Chapter 7 — Cut Out of the Will

The reporter's steady voice echoed from the screen. Miss Chu's mother had also suffered from severe illnesses on multiple occasions, and the entire medical burden had been borne by Miss Chu alone. Displayed across the monitor was the credit report of my father, accompanied by the hospital bills and surgical receipts for my mother. Meanwhile, just a few days ago, Miss Chu's maternal grandmother had divided all four properties registered under her name among her four maternal grandsons. Yet, she entirely bypassed Miss Chu, her only granddaughter. By now, public opinion regarding the incident had completely shifted. The vast majority of netizens expressed their support for Miss Chu in defending her legal rights, while simultaneously calling upon the relevant authorities to launch an investigation into potential asset misappropriation and elderly neglect. The broadcast concluded. I switched off the television, stepped out of the hotel, and found the weather outside wonderfully bright. It was high time I went to inspect my new home—a place that belonged to me, and me alone.

I spent the entire morning at the sales office of the new residential complex. Signing the contract, completing the paperwork, swiping my card, and paying in full. A fully furnished two-bedroom apartment spanning one hundred and twenty square meters. The keys were handed over on the spot. The smile on the sales representative's face was even more brilliant than the morning sun. Miss Chu, you are genuinely the most decisive client I have ever encountered. I offered a soft smile. I simply prefer not to waste precious time on unnecessary matters.

Leaving the sales office, I hailed a taxi and headed straight to the nearest shopping mall. I needed to purchase a few essential living supplies, as well as a brand-new smartphone. Once the new SIM card was activated, my very first phone call was directed to Lawyer Zhang.

Miss Chu, you have finally reached out to me.

How is the situation looking?

Much better than we anticipated. Excitement was palpable in Lawyer Zhang's voice. Public opinion has completely shifted to our favor. The social media accounts of your four male cousins have been relentlessly bombarded and effectively paralyzed by angry netizens. Some investigators even dug up evidence suggesting that your eldest cousin Daminh's company might be involved in tax evasion, and the tax authorities have already stepped in to investigate. Your second cousin Nhuong is a civil servant, isn't he? He has been reported for possessing numerous unexplained properties under his name, and the disciplinary committee has already summoned him for questioning. As for your grandmother...

Lawyer Zhang paused briefly. She was sent back to the hospital by your uncles last night. Because reporters swarmed them afterward, bombarding them with questions about the one million and five hundred thousand care fee, asking why they readily took possession of the houses yet refused to cover her medication expenses. They could not handle the pressure, so they simply fled.

Fled?

Yes, they abandoned your grandmother all by herself right at the entrance of your residential complex. It was the security guards who called the police and had her escorted back to the hospital. The hospital stated that she suffered from hypothermia combined with severe emotional agitation, and her condition is currently quite critical. She is now in the intensive care unit.

What about the medical bills?

Still unpaid. The hospital has issued two critical condition notices, but no one has signed them. Your uncles have all turned off their phones and cannot be reached.

Where are my parents?

They are... staying at your former residence. I sent someone to check this morning; they have not stepped outside. They probably lack the face to show themselves in public anymore.

I remained silent. This was precisely what they desired, and this was the very consequence of their own choices.

Miss Chu, our next course of action...

File a lawsuit. Sue my four uncles for the abandonment of an elderly person. Sue my four cousins for defamation. Furthermore, I want to petition for the nullification of the property transfer contracts for those four houses. My grandmother was in an impaired mental state, coerced into executing the property gifts, rendering the transactions legally void.

Lawyer Zhang drew a sharp breath on the other end of the line. Miss Chu, if we proceed like this, there truly will be... no turning back.

I have no need for a turning back. Lawyer Zhang, I only require an outcome. A just outcome.

With that, I ended the call, gathered my shopping bags, and stepped out of the shopping mall. The sunlight was dazzling, prompting me to raise a hand to shield my eyes. My phone rang; it was an unfamiliar number. I pressed answer.

Hello?

Nhienh... it is mother.

It was my mother's voice. Heaven knows how she managed to acquire my new number. Please... please stop this right now. She wept as she spoke. Do you truly want to watch your uncles go to prison? Do you genuinely want to see your grandmother die in the hospital? They are your own family members too!

Family? I let out a bitter laugh. Mother, let me ask you something. Last night, when grandmother was abandoned downstairs at the residential complex, where were you?

I... Mother choked on her words.

You and father were right upstairs. You both looked out the window. You watched her shiver alone in the biting cold wind. You watched her surrounded by reporters, treated like discarded trash that no one wanted. And neither of you lifted a finger.

No, we...

You were afraid. I finished her sentence for her. You were afraid of being photographed by reporters, afraid of the neighbors pointing fingers at you. You were afraid of having to bear the responsibility. Therefore, in both of your minds, your own superficial pride mattered far more than grandmother's life. Tell me, what right do you have to speak to me about family ties at this moment?

A sound of complete emotional breakdown echoed from the other end of the line as my mother wept uncontrollably. Nhienh, mother was wrong, mother was truly wrong... I beg you, spare them... Whatever you want, we will give it to you... The house, we do not want it anymore, we will give everything to you...