Anna took a few deep breaths to prevent the tears from flowing too much before she continued. "As I mentioned I was scared for my personal safety and had the impression that Lu Jinhu would hit me as I was not giving into his demands. I had previously removed the ring from my finger that Lu Jinhu had given me, but I had not been able to return it. I can admit that throwing the ring at his feet and telling him to take it back was not the best thing to do, I simply though he would pick it up, but the benefit to me is that I would be able to give myself enough s.p.a.ce to feel safe again. He then slapped be across the face, calling me a b**ch and a w**re. I was then knocked to the ground, I believe, by his new wife Yang Lin, who called me a w**re, and telling me that I could not throw a ring at Lu Jinhu. She then said that they would call the police and have me arrested. My response was to do that, and that I would say what happened, and that the CCTV footage would back up me version of events. I then made it clear that I was here to collect my personal items from my room and leave."

Anna paused, and picked up the gla.s.s in front of her to have a sip of drink, but before she could continue, Office Mu interrupted her. "Madam Hou, you have just indicated that you had previously been engaged to Mr Lu. Can you explain how you ended up marrying CEO Hou? We need to have this clearly doc.u.mented in this matter."

"CEO Hou and I met briefly, when he visited my employer's firm in Melbourne for business relating to Hou Enterprises about 6 months ago. He left an impression on my and I understand that I left an impression on him. We communicate through messaging apps, and in speaking to him, he became aware that I was engaged. He respected that relations.h.i.+p and would not interfere, but always made it clear that whatever I did I had his support. Lu Jinhu and I had come to this country to obtain our marriage certificate and have a public ceremony before his parents and friends. However but this time I had serious questions about our relations.h.i.+p. It was a chance meeting with my husband in the Australian Emba.s.sy, that made me realise that I could not marry Lu Jinhu, and that I would marry my husband. Given that he had to leave the emba.s.sy, the emba.s.sy official was willing to complete the paperwork for us to marry when we wanted, here in City T. I communicated this to my husband, who advised that he would wait until I ended the relations.h.i.+p with Lu Jinhu respectfully. As I had made the decision that it was over, when I was alone Lu Jinhu I removed the ring, but otherwise left it on my finger until i felt the right time to hand it back and end the relations.h.i.+p. I had not had the opportunity before I ran into Lu Jinhu and his wife outside the Civil Administration Bureau just after they received their marriage certificate. It made me realise I did not have anything to be worried about, but the viciousness in how they spoke to me made me forget about handing the ring back. Given the abuse at that time, I did not even tell him about the decision I had made, as I was uncertain if I would be safe, if I did not allow him the victory he seemed to want at that immediate time. I retreated away from the situation and literally knocked my husband off his feet. I was unaware that he was going to be there, but apparently, he came to support me. After talking we decided to ignore what anyone might say about our marriage, and attend the Civil Administration Bureau and register our marriage. I kept the ring with me, with the intention to hand it back at the first available opportunity and I have already said how I handed it back."

Hou Yi heard what Anna had said, turned and waited until she looked at him and smiled, as if to say I heard you, thank you.