South area of Liberty Building, lounge next to the conference room.
Zheng Zhongshi's face looked very ugly.
The middle-aged man in a suit sitting next to him is his newly hired lawyer, named Wang Zhengren, from Mingde Law Firm in Xinfa District, and is a third-level senior advocate.
After firing the Manila team, Zheng Zhongshi went directly to Rodyk, but Rodyk declined his offer on the grounds that there was a conflict of interest between this case and their long-term partner, Jin Taiping Insurance.
I went to several larger law firms and they all said the same thing: if there wasn't a combined compensation of $300,000 for these two cases, it would be difficult to reach a settlement with the other party, especially since the other party's attorney was named Lu Qianxing.
It was not until yesterday that a law firm called Mingde was willing to take his case.
But in the negotiation just now, the other party unexpectedly raised the offer price. There were three conditions. The first condition was to increase the compensation amount for the female affairs officer to 400,000 yuan; the second condition was to increase the compensation for the Western horse owner to 200,000 yuan; the third condition remained unchanged.
The man surnamed Lu never showed up. It was his three apprentices who participated in the negotiations, each one more ruthless than the other.
They said that if one party makes an offer, the other party must respond, and if there is no response within a few days, then the old offer will be withdrawn because everything is changing.
No matter how Wang Zhengren talked, the other party just wouldn't give in.
Now, there was a half-hour intermission. Zheng Zhongshi felt that if he didn't come out to take a breath, he might want to kill someone, and he felt extremely irritated.
Listening to the lawyer named Wang in front of me nagging, I just want to give him a big slap in the face.
But I am afraid that we will repeat the same mistakes as the Manila team. It seems that if Manila had been allowed to continue, things would never be like this now and would be getting worse and worse.
"Mr. Zheng, what the other party said does make sense. The grand jury has already passed the hearing on the kidnapping case. Moreover, the case has been scheduled and the date of the first hearing has been set. If the other party withdraws the lawsuit, it will indeed affect Lawyer Lu's reputation."
"Who the hell are you from?" Zheng Zhongshi finally couldn't help it and glared.
Wang Zhengren sighed, "Mr. Zheng, I will tell you even if you hit me or scold me. It is because you don't trust your lawyer and keep dragging your feet that you have come to this unmanageable situation. You don't understand the law at all. If you insist on doing this, you may face twenty years in prison..."
Zheng Zhongshi stood up and said, "It's been another twenty fucking years. What the fuck is wrong with you?"
Wang Zhengren sighed, "Go ahead and curse me if it makes you feel better, but as your lawyer, I still hope you won't fire me. Otherwise, the situation will get worse. If we don't try to reach a settlement, you'll end up in jail."
Wang Zhengren's face was full of sincerity, as if to say, you can hit me or scold me as you like, but I really do it for your own good.
Looking at Wang Zhengren's loyal expression, Zheng Zhongshi gritted his teeth, snorted, and sat down again: "Then tell me, what should we do?" He was a donkey that went along with the flow and would not respond to soft words or hard ones.
Wang Zhengren sighed, "Mr. Zheng, you are not young anymore, almost fifty, right? Twenty years in prison, waiting for you to come out..."
Zheng Zhongshi waved his hand, "You don't have to give me any comfort pills. If I really spend twenty years in prison, I won't be able to get out!"
“Yeah…” Wang Zhengren sighed deeply.
Zheng Zhongshi turned sideways and said, "Hey, what do you think their bottom line is? How much money can settle this matter? I feel like those three little bastards don't want to give up even a penny."
"If it's 600,000, can you afford it, Mr. Zheng?" Wang Zhengren seemed not to care, but he looked at Zheng Zhongshi's expression seriously.
"Bullshit, I can't get that much even if I sell my house and land!" Zheng Zhongshi was annoyed. He often boasted about his million-dollar net worth when he was drinking outside, and he also had the nickname "Zheng Baiwan" in his circle of friends. But in fact, although the horse owners' support fees and various bonuses were not small over the years, for example, last year, the support fees of the owners of 80 horses exceeded 200,000, and the prize money won by the entire stable exceeded 400,000. Although 60% of the prize money went to the horse owners and 10% to the knights, in fact, for example, old Count Van der Sar only took a small part of the prize money, and most of it was given as rewards to the stable.
But the stable expenses are huge, and horse owners like Van der Sar are a minority after all.
He came from a grassroots background and has only been successful for less than ten years. Therefore, he could not get the $600,000 even if he sold all his properties, including investment stocks, etc., unless he also gave his children the portion they had already distributed, by selling their houses and land.
Zheng Zhongshi felt a little regretful in his heart. He only got involved in horse racing last year, and he was very cautious. He only chose a few events that he was sure of winning to help others set up the game. But he made a lot of money. If he had done it earlier, his net worth would at least double what it is now over the years.
Wang Zhengren studied his expression and nodded, "Mr. Zheng, this is what I think. Actually, you are at the peak of your career now. We should try our best to get money, even if it means selling houses and land. You can still fight for everything, but if you go to jail, everything will be over."
