Offer To The CEO

Tuesday, continued …

As Hou Yi stood up he lent over and gave Anna a brief kiss, before walking out the door. As he reached the elevator a request came through from security about allowing Alister Nang up, which was promptly approved.

Hou Yi waited until he arrived, and briefly spoke to Alister. The information immediately made him worry about a local stock market crash due to Lu Corporation's listing particularly as they had re-sold some shares back into the market, when the information became public.

As soon as Hou Yi entered the elevator he stated calling senior executives at the company to immediately act to protect Hou Enterprises position, without saying too much. Damn, this was the last thing he needed today but dealing criminals for the authorities cannot wait. At least he had the comfort in knowing that he helped play a part in Lu Jingho's downfall, he just did not expect it to be as spectacular as it has become, let alone the impact on Lu Corporation that it would have.

Back in the apartment, Alister Nang was shown into the dining room where Anna was finishing off her breakfast. "Madam Hou, I have already spoken to CEO Yao this morning. He suggested that your and CEO's interests in the criminal matters align with his and his daughter's if it was OK, he asked if I could represent them and XF International for the purposes of the proceedings?"

"Alister rather than talking here, let us head into the lounge room. Let me know your opinion on doing that. Is there anything that ethically would indicate that you should not?"

"Madam Hou, in most cases ethically we would have to limit the number of parties we represent in proceedings such as this, but with the number of victims including those whose cases the police have not finished investigations to lay charges, that would not be possible. Various lawyers in my firm have been requested to represent some seventy victims. Three other firms have been asked to represent another over one hundred and fifty victims between them. Other smaller firms will pick up the balance of the victims. Assuming the court approves of it I have no concerns."

"That if fine with me. Now what is going on?"

"Mr Lu Jingho was arrested about 8 pm last night, as there was indications, he was considering leaving the country. He is claiming it was for business but given the number of charges no one believes that. The real issue is going to be how the court opts to proceed?"

"Splitting matters out rather than one big trial or negotiated outcome?"

"Yeah. I suspect they will try to separate those matters involving you, CEO Hou, Hou Enterprises, CEO Yao, Alecia Yao and XF International from the others. Unlike many of the other victims, there is no way that you will negotiate to resolve the matters by the payment of compensation."

"The second group I suspect that will be separated out will be the victims that are now employed by XF International, Hou Enterprises, your joint venture or the other entertainment companies. They have little to fear and have the support of their employers in having him dealt with. That most likely will amount to, I suspect, forty or fifty victims, maybe a few more. They will be split into groups."

"The balance, Madam Hou, are the victims are still technically Lu Corporation employees despite the convoluted employment arrangements and the so-called debts that saw the victims working there to meet. My current suspicion is that those will be the last ones, along with where Lu Corporation is the victim, to be batched up to be dealt with. Those are the ones where he has the best opportunity to buy his way out of the charges."

After a pause, Alister asked "CEO Yao indicated that you would be able to help me talk to his daughter."

Anna grabbed he mobile and started to dial James' mobile. Within three rings, James answered with a sugary voice "Yes darling sister …"

"James stow it, I know you have talked to Tan and with the weekend I do not have the time to put up with your crap, let alone me being a hormonal pregnant woman."

Alister Nang, hearing the words 'pregnant woman' looked at Anna shocked, that might change everything with how things proceed in court.

"Do not throw that at me Anna, you are testy at the best of times, and …"

"You really do not want to deal with me."

"You are tempting me, but I am going to be nice to a …"

"Pregnant woman. Let me get serious James, is Alecia there?"

"Hang on, I will put the phone on speaker phone."