Chapter 19: Chapter 19

" Your honor, I rest my case..." Attorney Johnson nodded in resolve shortly after giving his argument.

The courtroom became heavily silent once again with the witness stand and the public seating desolate of spectators. It was the exact opposite of a wedding ceremony.

Only the sounds of file pages being flipped and scribbles of pens could be heard. Just like the court reporter, Judge Lauren seemed to be taking notes.

At this point, Bob's eyes had reddened and his expression bittered. Courtney's Attorney hadn't missed any detail, from arguments and occasional disagreements they had in the past to several other incidents over the past 3 years that he'd been with Courtney; he missed none of it. And he made it seem like some sort of abuse through fabrications.

In his argument, The attorney had used these incidents to prove that Bob had never been at home to provide emotional support for Courtney and their child, and thus, Courtney had been the sole backbone of the family for a long time now, shuffling between work and catering for their child. Attorney Johnson had also shown financial expenses spent on the child by Courtney as an evidence to prove that Courtney had also been financially responsible for the child.

Bob had naturally given Courtney the money since he felt she would know better what to spend it on and what to do with it as the mother.

" ... This marriage became irretrievably broken due to the fact that Mr Richardson had been so far away from his family that his presence was no longer of any relevance. The child only now finds comfort in her mother and the foster mother who takes care of her in the absence of my client ..." The Attorney had argued.

Bob just couldn't believe his ears. They'd both always been away from home, and the child who is but only a year and few months was put in care of a foster mother when they had to leave for work. So how was it his fault?

Courtney feigned a pitiful expression that infuriated Bob. If before he was respectful towards her, he was now disgusted at her. How could she act like this when she very well knew that the baby wasn't even his? He could have acted like it was nothing out of the love he had for her but she came asking for a divorce like her life depended on it.

Bob of course respected her opinion, and had assented to her request. But as if it wasn't enough, she threatened and demanded everything he had. And up until this point she was still persistent, obviously using all possible means she could. She didn't even spare the precious memories they've made in the last 3 years of their being together. Was all the 3 years they've spent together being couples just worthless memories to her?

And why couldn't she just let the divorce progress steadily without doing all of this? Was it so necessary? Just what has gotten into her?

" Can we hear the opposing party present their argument now?" Judge Lauren put down his pen and urged Attorney Chris.

" Yes, your Honor" Attorney Chris stood and tucked on his formal suit, the confident smirk on his face became replaced with an earnest and serious expression.

" Please, proceed" The judge folded his fingers over his bench and maintained an attentive posture.

"Your Honor, as my colleague has quoted the principle of a 'Just and Equitable distribution' in the Revised code of Washington Title 26, specifically in RCW 26.09.080. Relatively, It wouldn't be too far off to say that my client deserves a fair and just settlement in this divorce case.

" Of course, he had always been a devoted spouse and parent, contributing both emotionally and financially to the family unlike the other party have tried to portray him with fabricated evidences. Here with me are pictures of my client and the child in question, to prove that my client had of course been nothing like they spoke of him using evidence that were just nothing but casual disagreements between spouses that are but natural." Attorney Chris held up the pictures where Bob lay beside the child and played with her, and another where he picked up the child and raised her above his head. It was a typical smiley family picture.

" As you must know, your Honor, my client is in possession of many business corporations and companies which would most definitely not run itself. He plays a major role in the economy of this very country as an important entrepreneur and cannot be blamed for staying away from his family if he does so in the event that he provides for them financially. These are, of course, Businesses in which I would be providing a detailed statement regarding those that fall into the community property and seperate property if you do not mind, your Honor?" Attorney Chris calmly stated.

" You may do so, Attorney ..." Judge Lauren gave his permission, pointing towards Ms Honesty.

Attorney Chris gently made a rendezvous to Ms Honesty's desk to submit both a copy of the pictures and the financial and property statement of Bob, just so the other Attorney tried to act smart by declaring some properties communal.

" If the court would verify that the properties tally with that provided by the other party please" He said as he returned to his previous position beside Bob by the counsel table.

Bob pursed his lips as he maintained his calm. He trusted Attorney Chris' competence over anything.

" Your Honor, the claims of child support that the other party made is inappropriate under the rule of presumption of paternity..." Attorney Chris paused to see the Judge's reaction. As expected, the elderly Judge creased his gaze and became more intent.

