Chapter 48: Not comparable to a pig

As usual, after leaving the court, Zhou Ming first took Allen back to his law firm, and then returned to his Harvard dormitory.

When he returned to the dormitory, it was already night. All the classmates in the finance class gathered in the lobby on the first floor. When they saw Zhou Ming return, they immediately put down what they were doing and cast inquiring glances at Zhou Ming.

Facing so many pairs of eyes, Ming Zhou smiled and stared back at each one of them, saying, 'What are you all looking at me for? Do you have nothing to do now that the Wharton Insurance Company's accounts have been frozen? Don't forget what our original goal is. I know you are very concerned about the company's situation, and I am also very happy about your sense of ownership.'

Ming Zhou then changed the subject, saying, 'But there is one thing I hope you can focus on a little more. At least don't let other insignificant things distract your attention so easily.'

After saying this, Zhou Ming deliberately paused for a moment, then looked around before continuing, 'Do you think what I said was inappropriate? But I want to say that I am not wrong, because as far as you are concerned at the moment, you do not have the ability to make any changes. No matter what the outcome of my court hearing is today, there is nothing you can do about it, so this is an insignificant matter. More important than this is for you to complete the tasks I have given you until you really have the ability to advance together with me.'

In the face of Zhou Ming's words, all the students in the finance class bowed their heads. Chen Shu, as the monitor, volunteered to step forward and say, 'Teacher, I understand. We will pay more attention to each task you assign in the future.'

Zhou Ming nodded with satisfaction at Chen Shu's words. He then went upstairs to his room, and also called Chen Shu, Ye Ning, and Li Yang to go upstairs together.

Zhou Ming took them back to their room, where they sat together on the sofa. Zhou Ming asked them, 'I think you can guess why I asked you to come up here, can't you?'

The three of them nodded together, and finally Chen Shu said on behalf of the others, 'Teacher, you want to tell us something special.'

Zhou Ming shook his head with a smile and said, 'Actually, there is nothing special. I just want to tell you the truth about what happened in court today.'

Zhou Ming emphasised, 'I have great confidence in you three, so I can tell you that the court rejected my application today, which means that our Wharton Insurance Company must pay more than 7 million US dollars in compensation within three days, even though all of our assets are currently frozen. If we fail to make the payment on time, the judicial system will intervene and liquidate and restructure Wharton Insurance Company's assets.'

'From the current situation,' Zhou Ming guessed, "if there are no unexpected circumstances, it should be Congressman Brock Sr."s investment company that will take over my Wharton Insurance Company.'

As Zhou Ming's last sentence came out, Chen Yushu, Li Yang, and the other two immediately gasped. Zhou Ming let them digest it for a while before saying, 'This is not a big deal, at least it will not have a significant impact on our next task. However, for the time being, we should not make this public, as I am worried that it will cause unnecessary repercussions.'

The three nodded in understanding, and only then did Zhou Ming wave them away. However, before they left the room, Zhou Ming added, 'After you go out, don't tell everyone that it's been resolved. Just try not to mention it if you can. I'm sure you know what to do.'

After they had all left the room, Zhou Ming took out his pager. There was a message from Alan on it, so Zhou Ming immediately picked up the phone in the room and dialed.

Alan answered the phone quickly. After he knew it was Zhou Ming, he immediately got to the point: 'Mr Zhou Ming, I just checked and found some very bad news for you. The judge who presided over the court for us today is Judge Will Adams. I think you should be able to understand.'

Zhou Ming smiled. Of course he understood. The word 'Adams' was the most common word Zhou Ming had heard in the past few days. Although not every Adams was the father of the United States, and Adams was just like the Chinese surnames Zhao, Qian, Sun and Li, which were very common, but now that Allan had mentioned it so seriously, it was obvious that this Adams was the one he was most worried about.

Zhou Ming sighed when he thought about it: 'There's nothing I can do to stop such an influential family from doing something like this. What I didn't expect was that that old Brook guy actually got the Adams family to come out. I thought the big boss would only show up at the end.'

Alan didn't understand any of the boss's banter, so he just explained to Ming Zhou, 'But the Adams family has been based in Brighton for more than 300 years, so it must be very large. Today's Will Adams is just an unimportant side branch of the family, so he hasn't taken over any industry and is just an ordinary judge at the Fenway District Court.'

Ming Zhou shook his head helplessly. He really didn't know whether to laugh or cry at Alan's explanation.

He should laugh because Will Adams is just an unimportant side branch of the family, which shows that there is still some room for manoeuvre, and he should cry because the Adams family has even managed to get an unimportant side branch to become a judge, an achievement that has already made many people envious. What about the core members of the family? One can imagine just how terrifying the power of this family really is.

Zhou Ming let out a breath and said slowly, 'Thank you, Lawyer Allen, I understand now. Do you have any way to help me contact this Judge Adams?'

'I'm sorry, Mr Zhou Ming, as your attorney, we are not allowed to have too much contact with the judge when there is a case, otherwise it will be considered obstruction of justice,' said Allen. 'However, Mr Zhou Ming, if you have no intention of running into him in life, or if you accidentally dial the wrong number to reach him, it is still permitted by law.'

