Chapter 11 — 20 Million Yuan Buys Freedom, Not Marriage

A week after the lawsuit was filed, things started to spread. I don't know where Tran Hao got my account, he went straight to his personal page to leave a comment.

“To Niem, if you swallow the entire 20,000,000 yuan dowry, don't you have a guilty conscience?”

That comment was seen by my colleagues, customers, and partners. I deleted and blocked him. He changed another account to continue. Every day my phone receives harassing calls and messages from strange numbers. Some are called by him himself, some are called by someone else. The content is the same: "To Niem, has the money you owe Tran Hao been paid yet?" One day, an old customer even called me.

"Designer Su, someone contacted you and said you were having a financial dispute, asking me to consider collaborating. What's going on?"

I tightened my grip on the phone. He even reached out to my customers. That night, I sat on the living room sofa, looking at the phone screen in dismay. The doorbell rang. I looked at the smart bell screen — it was Co Tham. He didn't carry anything, just standing there.

“I heard you breaking things.”

I bent down and there was indeed a broken glass on the ground. I don't even remember when I broke it.

“Sorry, I'm bothering you.”

"What is up?"

I hesitated a bit. Then tell me everything. After listening, he did not comfort her. Just ask one question.

“Can your lawyer handle it?”

"Okay. But about him harassing his client, the lawyer said he needs additional evidence, it will take time."

“Give me the lawyer's contact.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Help you faster.”

“Co Tham, you don't need to—”

“To Niem.” He looked straight at me, "You have helped me many times. When I moved house, you helped me pick up things, cooked for me, and even helped me block two calls from my sister. Now you have a problem, let me help you a little."

I looked at him. Then gave him lawyer Trieu's business card. The next day, when lawyer Trieu called me, his tone was completely different.

"To Niem, Mr. Co introduced me to a lawyer specializing in intellectual property and infringement of honor, Ta Nguyen Thanh. His team is already involved."

“Ta Nguyen Thanh?”

"One of the best litigation lawyers in the city. He said he would take this case, without charging you a fee."

I put down the phone. Look at the closed door next to it. The three words “no fee”… are so heavy that there is no need to say more. After lawyer Ta got involved, the situation changed completely. As a first step, it took his team three days to fully collect all evidence of Tran Hao's harassment in the last month. Call recordings, text message photos, social media comment photos, call history with my clients — all are notarized, preserving evidence. In the second step, lawyer Ta sent Tran Hao a lawyer's dispatch. The content is very clear: demand to immediately stop all harassment and defamation, otherwise criminal liability will be prosecuted. The next day, after sending the dispatch, Tran Hao's phone was no longer reachable. It wasn't me who blocked it, but he turned it off himself. In the third step, lawyer Ta applied for a pre-trial restraining order. Request to prohibit Tran Hao from continuing any acts of harassment and defamation while awaiting trial. The court approved. The whole process only takes a week. That is the difference between top lawyers and ordinary people. Tran Hao disappeared month. During that half month, I devoted myself to the Duyet Lan Phu project. Three-time repair plan, each time better than the last. Tong Minh Vien is very satisfied with the final version.

“To Niem, this plan can be taken to the competition.”

"Wait until the construction is completed and then calculate."

In parallel with the project, the appointment decision within the company was also announced. I was officially promoted to senior designer, my salary doubled. On promotion day, Lam Van took me out to celebrate.

“Senior chief designer, annual salary of 400,000 yuan or more, plus project bonuses — To Niem, your income is about to catch up with the 20,000,000 yuan dowry.”

"Not far. At this rate, in three years you will be able to open your own studio."

I took a sip of wine.

"I've thought about opening a studio. But it's not the right time."

“When is the time?”

“When I make something famous enough.”

Lam Van looked at me, her eyes suddenly serious.

“To Niem, you have changed.”

“Change how?”

"Before, I was hesitant to do anything, but with Tran Hao it was even more so, you listened to everything he said. Now it's completely different."

I think a bit.

“Maybe because the first time, I used 20,000,000 yuan for myself.”

Lam Van raised his glass.

"For you. For 20,000,000 yuan. Because that guy made you wake up."

I smiled and clinked glasses with her.