Chapter 19 — After Divorce, I Made My Husband's Family Bankrupt

Opening date of the counterclaim trial. Chu Khai did not come. The lawyer said "sick" and authorized someone else. Trieu Le also did not appear. Only Chu Dinh was holding his child, sitting at the back of the room, his face expressionless, from beginning to end, not saying a word. The case has almost no surprises. The evidence that Uncle Ngo prepared was too complete. Debts, money transfers, messages, legal records, IP tracing of defamatory videos, police records of the hospital case, records of disturbances in Bach Thi - everything is stamped, with a clear chain of proof. The judge looked at the documents, raised his head and asked the lawyer on the other side:

“Does the plaintiff have any comments on counter-evidence?”

The lawyer hesitated for a long time, then finally said:

“No… no comments.”

The hammer fell. The verdict was announced: Chu Khai must repay all debt of 1,830,000 yuan and personal loan of 780,000 yuan (including principal and interest). Trieu Le and Chu Khai must post a public apology in city-level media within fifteen days, and compensate Diep Thanh for mental damage of 120,000 yuan. Leaving the court, Chu Dinh carried his child and ran after me.

“Miss Diep…”

I stopped.

"That amount of money... my family really can't manage it now..." her lips trembled, "yesterday my brothers and I were detained again because of the previous matter, my mother's relatives have all avoided it... I want to ask you..."

“Can… give us a few more months?”

I looked straight into her eyes.

"This matter is not for me to decide. The court has ruled, your brother must pay."

She bowed her head. The baby cooed in her arms and reached out to pull her mother's hair.

"Chu Dinh. Did you ever think this day would come?"

She didn't answer.

"Last year, you posted a status, saying that your brother marrying Bach Anh was 'climbing high', and I was 'a poor person dragging your feet'. When you posted, did you think about today?"

Chu Dinh bit his lip, tears falling onto the baby's small hand. I walked a few steps, suddenly remembered something, turned back and said:

"Liu Loi works very well at the factory. The head of the inspection department said he works seriously and makes no mistakes."

Chu Dinh looked up, tears still streaming down his face.

“You… won't fire him, will you?”

I got in the car. The driver looked at me through the rearview mirror.

“Where are you going?”

“Back to the workshop.”

The car left the tree-lined street in front of the courthouse and joined the afternoon traffic. Back at the factory, Uncle Tran gave me an envelope. Document stamped in red by the Provincial Department of Trade. The project "Industrial standardization of exclusive formula" of Diep Thi spice factory was approved and is on the provincial key support list, with a subsidy of 500,000 yuan. I closed the document and leaned back in my chair. Outside the window, the new factory foundation has been completed. Concrete mixer trucks came and went continuously, excavators roared incessantly. Bach Tung Thao's secretary texted:

"General Director Diep, at the inauguration ceremony next week, President Bach asked if you have any special requests?"

I thought for a moment then answered:

“Arrange a speech. I will speak.”

I put down the phone and opened Dinh Vi's revenue report. Seventeen stores in the province, after using Diep Thi spices, the table turnover rate increased by an average of 14%. A few days ago, Ms. Vuong called:

“General Director Diep, I want to push the expansion plan to other provinces to early next year.”

“Capacity keeps up.”

"Okay. I have already started negotiations, the first round of six cities."

The other side was silent for a beat.

“Ah, I heard there is a lawsuit from the Chu family What are the results?

"Already. Pay, sorry.”

“What about your ex-husband now?”

“Still in camp. One day out, then back in again.”

Mrs. Vuong sighed.

“Having been in this industry for decades, I have seen many unmasked things. But handling things as neatly and clearly as you do is truly rare.”

“General Manager Vuong is very complimentary.”

“It's not a compliment. It's respect."

I turned off the phone, stood up and went to the window. Outside, workers are tying steel, their orange helmets shining in the sun. Uncle Tran knocked on the door and entered.

“General Manager Diep, the Chu family's main store started the auction today. Starting price 700,000 yuan.”

"I know."

“Are you going to participate?”

I took a sip of water.

“Let the market take care of itself. Diep Thi does not touch Chu family's things."