Chapter 3
You would think that a posh hotel like the Imperial Suites would have comfortable chairs, but that was simply not the case here. Sitting on a squeaky plastic chair Takeru began to wonder if this was all a bad dream. Yet inside his head a voice whispered 'does it really seem all that dream- like to you?' With a sigh he laid his head in his hands, beside him Hikari sat motionless just as dazed and confused about this matter as he was.
"Maybe I should get the ball moving here." Lindsey McDonald stated clearing his throat. "Now as your aware, Mrs Takaishi currently eighty three percent of your son's assests are frozen untill his eighteenth birthday..."
"Assests? Mom what is he talking about?" Takeru interupted.
"Perhaps it's best if the children leave." Lindsey commented at the rude interuption.
"No, there's no need, I'm sure there wont be anymore interuptions" Mrs Takaishi replied wearily. Takeru imediately sensing his mother's thinning patience apologised profusely.
"Procede Lindsey." Yamato ordered sounding exasperated.Nodding assent, Linsey sho a warning glare at Takeru before continuing.
"As I was saying, with the majority of his assests frozen and in your control, my client Yamato Ishida is unable o procede with his musical career. Recently my client and his associates have received a substantial amount to launch a new album. However in order for my client to receive the money and procede with the release of the album a contract must be signed and a small fee of fifty two hundred dollars must be paid."
At the mention of the "small amount of money" Hikari's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets, she had never thought of owning that much money at once let alone considering it a "small fee."
"Mr. McDonald could we please cut to the chase, my client is growing weary of this dawdling." Mr. Yuoto commented non-challantly.
"Well if the intellectually challenged are growing distracted then by all means we must procede." Lindsey replied smoothly looking Kenta Yuoto directly in the eye. "Now Mrs. Takaishi you have made it quite clear that you do not wish to allow my client Yamato Ishida free-range over his monetary value of 2.12 million dollars. Now not only have you refused him control of his own assests you have also refused to co-operate with his wishes by signing the contract since my client is still under eighteen, it has also been brougt to my attention that you have begun to use my clients hard earned money on your other son." Lindsey stated coldly leveling an eye on Takeru, who visibly shrank under the scrutiny. "Now Mrs. Takaishi you can either choose to end this the hard way, or the easy way..."
"Are you threating my client McDonald?" Yuoto interupted
"As if I need to resort to that. As I was saying, Mrs. Takaishi either way you choos is quite fine with us ma'am because we will win this case."
"Nothing's changed Mr. McDonald. That is my son sitting there and there is no way I am signing over my rights to 'his money'." Natsuko Takaishi exclaimed steadily looking directly at Yamato.
"It's rather funny you should word it that way Mrs. Takaishi. Statements, bank statements I might add indicate that you have been spending Yamato's money on your other son Takeru."
"Let me see those!" Yuoto demanded as Mrs. Takaishi spoke.
"Before my husband died..."
"Ex husband, I believe Natsuko." Yamato interupted coldly.
"Before...Masharou passed away he left Yamato's custody and his fortune in my care because he knew I would ensure Yamato still had his wealth when he turned of age, instead of squandering it imediately."
"If that's so then I pitty your husband, for you obvisouly intend to leave nothing for Yamato when he comes of age."
"Mr. McDonald, I hope you realize that bullying my client into submission will not help your case any." Kenta Yuoto interjected placing a reasuring hand over Natsuko's, an action that did not go unnoticedby Yamato.
"Am I to take it that you will not be co-operating with us today then?" Lindsey responded a glint in his eye.
"You assume correctly." Natsuko Takaishi responded.
"If this is all?" Kenta Yuoto remarked rising from his seat.
"Oh hardly, in fact this has just begun." Lindsey said smuggly, tossing a plain manilla folder in front of Yuoto. "Everything is in order as I'm sure you've noticed." Lindesy commented off-handly as Yuoto gazed at the contents of the folder.
"Okaasan what is it?" Takeru asked finally daring to speak.
"Mr. Yuoto, what is that?" Natsuko Takaishi asked her self-confidence quickly ebbing away, in return all she received was the shocked expresion on her lawyer's face, hardly a good sign.
"You wouldn't dare try this McDonald." Yuoto remarked doubt creeping into his voice.
"Oh but you see I would, in fact I anticipated Mrs. Takaishi's refusal of the easy settlement. I have already set the motions in gear."
"Kenta, what is it?" Mrs. Takaishi repeated hysteria sinking in.
"It's...it's a mvement for emancipation of a minor." Kenta Yuoto whispered quietly, never had he thought that it would come to this.
Yamato was enjoying this, never before had he seen his mother so shell- shocked. 'If only you could behere to see her face dad,' Yamato thought 'the smirk has finally been wiped off that bitch's face.'
