Chapter Six-Conflict of Interest

A few months later, Seto received a phone call from his lawyer, requesting his presence. "What is this all about?" He grunted.

"Mr. Ryou Bakura has requested a hearing in order to regain custody of Elizabeth."

"Oh he has, has he?" Seto leaned back in his chair, turning to face the large window in his office. "When is this hearing, Barly?"

"Tomorrow." His lawyer cleared his throat. "I should probably warn you, Sir. He's not the same as when you last saw him. Rumor has it he partnered with Page Turner and now, he's got a lot more money on him."

"That's not a problem." Seto replied.

"But he's still got a lot more bills than you do." Barly told him. "He might not have enough to take care of Lizzie."

"We shall see what the judge thinks. It's not like I want to keep Lizzie if he can afford to take care of her. She is his sister." Seto hung up, frowning. Now he'd have to tell Elizabeth that she might be able to go home to Bakura. No easy feat. She's adjusted a bit too well. He shook his head, as he went back to his paperwork. Things are going to get rough. I know the judge will more than likely ask Elizabeth where she wanted to go. What if she does choose me? That would hurt Bakura more than anything in the world. He already thought I wanted to keep her good. "Gah! I can't focus on this right now. I have deadlines!" The CEO muttered, and resolved to have his work finished by four o'clock when Mokuba and Elizabeth would get home from school. He would surprise them both by taking them out to Fiona's, which was a high class restaurant they both loved.

And that's exactly what Seto did. When Mokuba and Lizzie came by his office after school, he told them to go home, and get ready to go out.Since Seto was already dressed up, he didn't have to worry about changing his clothes. Lizzie loved going out in the limousine, and getting to eat in expensive restaurants. That night however, she was suspicious. Seto never took them out on a school night. After they had ordered their appetizers,one for each of them, she looked at him. "What's going on, Seto?"

"Nothing." Seto replied, as he sipped his wine. Damn. I knew she'd realize what was up. She's too smart for her age. He smiled at her. "So have you decided what you were going to eat?"

"Grilled Cheese with no crust." She told him, which got her twin groans.

"I've told you a thousand times. You can't come to a restaurant like this and order a measly sandwich. " Mokuba told her in exasperation. "Myra and Anna could've done that at home. Besides, you had one for lunch."

"That's right." Seto told her. "Why don't you try their smoked salmon?"

"What's salmon?" Lizzie wrinkled her nose. As many odd things as the Kaibas had gotten her to eat each one sounded more disgusting than the previous one.

"It's fish." Mokuba explained. "It's really good with lemon juice. You should try it." When the waiter came back, he ordered it for her, and for himself. Then he turned to his brother. "So, what's the occasion. It's a school night, and you never bring us to Fiona's on a school night."

Seto sighed. He had to find a different way to break difficult news to them. This was getting more predictable. "I got a phone call from Mr. Barly this afternoon."

"Your lawyer? What did he want?" Mokuba asked, as he watched the waiter come back with their appetizers.

"It seems Ryou's decided to try and regain custody of Elizabeth." Seto spoke quietly.

"Really? That's a good thing, isn't it?" Mokuba asked, as he looked over at Lizzie. The girl was drawing on her menu now. "Did you hear what Seto said? Bakura's going to try and get you back."

"I heard." Lizzie replied blandly. "It's not safe at Ryou's."

"What do you mean, Lizzie?" Seto stopped mid-bite of escargot

"DM and Wheeler said something wanted me."

"Lizzie......stop pretending." Seto had indeed made good on his vow to get her evaluated, but the psychologists merely told him it was her dealing with the present situation. In fact, two months later, Elizabeth actually stopped mentioning the card friends. Maybe it's a scapegoat...She's probably afraid to go back because she doesn't want to be taken away again.

"I'm not pretending. Eliza said it too. Something wants me." Lizzie stared at Seto, her eyes round, and worried.

"What would possibly want you besides Yami Bakura?" Mokuba asked her.

"A dark force." She replied, as she finished her own appetizer, a platter of shrimp. "I heard DM and Wheeler a couple of nights ago. I'm the Pharaoh's daughter reincarnated."

"Nonsense." Seto grunted, but he almost believed that. She did have the appearance of royalty. "The hearing is tomorrow. What are you going to tell the judge,Lizzie?"

"I don't know. I'll have to ask Wheeler." Lizzie shrugged, as Seto sighed.

"I give up." He loved Lizzie,but this was getting tiresome. "You two finish up then call Lyle to bring you home." He got up from his chair,and left to go home.