Chapter 6 — An Amicable Parting

Back then, the nurse station received a verbal complaint stating that a family member had interfered with a patient's medication regimen.

That incident was never officially logged and eventually faded into obscurity.

However, after your mother's primary attending physician retired, he noted in his personal journal that on the eve of the patient's death, the medication administration records had been altered. There was only a single handwritten prescription bearing the signature and consent of a family member.

Lam Sam Tran's complexion paled by degrees.

I had Lawyer Khuong Hang locate the original ledger belonging to that doctor. The name of the family member signed in the designated box was Wan Ning Chu.

"Impossible!"

He roared, his voice echoing through the hollow corridor.

"She had just graduated back then, why would she..."

"Because your mother was investigating her background."

I pierced the final illusion remaining in his heart without an ounce of mercy.

"The academic credentials Wan Ning Chu used to enter the company as an intern that year were forged. Just as your mother was hospitalized, she had been having people verify the matter, discovering that Wan Ning Chu's university credits fell short and her diploma had been purchased."

"Your mother intended to tell you after she was discharged from the hospital."

Lam Sam Tran's lips quivered, yet no words escaped them.

"Wan Ning Chu was terrified that once you found out, you would cast her aside, and so she tampered with your mother's medicine."

Within the silent corridor, nothing remained save for his heavy, labored breathing.

"Initially, I had no intention of revealing this to you."

"Yet just now, as you stood before me proclaiming your desire to pursue me anew, I suddenly recalled three years ago, when you vowed that once I was released from prison, you would marry me. When you deceived me, your eyes were just as red."

He leaned against the wall, his entire frame slowly sliding downward until he squatted directly upon the floor. His shoulders began to tremble violently, and a suppressed sob tore free from his throat. I lowered my gaze to observe him for a lingering moment.

"Lam Sam Tran, your mother has been dead for five years, and Wan Ning Chu has shared your bed for those exact five years."

"You cherished her, shielded her, cast me into prison on her account, and drove my father to an untimely grave."

"For the sake of a single woman, you shattered an entire world."

I squatted down, meeting his bloodshot gaze head-on.

"Now that you know her true visage, you are consumed by remorse, and thus you run to me demanding a fresh start?"

He lifted his face, tears streaming across his features.

"You Duo, I beg of you..."

"Before he passed away, my father left me a letter."

I rose to my feet, turning my back toward him.

"He wrote that the accounts of human conduct must be calculated with absolute clarity. The debts you incurred, you must repay with your own hands."

With that, I turned and walked away. From behind me came the sound of his uncontainable weeping, echoing stroke by stroke, resembling a trapped wild beast with its throat crushed.

A month later, I sent a screenshot of the confirmation message for the location of the upcoming certified public accountant examination to Khuong Hang. He replied with a thumbs-up emoji, accompanied by a single sentence: "The case goes to trial next Wednesday. The chain of evidence is complete; you need not appear in court, just focus entirely on your studies." I responded: "I understand." Following that, I drove toward the North Mountain Cemetery. A newly erected gravestone had been installed nearly a month prior; within the porcelain photograph mounted upon its surface, my father was smiling radiantly. I squatted before the monument, placing a bouquet of magnolias upon the base. These were the blossoms he cherished most during his lifetime.

"Father, Lawyer Khuong Hang has thoroughly investigated the matter of that will. It was entirely fraudulent. I knew you could never truly abandon me."

"Furthermore, I have reclaimed everything that rightfully belonged to me."

The wind swept through the magnolia trees, sending two leaves drifting down upon the gravestone.

"I have also begun studying for the certified public accountant exams once more. Having not touched the texts in three years feels rather unfamiliar, but fortunately, my foundational knowledge remains intact."

"Regarding the company, Zhang Yuan previously came seeking me out, expressing a desire to return and work alongside me once again. I informed her that I must first witness the sincerity of her intent."

I offered a faint smile, brushing a speck of dust from the gravestone.

"As for Lam Sam Tran... last month he turned himself in to the authorities, confessing to the entirety of Wan Ning Chu's actions from those years."

"The procuratorate has reopened the investigation into his mother's case. Wan Ning Chu has been formally arrested."

"Lam Sam Tran's tax evasion charges are likewise proceeding through trial. He will unfailingly pay the price for the deeds he has committed."

I stood up. My knees still radiated a dull ache, though it was no longer severe as it had once been.

"Father, I harbor no hatred toward him anymore, because he is utterly unworthy of having my emotions wasted upon him."

I remained seated by my father's side for two full hours before finally departing. As I reached the cemetery gates, my cellular phone chimed. Zhang Yuan had transmitted a text message: "I have instructed the designer to draft three distinct versions of the new corporate logo. Choose whichever you prefer." I replied: "Very well." Scarcely a moment later, a fresh notification materialized. This instance featured an unfamiliar telephone number. Opening it, I discovered a brief audio recording. Hesitating for a fraction of a second, I pressed play. Lam Sam Tran's voice emanated from the speaker, mingling with the chaotic din of the detention facility, halting and broken:

"You Duo, I am aware you harbor no desire to lay eyes upon me. I merely wished to utter a single phrase, expressing my gratitude for your choice not to submit that audio recording into evidence before the court. You preserved a shred of final dignity for Wan Ning Chu, even though she was utterly undeserving."