Chapter 11 — I Returned After 18 Years and Found Mother's Lifelong Secret

Too generous. Suspiciously generous. He is showing goodwill. Also testing my limits. I looked at the man in front of me. The one who destroyed my family. But also the person with the strangest bond with my mother. Cooperate with him? Dance with wolves? I was silent for a long time. In the warehouse, there was only the sound of light bulbs buzzing. Lam Dao is patient. He knew I was calculating. Finally, I said. Just one word. A satisfied smile appeared on his face.

“Smart choice.”

I interrupted.

“Before cooperating, I have one condition.”

His smile stopped.

“I need you to do something.”

My voice was cold as metal.

“Consider it a launch gift.”

I looked straight into his eyes. Each word fell clearly.

“I want my younger brother, Giang Minh…”

“Disappear from this world.”

No more trembling. No more hesitation. There is only absolute silence. Lam Dao looked at me. The smile on his face slowly disappeared. Instead there was a searching look. Deep. Danger. It's like I'm weighing every gram of determination in me. The spacious warehouse fell silent. There was only the light hum of light bulbs on the ceiling. He is evaluating. Rate my words. Rate me. A long time later, he burst out laughing. This time I laughed more freely. But also colder.

“Really interesting.”

“Giang Vi, you are truly your mother's daughter.”

“No… you are even more cruel.”

“She just wants to put Jiang Ming in a cage.”

“And you… want to smash that cage.”

He stood up and walked in front of me. The strong smell of cigarettes mixed with a dangerous aura made the air thick. I don't back down. Don't blink. My gaze was straight and cold.

“Are you sure?” He bent down, his voice low.

“That's your biological younger brother.”

“On paper only.” I replied blandly.

“In my eyes, he is just a parasite.”

“Eighteen years of sucking my blood.”

“Now I don't want to raise any more.”

Lam Dao straightened up and laughed loudly.

“I like your straightforwardness.”

“I accept this condition.”

He went back to the table, pulled open a drawer, and took out an old phone. Throw it towards me.

“There are only a few of them.”

“Jiang Minh's newest creditor.”

“Someone who is much more impatient than me.”

I caught it. The phone was as heavy as a block of black iron.

“Do you think he's really been obedient these past eighteen years?”

“Gambling still hasn't stopped.”

“It's just that I quietly put away those debts.”

“Because of the deal with your mother.”

I looked at him.

“What about now?”

“Now…” the corners of his lips curled up, “the cage door is open.”

“You just need to text that number.”

“Make it clear that the Giang family will not pay another penny.”

“And send Giang Minh's current address.”

“The rest they will handle very… cleanly.”

He emphasized the word "clean". Not a normal debt collector. It's about pushing him into the abyss.

“Are you hesitant?” He looked at me, catching a moment of pause on my face.

“Can't bear it?”

I tightened my grip on the phone. The cold feeling keeps me awake. I don't regret it. I just thought… Would that be too gentle for him?

"Are not." I raised my head.

“I just find this condition too mild.”

Lam Dao paused. Then his eyes lit up with excitement.

“What do you want?”

“I want him to be ruined and famous.”

Every word I said was clear.

“I want him to lose everything he has.”

"House. Family. And that little bit of cheap pride."

“I want him to fall from above.”

“And then… let the creditors tear you apart like wild dogs.”

Lam Dao was silent. The look given to me at this moment was no longer probing. It's about looking at someone of the same kind.

“Indeed,” he said slowly,

“Your mother taught you very well.”

"Okay. I'll help you."

“Tomorrow morning, the apartment he is staying in will be sealed for 'illegal occupation'.”

“His wife will receive anonymous letters about the affair and the source of dirty money.”

"The company will have proof that it embezzled to gamble."

“When he was empty handed, he was chased out into the street like a dog…”

“I'll let the creditors find it by chance.”

“So are you satisfied?”

I nodded.

"Agree."

I stood up. Lam Dao called back. He pulled something else out of his pocket and placed it on the table. A small recording pen.

“What is this?”

“Something your mother left behind.”

His expression was a bit complicated for the first time.

“She said, after you finish dealing with Jiang Ming…”

“Listen to this.”

“Inside is the first clue… about the diamond.”