Chapter 11 — After You Locked Me In The Villa, I Left You Empty

“4,200,000 yuan.”

“I don't push.”

“But remember to pay on time.”

“I… I will make arrangements immediately.”

“There's one more thing.”

“The position of deputy general manager that Tham Diec Chu is naming in my company…”

“It's best to quickly change your business registration.”

“Otherwise, cases under his name will most likely affect the company's credit rating.”

Tham Quoc Quyen's mouth opened and then closed. Can't even say a single word. When he left, his legs were so soft that he could barely stand. In the afternoon, Tham Diec Chu's case had new developments. During the financial review process, the procuracy discovered an additional unusual amount of money. Two years ago, in the name of a "consulting fee", he withdrew 1,600,000 yuan from the Lam family's factory account and transferred it to an offshore account. The place to receive the money... Is a shell company registered in the Cayman Islands. The actual controller of that company: Tham Diec Chu. Crime of embezzlement of public funds. One more. When lawyer Ha talked about this over the phone, his tone was so calm that it was like he was reading a food menu.

“The crime of double marriage.”

“Crime of infringing on trade secrets.”

“Crime of rape.”

“Illegal surveillance.”

“Financial misappropriation.”

“General Giang…”

“Your ex-husband is truly an all-round player in the criminal world.”

“Stop joking.”

“When will the trial open?”

“The double marriage is on the 15th of next month.”

"The remaining cases are still in the investigation stage, but the prosecution has proposed combining them for trial."

On the tenth day, I participated in the final defense round of the WAV design competition. This is the highest level tournament in the domestic design world. The jury includes three professors from the Milan Fashion Academy. The collection I bring is called: A line of high-end formal wear that takes silk as the soul material, combining architectural structural thinking. At the defense, a judge asked me:

“Ms. Giang, in your design philosophy, the words ‘patience’ and ‘liberation’ appear repeatedly.”

“Can you be more specific?”

I stand on stage. Remember the past three years. Remember the nights of being laughed at at the Tham family's banquet table. Remember the afternoon Tham Diec Chu said:

“You don't need to go to work, you can stay home.”

Remember the image of Lam Mien Mien wearing my design standing on stage saying:

“This is a wedding dress designed by me.”

I picked up the microphone.

“When the silkworm spins its silk…”

“Each thread is a layer of bondage.”

“But when it spits it all out…”

“It won't be a worm anymore.”

“The moment it broke the cocoon…”

“No one can stop it.”

The entire hall was silent for a few seconds. Then the applause rang out like a tidal wave. At the end of the defense session, editor Truong found me backstage.

“Mr. Giang, congratulations.”

“I asked about the judges' scores.”

“You're on top.”

“The results have not been announced yet.”

“But I've been a reporter for twenty years.”

“Look at the expressions of each judge as they walked out…”

“I can still read.”

She hesitated a bit then continued:

“There's one more thing.”

“Lam Mien Mien's studio today announced its dissolution from the design industry.”

“The International Design Association's certification has been revoked due to plagiarism.”

“Her partner — Tham Vu Dong — has also withdrawn capital.”

“Even Tham Vu Dong withdrew?”

“The Tham family is cutting ties with Diec Chu.”

“Shen Quoc Quyen has come out order, the entire Tham family is not allowed to have any business contact with him anymore.”

After listening, I didn't feel anything special. No gloating. Not happy either. Just a kind of calm like: Indeed. Things that should come... Are on their way. When I got home at night, I sat in the living room scrolling through my phone. Among my friends, those who used to follow Tham Vu Dong and scold me now started deleting comments and posts. There were even two people who actively texted:

“General Giang, what happened before was just a misunderstanding, I hope you can forgive it.”

I don't answer. Not worth it. Hoac Canh Diem sent me a message:

“When will the contest results be announced?”

“Next Monday.”

“I was in Beijing at that time.”

“I will clap for you from afar.”

“Since when did you become so cheesy?”

“Someone teaches.”

I looked at that message for a long time. Finally answer three words:

“Sleep well.”