MWC – Chapter 93 Friendship of Apology

I AM DROPPING THIS NOVEL. IF ANYONE WANTS TO CONTINUE THEY CAN. IF POSSIBLE PLEASE SHARE THE LINK SO I CAN BINGE READ TOO.

From the first trial court, Lu Ming quickly submitted an appeal regarding the ownership of the Pearl Island waters.

He then reassured Katsura Ayaka, stating that although they could not yet obtain the property, the court had already ruled in their favor, and now it was a matter of enforcing the decision.

Katsura Ayaka was indifferent; at least her current life no longer required living in fear.

Moreover, those who wanted her dead had already fled back to Japan.

After arranging for Katsura Ayaka to be escorted back to the Wind Bao Club, Lu Ming sought out Liu Yifu, the enforcement officer, to inquire about the situation with the judges in the western district.

To help Mary sue the Tower Restaurant, he needed to file a lawsuit in the first circuit court of the western district, which was said to be predominantly staffed by Western judges.

In reality, well-connected lawyers often try to select judges whose temperaments and legal perspectives are favorable to their cases. Typically, they ask familiar court clerks to schedule their cases with these judges.

Lu Ming, however, had no such intentions but was completely unfamiliar with the western district court, so it was prudent to gather some information about the judges there.

Understanding a judge’s mindset is crucial in court.

To his surprise, Liu Yifu was also unfamiliar with the western district court, as compared to the western district, Beiguan was purely rural.

Even within the judicial system, the bailiffs of the western district court were far superior to those of the Beiguan court.

This was within Lu Ming’s expectations. He then asked Liu Yifu about the enforcement of Katsura Ayaka’s inheritance, but Liu Yifu was unsure, as Judge Christine had not yet given clear instructions.

For the first time, Lu Ming felt hesitant. He wanted to urge Christine in her office, but she seemed to view him as an eccentric lawyer due to his frequent introduction of peculiar yet justifiable legal issues. Moreover, she seemed to have developed a bad habit of teasing him in court.

This was not a good sign. If a lawyer does not earn the basic respect of a judge, future cases in that judge’s court could be very challenging.

After much hesitation, Lu Ming finally mustered the courage to knock on Judge Christine’s office door.

Once he was seated at Judge Christine’s desk, his initial hesitation vanished. He sat upright, looking at Christine.

“You’re here to ask about the enforcement of Katsura Ayaka’s case, right?” Christine didn’t even look up, engrossed in a thick file, appearing both intellectual and elegant in her black judge’s robe and glasses.

“First, I demand an apology from you!” Lu Ming looked directly at her. “Your behavior in court earlier was unprofessional and insulting to me!”

Christine was taken aback, lifting her head to see Lu Ming’s calm but determined expression.

Slowly, Christine took off her glasses, brushed back her blonde hair, rested her chin in her hands, and looked at Lu Ming with her deep, sapphire blue eyes. “Do you realize that I can easily expel you from the judicial community?”

“Of course you can!” Lu Ming sat up straight.

“But you’re right. I apologize!” Judge Christine stood up, extending her delicate hand. “Attorney Lu Qianxing, I formally apologize to you! My behavior in court earlier was unprofessional and wrong! However, I had no other intention. I genuinely wanted to hear your unique insights!”

Lu Ming was momentarily stunned, feeling a bit embarrassed. He thought it wasn’t necessary to be so formal.

In fact, he had a vague sense that Judge Christine’s actions indicated she saw him differently. Otherwise, why would she have the patience to listen to him talk about another case’s irrelevant matters in court?

Reluctantly, Lu Ming stood up, shook hands with Judge Christine, and coughed, “I accept your apology, Your Honor. Actually…”

“No need to explain. I was wrong! Although I did not mean to disrespect you, I should not have acted that way in court. You were right to remind me!” Christine interrupted.

Lu Ming felt even more embarrassed. After all, lifelong judges often had distinctive personalities, and it was not uncommon for them to exhibit unusual behavior in court. He sheepishly said, “Your Honor is wise and magnificent…”

Christine frowned slightly, “Should I also file a complaint against you? Do you really think so? Or do you see us judges as tools for your legal maneuvers?”

She then waved her hand, “No need to explain, sit down!”

Lu Ming rubbed his nose, sensing he might have offended her and that the situation could be precarious.

“Regarding the enforcement of Katsura Ayaka’s case, I have sent an official letter to the local authorities in Yinyuzhou’s Yaqi territory, requesting their assistance. This is the first step; if the letter does not work, I will issue an order to freeze the East Sea bank accounts of those violators. This is the second step. I hope it doesn’t come to the third step.”

“This also involves the extent to which our East Sea local courts can enforce actions against extraterritorial violators. Several justices of the high court are very interested in this matter, and they will discuss it soon. Perhaps the regional council will also legislate on it. So, let’s wait and see; maybe there will be good results.”

Lu Ming nodded, understanding that if Christine were not presiding over the case, it would not have caused such a stir. This woman indeed had a formidable background.

“Alright, is there anything else?” Judge Christine leaned back slightly in her chair.

“No, thank you, Your Honor!” Lu Ming was about to get up to leave.

“Why do I hear that you’re asking Liu Yifu about the situation in the western district?” Judge Christine suddenly asked.

Lu Ming was stunned. Liu Yifu must have mentioned it to Christine’s young female assistant.

“What other messy case have you taken on this time? … Oh, my mistake, I apologize for not respecting you again! I apologize sincerely for not respecting your professionalism!” Judge Christine exaggeratedly stood up.

Lu Ming was exasperated, jokingly said, “Your Honor, just kill me. I’ll quit law tomorrow; isn’t that enough?”

Finally, Christine also laughed and slowly sat down, a hint of playfulness and satisfaction in her deep blue eyes.

But then she nodded and said seriously, “My first apology to you was sincere!”

“Yes, I know.” Lu Ming thought for a moment and said, “I’ve taken on a case involving the Tower Restaurant in the Empire State Building. My client fractured her tailbone, but it was her spilled coffee that caused it…” He spoke with some frustration, as the description did sound a bit chaotic.

At this point, the clock on the wall struck six.

Christine checked the time and said, “Do you have any plans tonight? Join me for dinner.”

Lu Ming was taken aback, but it was clear that the judge did not need his opinion. She had already pressed the desk bell, and her assistant soon entered. Christine asked her to call Isabel and arrange to meet at Sainte Restaurant at seven for dinner with her mother.

Lu Ming shook his head, “Your Honor, you and your daughter must not have a good relationship.”

“Oh? Why do you say that?” Christine looked at Lu Ming.

“Having your assistant make a call to arrange dinner suggests you’re not a good mother.”

Christine nodded, “Maybe.”

Lu Ming felt somewhat relieved. This way, the girl his mother wanted to introduce would likely look down on him, saving him a lot of trouble.

But soon, the assistant returned, looking a bit troubled, whispering a few words to Judge Christine.

Christine looked at Lu Ming, “Isabel is with her cousin, so let’s reschedule.”

“Alright!” Lu Ming stood up, relieved, but then noticed Christine’s slightly annoyed look, as if she sensed his unwillingness and disdain for her daughter.

He awkwardly smiled, hurriedly opened the door, and slipped away.