Chapter 15 — A Diary, A Fallen City

I looked at the photo on my phone, my fingertips cold. Zhao Hongwei's movements... were much faster than I thought. In just a few hours, he not only saw through my plan, but also immediately grasped what he considered my biggest "weakness" — Chu Minh Khai. He thought… I would still be the same as before. Because of that man, despite everything. He thought... as long as Chu Minh Khai's life was enough, he could force me to hand over the last card. He... just doesn't understand me. Or rather, he never understood... a woman who had been hurt to the core. The driver saw the light from my phone screen in the rearview mirror and also saw my face turn cold in an instant.

“Is something wrong?” His voice remained calm.

I didn't answer, just gave him the phone. He took it, glanced at it... and understood everything.

“Abandoned building on the north side, completely opposite direction from the road to the provincial capital.” He returned the phone, his analytical voice very clear, "If we turn back, it will take at least forty minutes. Not much time."

"They chose this moment to strike... just to force you to choose."

"If you go, you'll get yourself into the net."

"If you don't go... then Chu Minh Khai will definitely die."

I looked out the glass window, the black night seemed to swallow everything. I was silent. The driver didn't say anything more, just slowed down and waited for me to decide. After a while, I spoke up.

“Don't go.”

My voice is light. But definitely. The driver paused slightly, clearly surprised.

"Are you sure? That's a human life."

“So what?” I asked again, my eyes unwavering, "For money, he could have pushed me down the cliff without hesitation. Now someone else wants to take his life because of the 'book'... that is retribution."

“It has nothing to do with me.”

I stopped for a moment, my eyes became cold.

“Besides… do you really think if I go there, he will live?”

"A person like Zhao Hongwei never chooses one. He wants it all. He wants the notebook... and our lives."

“I went there… just one more person to die with.”

The driver was silent. He looked at me deeply, as if reassessing me. Then don't ask any more. Step on the accelerator pedal hard. The car sped away, heading straight towards the provincial capital. My phone vibrated again. It's still the same encryption number. 【30 minutes left.】 【Don't test our patience.】 【Your useless husband... is crying and begging, saying that you will definitely come to save him.] 【He... really wants to live.】 I looked at the message, the corners of my lips curled up slightly. Chu Minh Khai. At this point… are you still counting on me? What do you consider me? Someone who always has to turn his head for you? I don't answer. Directly switch the phone to silent mode. I closed my eyes, leaned back in the chair, my mind still operating extremely fast. Trieu Hoanh Vi captured Chu Minh Khai... meaning he tracked down his whereabouts. So where did Chu Minh Khai go last night? Did he tell everything to Zhao Hongwei? Because to live… he will say everything. So Zhao Hongwei knows... the explosion at the dock was arranged by me. Also know… I'm not alone. I have someone behind me. He used Chu Minh Khai's life to pressure me... not just because of the notebook. But also to explore. Probe my limits. Exploring... how strong my support is. If I go... it proves that I'm still a person controlled by emotions. If I don't go… I open eye. Outside the glass window, the sky was starting to get light. Dawn... is almost here. The phone screen lit up for the last time. 【Hua Tinh, the price for today's coldness... you will have to pay.】 Right after that, a video was sent. I'm not open. I know… what it is. I took out the sim. Throw both SIM and phone through the window. At that moment, my heart was... strangely calm. Chu Minh Khai... farewell. All the resentment between us... ends here. From today, in my world… that name will no longer exist. The car got off the highway, but did not enter the city center. But turned onto a narrow, deserted road. Driving for more than ten minutes... the car stopped in front of a house that looked like a resort farm. The driver turned off the engine. I frowned. This place... is not the Provincial Police Department.