Chapter 8 — I'm the One You Can't Reach

I stood up and leisurely rearranged the pile of documents on the table.

"It was him who turned away first."

"Ah yes."

"Always report it to the police."

"Tomorrow's press conference may require additional security forces."

"I got it."

He bowed his head then turned and left. I picked up the phone. Play the other recording again. From the phone speaker, Lam Dao's alcohol-soaked voice rang out.

"You can rest assured about that year."

"The dead cannot speak."

"To this day he still thinks it was an accident."

I pressed the stop button. Five years ago... Pho Dinh Xuyen's first lover was named Co Niem. A gentle, quiet girl. She died on a rainy night. The car that caused the accident fled the scene. Because of that... Pho Dinh Xuyen was depressed for two years. Then Lam Dao appeared. Her face resembles Co Niem six or seven times. Even the personality... I can imitate it almost exactly. Everyone thought... It was just a coincidence. But it turns out... No. She was the one who killed the original. Then replace that position yourself. Become... A substitute. I locked the office door and prepared to go home. Right at that moment. The elevator door at the end of the hallway opened. Hoac Yen Than stood inside. He lifted his chin slightly.

"Convenient."

"Let me take you home."

"Aren't you in a meeting on the thirty-second floor?"

"The meeting is over."

I entered the elevator. The door just closed. He gave me a cup of coffee. Still warm.

"Tomorrow's press conference..."

"How are you going to end it?"

"First expose the story of Lam Dao faking pregnancy and faking a miscarriage."

"Then it was announced that the person actually responsible for the tax fraud was her."

"Finally..."

"Release the recording of the accident in the past."

"Three hits in a row."

"Every blow..."

"It will be heavier than the previous blow."

The elevator stops at the basement. His Maybach was parked right next to mine.

"I'll be there tomorrow."

"No need."

"I didn't ask your opinion."

"I was just making an announcement."

He opened the car door. Before bending down to sit inside, he looked back at me.

"Tham Tri Ha."

"Every time you say 'no need'..."

"Those are the times when I need someone by my side the most."

The car door closed. I stood still. Drink all the coffee. Then get in the car. Tomorrow... Everyone will know... what kind of person Lam Dao is. Including... Pho Dinh Xuyen. Press conference of Tham Thi Group. The main hall was filled with more than three hundred people. The first three rows of seats are all media reporters. Dense cameras and camcorders pointed straight at the stage. Live broadcast signals are synchronized across the entire platform. The external title of the press conference... is to announce the annual development strategy of Tham Thi Group. No one knows... What is the content of the third category. I sat in the center position on the stage. Hoac Yen Than sat on my right. Legs crossed, looking extremely leisurely. It looks like going to see a play. Fifth row of seats below. Pho Dinh Xuyen also arrived. He was wearing a black suit. The face is haggard. The dark circles under his eyes were so dark that you could tell he hadn't slept in days. Lam Dao sat next to him. Wear a hat, mask, cower in your chair. The white bandage is still wrapped around the wrist. Clean and pristine. Apparently it has just been replaced. Just sat down. Pho Dinh Xuyen immediately looked toward the yard stage. The moment he saw me... His whole body unconsciously leaned forward. Lips moved slightly. As if calling my name. But between us... There were five rows of reporters' chairs and more than twenty cameras. In the end... He still didn't speak. The first two items of the press conference took place as planned. Coming to the third category. The giant LED screen suddenly went black for a moment. Right after that. A surveillance video appeared. Recording time... Three weeks ago. Location... A commercial street in the city center. In the video. Lam Dao stood in front of a cake shop. Talking to three men. All three were wearing cheap clothes. One of them also held a stack of fake bills in his hand. Lam Dao took out an envelope from her bag. Smiling and giving it to them. Said a few words then turned around and left. Three men opened the envelope. Count the money inside. Exchange glances with each other. Then they nodded in unison. The image changes to another scene. That very night. It's still the same three men. They appeared in front of Lam Dao's apartment. Constantly kicking the door. Smash the flower pot. Also splashed red paint on the door. Acting... Truly very immersive. It's just a pity... Lam Dao is completely not at home. She stood in a milk tea shop across the street. Hold the phone horizontally. Quietly film the whole process. After filming finished... She immediately sent the video to Pho Dinh Xuyen. Attached is a message.

"Mr. Dinh Xuyen... they're here again. I'm so scared..."