Chapter 2 — Mother-in-law sold dowry for 320,000 yuan, I reported it to the police and their whole house collapsed

“Is there any scrap collector who would spend more than 320,000 yuan to buy the ‘old things’ she said?”

"We also find this statement problematic, but there is currently no direct evidence, we need more time to verify. In addition, today your husband, Mr. Luc Triet, also came, hoping we would use the reason of family conflict to stop the case."

"I do not agree. I will definitely not reconcile, nor will I sign any papers to dismiss the complaint."

Hanging up, I gently rubbed my temples. Luu Que Lan's teasing tricks, along with Luc Triet's familiar arrangement... I'm not surprised. They think that if I just grit my teeth and refuse to accept, I will give up. I opened my laptop and logged into local forums for antiques, precious wood, and high-end used furniture. Each keyword was typed down: Arhat bed, purple sandal wood, Thanh Hoa porcelain vase, Jingdezhen handmade porcelain... If the official road is still slow, I will open another path myself. I don't believe that such a valuable collection of items can really be sold as cheap as scrap. While attentively scrolling through each post, a strange number suddenly appeared on my phone. I hesitated for two seconds, then picked up the phone.

“Lin Hieu Tuyet, is it you?”

The female voice was high-pitched, full of annoyance and attack. It's my husband's brother, Luc Dinh.

"You're really good, Lam Hieu Tuyet. My brother is really blind to marry you. My mother was provoked by you and had a heart attack and had to go to the hospital. Are you satisfied now?"

“If she still has the strength to complain of a heart attack, why not think of a way to return each item to me?”

"Give it back? Are you dreaming? It's just a few old things, how much is it worth? I tell you, my mother did it to cure my younger brother's illness! He has kidney failure, waiting for money to line up for a kidney transplant! You're fine, because of dead things you ignore the living, do you still have a conscience?"

Luc Dinh's voice was harsh, standing on moral high ground and throwing mud at me. My heart suddenly tightened. If true, this is not as simple as it seems.

"When did Luc Nhien discover kidney failure? Why didn't anyone tell me?"

"Why should I tell you about our family? Who are you? Lam Hieu Tuyet, I warn you, immediately withdraw your application, otherwise I have a ton of ways to make it impossible for you to live in Hangzhou!"

“Then I'll wait to see what you can do.”

I'm too lazy to say more, so I hung up. I don't pay attention to Luc Dinh's threats. But the three words "kidney failure" took root in my heart. I once met Luc Nhien. Even though he hangs out at game shops and drinking tables all day, his body is healthy and he has never heard of serious illness. Why did it suddenly become like this? I hesitated for a few seconds, then picked up the phone and called a number I hadn't heard from for a long time.

"Hello, Tinh Tinh, I want to ask you a favor. You are the head nurse at the provincial hospital, right? Help me look up a person... named Luc Nhien."

In less than half an hour, Tinh Tinh called back.

"Hieu Tuyet, I looked it up. In our hospital system, in the last three months there has been no kidney failure patient named Luc Nhien."

“Can I stay in the hospital somewhere else?”

"In Hangzhou, there are only a few hospitals that do kidney transplants. I asked my friends to check them all, but there is no such name. Are you sure you don't remember wrong?"

“I'm sure.”

My chest heaved little by little, as if it were filled with cold water.

"Hieu Tuyet, what happened? Did something happen to your brother-in-law?"

“It's okay, thank you.”

I hung up. A cold current spread from the soles of my feet, causing me to feel... My body felt frozen. It's a lie. From beginning to end… it was all a lie. Just to keep me quiet and not prosecute, they could even make up such a cruel excuse. Not "temporarily borrowed". But from the very beginning, he wanted to take over. The phone vibrated again. This time it's my mother.

“Hieu Tuyet, tell me the truth, did you have an argument with Luc Triet?”

Mom's voice was full of worry.

“Mom, I'm really okay.”

"It's okay! My mother-in-law just called over and cried! Said I couldn't accept her, and was planning to send her to the detention center, and said... also said that my dowry was because Luc Triet agreed to let her sell it!"

My ears rang like I was struck by lightning.

"She said that Luc Triet had invested at a loss and needed to raise money urgently. It was his son who refused to sell his dowry, so he asked her to come forward. All the money was given to Luc Triet to pay off the debt, and he did not keep any money. Hieu Tuyet... is this true?"

I clenched the phone, my knuckles turning white. Liu Guilan... is truly too toxic. Not only did he want to wash away his responsibility, he also wanted to tear apart the trust between me and Luc Triet, and even put the blame on me.

"Mom, don't listen to her nonsense. I know what Luc Triet did, he didn't lose that much."

"So why did she sound so real? Hieu Tuyet, tell me the truth, are you two hiding anything from us?"

“Mom, the problem is not with me, nor with Luc Triet, but with her.”

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice calm.

"Don't worry, Mom, I'll handle this matter myself. Don't worry, Mom and Dad, and don't answer her phone calls anymore."

After reassuring my mother, I immediately called Luc Triet. I pulled him off the block list. As soon as the phone rang, it was picked up.

"Wife! You finally answered the phone!"

His voice was full of joy.

"Luc Triet, I ask you a question. Did you lose money on your investment?"

The other side was silent. Ten seconds later, he stuttered.

“You… how do you know?”

My heart sank straight down.

“Yes, there was a project before that I misjudged and lost more than 200,000 yuan… I didn't dare tell you, I was afraid you would worry.”

“So you let your mother sell all my dowry to fill it?”

My voice was cold as ice.

"No! That's not true!"

Luc Triet immediately denied.

"I just accidentally said something to my mother. I really didn't expect her to sell your things! I only found out later! I swear, I didn't know at all!"

"Don't know?"

I laughed softly, but my laughter was cold to the bone.

"Your mother called my house and said it was you who asked her to do it. Luc Triet, you and your mother, who is telling the truth?"

“She… how can she say that!”

His voice was both urgent and angry.

"Believe me, it's really her decision! I admit I lost money, but how could I touch your dowry! It's also something that helps me save face! I'll immediately go ask about it!"

After speaking, he quickly hung up the phone. I heard a cold swishing sound. But there was no relief in my heart. On the contrary, it was as if being tightened by an invisible net. The more you struggle, the harder it is to breathe. Kidney failure is fake. So the loss... is it true? Mother and daughter each said one word. After all… what are they hiding?