Chapter 17 — Nine Months Post-Divorce

He admitted that years ago, due to sheer negligence, he had allowed a blank signature page to slip away. He admitted that the assets accumulated during the course of their marriage had been systematically dispersed without her knowledge or consent. He admitted that the DNA appraisal report had been deliberately and clandestinely leaked by his own mother. In the very final sentence, written with stark brevity, he stated that his infant daughter did not deserve to bear the brunt of any malicious gossip born from the grave mistakes of adults.

Right as the clock struck nine, the hyperlink that Rui had painstakingly established was indeed dispatched to the public. Yet upon clicking the link, users were met only with an abrupt notification that access to the content had been restricted. Simultaneously, however, the formal declaration released by Dinh and the comprehensive investigative report submitted by Nhan had already seized the initiative, spreading like wildfire across countless chat groups and digital forums.

The exclusive chat group of invited guests remained utterly silent for a few minutes. Then, it erupted into absolute chaos. Some members began fiercely interrogating Rui. Others desperately demanded accountability from Thuc Hoa. Many hastily recalled their previous, venomous messages cursing and degrading her. Yet, she felt no sense of vindication or malicious joy. Mud that had been viciously flung would not simply vanish from existence just because someone retracted a single insult.

At twenty minutes past nine, the assistant rushed into the room in a state of panic.

Director Nhan, Rui has completely vanished.

Nhan expression darkened instantly.

Were you not instructed to have someone keep a close watch on her?

The assistant gasped for breath, his chest heaving.

She managed to slip away and shake off our tail. But before leaving, she asked someone to transmit a photograph directly to you.

Nhan accepted the phone, and the color drained entirely from his face. Looking over his shoulder, she saw that the screen displayed a snapshot of a sterile hospital corridor—specifically, the entrance guarding the neonatal intensive care unit. Beneath the image, a single, chilling sentence was inscribed: None of you will ever allow me to live in peace, so none of you shall ever hope to know tranquility again.

Following the sudden appearance of that photograph, the entire inpatient ward was immediately thrust into a state of heightened security. The head nurse took swift action, notifying the security detail without a moment of delay. The electronic magnetic lock system safeguarding the neonatal area was temporarily sealed off and restricted. Lying upon the hospital bed, she felt her heart hammer against her ribs with terrifying precision. Reason dictated that Rui might not even possess the means to breach the perimeter. Yet the baby was far too fragile. So minuscule and delicate that the slightest whisper of wind outside was enough to freeze the blood in her veins.

Nhan whirled around, making a move to dash toward the corridor, but Dinh caught him firmly by the shoulder, arresting his momentum.

You cannot afford to panic right now. Falling apart is precisely what she wants you to do.

Nhan ground his teeth together, his jaw tightly clenched.

The photograph she took was of the exact floor where our daughter is kept.

She raised her voice, cutting through the tension.

Have the hospital verify the electronic log of the magnetic doors. Ascertain whether she ever officially registered her entry. Determine if she is still physically present within this building.

Her voice was astonishingly steady—so steady, in fact, that even she found the cold composure within herself deeply unfamiliar.

Moments later, the nurse hurried back.

Miss Wen, the baby is entirely safe. No unauthorized individuals have managed to breach the restricted zone. However...

Her heart plummeted, a cold dread gripping her chest.

However what?

The nurse expression was deeply troubled.

An irregular application was temporarily generated within our system. Someone utilized a family member credentials to register a request for the infant to be transferred to an alternate medical facility for specialized observation.

Her fingers instantly convulsed, clutching the fabric of the hospital blanket until her knuckles turned white.

Under whose name?

The nurse cast a nervous glance toward Nhan.

The father, Nhan.

All the color vanished from Nhan face, leaving him deathly pale.

I never submitted any such application.

Dinh demanded without hesitation.

Where is the physical documentation of that request?

The nurse produced a printed copy of the digital record. Across the bottom lay an electronic signature bearing the name Nhan, accompanied by a contact telephone number. Yet the digits did not belong to Nhan; rather, they matched a secondary supplementary credit card that Thuc Hoa had frequently utilized in the past.

The depths of Nhan eyes turned entirely glacial.

They have completely lost their minds.

Looking at the fraudulent application form, a profound and heavy calmness settled over her heart.

It is not merely madness. It is because they realize they cannot win legal custody through legitimate channels, and thus they sought to force a fait accompli. Once the child is successfully transferred away, they could easily claim that I had given my full consent. Afterward, they would simply shift the blame onto a system glitch or a regrettable miscommunication.

Dinh nodded gravely in agreement.

This transcends mere harassment. It constitutes deliberate identity theft intended to usurp the medical arrangements of a minor.

Nhan pulled out his smartphone with a resolute expression.

I am calling the police.

She gazed at him directly.

Involving the authorities is necessary. But you must also march down to the hospital administrative office this instant and freeze all administrative privileges linked to your identity. Until the court reaches a definitive verdict, no one is permitted to utilize your name to execute any procedures concerning our daughter.

Nhan froze for a fraction of a second before nodding decisively.

Understood.

This time, he did not hesitate. Thirty minutes later, the hospital administrative department delivered their findings. The fraudulent application had been submitted via an automated self-service kiosk. The operator had carefully concealed their identity beneath a cap and a protective face mask. Nevertheless, the security cameras had successfully captured the fleeting moment when the individual lifted their chin. It was not Rui. It was Thuc Hoa personal assistant, Mrs. Liu.

Mrs. Liu had served within the household for many years. Ever since the third year of her marriage, everyone had addressed her respectfully as Mrs. Liu. She was far more than a mere domestic helper; she functioned as Thuc Hoa most trusted and formidable right hand. She possessed intimate knowledge of every spare key to the estate and was privy to many of Nhan former digital passwords.

When Nhan beheld the captured image from the security footage, he slowly closed his eyes.

My mother brought even her into this.

Dinh narrowed his eyes.

Is she still somewhere within the hospital premises?

The security guard response came back swiftly. Mrs. Liu had already departed.