Chapter 3 — I Just Take Back What Belongs To Me

Body failure and fame? He really thinks... Do I even care about that? I opened my computer and rearranged all the evidence I had quietly collected over the past half a year. Hotel room rental records. Transfer history. Photo taken from hotel surveillance camera. Chu Nha's boastful post. Along with all of Tran Hao's WeChat content. Every single thing. Clear, complete. Two o'clock in the morning. I sent everything to Khuong Vy. She replied almost immediately.

"Received. Prepare to sue."

The next day is Saturday. My mother called.

"Nien Niem, I heard something happened between you and Tran Hao?"

I stopped.

"Mom, how do you know?"

"My mom called me." She sighed softly. "She told me to advise you not to make a big deal out of it."

I was silent.

"Nien Niem, what exactly happened?"

I will briefly tell you everything. The other end of the line was silent for a long time. Her voice trembled slightly.

"Nim Niem... that house is the only thing your father left for you."

"I know."

"My father passed away early, leaving behind that old house for the rest of his life." She choked. "The day I sold it, I cried all night. Mom knew."

I bit my lip and said nothing.

"That's the dowry your father left for you." She spoke slowly. "Nien Niem, I only have you as my daughter. If you feel sorry for yourself, just go home. Mom will take care of you."

The bridge of my nose is stinging.

"Mom, I'm okay."

"Really?"

I took a deep breath.

"Really. I'll take care of it myself."

Hanging up the phone, I stood in front of the window, looking up at the sky. The sky is clear. Not a single cloud. In the afternoon, Tran Hao took Chu Nha home.

"Come and measure." He said calmly. "Move aside."

Chu Nha followed behind, holding her head high and looking around the house as if she were the owner.

"This sofa set is so ugly, please replace it all." She pointed to the living room. "Even the curtains, the country wants to cheat."

I just quietly looked at her. Chu Nha stepped in front of me, looking from top to bottom.

"Still not moving out yet?"

I didn't reply. Tran Hao frowned.

"Lam Niem, did you finally sign the agreement? I tell you, the longer it lasts, the more disadvantageous it will be for you."

I calmly looked at him.

"Tran Hao."

"The old house my father left behind was sold for one million two hundred thousand yuan. The deposit to buy this house is that amount."

He was stunned for a moment then burst out laughing.

"How much is your father's old, dilapidated house worth?" He smirked. "One million two? And this house is now worth three million eight. How much is the little money you spent?"

I quietly looked at him. He called the entire fortune my father left behind... "a little money." The only thing my father left me. In his eyes... Just "a little money." I slowly stood up. Then smile. That smile made Tran Hao suddenly feel uneasy.

"What...what are you laughing at?"

"Tran Hao." I smiled softly. "You're right."

He frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"The court will count every penny."

Tran Hao's face immediately changed. Chu Nha also stood still. I picked up my bag and walked straight out the door.

"Lam Niem!"

Tran Hao quickly chased after him.

"What do you mean? What are you going to do?"

I turned my head to look at him. His eyes were strangely calm.

"Tran Hao, don't you always ask me if I have any evidence?"

His face immediately turned pale. I curled my lips.

"See you in court next week."

Having finished speaking, I opened the door and walked out. Behind him, Chu Nha's shrill scream was immediately heard.

"Tran Hao! Her What do you mean? Is she going to sue you?"

The elevator door closed. I leaned my back against the elevator wall and slowly closed my eyes. A week later, the trial officially took place. I wore a white shirt and tied my hair in a neat ponytail. Khuong Vy told me:

"Just dress simply and neatly."

Tran Hao sat in the defendant's chair. As soon as he saw me walk in, his face immediately became ugly. He lowered his voice:

"Are you really suing me?"

I didn't reply. Chu Nha sat in the audience, dressed splendidly. As soon as she saw me, she pouted with contempt. Khuong Vy sat down next to me and opened the file.

"Don't stress." She smiled. "This case is a sure win."

I nodded slightly. The judge entered. The trial officially begins. Tran Hao's lawyer was the first to present. He said that the house was Tran Hao's private property before marriage, the deposit was supported by his parents, so Lam Niem had no right to request division. Khuong Vy just smiled slightly, not saying a word. The judge looked over at us.

"Does the plaintiff have any comments?"

Khuong Vy stood up.

"Dear Jury, the plaintiff has sufficient evidence to prove that the deposit for this house, a total of 1,200,000 yuan, was paid entirely from my client's personal account."

Tran Hao's face immediately changed. Khuong Vy brought up evidence.

"This is a transfer document. On March 15, 2019, Ms. Lam Niem transferred 1,200,000 yuan from her personal account to the investor's account. This money comes from selling the house left by her father."

The entire courtroom suddenly fell silent. A few seconds later, Tran Hao jumped up.

"She lied! I paid the deposit!"

Khuong Vy calmly looked at him.

"Mr. Tran, do you have a transfer document?"

Tran Hao opened his mouth. But couldn't say a word. Khuong Vy continued:

"The plaintiff also has another piece of evidence."

"This is the home loan payment statement from 2019 to 2024."

"On the 5th of every month, the installment payment of 9,800 yuan is automatically deducted from Ms. Lam Niem's salary card."

"Over the course of five years, the total amount paid was nearly 500,000 yuan."

Tran Hao's lawyer face also began to change. Khuong Vy closed the file and concluded:

"In other words, this house currently has a market value of about 3,800,000 yuan, a deposit of 1,200,000 yuan was paid by my client."

"The installment payment of nearly 500,000 yuan over 5 years was also paid by my client."

"The total amount Mr. Tran Hao actually spent was less than 30% of the house's value."

The entire audience immediately stirred. I saw a colleague of Tran Hao also present. His face was full of surprise.

"What? Lam Niem paid the deposit?"

"No way... Tran Hao always said this house was bought by him."