"So, our focus is on the third item. The stables must not be transferred, and you cannot apologize in the newspaper to affect your reputation. In this way, as long as the stables are still in your hands, it will not affect your position in the horse racing circle. Then, what you have lost now, you can still win it back, right?"
Zheng Zhongshi was frowning.
Wang Zhengren said, "Of course, we certainly can't pay 600,000. For the kidnapping case, our bottom line is 250,000. For the horse owner case, our bottom line is 100,000. We will only pay 350,000 if we recognize the victim. What do you think?"
I don't know why, but after hearing what he said from beginning to end, it seemed that paying 350,000 yuan to solve the problem was a good result.
Zheng Zhongshi figured that although the 350,000 was a huge loss for him, it was not impossible to get it back. At worst, he could participate more in future horse racing betting while ensuring the best chance of success. He should be able to get the money back in two to three years.
The plan was set, and Zheng Zhongshi nodded: "Okay! Together with your 10,000 yuan lawyer fee, I have to pay a total of 360,000 yuan, right? Just consider it as feeding the dog!"
Wang Zhengren nodded with a smile and didn't look angry at all.
He only had an assistant lawyer, and he sighed inwardly. It might take several years for Lawyer Wang to get a case with such a high salary, so he just let this rude man scold him. This rude man really didn't mean it.
…
An hour later, the three men returned to the lounge. Zheng Zhongshi looked furious and kicked the sofa hard, "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"
The assistant lawyer didn't dare to stop him, but later on, there would definitely be a claim bill sent to his own lawyer, Wang.
Because from a legal perspective, the real temporary borrower of the other party's lounge is Lawyer Wang.
The other party just refused to give in, and Lawyer Wang's expression became less calm.
If the other party could lower the price by tens of thousands, it would mean there is still room for negotiation. However, after an hour of talking, Lawyer Wang still refused to give in to any of the three conditions, let alone lower the price by a penny.
"Am I really going to be in prison for twenty years?!" Zheng Zhongshi stared at Wang Zhengren.
Wang Zhengren sighed softly, "It should be difficult to escape if it's more than fifteen years. If you meet a harsh judge..." He said helplessly, "Mr. Zheng, I won't hide it from you. Lawyer Lu Qianxing is well-known in the judicial world. It's not difficult to deliberately ask the court clerk to help arrange a harsh judge who has a good impression of him. This is an unspoken rule. I have used this little trick, but I have to say that if I meet him, then I have no hope of getting a judge who is more in line with our expectations."
"That's why I said you could be sentenced to a cumulative sentence of more than twenty years."
Zheng Zhongshi gritted his teeth and said, "Damn it! What kind of world is this! Is there still law?!"
The assistant lawyer smiled bitterly. When you kidnapped the officer, abused and even poisoned the racehorses that the owners had paid a lot of money for, didn't you think that there was still law? Now, you are like a victim. I can only say that evil people need to be bullied by evil people.
In the eyes of the kind-hearted people at the bottom, you are a bully who cannot be provoked. But when you face them, you are completely unqualified. They don’t want to do anything to you. They don’t use any tricks. They just follow the social rules and can easily make you die, right
"Six hundred thousand, that's it, but I want to keep the stable!" Zheng Zhongshi gritted his teeth, "I'd rather borrow money, sell my house and land, than beg these bastards! These bastards who bully others by taking advantage of their power! They will all go to hell sooner or later!"
Wang Zhengren was stunned. He breathed a sigh of relief, but he was also a little worried. In this case, would he still be able to get his 10,000 yuan lawyer's fee
…
In the office, Lu Ming looked at the settlement agreement that had been reached.
This was not what he had expected. Originally, the bottom line for the compensation he had given was a total of 350,000 yuan, 250,000 yuan for Bi Xiaoting and 100,000 yuan for his own little Jennifer.
In the stable, he was going to give the horse some extra strength as a way of thanking him for taking in his fifteenth-year-old racehorse.
Moreover, I have some ideas about horse racing. After all, it is a good place to socialize and meet new friends.
Of course, he also planned to ask Zheng Zhongshi to take over Ma Zengli's old city stable.
After all, if Zheng Zhongshi is not given any food to eat and is forced to lose everything, then there is no point in him reconciling. If it were him, he would rather go to jail.
But the new agreement was that the compensation was as high as 600,000, but the third agreement regarding the stable was cancelled.
"Master, it was my decision that neither of them dared to come. I believed that the current conditions were more in line with the interests of our client, although it was different from the bottom line you stated..." Tong Xiao'e said while secretly glancing at Lu Ming's expression.
"Besides, Zheng Zhongshi was so angry at the three of us that he was about to vomit blood. He was dizzy and angry. I think if we don't agree to it as soon as possible and sign it immediately, but come to you for your instructions, what changes will happen?"
Lu Ming looked at the contents of the agreement, and then looked at Tong Xiao'e, who seemed somewhat uneasy.
"Well, sure, go ahead and ask someone to call Bi Xiaoting back. Oh, forget it, I'll go by myself."