"Now Mrs. takaishi; allow me to remind you of your options, you can either sign over your custody over Yamato, and his money or we can take this before a judge and he can take away all your parental rights over my client and perhaps your youngest son. The choice is yours, either way we win." Lindsey finished a self-satisfied smirk plastered on his face. It was always so wonder when you had a full proof game plan.
"Now, Natsuko you don't have to decide..." Kenta Yuoto began.
"Stop! Just shut up. Yamato Ishida is this really what you want? To dis-own what family is left?" Natsuko Takaishi pleaded tears welling in her eyes.
"Yes Natsuko, why else would I bother myself with you." he stated flatly.
"Then so be it."
"Natsuko?"
"No! Dont even try to top me Kenta Yuoto." Mrs. Taikaishi responded silencing her lawyer with a wave of her hand. "What do I sign to make you happy?"
"PLeas just sign here, this will waive all your rights over the control of my client's money and will give him a majority of the rights of a legal adult..."
"Mom dont!" Takeru interupted suddenly, jumping out of his chair "can't you see, all he wants to do is severe his ties withus once and for all, you can't let him do this!"
"Oh, Takeru..."
"Well it would seem somebody has grown comfortable spending my money." Yamato cut in icily.
"You stay out of this." Taqkeru responded waspishly "Okaasan please, I'm begging you, dont give in to him that spoiled brat." Takeru pleaded grabbing his mothers hands in his. Looking into up into her youngest son's baleful eyes Natsuko Takaishi could not refuse him. "If that's what you want Takeru" his mother responded, gturning and grabbing the document she ripped it in half. "I'm sorry Yamato, but one day you'll thank me for this."
"You ought to be ashamed of yourself Yamato Ishida," Hikari scolded speaking for the first time. "How dare you do this to your family, and to do this, this horendus act during the holidays!"
"If I had wanted your opion I'd have asked for it Hikari." he replied flatly. "As for you chisai" Yamato stated, turning his malicious gaze to his brother, "dont get to used to spending my money,cause it'll be gone soon, very soon."
"I havn't ouched any of your damn money you, you prick!" Takeru shouted.
"Oh but you have, you have." Yamato responded calmly rising from his seat. "How do you think you got into that Summer Basketball Camp in Los Angeles? Did you really think Natsuko had the money for that, especially since she cant even pay the rent on your shabby apartment?"
"Your a liar" Takeru hissed.
"Me lie? Now what purpose would that serve?"
"Takeru! Yamato! Stop this bickering now! Please just stop fighting!"
"Your not the boss of me Natsuko, dont you ever presume to tell me what to do again." Yamato threatened.
"You...Prick!" Takeru cried out suddenly "How can you enjoy causing your family pain, we're all you have now that dad's gone."
"Oh my then I really should count my blessings." Yamato laughed. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than to socialize with you."
The hurt and betrayal rising in the pit of his stomache Takeru balling up his fist launched himself across the table and swung with all his strenght at Yamato's smug face, expecting to feel flesh crush under his fist he was sadly disapointed when his fist was meet with resistance. Opening his eyes Takeru found himself staring into a pair of icy-blue eyes that closly resembled his. His fist held by Yamato's hand.
"You forget ...TK" he drawled using Takeru's childhood name "I've always been stronger then you." slowly he released Takeru's hand and stood back out of reach, never shifting his gaze. Up until that point Takeru had been ready to hurt his older brother, but the look in his eyes had stopped him from launching himself completely over the table and laying into him.
"If you ever strike at my client again I'll have you up on asualt charges so fast your head will spin." Lindsey threatened "Mrs. Takaishi I hope your stisfied with you decision." Lindsey commented while grabbing his brief case "We'll see you in court the, now have a nice day."
With a final glance at Takeru, Yamato left the conference rom, lindsey right behind.
"Takeru what where you thinking? Fighting won't help anything!" Hikari screamed while throwig herself into his arms. With a sigh Takeru pushed her away and turned to his mother.
"How much of what Yamato said was true?" he demanded, praying it had all been lies but already knowing it had been all truth.
"Son, I really..."
"How much Mom?"
"Takeru, honey..."
"How much!" He screamed startling everyone in the room.
"All of it..."
"You, you..." Takeru chocked in rage and startlement.
"Takeru listen to me!" Natsuko pleaded.
"No, I dont want to listen to your...lies!" Takeru cried "I just dont want to hear it." Tears streaming down his face, he fled from the conference room, fled from the hotel and ran onto the strees. Not bothering to notice his suroundings Takeru ran, to where not even he knew.
