Chapter 12 — After Divorce, I Made My Husband's Family Bankrupt

"Thank you to the press agencies for being present. Recently, many rumors have appeared affecting the Diep brand. Today, General Director Diep will directly clarify."

He gave me the microphone. I stood up and walked up to the podium to speak. The whole hall was silent.

"Hello. I am Diep Thanh, the current legal entity of the Diep spice factory."

My voice echoed through the speakers.

"Recently, there have been a number of videos going viral. Some people said I appropriated the Chu family's heirloom recipe. Some people came to the factory and held up banners demanding that I return the 'property'. Some people also said that my ex-mother-in-law is in the hospital waiting for money, and I am indifferent."

I stopped for a beat.

“Today, I invited everyone here to explain each thing clearly.”

I press the remote. The rear screen lights up. First picture: patent certificate.

"Formula 'Thap Tam Huong with Diep family', the inventor is me. Registration date March 12, 2018. Five months earlier than when I got married."

Flash lights flared up rapidly. I clicked to the second slide.

"This is the business registration document of the Diep family factory. Established in 1987, the legal entity is Diep Duc Hau - my father. The Diep family has been making spices for three generations, with full license. As for the Chu restaurant, it opened in 2006, nineteen years later than us. A place established nineteen years later... where can we get a 'family heirloom' that we can take over?"

The auditorium began to murmur. The third slide appears.

"This is the debt table of the Chu family restaurant. From the second half of last year until now, they owe the Diep family a total of 1,830,000 yuan. Each payment has transfer documents and signatures. In addition, in March of this year, Chu Khai - the legal entity of the restaurant, who is also my ex-husband - borrowed 780,000 yuan from me to pay the apartment deposit. The transfer record is right on the screen."

A series of reporters stood up to take photos. Fourth slide.

"Application to change legal entity, last November. Chu Khai submitted it to the management agency without my consent, intending to transfer all legal responsibility to me. Due to lack of signatures and documents, the application was rejected."

The whole hall was buzzing. I move on to the last slide.

"Court sealing notice. Currently, seven of the Chu family's stores have been blocked due to long-term debt. Chu Khai is under administrative detention for disturbing the peace. Today is the day he is released."

I turned off the screen and looked straight down.

"So - the words that Diep's factory appropriated the formula are lies. Saying that I am heartless and meaningless is a moral coercion. Saying that we compete unfairly is just the blame of a bankrupt person."

Three seconds of silence. Then applause broke out. Not in a social way, but in a really strong pat. In the front row, several food bloggers filmed videos continuously, their eyes shining as if they had caught big news. I cleared my throat.

“Next, I announce two things.”

"First, Diep's factory has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Dinh Vi Group and Tu Huong Cac, total value of 80,000,000 yuan. It will be officially signed this afternoon."

The applause grew louder.

"Second, Bach Thi has completed her intention to invest in Diep's factory, valuing it at 1,000,000,000 yuan. Next week, she will officially contribute capital and jointly build a standardized spice production system."

The whole hall erupted. My father sat next to me, his eyes red. I stepped down from the podium. Reporters rushed forward, microphones almost touching their faces.

“General Manager Diep, Chu Khai was released today, you have it know?”

“Is he looking for you?”

“Is Bach Thi's investment related to Bach Anh?”

“After the Chu restaurant is auctioned, do you intend to take over?”

Uncle Ngo and Uncle Tran blocked the front, keeping their distance.

“Sorry, General Director Diep will not give a private interview today. All information will be officially announced later.”

I was escorted out by security. Just arriving at the factory gate, the phone rang.

“Sister… Ms. Diep! Something happened!”

Chu Dinh's voice was hoarse from crying.

“What?”

“My brother… as soon as he left the station, he ran straight to Bach Thi headquarters! Said he wanted to find Bach Anh to demand justice! When my father heard the news, he was so angry that he vomited blood! My mother is panicking now—”

“It's useless for you to call me. Tell your mother to call the police.”

“My mother doesn't dare! Ms. Diep, please—”

I hung up. Uncle Tran looked at me.

“What's wrong?”

“Chu Khai came to Bach Thi to cause trouble.”