Chapter 647 His Excellency
Kang Huizhong's appearance diverted the reporters' attention away from Jiang Ying Yue and Long Hui. He was, after all, the famed lawyer of the country's number one company, Jin Corporation.
The reporters once again changed their targets and surrounded Kang Huizhong. But before they could get too close, the elderly gentleman's piercing eyes beside him made them stop in their tracks. An invisible barrier naturally formed between Kang Huizhong with his elderly companion and the reporters. The pair started walking. The reporters followed them but maintained at least a metre's distance.
"Hey, is it just me or that old man also looks familiar?" one of the reporters asked.
"Nope. I don't recognize him," replied a young reporter in his twenties.
An older gentleman piped in. "No, it's not only you. I also feel like I've seen him before."
The reporter with the most experience among the group focused his eyes on the elderly gentleman walking beside Kang Huizhong. He observed that Jin Corporation's famed corporate lawyer acted in a respectful and humble manner in the elderly gentleman's presence, as if his status was lower. His eyes narrowed at this thought. Something stirred in his memory. Then a lightbulb went off in his head.
"Deng Gui!" he exclaimed, pointing at the elderly gentleman. His expression and tone showed his shock.
"Who?"
"W-what?!"
"Why's everyone reacting like this? Who's Deng Gui?"
Hearing his name, the elderly gentleman turned his head and looked at the reporters' various expressions. He saw shock, disbelief, confusion, and cluelessness. His sharp eyes didn't miss anything. He didn't say anything but continued walking steadily beside Kang Huizhong.The reporter who first recognized him recovered from his initial shock and called out, "Sir, are you His Excellency Deng Gui?"
The elderly gentleman stopped, and then looked directly at the reporter before nodding. "Indeed, I am Deng Gui." Then he resumed walking.
His admission caused an uproar among the reporters.
"Oh my God! It's His Excellency Deng Gui!"
"I don't know who he is," muttered a young reporter but he was already on his phone searching for information about Deng Gui.
"His Excellency Deng Gui served as a jurist at the International Court of Justice. He's one of the most respected figures in the field of international law! What is a renowned figure like him doing here? I thought he's already retired!"
"Yes, he's already retired. Though I heard that he still occasionally handles some legal matters for his friend Sir Lu Jianhong."
"He's with Atty. Kang. Maybe they have some important business to attend in the courthouse. Perhaps something that concerns international diplomatic relations in the corporate industry."
"Oh, that makes sense! Hurry, let's follow them. This is bigger than a mere child custody case!"
[This novel is a contracted work with W e b n o v e l . c o m (remove spaces). If you're not reading this chapter on W e b n o v e l, it has been stolen. It's very discouraging to see thieves profitting from my hard work. Please read this novel on W e b n o v e l. Thank you! -Arria]
At the entrance of the courthouse, Long Hui and his lawyer watched this scene. Long Hui's expression showed amazed surprise as he listened to his lawyer describing Deng Gui's identity and his numerous lifetime achievements. Then he frowned.
"Why is such an illustrious figure with Kang Huizhong? We both know that Atty. Kang came today to assist Jiang Ying Yue in the custody case."
His lawyer paused upon realizing this point before saying with hesitation, "I don't know." He wasn't aware of His Excellency's connection to Sir Lu Jianhong, unlike the reporters who were privy to this information because of their extensive insider network.
Long Jian and his lawyer opted to watch the new arrivals and satisfy their curiosity instead of their original plan of entering the courthouse ahead of everyone else.
Back on the walkway leading to the courthouse's main entrance, the reporters followed Deng Gui and Kang Huizhong while maintaining a respectful distance from them. Their aggressive attitude towards Jiang Ying Yue earlier was nowhere to be seen. They thought that the two famed lawyers would head straight to the courthouse but contrary to their expectations, they walked towards Atty. Hong Shaoqiang and his client instead.
The two unlikely groups greeted each other as if they were close. Even the falcon-like Kang Huizhong's usually severe expression became kind as he nodded at Hong Shaoqiang and the two ladies. As for His Excellency Deng Gui, he looked grandfatherly as he chatted with the other group with a smile on his face. He even patted the shoulder of Jiang Ying Yue!
Those who were watching this scene felt confused. The reporters edged closer, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation.
Ahead of them at the courthouse's main entrance, Long Hui and his lawyer began to have a bad feeling after seeing the two famed lawyers interacting with their enemies.
After chatting, the two groups—now one—began walking together to the main entrance. The three lawyers—Hong Shaoqiang, Kang Huizhong, and the renowned Deng Gui—all walked together around the two ladies in a protective manner. Their cold, serious expressions and confident steps showed everyone that they meant business. People automatically made way for them, intimidated by their formidable collective aura.
The reporter with the most experience among the group who first recognized Deng Gui mustered up his courage and shouted a question. "Your Excellency Deng and Atty. Kang! May we know what kind of business do you have in the courthouse today?"'Nice question!'
His fellow reporters were encouraged by him and began following his example. They also began shouting out their own questions.
"Your Excellency Deng, Atty. Kang, why are you walking with Atty. Hong?"
"How long have you been acquainted with each other?"
"How are you connected with each other?"
"Have you worked together before?"
The impressive group stopped walking and faced the reporters. The three lawyers looked at each other before Kang Huizhong stepped forward after getting a nod of approval from both Deng Gui and Hong Shaoqiang.
Kang Huizhong faced the crowd of reporters with his usual severe expression, looking like a falcon eyeing his prey. Then he addressed them:
"I, Kang Huizhong, and His Excellency the venerable Deng Gui, are honoured to be assisting Atty. Hong Shoaqiang and his client, Miss Jiang Ying Yue in the custody case regarding Miss Jiang's young son, Long Jun, starting today."
Silence fell as everyone made sense of his words."WHAT?!!!"