Chapter 15 — I Don't Cancel the Marriage, I Cut My Losses

When I walked out of the hall... Pho Minh Te chased after me. He stopped me at the end of the hallway.

"Tri Van..."

"Wait a minute."

I stopped walking. Pho Minh Te looked at me. There were many things he wanted to say in his eyes. But in the end... Just uttered one sentence. I nodded slightly.

"I got it."

Pho Minh Te was stunned. I don't laugh. No questioning. Don't scold him either. I'm just saying...

"I got it."

Like... Received an overdue text. And completely ineffective. The very day after the hearing... The Vice Group's Board of Directors held a special meeting. Results were quickly announced. Pho Minh Te was suspended as heir. Luong Tinh Nghi was relieved of part of his position in the group. Vice Group officially launched the internal investigation and asset restructuring process. When the news spread outside... Pho Minh Te stood under the Tan Thi building again. This is his third time coming. Two times before... I refused to meet. The third time... I told the receptionist to bring him up. As soon as he entered the office... The first thing Pho Minh Te saw was the row of filing cabinets close to the window. Inside, each set of backup documents is neatly arranged. Video of the annulment party. Agreements. Cash flow statement. Jewelry code. Minutes of hearing. Every file... Reminds him... How much he looked down on me in the past. I sit behind the desk.

"Ten minutes."

Pho Minh Te's hand tightened slightly.

"I didn't come to talk about the project."

I calmly replied.

"Five minutes."

Pho Minh Te smiled bitterly. He took out a file from his shirt.

"This is a commitment to transfer shares of Pho Group in your name."

I don't accept.

"Give it to me for what?"

"I want to compensate you."

I glanced through the file.

"Pho Minh Te."

"The shares of Pho Group are currently still in the process of risk review."

"Even the property in your name..."

"Not necessarily clean."

Pho Minh Te paused.

"I don't take risky assets."

He slowly put the file back. The office fell silent. A moment later... He asked softly:

"Before..."

"Have you ever been very disappointed in me?"

I don't answer. Pho Minh Te continued:

"Three years before the engagement, I thought you volunteered."

"After that, I was always very quiet."

"I thought..."

"I accepted."

I looked up at him.

"What I accept..."

"It's an agreement."

"What about you?"

I looked straight at him. It seemed that finally... He had the courage to ask what he was most afraid of.

"Have you ever loved me?"

I thought for a few seconds.

"Pho Minh Te."

"I have truly fulfilled my responsibilities as a fiancee."

His eyes immediately darkened. Not the answer he expected. But he understands. That is the real answer. He asked again:

"If it weren't for Chu Niem Duong..."

"If there wasn't an annulment party..."

"Are we getting married?"

I replied very quickly. Pho Minh Te's fingertips trembled slightly. I calmly said:

"Wait until Tan Thi finishes handing over all management rights to me..."

"I will also take the initiative to cancel the marriage."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Because..."

"All three of you..."

"Still not sitting at the table."

Pho Minh Te suddenly raised his head. I looked at him.

"I need you people..."

"Turn over all the cards in your hand."

Only then... did Pho Minh Te truly understand. He always said that... The annulment of the marriage was his proactive decision. But actually... He just accidentally pressed down on the switch I had been waiting for for so long. When he left Tan Thi... His back was even heavier than when he arrived. I don't see you off. In the afternoon... Old lady Tang came again. She no longer maintains her superior appearance like before. Just using a cane... Slowly step by step. I still don't see you. The receptionist conveyed the message for me.

"Everything between me and the Tang family has entered the legal process."

"There's no need to meet privately."

Old lady Tang stood silently in the middle of the hall. Tears fell silently.

"When I was a child..."

"She's a good girl."

The receptionist did not respond. She muttered again.

“It became like this?”

People passing by in the hall only glanced at her. Then quickly looked away. There's no one left... Feeling sorry for the Tang family anymore. Chu Niem Duong also texted me. She changed to a new phone number. The message is only one sentence. Ms. Tri Van, I have returned the necklace to Tan Thi. I'm just someone who was taken advantage of by my family. Can you forgive me? After reading... I blocked that phone number. No reply. That evening... Luong Tinh Nghi sent someone to bring an invitation card. The Pho family held a family party at the old villa. Wanted to invite me to meet. I threw the card straight into the paper shredder. Giang Nghien asked:

"Do you need to answer the Pho family's side?"