“Yes…” Unable to tell whether her master was happy or angry, Tong Xiao’e felt a little depressed and walked out with her head down.
"Xiao'e!" Lu Ming smiled, "Well done!"
Ah? Tong Xiao'e turned around and saw Lu Ming smiling at her. Immediately, the gloom in her heart was swept away, and she felt that the scenery in front of her suddenly became bright.
"You are right. The current agreement is more in line with the interests of our client."
"Well, thank you, Master!" Tong Xiao'e bowed deeply and walked out briskly. The moment she went out, she clenched her fist and said softly.
Lu Ming smiled. It seemed that his eldest disciple would be able to stand on his own in the future.
…
Bi Xiaoting was not allowed to participate in this negotiation, for fear that her facial expression would reveal something and be discovered by the other party's lawyer.
At the Ma Zengli Stable in the old city, Bi Xiaoting was accompanying Jennifer to take care of "Princess Love".
Seeing Lu Ming, Jennifer, dressed in a snow-white knight uniform, immediately ran over happily. Lu Ming naturally hugged her in his arms and gave her a light kiss on her pretty face. Jennifer immediately lowered her head shyly and happily.
"Xiao Bi, come here!" Lu Ming waved to Bi Xiaoting.
Bi Xiaoting hurried over.
Lu Ming took out a check and handed it to her, "This is for you! I'll pay you in advance, but I'll deduct 50,000 yuan in lawyer fees. My apprentices and related affairs officers can't work in vain, right?"
Bi Xiaoting was stunned when she saw the number on the check, "Boss, didn't we just reach an agreement..."
The amount of the check is 350,000 yuan.
Lu Ming smiled. Obviously, since the matter had spread everywhere, an officer she was on good terms with naturally called her and told her about it.
Now the officers are all going crazy about it. Besides envy, jealousy and hatred, they are more likely to feel the same way. Following such a boss, they will become millionaires in the blink of an eye just because they have suffered a little grievance. This is too scary. As for the effect, although there may be some side effects, such as people feel that following him may give them a chance to get something for nothing at any time, or even actively seek opportunities to show their loyalty to him but may encounter danger, the positive effect is definitely maximized. If they were playing games, I wonder if their loyalty would all soar by 20, reaching an average of more than 90
"Just take it. The law firm will take care of the money. You'll feel at ease if you take the money."
“I, I can’t take so much…” Bi Xiaoting shook her head, “This, this is too much…” She was not being polite, she was indeed a little confused.
Although she had fantasized about this case and hoped that she could get tens of thousands of yuan, she never expected that it would be 350,000 yuan. She was afraid that she would never be able to save that much money in her lifetime.
Moreover, even if the other party paid so much compensation, the lawyer fee was only 50,000
What is the price the boss charges? And if you are not the boss, you are afraid that you can only get a few thousand yuan in compensation from the other party.
"Boss, I really can't do it. I, I just want a small amount, okay?" Bi Xiaoting lost the ability to think while speaking, it was just an instinctive reaction.
Lu Ming smiled and said, "You should digest it yourself. Also, you will probably resign, but I hope you will continue to be friends with Jennifer." In fact, there was no need to say the rest. As long as she had a little emotional intelligence, she would not break off her relationship with Jennifer.
Especially after having this money, they will want to make more money and need to rely on higher-level people like Xiao Shiwu, so that they can have some qualifications to enjoy the soup.
After all, it was a sudden wealth, and there was no foundation for it, just like winning a few super-jackpot lottery tickets. So, if you want to have a relationship like Xiao Shiwu, you are afraid that you can't find it even if you dig a hole or steal a hole.
Lu Ming ignored the bewildered Bi Xiaoting, pulled Jennifer aside, handed her a check for $200,000, and said with a smile, "For your household expenses."
Originally, Jennifer would not take his money, but when she heard it was for "household expenses", she immediately took it happily, "Well, thank you, sir!" She rolled up the check and put it into her pretty little bag very preciously, but she didn't care too much about the amount.
Lu Ming talked to Jennifer for a while, but then he saw Bi Xiaoting slowly walking towards him.
"Boss, I, I can only take 100,000!" Bi Xiaoting said cautiously. Indeed, the amount was too large, it was really scary, and, in any way, it was reasonable for the boss and the law firm to take the lion's share. She added, "Besides, I, I don't want to resign. I'd rather stay as a clerk beside Mrs. Fifteen. Is that ok?"
Lu Ming smiled and said, "It's up to you as to the work. As for the check, Mrs. Fifteen will take you to deposit it later, and then you can think about it slowly."
The reason for letting Jennifer take her there was for safety reasons. After all, Jennifer was surrounded by bodyguards, so she didn't have to worry about being robbed or anything like that.
Bi Xiaoting said: "Well, after I save the money, I will transfer 250,000 to your law firm immediately." She felt more at ease this way. After all, the world of the rich is scary. Although the boss is not that kind of person, he has partners in the law firm.
Lu Ming glanced at her and said with a smile, "It's up to you. However, this way, you will become a big client of our law firm."