Attorney Johnson frowned and shot a gaze at Attorney Chris. Courtney wasn't any different as she wasn't a stranger to the word 'paternity'.

" You see, my client here has recently just discovered that the said child does not belong to him ..." Attorney Chris dropped the bomb.

A small gasp was heard and Bob was uncertain if it was Courtney or Ms Honesty. He maintained a straight face anyway, it was unsure whether he was still bitter about the fact that the child he was made to believe was his is actually not.

" In other words, he is not the Father of the child... And thus, would like to revoke paternity of-"

" Objection!"

" Overruled" The judge calmly rejected Attorney Johnson's objection raise.

" Your Honor, this doubt was of course raised when my client discovered in one of Mrs Richardson's conversation with his lover that the said child is not Mr Richardson's."

Courtney's expression contorted and twisted. Her eyes darted frantically about in search of how Bob could have gotten this information.

" Do you have evidence to prove this?" Judge Lauren inquired.

" Yes, your Honor. But we may have to make use of the projector" Attorney Chris said as he walked towards the clerk to give the evidence.

" Very well" The judge affirmed with a nod while he took notes again.

When the image of the conversation was projected, Courtney became petrified. Her pupils constricted and panic was evident all over her figure. She instantly knew where she had screwed up.

' Just how long has he known?' She knew Bob didn't have access to her phone, but that didn't mean he had no means to do so.

Bob maintained a straight face as Attorney Chris argued his case. He couldn't be any more satisfied by the lawyer's display of competence. As expected, the prestigious Attorney didn't let him down.

" As you can see, your Honor, this is Mrs Richardson's contact number here" Attorney Chris pointed at the bar on the screen that highlighted Courtney's personal information.

Regarding how this evidence was gotten and whether it was a breach or intrusion of privacy, it was simply futile to challenge it as Bob himself was Courtney's husband.

Attorney Johnson remained silent knowing this, though he was quite shook. His client hadn't discussed this with him and thus he had no prepared means to counter.

" Now by virtue of RCW26.26A.115(1)(a), the law does presumes both parents to be parents of a child born during a marriage or domestic partnership, or between 300 days after the end of a marriage or domestic partnership, or in case of a spouse's death. However, this presumption can be challenged before the child reaches the age of 4. If your Honor would grant the motion to challenge paternity since the child is yet to be four as in RCW 26.26A.115(1)(B)?"

The judge ignored Attorney Chris' request as he scribbled his pen to jot down relevant notes. He raised his head after a while and ruminated first before saying,

"Based on the doubts raised regarding paternity, it is necessary to further investigate this matter. The court hereby orders that a DNA test be conducted to establish or, otherwise, disprove the biological relationship between the father, Mr Bob Richardson here, and the child. The trial will be adjourned until the test results are available on the 24th of October, this year. Both parties are required to cooperate and provide the necessary samples for testing." He slammed the gavel after making the decision to grant Attorney Chris' request.

" Thank you, your Honor!"

" Next case, please!"

Attorney Chris flashed a victorious grin and turned to face Bob who somewhat heaved a soft sigh of relief. Bob obviously couldn't believe that really worked so smoothly. It had only been less than an hour since the trial had started. Of course, Attorney Chris was simply phenomenal with his presentation.

Attorney Chris went to shake hands with Attorney Johnson, exchanging a few professional pleasantries in the meanwhile.

Bob stood and watched as Courtney stared dumbfounded still in seat. He contemplated whether to approach her but decided otherwise when he saw her scorn and stomp out of the courtroom. Bob shook his head and waited for Attorney Chris to join him as they both had further discussions to make.

The Attorney soon returned and they both made their way out of the courtroom.

" I knew I could definitely trust you, Attorney" Bob commented with a slight grin.

" It's my job after all. However, this is only but over. I trust she wouldn't spare any effort to retaliate as from now on." Attorney Chris said as he looked towards Courtney who angrily got in her car and shunned Attorney Johnson who ran after her as the car sped off.

" Indeed. Right now we should find as much witness as we can. I already have the DNA results, but I'll have the doctor appear as a witness just in case" Bob shared his plan.

" Very well, I shall return to San Francisco to see if we can get anything" Attorney Chris stated. His office was based in San Francisco after all.

" Thank you!" Bob nodded and separated from the Attorney after a handshake. Bob got in his car with plans to return to his place of stay.

What Bob didn't notice was a car waiting around the corner, watching as his car drove off the lane.

" Follow him" Courtney ordered her driver.