Chapter 7 — From the Ashes to the Pinnacle

"Custody of the child is awarded to me! Legally, Ve Duong is my child!" "You want to take him away? Go to court and sue me! If you have the courage, sue!" Her finger almost poked Tham Ve Quoc's face. Saliva splashed all over his face. Tham Ve Quoc did not move. He kept looking at her causing chaos like that. Waiting for her to scream until she was tired and panting, he slowly took an envelope from the inside pocket of his coat. Ivory white color, size of A4 paper. Put it on the table. "This is an application to change custody rights prepared by my lawyer." "If you agree, sign it, this matter stops here." "If you do not agree..." He paused for a moment. "I will hand over all evidence that you show signs of abandoning minor children, misuse of alimony and intentionally preventing visitation rights to the court." "The police report proves that you abandoned your biological child on the night of the fire, I will also submit it." "Trieu Ngoc." "If you don't sign, perhaps even the person you care about won't be able to keep it." When he said the last sentence, his eyes gently glanced at Lam Phong. The meaning is very clear. If legal procedures are carried out and a big deal is made, the residential area and the Department of Civil Affairs will review her ability to care for her. Not just for me—but for Lam Phong too. The aura of Trieu Ngoc Phan's whole body was like a balloon being uncorked, immediately deflating. She stared at the envelope on the table, her chest heaving violently. Lips opened and closed several times but no sound came out. I sat in the corner, not saying a word. From beginning to end, don't interrupt a sentence. I don't need to speak up. Tham Ve Quoc said everything for me. This is my plan. Let him show his face, I'm in the dark. Trieu Ngoc Phan just thinks that this is a drama "the ex-husband leaves his wife and children and comes back to steal the children". She wouldn't think that— It was all arranged by her "understanding, quiet" fourteen-year-old son. At least now she won't think about it. By the time she figured it out— Everything had come to an irreversible conclusion. Trieu Ngoc Phan's hands are shaking. She took the envelope, tore it open— Pulled out the documents inside, quickly skimmed through them. The more I read, the whiter my face became. Because Shen Weiguo's lawyer is not the kind of roadside lawyer who writes a divorce agreement for five hundred yuan. That document was compiled meticulously, without any loopholes. Change custody, waive prosecution for abandonment, and waive request for refund of alimony paid—condition on her signing cooperation. If not signed— At the back is a list of evidence pages. Police discharge records, hospital records, neighbors' testimony samples, a comparison between Lam Phong's alimony transfer and spending history... After reading the list of evidence, the paper in Trieu Ngoc Phan's hand made a rustling sound. She tightened the edge of the paper. Raised his head to look at Tham Ve Quoc. Then he turned his head to look at me again. There was hatred in those eyes. It's not guilt—it's hatred. I hate that I let Tham Ve Quoc come here. Hate me for breaking the lie you maintained for eight years. Hate that I not only live well but also "talk a lot". I met her eyes. Don't avoid it. The me of my previous life would bow my head, avoid her, and pretend not to see her disgust. In this life, I look straight at her. Calm eyes. Do you hate me? It's up to you. Hatred cannot be used as food, nor can it maintain the right to nourishment. Trieu Ngoc Phan turned away. She took a deep breath. Put the document down. “…I didn't sign.” Her voice was hoarse but firm. “You go ahead and sue.” She turned around. Leave. The door closed with a "bang". Tham Ve Quoc frowned. He turned his head to look at me. I leaned against the wall, my expression unchanged. "No surprises

I said: "She won't sign easily. At least today, I won't sign." "She needs time to confirm that dad isn't just threatening." Shen Wei Guo took a deep breath: "So..." "Wait three days." I said: "Three days later, dad will officially go to court to file a document." "During these three days, she will do two things." "First, call around and ask around to see if dad really hired a lawyer." "Second, go to Lam Phong's school to confirm that if the matter gets big, will it affect the school or not?" no." "After confirming these two things—she will sign." Shen Wei Guo looked at me. That strange feeling appeared in his eyes again. "Wei Duong." When he called my name, his voice was very light. "You... how did you know she would do that?" I smiled slightly. "Dad, I have lived with her for eight years." "Every step she will take, I know even with my eyes closed." Shen Wei Guo did not ask anymore. He nodded, took the car keys from his pocket. "Let's go, let's go eat first." You're hungry, right?" I stood up. Followed him to the door. It was already dark outside. The streetlight shone on the black paint of the Buick GL8, so bright it was blinding. I opened the passenger door and sat in. The seat was real leather, the air conditioner was cool. Compared to the musty-smelling folding bed at the location, it was like two different worlds. Tham Ve Quoc started the car. "What do you want to eat?" "Whatever." I said: