Chapter 17 — 7 Year Marriage Isn't Real

The number of people attending... was more than Luc Thi's celebration and the annual conference combined. I wear a long black dress. Elegant. Co Dien Chu and I entered the hall. As soon as I entered the door... I saw Luc Minh An. He was also present. As a former winner of the title of Economic Person of the Year, he is invited to attend every year. Even though he lost his position in the association. But invitations from the organizing committee have been sent since the beginning of the year. The moment you see me. His face was extremely unsightly. He didn't leave. He sat alone in the third row. Chu Man Chi did not come. Neither did Luc Can Nien. The two seats next to him... Both were empty. I passed him. Then sit down in the first row. The ceremony took place according to the correct order. First are the regular prizes. The host raised his voice.

"Next..."

"We would like to respectfully award you the Outstanding Young Entrepreneur of the Year award."

"The owner of the award is..."

"Chairman of Thanh Nguyen Group..."

"Miss Phuong Niem Tri."

Applause rang out. I stood up. Step on stage. The light shines straight down on me. Hundreds of eyes followed. I received the trophy. Stand in front of the microphone.

"Thank you Organizing Committee."

"Thanh Nguyen Group has been established for less than half a year."

"Front..."

"There's still a ways to go."

"This award..."

"Not the destination."

"Starting point."

The applause below became louder and louder. I didn't look at Luc Minh An. But I know. He is looking at me. The host continued.

"Congratulations Ms. Phuong."

"Next..."

"It's the Lifetime Contribution Award."

"Posthumously awarded to the founder of the Thinh Hoa system..."

"Mrs. Phuong Thuc Hoa."

"We would like to invite Ms. Phuong Niem Tri to accept the award on our behalf."

On the big screen. A photo of grandmother appeared. It's a black and white photo. She was young. Wear cheongsam. Curly hair. Standing in front of a building. Smile gently. But steadfast. I received the second trophy. Stand on stage. Quietly look at that photo.

"My grandmother's whole life..."

"Doing business."

"But never once stepped into the limelight."

"She doesn't like being famous."

"You always thought..."

"Do your job well..."

My eyes slowly scanned the auditorium. Then stopped in the third row. Luc Minh An sat there. Face pale.

"Someone once said..."

"Women are not suitable for business."

I don't mention anyone's name. Everyone knows who I'm talking about.

"My grandmother..."

"Use your whole life."

"To prove that statement wrong."

"And I..."

"Will spend the rest of my life."

"To prove it one more time."

The sound of applause... Like a big wave surging. Someone stood up. Then one more person. Then many more people. Finally... The entire auditorium stood up. The applause lasted nearly a minute. Luc Minh An... Also stood up. Not out of respect. If he stays seated. Then the whole hall... Only him left. His face lacked any expression. But the appearance standing there... Looks exactly like a person who has just been sentenced. I hold two trophies. Step off the stage. When passing by the third row of seats. I slowly slowed down a step. Don't look at him. Just quietly walked past. Just that one step. His eyes... Chased me. I feel it. Chief hall... Also feel it. That moment. Everyone present understood. The resentment between Phuong Niem Tri and the Luc family... It has never been just a story...

"A woman was deceived."

"And a bad man."

That's the story... Of someone who was crushed. Stand up for yourself. And crush all those who destroyed me. Co Dien Chu stood waiting for me at the end of the aisle. I walked over. He took two trophies in my hands.

"If your grandmother sees..."

"It would certainly be fun."

I smiled. Everything... Suddenly turned in a different direction. Luc Minh An made a decision... Surprising everyone. Sue me. Phuong Niem Tri is suspected of using illegal tricks to appropriate Luc Thi Group's internal trade secrets, and at the same time taking advantage of that information to conduct malicious purchasing and unfair competition. The lawsuit... is several hundred pages thick. The day lawyer Tran Tung brought it to me to see. His eyebrows furrowed tightly.

"He is truly a dog pulling at the same hedge."

"I still have to remind you."

"Once the lawsuit is officially accepted by the court."

"Thanh Nguyen Group's credit reputation at banks will be affected."

"Even if they eventually win the case."

"During the proceedings..."

"Part of your cash flow may still be blocked."

I flipped through each page of the lawsuit.

"Does he have proof?"

"There is no substantive evidence."

"The lawyer he hired was very good at prolonging the case."

"Purpose..."

"Not winning."

"Wait until your project has to stop construction..."

"Because the cash flow is frozen."

Co Dien Chu was also present. He finished reading the petition. Silence for a long time.

"Phuong Niem Tri."

"This time..."

"You can't fend for yourself alone."

"Need someone..."

"There's enough weight."

"Stand to support her."

"Your grandmother's old friend."

He opened the phone. Surf a few times.

"Elder Trinh."

"One of the founders of the Industry Association."

"He and your grandmother..."

"More than forty years of love."

"Last time..."

"It was he who stood up to help you at the conference."

"He..."

"Will you help me?"

"Please bring..."

"A piece of jade left by my grandmother."

Co Dien Chu looked at me.

"He'll notice."

The next afternoon. Elder Trinh's private villa.