Chapter 60 - Court Hearing

Ryu and Alicia reached the civil affairs building a few minutes before 8.00 am.Ryu was wearing his custom made black suit and Alicia was wearing a pretty cream colored chanel dress.They both looked as if they had just stepped off the runway.There was only one problem with their picture perfect look and that was Ryu's red nose.

Soon,Neil arrived at the court and the first thing he commented on was Ryu's nose.

"Bro,what happened to your nose?Did you get into a fist fight?"Neil was perplexed at his brother's look.After all,his brother had a calm temperament and was not prone to fighting.Whoever it was must have made him really angry...

Hearing Neil's question,Ryu scowled and then replied wryly,"Your sister in law forgot to wish me a happy birthday...and when she remembered this is the result."

Neil:"..." "Uhhh Alicia it's perfectly fine with me if you don't remember my birthday next time..."

Ryu:"Sister in law"

Neil:"Huh??"

Ryu:"Me and Alicia are getting married."

Wow!It seemed his brother wanted to show off..Hmm calling her sister in law wasn't bad...but he always considered her a sister so...

Neil:"Yes,brother in law!"

Neil's reply brought a big smile on Alicia's face which in turn made Ryu happy also.There was also one thing that he had not expected to feel.And that was jealousy.Jealous of his own brother!!His brother understood her well.Their camaradarie was very good.The fact that Neil had understood everything she left unsaid made him unreasonably jealous.He wanted to be the one that was her confidant and best friend.It seemed his brother understood him as well,better than he did himself.In his own way he had made his feelings for her clear.

They soon proceeded to register their marriage.Neil had filled out the requisite forms and now only their signatures were left.Once the formalities were completed,Alicia and Ryu took their certificate and happily proceeded towards the family dispute court to win over the right to their son as well.

This morning had taken the financial world by a storm.The news reporters were brimming with happiness over the availability of such sensational news.Every hour a new report was available about Pei Industries' under hand dealings,insider trading,and losses in investment.The first news had come in at 5.00 am and consistently every hour a new report was coming in.An emergency board meeting had been called and it was Mr. Pei's neck in the noose.

On the other hand,there was an increase tension within the coridoors of the courtrooms as well.A rumor of many senior judges being under detainment for being involved in corruption was making rounds.Everyone was on pins and needles,not daring to even think of taking a bribe for fear of being implicated.At this crucial hour everyone was calm on the outside and concentrating on doing their work diligently.No one could imagine that behind all this was the man called Ryu Long.Only one person had guessed the truth and that was Judge Baek.This too because she had been present when the senior judges had been detained.Only those judges who had threatened her were now suffering...She did not believe in such timely coincidences.

At the family court:

Leona Knight was seated with her lawyer and both were whispering furiously.Mr. Pei was nowhere to be found.

At such a crucial hour,Ryu and Neil Long were the only ones who were relaxed.Alicia was also worried.Though,she had faith in both Ryu and Neil,she also knew fate was a fickle thing and there were no guarantees.Yesterday,Assistant Yang had been here.Today she was sitting alone and she couldn't help but worry even more.Ru was her baby.She wouldn't be able to ever give him up...

Judge Baek entered the court.

Lawyer Zheng immediately stopped talking and gestured for Leona Knight to do the same.

She then bowed down to the court and said ,"Your honor,Mr Pei is unable to be present in court today due to some unforeseen circumstances.We would request you to please grant him an interview on another day.He is very sincere in his request to care for Ms Knight's child."

After making her request,Lawyer Zheng sat down quietly with a blank face.In most cases,Judges tended to get irritable but still granted such a request.But this time she couldn't be sure.There was something fishy about Mr Pei's company being under attack today of all days and the undercurrent of tension in the courtrooms.