Chapter 7 — Marriage Book

Chengdu city center, twenty-sixth floor of the building where Hanh Nhat law office is located. The slanted afternoon sunlight shines through the large glass door, reflecting on a row of desks filled with documents. Chu Nhiem had just finished an online consultation, took off her headphones, and rotated her neck to ease the stiffness. Assistant Tieu Ly brought a cup of hot lemonade and lowered his voice.

“Lawyer Chu, the person I told you to investigate, Chu Khai Hang, has already got the results.”

Chu Nhiem received the glass of water and stopped slightly. Tieu Ly handed over the note and pointed while speaking.

"Currently he works as a sales manager at Thien Thinh real estate company, right on the eighteenth floor of this building. Before the marriage, he had an apartment in Cam Than Loan area, Cam Giang district. He is still paying in installments, his car is an Audi and also paying in installments. His marriage history shows that he registered his marriage with Ms. To last Monday. Yesterday she told me to check with the civil service, the system already has a 'draft divorce' file, but has not yet officially filed a case."

“It means he has seen the divorce papers, but hasn't signed them yet.” Chu Nhiem's voice became a little colder.

Tieu Ly nodded.

"Yes, Ms. To's mother's household registration information was also checked. There is an old house in Song Luu. Her mother is an elementary school teacher and has no debt."

Chu Nhiem was silent for two seconds, folded the paper and put it in the file.

“Print another copy of the divorce petition from last week, prepare the power of attorney, leave the female side's signature blank, and add the two things we discussed yesterday.”

“What else?” Tieu Ly opened the notebook.

"First, the two sides confirm that the so-called 'financial independence agreement' was signed in a situation of serious imbalance, one side was clearly forced, the female side has the right to request declaration of complete or partial invalidity according to the law."

"Second, for the future costs of raising the child, the party directly responsible for raising the child will be the main responsibility, the other party will support proportionally, not bound by the halving clause in the other agreement."

Tieu Ly nodded while writing.

“Understood.”

“There's more.” Chu Nhiem put down the glass of water, looked out the window, at the familiar Cam Than Loan area, "If Chu Khai Hang contacts you this afternoon or in the next few days, I'll stop you first and only give him three options."

“Three options.”

“One, sign this divorce petition in its entirety, ending in peace.”

“Two, hire a lawyer yourself and talk us through the legal process, don't think calling can solve it.”

"Three, if this continues, we will rely on To Ninh's authorization, prepare enough evidence, and be ready to sue at any time."

Chu Nhiem's voice was not loud, but it was firm enough to leave no room for doubt. Tieu Ly said "yes" and was about to leave when she suddenly remembered and turned back to ask.

"Lawyer Chu, what if he causes trouble at the company? For example, go to the office or go to Ms. To to block people."

The corner of Chu Nhiem's lips curled slightly, carrying a bit of coldness.

"That's even better. Surveillance cameras and colleagues' statements are all evidence to apply for a personal safety order."

"Send a message to To Ninh and remind her to tell the company's security team to pay attention. If a stranger breaks in, immediately call the police."

Tieu Ly secretly lamented "too harsh", but found it very good and quickly went to prepare the documents. Chu Nhiem stared at the name "To Ninh" on the computer screen, her fingers paused on the mouse, and finally type a few lines.

“Are you okay? Did you sleep last night?”

In less than half a minute, the right corner of the screen turned on a notification.

“Didn't sleep well, but still more comfortable than two nights in Cam Than Loan.”

A short sentence, accompanied by a yawning bunny icon. Chu Nhiem looked at that line, his heart suddenly sour, but did not ask further, swallowing the sentence "the pitiful person is not you, but the person who thinks he is more calculating than everyone", just texted one sentence.

“If there is a strange call or a stranger coming to the company today, notify me immediately.”

The other party immediately sent back an "ok" icon. Chu Nhiem closed the chat frame, took a deep breath, forced herself to escape her personal emotions, and returned to the cold legal documents. She understood very well, this match had only just begun.