Chapter 18 — Leave To Be Called By Your Own Name

Co Nghien Bach's voice was full of urgency.

"She left a letter."

"Say..."

"If it weren't for you..."

"She didn't become what she is today."

I closed my eyes. Then immediately open it.

"Co Nghien Bach."

"Don't take her choice..."

"Pour it on my head."

"I know."

He was silent for a while. Then continue talking.

"There's a chance she'll go look for your mother."

I sat up. The call hasn't ended yet. Mom's phone intervened. I immediately started listening. Mother's voice trembled with panic.

"Duong Duong."

"Giang Van is downstairs."

"She said..."

"Want to see you."

When I arrived at the apartment complex. There were many people standing in the yard watching. Giang Van sat next to the flower bed. Messy loose hair. In his hand, he clutched a stack of photos. My mother was helped aside by a neighbor. His face was pale. Tieu Chu ran after me.

"Miss Duong."

"What is she planning to do?"

Giang Van just saw me. Immediately stood up.

"Tong Duong."

"You've finally arrived."

I turned to Tieu Chu.

"Take mom upstairs."

My mother shook her head. I softened my voice.

"Listen to me."

Only then did she agree to leave. Giang Van suddenly threw a stack of photos at me. Photos flew all over the ground. They are all photos of me and Co Nghien Bach many years ago. There is a photo from the time we started a business together. There is a photo taken backstage at the year-end party. There's even a photo of him driving me home. The neighbors started whispering. Giang Van deliberately raised her voice.

"Everyone look."

"It's this woman."

"Knowing that Co Nghien Bach has a fiancee."

"But still stuck with him for so many years."

Tieu Chu rushed up angrily.

"You're talking nonsense!"

Giang Van pointed straight at me.

"She used her shares to pressure the Co family."

"Forcing Nghien Bach to leave me."

"It's her..."

"Getting me suspended from the Board of Directors."

"Now you still pretend to be innocent."

Someone took out their phone to film. I slowly walked in front of Giang Van.

"Are you done talking yet?"

She stopped.

"Aren't you going to explain?"

I calmly asked back.

"Explain to the neighbors?"

"Explain the livestream accounts you hired?"

Giang Van's face immediately changed. I pointed towards a man holding his phone in the crowd.

"That person."

"From the moment I entered the apartment complex, filming started."

"The angle is very nice."

"I guess I've already thought about the title, right?"

Tieu Chu immediately ran over. The man tried to run away. But was stopped by security. The phone screen is still streaming live. The title is clearly visible.

"The fiancee was pushed to the edge, the little third brazenly came to show his power."

The crowd immediately stirred. Giang Van's face turned pale. I looked at her.

"Jiang Van."

"Every time I think..."

"Just let me cry first."

"Then everyone will believe me."

"But you forgot."

"Now..."

"I'm no longer afraid of stating things in public anymore."

I bent down. Pick up a photo.

"Taken at the company's year-end party."

"Five years ago."

"At that time..."

"You haven't entered Co City yet."

I picked up the second picture.

"Co Nghien Bach told me to go meet the fabric supplier."

"That day..."

"There are three other people with me."

"They were all cut out of the frame by you."

I hold the third photo.

"And this one."

"You said I clung to him."

"But the truth is..."

"That day he came to beg me not to quit."

I open the phone.

"All recordings..."

"It's all here."

Right after that. Co Nghien Bach's voice rang out from the phone.

"Go back."

"You can let me continue as Design Director."

Everyone's expressions immediately changed. An aunt spoke up.

"It was obvious that the other boy begged her to come back."

Another person shook his head.

"Are you using photos to make up stories like this?"

Giang Van's face turned red. She rushed forward and tried to steal the phone. I took a step back. Security immediately blocked the front. Tieu Chu raised his voice.

"Did everyone see that?"

"She tried to steal evidence again!"

Giang Van almost went crazy.

"Tong Duong!"

"Why..."

"Do you have proof of anything?"

I looked straight into her eyes.

"Because..."

"I've been bullied enough by you guys."

The words just ended. The crowd was silent for a moment. Someone started clapping. Then two people. Just for a moment. Applause echoed throughout the field. Giang Van stood in the middle of the crowd. For the first time... There was no one on her side. Right at that moment. Co Nghien Bach ran over. The first thing he saw. That's the scene. Giang Van just saw him. Immediately burst into tears. Rushed to hug.

"Nghien Bach."

"She forced me."

Co Nghien Bach did not hug her like before. He just stood still. Giang Van was stunned.

"Nghien Bach?"

His eyes silently passed by. Photos are all over the ground. The phone is still livestreaming. Then stopped on my mother's pale face. His voice was very quiet.

"I came to find my aunt..."

"For what?"

Giang Van paused.

"I just want to ask him to advise Tong Duong."

Co Nghien Bach continued asking.

"Advise..."

"But you also brought along a livestream account?"

Giang Van could no longer say a word. He closed his eyes. Then speak slowly. Giang Van shook her head.

"Even you..."

"Do you blame me too?"

"I told you to go home."

Giang Van cried and laughed at the same time.

"So..."

"Now..."

"In my eyes..."

"I have also become a burden."

Co Nghien Bach did not answer. That silence. More painful than any answer. Giang Van turned around. Run straight out. Co Nghien Bach intended to chase after him. But then... Stopped walking again. I looked at him.

"Go after her."

He slowly turned to look at me.