Chapter 16 — After Divorce, I Made My Husband's Family Bankrupt

As soon as she saw me, Trieu Le's eyes turned red. If it weren't for the police, she would have rushed over.

“You ungrateful thing!”

Her voice echoed in the empty courtroom. The judge tapped his gavel.

“Keep order.”

The trial begins. The plaintiff's lawyer stood up to read the lawsuit, stammering every word. Three main requirements: One, the formula in my name is actually a "Chu family secret", requiring transfer of ownership. Second, I arbitrarily cut off the supply, causing the restaurant to go bankrupt, demanding compensation of 3,000,000 yuan. Dad, I have to pay all the legal fees. The judge turned to me.

“Defendant presents.”

Uncle Ngo stood up and adjusted his glasses.

“Dear jury, we would like to answer as follows.”

He held up a thick file of documents.

"First, about the ownership of the formula. The Thap Tam Huong formula of the Diep family was patented in 2018, the owner is Diep Thanh. The registration time was five months earlier than the marriage date. All research records, formulas and registration documents have been submitted to the court."

"Second, about the cessation of supply. There is no exclusive contract between the two parties. Customer adjustment is a legal business right. The cause of Chu's restaurant's bankruptcy is due to long-term debt and poor management."

“Third, we conduct a counterclaim.”

The lawyer on the other side immediately changed expression. Uncle Ngo took another file.

“Counterclaims include:

One, the Chu restaurant owes the Diep family 1,830,000 yuan, and requested to pay immediately. Second, Zhou Kai personally borrowed 780,000 yuan during the marriage, requiring repayment of both principal and interest. Dad, Trieu Le, Chu Dinh and Chu Khai defamed Diep Thanh's reputation online and in public, demanding a public apology and compensation for mental damage of 500,000 yuan. He placed the documents on the judge's desk.

“All evidence, including bank transfers, text messages, police reports, internet videos and testimonies, have been submitted in full.”

Trieu Le jumped up.

"Liar! It's all a lie!"

The police stepped up.

"Sit down."

"I'm not sitting! It's bullying us—"

The hammer hits hard. Chu Dinh pulled her to sit down, her face red. Chu Khai sat on the other side, from his red neck to his forehead, his hands clenched until they turned white. The judge turned over the documents and looked at the plaintiff.

“Plaintiff's opinion on the counterclaim?”

The other lawyer stammered:

“Sir… we… are not prepared yet…”

"Fifteen-minute break. Plaintiff takes the time to look at the file."

The trial was adjourned. Uncle Ngo gave me a bottle of water.

"General Director Diep, the situation is very good. The judge's attitude is quite clear."

I took a sip. On the other side, Trieu Le suddenly broke free and rushed towards me. The police stopped.

“Diep Thanh!”

Her voice was sharp as a scratching knife.

"You're satisfied! You're happy! The entire Chu family was ruined by you! You're very proud, right—"

“Mrs. Trieu.”

I looked straight into her eyes.

"There aren't dozens of people in your Chu family. There are only seven people. Chu Dai Phuc, you, Chu Khai, Chu Dinh, Liu Loi, and your eldest daughter, who got married, Chu Dung. Your eldest daughter hasn't been around for three years, because you refused to lend her money to buy a house. You told me yourself, do you remember?"

Trieu Le paused for a second.

"That family group of forty-six people, last Tet, she cursed eight people in the group. Criticized her second uncle's family for giving light gifts, criticized her third uncle's family for borrowing money for not paying back, criticized the eldest aunt's daughter for failing the civil service exam, making her lose face. I remember everything. She came out. Besides always showing off how crowded and harmonious the Chu family is - whether it's true or not, she knows better than anyone else."

Trieu Le's mouth opened, unable to say a word.

"Still 'broken home' - Chu Khai is still sitting there, barely alive. Your husband was hospitalized because of high blood pressure, not because of me. The restaurant closed because of unpaid debt, not because of me. You blame it all on me, because if it doesn't, you have to bear it yourself.”

I screwed the cap on the water bottle. The voice is very light, but each word is clear.

“For five years in your house, I got up every day at six o'clock to go to the market and cook, and only rested at eleven o'clock at night. I cleared the clogged drain, I ran four streets to find Chu Dinh's dog when he died, and I paid for the three times Mr. Chu was hospitalized. When it came time for divorce, Chu Khai said 'the whole family voted and agreed to let her leave empty-handed'. I just ask one question — at that time of voting, can anyone help me with a word?”

The corner of Trieu Le's mouth twitched slightly.

“Just one sentence.”

I looked at her. She did not speak.