Chapter 9 — From a 16 Million Yuan Villa to a Secret Buried for Ten Years

“He put his hand into my house.”

“I don't want to wait until he puts his hand into the company.”

Ms. Tran did not ask further.

“I'll handle it right away.”

I canceled my plane ticket and booked the earliest bus back. The loudspeakers in the airport kept repeating the announcement that the flight was delayed. I pulled my suitcase towards the door. The phone vibrates continuously. The Song family's chat group has become a mess. Khau My Lan's sister sent a voice message scolding me for being unfilial. Tong Nha Ky cried and lamented that her wedding was ruined. At first, Tong Thua Trach's aunt tried to reconcile. But after each piece of evidence was released, she gradually became silent. Finally, Tong Nha Ky sent a message:

“Sister-in-law, I took your mother to the police station.”

“If my husband's family finds out, what should I do?”

I stood in the taxi waiting area. Fingers type each letter one by one.

“When you were planning to sell my house as a dowry, why didn't you think about what I should do?”

Message just sent. I immediately turned off group notifications. Not long after. Tong Nha Ky called. I picked up the phone. The first thing on the other end of the line was sobbing.

“Sister-in-law... I know my mother didn't do it right.”

“But my wedding is coming up.”

“The groom's family places great importance on conditions.”

“If they knew my mother went to the police station, they would definitely look down on me.”

“So what?”

Tong Nha Ky bit her lip.

“Can you help me explain?”

“Tell them this is just a misunderstanding.”

“Don't let the incident go on record.”

I almost burst out laughing.

“Tong Nha Ky.”

“Your mother came to my house today to gather a dowry for you.”

“The whole process she called to urge her.”

“Now you want me to lie for you guys?”

Tong Nha Ky's voice immediately became shrill.

“I didn't tell my mother to steal!”

“Besides, you're so rich.”

“Is it okay if I help you a little?”

"It's also beneficial for me to marry a good husband."

"You and I are still husband and wife."

“Shouldn't we think about our family?”

I ask again:

“The family you mentioned…”

“Does that include my parents?”

Tong Nha Ky paused. I keep saying:

“In that villa, every photo, every piece of furniture…”

“It's all something my parents left behind.”

"Your mother said looking at pictures of my parents made me feel unlucky so I had to take them down."

“You sit and calculate the dowry list.”

“Now you ask me if I should think about my family or not?”

My voice is very light. But every word is cold to the bone.

“You never considered me family.”

“You just think of me as a walking wallet.”

“Tong Nha Ky.”

“Where did you get that thick face?”

Tong Nha Ky was scolded by me until her throat choked for a few seconds. Immediately after that, she became so embarrassed that she became angry.

“Don't think my brother can't live without you.”

“There are people outside who are willing to help him.”

“If you really get divorced, you're not sure who will suffer the loss.”

My steps suddenly stopped. The eyes narrowed slightly.

“Is there anyone outside?”

Tong Nha Ky also seemed to realize that she had just said something wrong. She immediately put out the fire.

“I was just talking nonsense.”

I don't ask further. Just calmly replied:

“Thanks for the reminder.”

Then hang up directly. I saved the entire call, then transferred it to Ha Tri Chu. Not long after, he texted back:

“This statement is remarkable.”

“I will let someone investigate in that direction.”

I sat in the car and reported the location just then leaned back in the chair. The darkness outside the window kept receding. Suddenly I felt like this three-year marriage was like a chronic illness. Not enough to take a life. But day by day, my strength and spirit are eroded. Until today. The wound that had been hidden for so long was finally torn open. Half an hour later. Ms. Tran called again. This time her voice was even more tense than before.

“General Manager Duong.”

“I just discovered something unusual.”

"Last month, there was a goods supply contract that Mr. Tong took to sign an additional appendix."

“The partner requested to receive the goods first next week.”

“Price will be paid after three months.”

“The contract value is 8,600,000 yuan.”

My eyes immediately cooled down.

“Who approved?”

Ms. Tran lowered her voice.

“The process shown above is approved by you.”

“But the signature doesn't seem right.”

I tightened my grip on the phone.

“Send me a photo.”

A few seconds later. Photo sent. On the last page of the contract appendix. My name is signed very similarly. At first glance, it's almost impossible to tell the difference. But the final stroke has a unique transition angle that I've never used before. I stared at the photo. The final coldness in my heart gradually turned into a sharp alertness like a blade. What Tong Thua Trach is aiming for is not just a villa. At that moment, Ha Tri Chu called.

“Duong Vy.”

“I just received a message.”

“Tong Thua Ze is recently preparing to carry out a very large order on behalf of his company.”

“If your side exports goods under this contract…”

“There is a high possibility that the money will be transferred elsewhere.”

I looked at the strips of light extending outside the car window. The whole city glowed like a river of lights. After a while, I slowly spoke up.

“Notify the warehouse.”

“Let's open the warehouse tonight.”

“All goods sealed.”

“Not even one package can be exported.”

“Anyone who brings Tong Thua Trach's application…”

“Tell him to go away.”