Chapter 13 — Dawn After the Crack

The third day after filing for divorce, Tran Canh Tham appeared downstairs at Tong Dao's house. He did not come alone, there was also Phuong Di Nhien next to him. Lam Niem So went down to receive the parcel and just happened to encounter the two of them. Phuong Di Nhien stood next to Tran Canh Tham, her belly was slightly protruding. Lam Niem So's eyes stopped at that curve for a moment.

“Are you pregnant?”

Phuong Di Nhien reflexively retreated and hid behind Tran Canh Tham. Tran Canh Tham looked visibly haggard: "Nien So, I came to talk about divorce."

“Have you received the lawsuit file?”

“I do not agree to divorce.”

"If you don't agree, the court will still decide."

“Don't do anything so heartless.” Tran Canh Tham's voice suddenly rose. "I really don't know about my father. You pushed my father to jail, is your conscience at peace?"

“Twenty-eight years ago, he stole a newborn baby from his biological parents and sold it for fifty thousand yuan.” Lam Niem So's voice was still calm. “You asked me if my conscience is at peace?”

Tran Canh Tham pursed his lips tightly. Phuong Di Nhien poked her head out from behind him.

"Miss Niem So, I know I'm sorry to you. But now Canh Tham is really under pressure, his father was arrested, his mother cries every day..."

“Phuong Di Nhien.” Lam Niem So looked straight at her. “Is the baby in your belly his?”

Phuong Di Nhien paused, then slowly nodded.

“How many months has it been?”

“Three months.”

"The last time you tested for HCG it was negative, which means you've only been pregnant for the last three months. In other words, the week he asked to split living expenses and texted 'don't come home after working overtime', the two of you were already together."

Phuong Di Nhien's face gradually turned pale. Tran Canh Tham was confused: "You really checked clearly..."

“No need to investigate.” Lam Niem So picked up the parcel. "Just putting together the time is enough. Tran Canh Tham, you ask to split the money not because the company is in difficulty, but because you want to save to support another woman and child outside."

Tran Canh Tham opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.

“You two go.” Lam Niem So turned and walked inside. “See you in court.”

“Lam Niem So!” Tran Canh Tham shouted from behind. "You're fully grown now, right? You've found the Lam family to rely on, right? Do you think they will truly accept you? You're just a pawn!"

Lam Niem So stopped. She didn't turn around.

“It's okay to be a chess piece, it's okay to be thrown away.” Her voice echoed from the hallway. “At least this piece, you no longer have control over.”

She walked upstairs and closed the door. Downstairs, Phuong Di Nhien gently pulled Tran Canh Tham's sleeve.

"Canh Tham, is she telling the truth? Is she really from the Lam family?"

Tran Canh Tham did not answer, his face was gloomy.

“The Lam family… is that the Lam Group?” Phuong Di Nhien's voice trembled. “I told you she was just an orphan…”

Phuong Di Nhien was shouted at until she burst into tears. The two people stood downstairs, unable to move forward and unable to retreat. The press conference to launch the “So Kien” brand is scheduled for October 18, just three weeks away from Lam Niem So's due date. The venue is the banquet hall of Hai Thinh hotel. The guest list is more than three hundred people, including the jewelry industry, media, partners and investors. Lam Niem So completed all the preparations two weeks ago. Six works are displayed in glass cases Individually designed, each piece is illuminated with specialized lighting, causing the crushed diamonds in the cracks to reflect a light of distinct depth and brilliance. Three days before the press conference, Tham Tinh Van came to her.

“Lin Niem Chu, there is something I think you should know.”

"Trieu Bang Trinh was not convinced. He worked at the company for five years, and the idea of the 'So Kien' brand was originally proposed by him, but the position of chief designer was given to her. He contacted a few specialized reporters, intending to cause trouble right at the press conference."

“What happened?”

“Questioning her for plagiarizing his ideas.”

Lam Niem So looked at Tham Tinh Van.

“You told me this… because you wanted to help me?”

Tham Tinh Van smiled.

"I tell you, because 'So Kien' develops, I also benefit. I am the Product Manager, the brand does well, I also benefit."

“What about Trieu Bang Trinh side?”

"He was looking for a reporter from 'Tien Phong Jewelry'. That person's name was Lu Van Ban, he was a college classmate of his."

“I know.”

After Tham Tinh Van left, Lam Niem So called Co Tham.

“Trieu Bang Trinh intended to cause trouble at the press conference.”

"I know." Co Tham's voice was still calm. “Last week he accessed the design department's archives twice.”

“Do you know everything?”

“Do you think the company's storage system doesn't have access logs?”

“So how are you going to handle it?”

"Don't deal with it. Let him reveal himself." Co Tham said. “There are people who do not step into the light and will always be a hidden threat.”

“Aren't you afraid the press conference will be ruined?”

"It can't be damaged. Your work is placed there. Real gold is not afraid of fire."

“Do you trust me that much?”

“Trust your design.” He stopped for a beat. “I also believe in who you are.”

On the day of the press conference, Lam Niem So wore a custom moss green tuxedo. Her eight-month pregnant belly is fully hugged by the skirt, both elegant and outstanding. On her wrist is the jade bracelet her mother left behind. The silver lock on the neck is cleverly hidden in the fabric. The hall was packed with people.