Chapter 2 — I Don't Cancel the Marriage, I Cut My Losses

"From the moment Mr. Pho Minh Te unilaterally annulled the engagement in public, damaging my side's honor and commercial reputation, Tan Thi Capital Group will base on Articles 17, 21 and 34 of the Intermarriage Agreement to immediately terminate all financial support arising from the marital relationship."

I raised my eyes. His gaze alternately glanced at Pho Minh Te, Chu Niem Duong, then stopped on Luong Tinh Nghi and Tang Hoai Tu.

"First, revoke the contract performance guarantee worth 80 million yuan for the Thanh Dong project of Pho Group."

Pho Minh Te's face immediately changed.

"Second, freeze the Tang Group's 300 million yuan bridging capital."

Tang Hoai Tu jumped up.

"Third, terminate the credit line for the Chu family's overseas acquisitions."

Tears on Chu Niem Duong's face seemed to freeze.

"Fourth, officially launch the procedure to claim compensation for breach of contract and conduct a comprehensive audit of the three families involved."

At that moment... The sound of the phone ringing continuously rang throughout the hall. Pho Minh Te's phone rang first. Next is Luong Tinh Nghi. Then came Tang Hoai Tu. Even the phone in Chu Niem Duong's bag vibrated at the same time. As soon as Pho Minh Te picked up the phone, a panicked voice rang out on the other end of the line.

"General Director Deputy! The bank has just announced that Tan Thi has withdrawn the guarantee, the Thanh Dong project's credit will be suspended immediately. If the deposit is not replenished by nine o'clock tomorrow morning, the project will automatically be determined to be in breach of contract!"

Pho Minh Te's hand holding the phone paused. His face was pale, not a drop of blood left. I put down the microphone. Look straight at him.

"Congratulations."

"Finally... free."

After Pho Minh Te hung up the phone, the whole hall seemed to lose sound. The champagne tower still sparkles under the lights. The wedding candy boxes on the table were still unopened. But everyone understands... This engagement party has turned into a settlement. The first person to regain composure was Luong Tinh Nghi. She walked in front of me, trying to suppress her anger.

"Take down the document on the screen immediately."

I calmly asked:

"I've lost enough face today."

I looked at her.

"Is it the Pho family who lost face... or me?"

The corner of Luong Tinh Nghi's eyes twitched slightly. Pho Minh Te took a step forward, his voice trying to control his anger.

"Tang Tri Van, do you have to do everything to this extent?"

I calmly replied:

"I'm just following through on the agreement."

"Romance cannot be equated with a project."

I looked straight into his eyes.

"So when you held Chu Niem Duong's hand and walked into the engagement party, didn't you think that the marriage agreement also had clauses related to projects?"

Pho Minh Te paused. Of course he had thought about it. He just never believed... I'm really going to take action. For the past three years, I have always lived quietly. The Pho family told me to go receive guests, so I went. Luong Tinh Nghi taught me the rules, I listened. Late at night he had a stomach ache, so I sent someone to bring him medicine. He was busy with a project, I helped him organize documents. I have never cried. Never rioted. Never fought for anything. He thinks I have no ability to resist. There's even no more courage to protest. Tang Hoai Tu quickly stepped forward and grabbed my wrist tightly.

"Tri Van, don't be impulsive anymore. As long as you take back the notice, I will consider it as if you just temporarily lost your temper."

I bent down to look at his hand.

"Let go."

Tang Hoai Tu's face became even more unsightly.

"I am your father."

"Foster father."

"The Tang family has raised you for thirteen years!"

I raised my head. The voice was still calm as before.

"What do you mean you receive 12 million yuan in guardianship money from Qin's trust fund every year to support me?"

Tang Hoai Tu's hand immediately stiffened. The eyes of the surrounding guests also changed. He lowered his voice.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

I slowly removed each of his fingers from my wrist.

"Is it nonsense or not..."

"The audit report will answer."

At that moment, lawyer Tran, the Legal Director of the Pho family, stepped forward, intending to bring everything back into the legal realm.

"Miss Tang, even if Mr. Pho unilaterally annuls the engagement, it does not mean that you have the right to unilaterally terminate the commercial cooperation. The intermarriage agreement and the commercial guarantee contract are two completely different legal relationships."

I looked at him.

"Have you read the General Intermarriage Agreement signed three years ago?"

Lawyer Tran's face immediately stiffened. Following instructions, the hotel manager quickly projected Article 17 of the agreement on the big screen. If either party unilaterally annuls the marriage contract in public, and at the same time damages the honor, commercial reputation or family reputation of the other party, the affected party has the right to immediately terminate all guarantees, credit limits, household shareholding agreements, capital support and all resource commitments arising from this marriage. The text on the screen is enlarged very large. Everyone can see each word clearly. I looked at lawyer Tran.

"Lawyer Tran, do you need me to explain what 'relationship' is?"

His lips moved slightly, but he could not utter a word. Pho Minh Te's face completely darkened.

"This agreement... why didn't I know?"

I looked straight at him.

"Three years ago, it was my parents who signed."

"That day, I was taking Chu Niem Duong abroad to see an exhibition, so I wasn't present."

Chu Niem Duong's face immediately turned pale. Just as she was about to shed tears, I turned my gaze to her.

"Miss Chu, you don't need to rush."

Chu Niem Duong was stunned.

"Your name... is in the third file."

Pho Minh Te immediately stepped forward, blocking Chu Niem Duong's face.

"Tang Tri Van, Niem Duong has never offended you. If anything happens, it will be aimed at you."

My eyes stopped on the emerald necklace around Chu Niem Duong's neck.

"The person who offended me... is what she's wearing."

All eyes simultaneously turned towards the necklace. Under the light, the emerald shines a gentle green color. The back clasp has a very minor wear mark. Chu Niem Duong reflexively raised his hand to cover it.