Chapter 22 — Marriage Is A Trap

The next week, things progressed at a speed beyond my imagination. Tan Loc brought all the evidence and submitted it to the court. Defendant: To Hoa Anh. Reason for lawsuit: Inheritance dispute. Misappropriation of company assets. Accomplices in illegal acts. As soon as the news spread, the entire publishing world was shocked.

“Best-selling writer Nam Son sues his aunt.”

“Founder To Thi Van Hoa's daughter confronts the current ruler.”

“A family grudge that has lasted for twelve years has finally surfaced.”

But what surprised me was... This time public opinion was almost completely on my side. Because someone did something for me. Ngo Man Chi. The female judge has retired. Also a guest at Co Dien's dinner party. She appeared on a legal program as a guest analyzing my case. Of course, don't mention your real name. But everyone knows who she is talking about.

“An eighteen year old girl…”

“Losing both parents…”

“Then I was forced to sign a paper giving up my inheritance rights.”

“That's not giving up.”

“But being deprived.”

“Any lawmaker with any common sense…”

“We will not recognize the legality of this behavior.”

After the program aired, "To Niem's inheritance case" quickly became a social topic. Law professor. Marriage and family lawyer. Psychologist. The parties took turns speaking up. The mainstream view is almost unanimous. To Niem has the right to take back what belongs to him. But To Hoa Anh is not an easy person to deal with. She hired a team of professional lawyers and threw out two cards. First card. To Niem has not participated in running the company for twelve years. No management capacity. A forced takeover will only cause To Thi Van Hoa to collapse even more. The second card... is truly unique. To Niem used the identity of "Nam Son" to earn a huge amount of royalties in the publishing industry. Those resources and relationships in the publishing world... All originate from the human network that To Kien Hoa left behind. In other words... To Niem actually received the "invisible inheritance" from his father a long time ago. This card is extremely unique. Because it ties together my personal achievements and my father's “legacy.” Implicitly implying that... Nam Son's success has never relied entirely on myself. Editor-in-Chief Trieu called, his voice filled with tension.

“Miss To.”

"To Hoa Anh's legal team has sent a statement to the entire media."

“The core point is…”

“Nam Son's success comes from To Kien Hoa's network of relationships.”

“If public opinion believes this…”

“What will your readers think?”

“Editor-in-Chief Trieu.”

I sat in front of my desk, my voice very calm.

“You've been in this industry for twenty years.”

“So you tell me…”

“When my first book came out…”

“Did I use any of To Kien Hoa's connections?”

He was silent for a few seconds.

"Do not have."

“Her first book was starting completely from scratch.”

“Not recommended.”

“No resources.”

“No special release channel.”

“Completely based on word of mouth.”

“That's enough.”

“But public opinion doesn't care about that…”

“Public opinion only cares about evidence.”

I looked at the computer screen.

“Editor-in-Chief Trieu.”

“Let's sum up the entire process of publishing my first book.”

“From sending the manuscript, reviewing the version Drafting, publishing to release.”

“Every step has records.”

“Put it all out there.”

“Let everyone see…”

“How Nam Son went from nothing.”

After hanging up, I opened a copyright account. The number above had turned into twenty-one million yuan. Since the book's release, it has been reprinted three times. Total sales are approaching eight hundred thousand copies. Every penny of that... I exchanged money with words. Not related to To Kien Hoa. It has nothing to do with To Hoa Anh. The phone rang again. It's Tan Loc.

“The court has officially accepted the case.”

"The trial opening date has also been finalized."

“Next Wednesday.”

I was a bit surprised.

“So fast?”

“Judge Ngo helped say a few words.”

“She's retired and still has that influence?”

Tan Loc burst out laughing.

“Retired judges are scarier than current judges.”

“People in office still have things to be wary of.”

“Retired people don't.”

“Next Wednesday.”

As soon as I hung up, the screen lit up again. Co Dien's message.

“I heard the trial opens next Wednesday?”

“Your news speed is faster than the media.”

“There is something I want to tell you.”

“But not now.”

“Wait until after the trial is over.”

“What?”

“My own story.”

“It has something to do with you…”

“It also involves my ex-wife.”