Chapter 17 — A Diary, A Fallen City

We have a nuclear bomb in our hands... but we can't find the detonation button. At that moment, a face suddenly flashed in my mind. The soft, sickly sweet voice in the recording... the person who instigated Chu Minh Khai to plot against me step by step. Trieu Vu's fiancee.

“I… may have a way.”

I slowly spoke up. Truong Chan Quoc and the two remaining policemen looked over at the same time.

“Zhao Hongwei's son, Trieu Vu, has a fiancee named Li Qian.”

"I have some information... this woman has an impure relationship with Chu Minh Khai. Furthermore, she is also targeting the Trieu family's assets."

I paused for a moment, then threw out my trump card.

“Most importantly… she is pregnant.”

"That child, she told Trieu Vu, was his child. But as far as I know... Trieu Vu, because of some previous problems, basically cannot have children."

This news... I previously asked Old Hac to conveniently investigate. Initially, it was intended to be used to take revenge on Chu Minh Khai and that woman. Unexpectedly... now it has become the key to solving the problem. Truong Chan Quoc's eyes immediately lit up.

“One lie… needs countless other lies to cover it up.” I said calmly. "Ly Thien, because she wanted to marry into a rich family, set up a big scene. What she was most afraid of... was being exposed."

“And we… can help her ‘keep’ that lie.”

"We can make her believe that... we have a way to turn the child in her womb... into Trieu Vu's biological child."

“Let her enter the Trieu family with dignity and integrity, and even gain inheritance rights.”

“In return… she has to help us do something.”

“Take out a document… from Zhao Hongwei's safe.”

I opened the notebook and pointed to a line of notes.

“2010 — overseas asset trust contract.”

"My dad has a note on the back: this is Zhao Hongwei's retreat. He transferred his largest sum of black money to an overseas trust fund. The original contract... is in his office safe."

“If we just get this document… we can strangle his throat.”

Truong Chan Quoc looked at me with surprise and appreciation in his eyes. He did not expect... a seemingly fragile girl could come up with such a cruel and discreet plan in such a short time.

“This plan… is too risky.” He lowered his voice. "We don't understand Ly Thien. If she turns around and sells us out..."

“She will.” I interrupted. “But not now.”

"Because she has no other choice. Her lie... is a time bomb. Only we... can help her defuse it."

“We… were her only saving straw.”

The plan... was immediately implemented. Truong Chan Quoc used his connections to collect all information about Ly Thien in the shortest possible time. Twenty-six years old, from an ordinary background, but extremely ambitious. She met Trieu Vu at a party. Relying on her beauty and tricks... she quickly made Trieu Vu fall in love, determined to marry her. But Zhao Hongwei... has always disliked her. It wasn't until she announced she was "pregnant"... did his attitude begin to waver.

“I appreciate you” — that was her only card.

But that card... is fake. Breakthrough point Ours… is right here. The next day, lawyer Phuong, in the name of "property dispute in Chu Minh Khai's divorce case"... sent Ly Thien a lawyer's letter. The content is very simple. Ask her to return all assets worth over 50,000 yuan... that Chu Minh Khai gave during the marriage. Of course… that's just an excuse. The real purpose... is to force her to initiate contact. Sure enough, less than half a day later, my phone rang. Ly Thien's voice on the phone... arrogant and contemptuous.

"Hua Tinh? I don't understand what that nonsense lawyer letter means. Minh Khai and I are just normal friends, what if he gives me some gifts? You - an abandoned wife - still want to get your money back? Dream on!"

She used bitterness to hide her panic. Because she understands very well. If this story were to be revealed... letting Trieu Vu know that she had an affair with Chu Minh Khai... then her life would be over.

“Miss Ly misunderstood.” I wasn't angry at all, my voice was calm and cold. “I'm looking for you... not for that little change.”

“I want to… discuss a big business deal with you.”

“Big business?” she smirked. “What do you have that makes you want to talk business with me?”

“A business deal… involving your future.”

“And the future… of the child in your womb.”

The other end of the line... was silent. I heard it very clearly... her breathing became rapid.

“I don't understand what you're talking about.” She still tried to keep her mouth shut.

“It's okay if you don't understand.” I speak slowly. “Tomorrow afternoon, three o'clock, Van Dinh coffee shop, city center.”

“I'm waiting for you.”

“To come or not… it's up to you to choose.”