Interesting I hope. Please review, and I'll promise to write more ~_^
You would think that a posh hotel like the Imperial Suites would have comfortable chairs, but that was simply not the case here. Sitting on a squeaky plastic chair Takeru began to wonder if this was all a bad dream. Yet inside his head a voice whispered 'does it really seem all that dream- like to you?' With a sigh he laid his head in his hands, beside him Hikari sat motionless just as dazed and confused about this matter as he was.
"Maybe I should get the ball moving here." Lindsey McDonald stated clearing his throat. "Now as your aware, Mrs Takaishi currently eighty three percent of your son's assests are frozen untill his eighteenth birthday..."
"Assests? Mom what is he talking about?" Takeru interupted.
"Perhaps it's best if the children leave." Lindsey commented at the rude interuption.
"No, there's no need, I'm sure there wont be anymore interuptions" Mrs Takaishi replied wearily. Takeru imediately sensing his mother's thinning patience apologised profusely.
"Procede Lindsey." Yamato ordered sounding exasperated.Nodding assent, Linsey sho a warning glare at Takeru before continuing.
"As I was saying, with the majority of his assests frozen and in your control, my client Yamato Ishida is unable o procede with his musical career. Recently my client and his associates have received a substantial amount to launch a new album. However in order for my client to receive the money and procede with the release of the album a contract must be signed and a small fee of fifty two hundred dollars must be paid."
At the mention of the "small amount of money" Hikari's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets, she had never thought of owning that much money at once let alone considering it a "small fee."
"Mr. McDonald could we please cut to the chase, my client is growing weary of this dawdling." Mr. Yuoto commented non-challantly.
"Well if the intellectually challenged are growing distracted then by all means we must procede." Lindsey replied smoothly looking Kenta Yuoto directly in the eye. "Now Mrs. Takaishi you have made it quite clear that you do not wish to allow my client Yamato Ishida free-range over his monetary value of 2.12 million dollars. Now not only have you refused him control of his own assests you have also refused to co-operate with his wishes by signing the contract since my client is still under eighteen, it has also been brougt to my attention that you have begun to use my clients hard earned money on your other son." Lindsey stated coldly leveling an eye on Takeru, who visibly shrank under the scrutiny. "Now Mrs. Takaishi you can either choose to end this the hard way, or the easy way..."
"Are you threating my client McDonald?" Yuoto interupted
"As if I need to resort to that. As I was saying, Mrs. Takaishi either way you choos is quite fine with us ma'am because we will win this case."
"Nothing's changed Mr. McDonald. That is my son sitting there and there is no way I am signing over my rights to 'his money'." Natsuko Takaishi exclaimed steadily looking directly at Yamato.
"It's rather funny you should word it that way Mrs. Takaishi. Statements, bank statements I might add indicate that you have been spending Yamato's money on your other son Takeru."
"Let me see those!" Yuoto demanded as Mrs. Takaishi spoke.
"Before my husband died..."
"Ex husband, I believe Natsuko." Yamato interupted coldly.
"Before...Masharou passed away he left Yamato's custody and his fortune in my care because he knew I would ensure Yamato still had his wealth when he turned of age, instead of squandering it imediately."
"If that's so then I pitty your husband, for you obvisouly intend to leave nothing for Yamato when he comes of age."
"Mr. McDonald, I hope you realize that bullying my client into submission will not help your case any." Kenta Yuoto interjected placing a reasuring hand over Natsuko's, an action that did not go unnoticedby Yamato.
"Am I to take it that you will not be co-operating with us today then?" Lindsey responded a glint in his eye.
"You assume correctly." Natsuko Takaishi responded.
"If this is all?" Kenta Yuoto remarked rising from his seat.
"Oh hardly, in fact this has just begun." Lindsey said smuggly, tossing a plain manilla folder in front of Yuoto. "Everything is in order as I'm sure you've noticed." Lindesy commented off-handly as Yuoto gazed at the contents of the folder.
"Okaasan what is it?" Takeru asked finally daring to speak.
"Mr. Yuoto, what is that?" Natsuko Takaishi asked her self-confidence quickly ebbing away, in return all she received was the shocked expresion on her lawyer's face, hardly a good sign.
"You wouldn't dare try this McDonald." Yuoto remarked doubt creeping into his voice.
"Oh but you see I would, in fact I anticipated Mrs. Takaishi's refusal of the easy settlement. I have already set the motions in gear."
"Kenta, what is it?" Mrs. Takaishi repeated hysteria sinking in.
"It's...it's a mvement for emancipation of a minor." Kenta Yuoto whispered quietly, never had he thought that it would come to this.
Yamato was enjoying this, never before had he seen his mother so shell- shocked. 'If only you could behere to see her face dad,' Yamato thought 'the smirk has finally been wiped off that bitch's face.'
