judge said "If, and let me stress it is IF not when, I grant what your clients seek what are their intentions for Madam Rong to see her son?"

"Sir, our clients need to consider what they would do with Dominic's education.?That will impact those arrangements.?They need to ensure that what they do puts Dominic first and is appropriate.?But until that decision is made, as I said it would be for their former daughter-in-law alone, a small amount of time fully supervised until Dominic in their view adjusts to his new arrangements.?Then it could be revisited."

The Judge turned to Lexi's civilian team, who said "Having spoken to the Lieutenant, we believe on behalf of both our client and the General it is appropriate that she puts forward what is to happen."

Bronwyn stood up, saying "Sir, as the Yao's lawyers failed to address one point, I have to return to it.?How the law treats the relationship between Dominic and Richard Yao will hinge on the determination of whether Richard Yao and Madam Rong were legally married or not.?They were not, therefore what he had in his will about Dominic was a statement of desire nothing more.?It should be given little weight over and above the wishes of his biological parents.?Both want Dominic in their care.?They had been willing, until the display today both in and out of this court to have the Yao's maintain a position in Dominic's life, as in their view despite everything else they cared for Dominic more than the General's parent would ever be likely to.?The display has seen them determined to take a hard stance to terminate the relationship because Dominic needs ongoing certainty."

Bronwyn turned and looked at the Yao's before adding "While the General and Madam Rong are of the view the material provided speaks for itself.?It confirms Dominic's parentage and is determinative of the fact that the civilian marriage her parents consented to was invalid.?At the same time, they are willing to allow the time for these facts to be confirmed.?While and DNA Testing, due to the general's position has to be done in military facilities and only recorded on military systems they are willing, at their expense to have any court acceptable expert the Yao's nominate reperform the DNA testing to confirm the results.?You sir, should understand the reason for that insistence."

Seeing a slight nod, Bronwyn continued "The time for that testing will allow you sir, to review the whole of the General's personal record to confirm what I have said about the military marriage steps.?It will, and we would ask that once you have confirmed that to convene a military court and issue the relevant declaration as to the validity of the actions and formally invalidate the civilian marriage, given that there was only a civil ceremony, not a civil and religious ceremony."

"How dare.."

Bronwyn snapped around and said "How dare I.?Mr and Madam Yao.?Yes, I am a soldier, but a lawyer as well.?I am asking the court to enforce the law as it applied at the time of the so-called marriage of your son and Madam Rong, and which has been preserved under the changes to the marriage law.?It is a matter of fact, and along with your lawyers you have the evidence that confirms what will be found.?You, and your lawyers do not have clearance to see the General's service records.?Consider yourself lucky to get what you have without having to get clearance.?I had to receive clearance from the joint chiefs to get this information and provide it to the court as it is above even what I can access.

"But it is not fair," whined Madam Yao.

"Fair. Madam Yao.?The General and Madam Rong have been more than fair to you.?They wanted you to be in Dominic's life and you throw it back time and time again in their face.?They are even willing to pay for your chosen expert to re-perform the DNA testing to satisfy you to confirm the biological truth.?You can even supply something with your son's DNA for comparison to determine the truth.?You need to make the choice to put Dominic first, rather than making everything about you, which it is not.?This is and always has been about Dominic, not you your ego and wants.?At least the General and Madam Rong are focused on the right thing."

Matthew, watching the Yao's as Bronwyn sat down could see they were ready to snap.

The judge said "General and Madam Rong, I want to you ensure that Dominic spends at least one night and one meal a week with Mr and Madam Yao.?But the Lieutenant is right.?These issues need to be resolved as it will impact where this case goes.?Mr and Madam Yao, you have to until midday tomorrow to nominate your expert for the testing.?Those results are to be released to you, Madam Rong and the court.?In the interim I will review the General's personal file.?We will not continue this cycle, and there will be no further hearings.?You have the decision within two business days of the testing results being released."

Angrily, the judge left the court room.?As he stood up, Matthew could see the anger from the Yao's, and just as the video link was being terminate Madam Yao spat "Just you wait b*tch.?Make the most of your time as you will soon never see Dominic again."

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