Chapter 28 — From a 16 Million Yuan Villa to a Secret Buried for Ten Years

When I arrived at Thinh Vien Group, it was blocked below. The entrance to the underground storage used to be filled with smoke, but the fire did not spread. Firefighters are examining the scene. The investigators were one step ahead of me. This time, Trinh Khai Son did not have time to clean everything up as before. Because Thinh Vien's board of directors was also in chaos. Several directors brought their legal teams over that night. No one wanted to shoulder the old debt from ten years ago on behalf of Trinh Khai Son. I stood in the middle of the hall. The lights on all four sides were dazzling. I didn't sleep all day and night, but I was more alert than ever. Ha Tri Chu walked next to me.

“The fire started from an automated electrical system in the storage facility.”

“At first glance, it looks like an accident, but the timing is too coincidental.”

"It's the retreat route left behind by Trinh Khai Son."

“If he can't escape, the people below will burn the document warehouse.”

Ha Tri Chu nodded.

“But they didn't expect the board to receive the documents first.”

“There are people inside Thinh Vien who want to protect themselves, so they proactively gave access to the archive outside.”

Half an hour later, the first batch of file boxes were delivered. The outside of the box has burn marks, but the documents inside are still preserved quite intact. In it was a gray iron box that was separated by the investigator. On the seal were written a few words: Evidence recovered from the car in an accident. As soon as I saw those words, my heart felt like someone had hit me hard. Employees wearing gloves open iron boxes. Inside is an old dash cam module. A broken recording pen. And a sealed plastic bag. In the bag is my father's fountain pen. My fingertips trembled slightly. That pen is a pair with the pen still in the office at the villa. Dad once said:

“One to keep at the company, one to carry with you.”

I always thought the pen I brought with me disappeared in the accident. Unexpectedly, it was hidden here for ten years. Ha Tri Chu said softly:

“Must be sealed first.”

I nodded.

“I don't touch.”

I stood up straight. It's just that the rim of the eye gradually turns red. But the tears still did not fall. I promised myself. Before this debt is settled, I will not cry. Everything after that happened faster than imagined. After the data in the hard drive is restored, the entire chain of the Nam Giang project is completely reassembled. Swap poor quality materials. Fake acceptance test. Transfer money to share benefits. The following car caused an accident. The vehicle recovery workshop erases all traces. During the interrogation, to save himself, Han Chi Thanh revealed all the people who participated in the Thinh Vien project that year. Trinh Khai Son did not admit anything further. But the evidence doesn't disappear just because he stays silent. After being officially controlled, Tong Thua Trach initially insisted that he was only out for money. Until Tham Man handed over his entire chat history. It contains all the messages instructing people to pry open the old warehouse door, take the memory card from the cemetery and contact Han Chi Thanh. Tham Man also did not receive my sympathy. She participated in transferring money, threatening others and hiding evidence. Therefore, we still have to bear the corresponding responsibility. Tong Nha Ky cried and told the whole story What happened at Thinh Vien headquarters that night. She cried and begged me to write a complaint. I only answer in four words:

“Handle according to the law.”

At the police station, when she heard that Tong Thua Trach had pushed all the responsibility onto herself, Khuu My Lan felt like she had aged ten years. Finally, she recounted the entire process of hiding the old memory card. At the same time, he admitted that he knew that the Tong family was involved in the Nam Giang case, but still chose to hide it. The last time I saw her was after completing her testimony. Khuu My Lan sat in a chair, blue veins clearly visible on the back of her hands. She no longer curses. She also no longer acts like a mother-in-law. She looked at me, her voice hoarse:

“I'm sorry for your parents, I'm also sorry for you.”

I calmly looked at her.

“You don't have to blame me.”

“She's just afraid of losing her benefits.”

Khuu My Lan burst into tears.

“I really regret it.”

“Regret is your business.”

“To forgive or not is my business.”

“I do not forgive.”

Khuu My Lan couldn't say another word. I turned around and left, not looking back. The divorce procedure took place very quickly. Initially, Tong Thua Trach still refused to sign. He said that after all, they were husband and wife and hoped I would give him one last chance. I placed in front of the lawyer a stack of documents proving that he forged signatures, transferred assets, had an affair during the marriage, illegally entered my house, and threatened me and the company. Tong Thua Trach's face turned gray. In the end, he still signed it. All pre-marital assets belong to me. I recover every penny he has taken from his personal account and company-related funds over the past three years. The frozen amount of money in Hang Vien Consulting company is also included in arrears. The villa replaced the entire security system. Villa No. 9, Thinh Dinh Loan area, has been covered with new carpet. I wiped the photo of my parents together on the wall over and over again. I kept separately the carpet that was stepped on by Khuu My Lan. It's not because I regret it and don't want to throw it away. But because I want to remember that day. Remember that there are people who, once they cross their boundaries, must be wiped out of both footprints and people. The parents' graves were also repaired. The broken stones were completely replaced. I placed a bunch of white daisies in front of the grave. This time, I finally cried. I squatted in front of the tombstone, my voice very quiet.

“I got it back.”

“Everyone did not have to wait in vain.”

The wind blows through the cemetery. The leaves rustle and vibrate. It was as if someone was gently responding to me. Half a year later, the Nam Giang case was officially reinvestigated. Thinh Vien Group experienced a major shock. Trinh Khai Son was dismissed from his position as chairman of the board of directors. After that, he, Han Chi Thanh and others involved were in turn prosecuted for responsibility according to the law. Duong Thi construction materials company also underwent a comprehensive cleanup. Someone left. Some people stay. Ms. Tran was promoted to deputy general director. After recovering his health, Mr. Luu still kept the habit of stopping by the old warehouse every day. I no longer allow anyone to use the name of family to enter the core area of the company. Neither do I Let's mention the Song family again. Tong Nha Ky's wedding was cancelled. After learning about the incidents caused by the Tong family, the groom's family immediately canceled the marriage that night. Tong Nha Ky called me several times. I didn't listen to any calls. Then she sent a text message.

“Sister-in-law, I really know I was wrong.”

I deleted that message immediately. If you know you're wrong, you have to pay the price. Not every tear is worth receiving. One year later. Villa number 9, Thinh Dinh Loan area, the lights are on again. I put dad's fountain pen back in the study. Place your favorite flower pots next to the window frame. I'm not selling that house. Also do not let any strangers move in. That villa is no longer simply a part of heritage. It was the starting point for me protecting my own boundaries. That evening, I sat in the living room, quietly looking at the quiet garden outside. The phone suddenly displayed a historical notification from the old door lock system. Exactly on this day one year ago. The side door has been opened. I looked at that notification. Then gently press delete. The door to the past has closed. I closed it myself. From now on, anyone who dares to reach out to me. I will cut off both that person and that hand.