Chapter 18 — Locking my card to leave, I left my husband's family stranded in a seven-star hotel

“Civil compensation, compensation for mental losses plus compensation for economic damages.”

Lawyer Co closed the file.

“The amount won't be too big.”

“But the court verdict…”

“is the biggest punishment for them.”

“That's enough.”

What I want… is not money. Which is a result. Just so everyone knows… bullying me will pay the price. On the day of the trial, I wore a white suit. The courtroom is not large. The audience sat more than a dozen people. There are reporters. There are my friends. There were also a few unfamiliar faces. Tran Phong sat in the defendant's chair. Next to him is Lam Tieu Man. She is younger than I thought. About twenty-four or twenty-five years old. Very heavy makeup... but still can't hide the dark circles under my eyes. From beginning to end she kept her head bowed. Don't dare look at me. As for Tran Phong, it's the opposite. He stared at me throughout the whole trial. Eyes are very complicated. There is unwillingness. There's something else I can't read. The trial took place very quickly. My lawyer submitted all the evidence: The information spreading account was registered by Lam Tieu Man. Slanderous content has been posted. Photo of the chat between her and Tran Phong, provided by Chu Nhuy, has been notarized. Written testimony of Trieu Chi Cuong. Here's my actual economic damage spreadsheet. The lawyer on the other side tried to argue that:

“This is just a statement of personal opinion.”

But it was immediately rejected by the judge on the spot.

"The content posted by the defendant includes statements that confirm the truth such as 'extorting 500,000 yuan for divorce', 'three-zero products', 'illegal relations'..."

“These contents have absolutely no basis in reality.”

“Sufficient to constitute defamation.”

The judge's voice was very calm. Tran Phong's lawyer tried to push all responsibility onto Lam Tieu Man. Saying that Tran Phong "didn't know". My lawyer directly took out the chat.

“This is the message Tran Phong sent to Lam Tieu Man.”

“‘Just write exactly as you say, make her stink, make her shop no longer open.’”

“Submission time is two days before the article is published.”

Tran Phong's face immediately turned pale. Finally, the court sentenced: Tran Phong and Lam Tieu Man are both responsible for violating the honor of others. Apologize publicly. Compensation for economic losses of 80,000 yuan. Compensation for mental damage of 20,000 yuan. A total of 100,000 yuan. Not much. But enough is enough. After the verdict was announced, I stood up and left. Tran Phong called me from behind. I stopped walking and turned around. He stood next to the defendant's chair. Lips twitched a few times. Finally, I can only say one thing:

“I won.”

“This is not about winning or losing.”

I looked at him.

“Tran Phong.”

“From today onwards…”

“You no longer have any reason to be in my life.”

“If you still refuse to give up…”

“Next time it won't just be about 100,000 yuan.”

Having finished speaking, I turned around and walked out of the court. Outside, Phuong Vien is waiting for me.

“We won.”

“So great!!!”

She immediately took my arm.

“Let's go celebrate!”

We walked out of the court gate. The sunlight shines on my face, warm and comfortable. Suddenly there was a commotion from behind. I turned my head to take a quick look. Several reporters surrounded Tran Phong who had just left the court. The microphone was thrust directly in front of his face.

“Mr. Tran, May I ask what you think about the verdict?"

“Mr. Tran, why do you defame your ex-wife?”

Tran Phong bowed his head. Cover your face with your hands. Almost ran away and got into a taxi on the side of the road. Lam Tieu Man staggered and ran behind. High heels almost broke. The makeup is also smudged. Phuong Vien looked at that scene and burst out laughing:

“Deserve it.”

I didn't look any further. Just pull her to keep moving forward.

“Nem Niem.”

Phuong Vien suddenly spoke up.

“You know what?”

“You are much more beautiful now than you were three years ago when you were married.”

She looked at me and smiled.

“Your eyes now have light.”

I also laughed. After the verdict officially took effect... Tran Phong and Lam Tieu Man had to post letters of apology on several local media sites. Content prepared by lawyers. The sentences are very stereotypical. But combined with the previous articles and trial details... the effect was more than enough. From that day onwards... Tran Phong's WeChat Moments did not update any more. According to Trieu Vy Vy... he has now become a laughing stock among his college friends. In the past he always said:

“After To Niem made money, he changed.”

And now… everyone knows the truth. That he sucked his wife's blood for three years. Divorced and still not giving up.

“Some people in the group suggested kicking him.”

Trieu Vy Vy texted me.

“There are also people who say that they actually saw that he was worthless a long time ago.”

“It's just that before, I was too shy to say it.”

“It depends on them.”

I answered very faintly. I no longer care... how Tran Phong's circle of friends sees him anymore. But the ex-mother-in-law's side... there's still one final act. The third day after the verdict was announced... Trinh Tu Lan brought Tran Hao and Ly Binh to my studio. The receptionist called.

“There are three people downstairs who say your ex-mother-in-law wants to meet you.”

“Security is stopping them.”

“Let them wait in the lobby on the first floor.”

“I'll be right down.”

I took the elevator down to the first floor. Trinh Tu Lan sat on the sofa in the lobby. Compared to half a year ago... she had aged more than ten years. Large patches of white hair. The wrinkles on my face are as deep as if they were carved by a knife. Tran Hao stood next to him, his shoulders hunched, not daring to look at me. Ly Binh still had some momentum... but as soon as he saw me step forward... he unconsciously stepped back. Trinh Tu Lan stood up. Her voice was hoarse.