Chapter 16 — After My Mother-in-law Bought Me a 3 Million Yuan Death Insurance Package

“I will go.”

The day the trial opened was a gloomy day. The courtroom is not large. The auditorium row only seats about a dozen people. I recognized two local reporters. Including reporter Ton who called me to interview me. When Vuong Thuy Hoa was led in, she was wearing a waistcoat from the detention center. Hair is messy. It's only been two months and I've lost a lot of weight. As she was escorted to the dock, her eyes scanned the rows of auditorium seats. Then saw me. We looked at each other for two seconds. The one who moved his eyes first was her. Tran Dai Quan stood next to him. Bow your head. Also a lot thinner. The prosecutor began reading the indictment. Read for nearly half an hour. From Vuong Thuy Hoa buying insurance, forging signatures, forging diagnostic papers, submitting applications for compensation approval... to raising ferocious dogs in the mountains to prepare for causing "unintended accidents". All are clearly listed item by item. When reading the paragraph:

“In the abandoned shack behind the mountain, there is a large Thanh wolf dog chained…”

The whole courtroom echoed with cold sniffles. Defense lawyer for Vuong Thuy Hoa stood up to defend. Still just some familiar arguments:

“The defendant has a low educational level…”

“Instigated by others…”

“Subjective malice is not great…”

The prosecutor immediately objected on the spot.

"After the insurance contract took effect, defendant Vuong Thuy Hoa continuously spread fake news throughout the village for seven months that the insured person had a terminal illness."

“The purpose is to create in advance an environment of public opinion about the so-called ‘reasonable death’ of the insured person.”

“The defendant was not only the mastermind in the insurance fraud case…”

“But there are also serious signs of intentionally harming the life safety of the insured person.”

“The defense attorney's argument that 'subjective malice is not great' is completely inconsistent with the facts.”

At the sentencing, Vuong Thuy Hoa stood at the horseshoe, her legs shaking. Mastermind Vuong Thuy Hoa committed insurance fraud, and was also determined to have prepared to commit the crime of intentionally causing injury on purpose. Multiple crimes combined, sentenced to eight years in prison and a fine of 200,000 yuan. Tran Dai Quan, an accomplice, was sentenced to four years in prison. Tran Nhi Ho, an accomplice, was sentenced to two years and six months in prison. Zhou Kien Quoc committed the crime of providing false medical records and was sentenced to one year and six months in prison. As soon as the sentencing session ended, Vuong Thuy Hoa suddenly burst into tears and screamed.

“I'm not satisfied!”

“I appeal!”

“It was Tham Tu Lan who forced me!”

“It's because he refuses to serve me!”

“It was he who left the Tran family first!”

Judicial police stepped forward to escort her out. She struggled and screamed all the way. I sat in the audience, watching her being dragged away, watching the courtroom door slam shut. Next to me, reporter Ton leaned closer and asked me a question in a low voice:

“Miss Tham, how do you feel now?”

I looked at the door that had just closed.

“There's no special feeling.”

“No matter how many years in prison I can't change my seven months of living in fear.”

“But having a verdict… is better than not having one.”

Leaving the court gate, Trieu Loi stood outside waiting for me.

“Miss Tham, the case is over.”

"Our company has completely invalidated the other insurance contract and deleted it from the system."

“From now on, no one will be able to use your name to do anything like that again.”

"Thank Older brother."

He hesitated a bit then took out an envelope from his briefcase and gave it to me.

“What is this?”

“A little sincerity from the company.”

“This case has exposed flaws in our insurance review process.”

“We did not strictly verify the insured's own wishes and still let the contract take effect.”

“This is compensation.”

I opened the envelope. Inside was a bank card and a letter. On the letter is written:

"Vinh An Insurance Company apologizes to Ms. Tham Tu Lan, and compensates for mental damage and work-related expenses totaling 150,000 yuan."

150,000 yuan.