"Now Mrs. takaishi; allow me to remind you of your options, you can either sign over your custody over Yamato, and his money or we can take this before a judge and he can take away all your parental rights over my client and perhaps your youngest son. The choice is yours, either way we win." Lindsey finished a self-satisfied smirk plastered on his face. It was always so wonder when you had a full proof game plan.
"Now, Natsuko you don't have to decide..." Kenta Yuoto began.
"Stop! Just shut up. Yamato Ishida is this really what you want? To dis-own what family is left?" Natsuko Takaishi pleaded tears welling in her eyes.
"Yes Natsuko, why else would I bother myself with you." he stated flatly.
"Then so be it."
"Natsuko?"
"No! Dont even try to top me Kenta Yuoto." Mrs. Taikaishi responded silencing her lawyer with a wave of her hand. "What do I sign to make you happy?"
"PLeas just sign here, this will waive all your rights over the control of my client's money and will give him a majority of the rights of a legal adult..."
"Mom dont!" Takeru interupted suddenly, jumping out of his chair "can't you see, all he wants to do is severe his ties withus once and for all, you can't let him do this!"
"Oh, Takeru..."
"Well it would seem somebody has grown comfortable spending my money." Yamato cut in icily.
"You stay out of this." Taqkeru responded waspishly "Okaasan please, I'm begging you, dont give in to him that spoiled brat." Takeru pleaded grabbing his mothers hands in his. Looking into up into her youngest son's baleful eyes Natsuko Takaishi could not refuse him. "If that's what you want Takeru" his mother responded, gturning and grabbing the document she ripped it in half. "I'm sorry Yamato, but one day you'll thank me for this."
"You ought to be ashamed of yourself Yamato Ishida," Hikari scolded speaking for the first time. "How dare you do this to your family, and to do this, this horendus act during the holidays!"
"If I had wanted your opion I'd have asked for it Hikari." he replied flatly. "As for you chisai" Yamato stated, turning his malicious gaze to his brother, "dont get to used to spending my money,cause it'll be gone soon, very soon."
"I havn't ouched any of your damn money you, you prick!" Takeru shouted.
"Oh but you have, you have." Yamato responded calmly rising from his seat. "How do you think you got into that Summer Basketball Camp in Los Angeles? Did you really think Natsuko had the money for that, especially since she cant even pay the rent on your shabby apartment?"
"Your a liar" Takeru hissed.
"Me lie? Now what purpose would that serve?"
"Takeru! Yamato! Stop this bickering now! Please just stop fighting!"
"Your not the boss of me Natsuko, dont you ever presume to tell me what to do again." Yamato threatened.
"You...Prick!" Takeru cried out suddenly "How can you enjoy causing your family pain, we're all you have now that dad's gone."
"Oh my then I really should count my blessings." Yamato laughed. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than to socialize with you."
The hurt and betrayal rising in the pit of his stomache Takeru balling up his fist launched himself across the table and swung with all his strenght at Yamato's smug face, expecting to feel flesh crush under his fist he was sadly disapointed when his fist was meet with resistance. Opening his eyes Takeru found himself staring into a pair of icy-blue eyes that closly resembled his. His fist held by Yamato's hand.
"You forget ...TK" he drawled using Takeru's childhood name "I've always been stronger then you." slowly he released Takeru's hand and stood back out of reach, never shifting his gaze. Up until that point Takeru had been ready to hurt his older brother, but the look in his eyes had stopped him from launching himself completely over the table and laying into him.
"If you ever strike at my client again I'll have you up on asualt charges so fast your head will spin." Lindsey threatened "Mrs. Takaishi I hope your stisfied with you decision." Lindsey commented while grabbing his brief case "We'll see you in court the, now have a nice day."
With a final glance at Takeru, Yamato left the conference rom, lindsey right behind.
"Takeru what where you thinking? Fighting won't help anything!" Hikari screamed while throwig herself into his arms. With a sigh Takeru pushed her away and turned to his mother.
"How much of what Yamato said was true?" he demanded, praying it had all been lies but already knowing it had been all truth.
"Son, I really..."
"How much Mom?"
"Takeru, honey..."
"How much!" He screamed startling everyone in the room.
"All of it..."
"You, you..." Takeru chocked in rage and startlement.
"Takeru listen to me!" Natsuko pleaded.
"No, I dont want to listen to your...lies!" Takeru cried "I just dont want to hear it." Tears streaming down his face, he fled from the conference room, fled from the hotel and ran onto the strees. Not bothering to notice his suroundings Takeru ran, to where not even he knew.
Interesting I hope. Please review, and I'll promise to write more ~_^
