Chapter 25 — Marriage Is A Trap

He said slowly.

“Phuong Le Hoa used my identity and resources to do many things.”

“There are a few things in there…”

“Indirectly hurting her.”

“This responsibility does not entirely belong to me…”

“But I can't pretend it never existed.”

I closed my eyes. That moment… All the mysteries were finally solved. Phuong Le Hoa is the true center of everything. Her hatred is like a poisonous plant. The tree roots shoot down... It's Phuong Dao. It's To Hoa Anh. It's Vuong Chi Cuong. The branches spread upward... It was Luc Canh Tham. It's my marriage. It's my reputation. Even Co Dien was once a pawn on her chess board.

“Where is Phuong Le Hoa now?”

“Abroad.”

“After divorcing me, she left the country.”

“But the contact between her and Phuong Dao and To Hoa Anh has never been severed.”

“This time Phuong Dao was arrested…”

“It's very possible that she's erased all traces.”

I opened my eyes.

“She ran away.”

“That's it for now.”

“But her domestic assets remain.”

“Phuong Dao's testimony and Vuong Chi Cuong's testimony…”

“It was enough to create a complete chain of crimes.”

“If there is international cooperation of the criminal police—”

“No need to say more.”

I interrupted him.

“Phuong Le Hoa's story…”

“Just leave it to the police to handle.”

“Now I only care about one thing.”

“What?”

“To Thi Van Hoa's verdict.”

“If I win…”

“I want to do something.”

“Restructuring To Thi Van Hoa.”

I looked out the window.

“I want to use my father's name to establish a charity fund.”

“Specializing in helping women who have been hurt in their marriages.”

“Legal assistance.”

“Psychological counseling.”

“Career training.”

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds.

“Are you sure?”

“Even though To Thi Van Hoa's business is in decline…”

“But the brand value remains.”

“If operating normally—”

“I don't need that company's money.”

I laughed very softly.

“I have my own royalties.”

“What I need…”

“To make my father's name associated with something good.”

“Not associated with betrayal and hurt.”

Another silence. This is the first time he called my name. Not “Miss To”. Nor is it "Miss Su".

“You are the sanest person I have ever met.”

“Awake…”

I leaned my head against the sofa.

“It's because I was injured.”

“Someone who has never been hurt…”

“There's no need to stay awake.”

“So are you still in pain now?”

I thought for a few seconds.

“It doesn't hurt anymore.”

“But sometimes you will feel tired.”

“If you're tired, you can rest.”

"I know."

“I mean…”

His voice was very light.

“You can rely on me to rest.”

That sentence fell. Both ends of the phone were silent.

“Your last question…”

“Between you two…”

“Is there a type of relationship that is deeper than friendship, more true than intimacy?”

“Now I have the answer.”

“What is the answer?”

“However…”

“That type of relationship cannot be found.”

“But the two of you have been through so many things together…”

“Then naturally it grew up.”

The other end of the line heard a very soft laugh.

“Do we count as growing up?”

I curled my lips and smiled. The final verdict was announced. To Niem won the case. The court confirmed the act of luring To Niem to sign a document renouncing his inheritance rights when To Hoa Anh's minor status is invalid. As the first heir of To Kien Hoa... To Niem legally owns fifty percent of To Thi Van Hoa's shares. To Hoa Anh's misappropriation of company assets was also determined to show signs of a position crime. The case file was forwarded to the police investigation agency. The afternoon of receiving the verdict, Lam Kha shouted on the phone.

“We won!!!”

“Oh my god, why are you so calm?”

I stood in front of the window looking at the city lights up.

“This is just the first step.”

That evening, I met Tan Loc and editor-in-chief Trieu for dinner. At the dinner table, I told my plan.

“After taking back To Thi Van Hoa's shares…”

“I will do two things.”

“What two things?”

Editor-in-Chief Trieu asked.

"The first."

“I will use the brand and legal status of To Thi Van Hoa…”

“To establish the ‘Kianhua Foundation’.”

“Dedicated to supporting women who have been hurt in marriage.”

“What about the second thing?”

I raised my head to look at him.

“I want all my book copyrights back from you.”