These words left Ming Zhou speechless. As the saying goes, 'Those who associate with scoundrels become scoundrels themselves.' It seems that the future White House legal advisor and lawyer to the President of the United States has also learned to take advantage of loopholes. Ming Zhou thanked Allen and hung up. He then dialed Hoover's phone number, but there was no answer. His mobile phone was also out of service. Ming Zhou had no choice but to go to the Tang Dynasty Bank the next day and look for him directly.

As usual, the Tang Dynasty Bank was crowded. Zhou Ming wanted to go straight up to find Hoover, but Hoover's secretary told Zhou Ming that he didn't have time. Zhou Ming had to ask the secretary if he could help contact Judge Wil Adams of the Fenway District Court and that he needed to meet with him.

Hoover's side agreed, and Zhou Ming went back with doubts and waited for news. Finally, the next day, Hoover's secretary called and told Zhou Ming that he had already made an appointment for them to meet at a restaurant.

Hoover helped Zhou Ming book an appointment for 12 noon, but Zhou Ming arrived at the restaurant at 11:30 a.m. first. This was a sign of respect for the other party, but also due to his impatience. After all, today was the deadline for the claim, which meant that if Zhou Ming could not convince Judge Will that day, then he would lose the Wharton Insurance Company. Therefore, no matter what, Zhou Ming felt that he had to give it his best shot.

At 12 noon, a plump figure appeared in front of Zhou Ming as promised. He was Judge Will Adams.

Will arrived at the agreed location but saw Zhou Ming. Zhou Ming got up and offered to shake his hand and say hello, but he simply ignored Zhou Ming's outstretched hand and just sneered and said, 'So it was you who asked me to meet? Do you know that you have committed an illegal act by making this private appointment, and are suspected of obstructing the course of justice? I can report you to the procuratorate, and you will go to jail.'

Zhou Ming was not intimidated by Will, but awkwardly withdrew his hand and said, 'I am quite sure of that.'

Then Zhou Ming changed the subject and said, 'I'm pretty sure you won't report me, because first of all, we just happened to meet in the restaurant by chance. Could it be that just meeting someone on the street can also obstruct the course of justice? In addition, if it obstructs the course of justice, then you knew it was me who asked you out, and you came anyway, so Judge Will, you've also broken the law, haven't you? I think if you report me, Judge Will, you'll probably be unable to escape the law either.'

Will Adams's eyes turned cold: 'Mr. Zhou Ming, are you threatening me?'

Zhou Ming shrugged and said unnecessarily, "It depends on how Judge Adams sees it. I think this is more of an exchange between us. What do you think?'

'Exchange?" Will Adams laughed, 'You're just a Chinese guy with a bit of luck. I'm from the Adams family, you're my litigant in court, and I'm the judge. Do you think there's any need for an exchange between us?'

Zhou Ming did not pay any attention to the other party's mockery and continued, 'I think it is very necessary. After all, this concerns an insurance company with assets of over 100 million US dollars and billions of insurance policies involved. Once this bomb explodes, I don't think even the mayor of Brighton can handle it, do you think so, Judge Will?'

'It is indeed not a small amount of money,' Judge Will Adams muttered, and then shifted the topic back to Zhou Ming, 'But isn't this all thanks to you, the Chinese?'

'I have looked into your insurance company. You nominally sell insurance, but in fact you promise high returns to all policyholders. In fact, you use the money of all policyholders to engage in illegal activities, or directly use the money of the latter policyholders to pay the interest of the former policyholders. This is a blatant Ponzi scheme!' Will Adams sternly rebuked Zhou Ming.

When Will Adams saw that Zhou Ming did not speak immediately, he said complacently, 'What do you think? You have nothing to say, right? Scoundrels like you should get out of the United States before I report you.'

Zhou Ming looked up at Will Adams, shook his head with a cold smile and said, "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not speechless. I'm just considering one question.'

Will Adams subconsciously asked what it was, and Zhou Ming told him, "I'm wondering, are you a pig?'

Will Adams obviously did not expect Ming to suddenly say such a thing, and he froze there for a moment. After a while, he reached out and pointed at Ming, saying, 'What did you just say? How dare you insult me?'

Ming still shook his head and said, 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to insult you in any way, because I think that sentence is the greatest insult to pigs. You are far worse than a pig, or you are not even worthy to be compared to a pig!'

Will Adams was shaking with anger: 'How dare you say that to me? You know I'm from the Adams family, and you know that I have important evidence against you. You are suspected of perjury, and I can report you to the prosecutor's office at any time and accuse you of obstructing justice. I can throw you in jail and never let you out!'

Zhou Ming said playfully, 'That's right, my honourable judge, you are indeed a member of the Adams family, but just an insignificant side branch. As for that important piece of evidence, if you feel like reporting it, please do so immediately, don't hesitate, I'm looking forward to finding out who is obstructing the course of justice.'

'As for your last sentence, I think it can be used as evidence in court.' As Zhou Ming spoke, he pulled out a miniature recorder like a magician and shook it in front of him on purpose.

When Will Adams saw the recorder, his face turned white.