Chopper rage of tycoon's mistress
'King of shoes' Patrick Tang Kim-kwan's ex-mistress wielded a chopper in a heated quarrel triggered by her discovery that the billionaire had another secret lover, a court was told yesterday.
The Court of First Instance heard that Karen Lee Chi-ting, 42, tore Tang's shirt, threw wine bottles, and hacked a door with a chopper in many heated arguments with her 69-year-old lover.
Tang's lawyer, Chan Kam-chuen, was reading a witness statement from the billionaire in a lawsuit brought by Tang to recover three properties that he bought in Lee's name and the sale proceeds of another.
Tang, who has an estimated fortune of HK$2 billion, filed suit following a media expose of Lee's fling with young actor Francois Huynh, a Mr Hong Kong also known as Wong Cheung-fat.
Lee told the court that she learned about the other mistress, Bessie Lau, in July 2004, three months after she gave birth to their daughter, Valarie.
After the chance discovery by her brother she searched the land registry and found that Tang had bought a flat in Laguna Verde, Hung Hom, in a joint tenancy with Lau.
She then confronted Tang with the discovery, the court heard. But Lee denied she had become violent.
'I only cried my heart out and shouted in front of him,' she said.
'It wasn't just because of the flat. We had many quarrels because of the woman.'
Chan put it to her that she was 'making up evidence in order to boost the merits of your case'. Lee replied: 'It's Tang who was lying'.
The court also heard that after Lee's relationship with a Chinese-French person soured, she had become wary of men, worrying that they would cheat on her.
Chan said the businessman had sought to reassure Lee by treating her 'so well', giving her jewellery, watches and properties.
Lee agreed and said: 'He never mentioned any conditions.'
The court heard that Tang chided Lee's brother, Lee Ho-kiu, for telling his sister about Lau. Tang also complained to Lee's mother about it.
In 2010, Lee Ho-kiu sent a text message to Tang - after Tang brought the claim - apologising about disclosing the affair with Lau to his sister.
Tang is seeking to recover properties at Marina Cove in Sai Kung, Metro Harbour View in West Kowloon, and Cheuk Nang Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui. He is also asking for the proceeds from the sale of a flat at Royal Peninsula, Hung Hom.
The court heard that Tang gave Lee a HK$50,000 monthly allowance to cover living expenses and paid the mortgages on her flats. He also gave her HK$3.1 million worth of jewellery and HK$4.2 million in cash.
The case was adjourned to Wednesday for final submissions.
