Chapter 13 — Once I don't hold back, your whole family has to pay the price

After a few opening sentences, she asked both sides to present. Luc Trach said nothing. He just took out a thick file... put it in the middle of the table. A simple move. But enough to change the atmosphere. The young lawyer on the other side picked it up and flipped through the pages. The more I read... the more serious my face became. Chu Minh also bent down and followed, his eyes gradually turning to panic. In there is all the evidence. Every money transfer… is clearly marked. Photo of Chu Dong's bracelet... placed next to the pawnshop receipt. Shipper's testimony... converted into text. The camera photo of the mother-in-law falling over herself... is enlarged. And most importantly— technical data confirms the posting account… is Chu Minh. Can't deny it. There's no way back. The young lawyer finished reading, his forehead was covered with sweat. It took ten minutes… before he closed the file. When he raised his head... his eyes were filled with fear.

“Lawyer Luc… we admit… the article has exaggerated and emotional elements…”

“We are ready to delete the post... and publicly apologize.”

A familiar tactic. Avoid the heavy and look for the light. I want to apologize... in exchange for escape. I said nothing. Just look at Luc Trach. He tapped his fingers lightly on the table. The dry sound... seemed to tap into the other person's heart.

“My client suffered serious damage to his honor and spirit.”

“Hang Thien's reputation was also affected.”

He looked straight at Chu Minh. His eyes were so cold that he didn't dare to breathe.

“An apology… and that's it?”

"Mr. Chu, do you think the law... is that simple?"

He took out another piece of paper. Just one page. But… heavy enough.

“This is a compromise solution.”

“First, publish a written apology in national newspapers and all related platforms, continuously for seven days, with an area of not less than a quarter of a page.”

“Second, compensation totaling 300,000 yuan for mental, income and honor damages.”

"Third, Chu Minh, Chu Dong and your mother... signed a commitment not to approach or harass my client for the rest of his life."

“If you agree… sign now.”

“If not…”

He stopped. The corners of the lips curled up... cold to the bone.

“We go to court.”

“By then… I won't just stop here.”

The whole room... was terrifyingly silent. Chu Minh looked at the paper. The whole body... trembled violently. 300,000 yuan. That number... seemed to crush every last line of defense he had. He raised his head, his eyes were bloodshot, looking at me as if asking for help.

“Lam Thu… Thu Thu…”

“We used to be husband and wife… do you have to push me to the end?”

Chu Minh's hoarse voice rang out in the quiet mediation room... sounding harsh and unpleasant.

“Dead end?”

I looked at him... suddenly felt funny. From beginning to end... in the end, who is pushing whom to the end? It was Chu Dong, setting up a sophisticated trap, wanting to turn the 30,000 yuan debt into a burden for my family. It was his mother, because she protected her daughter, she cursed me incessantly, using words as harsh as a knife. It was him... because of the so-called love, he was willing to sacrifice my father's surgery costs without hesitation. And also he... after the divorce, used the dirtiest way to defame me online, wanting to destroy my whole life. Now... turn around and ask me why I was "pulled to the edge". It's ridiculous. It's wild. I don't answer. Because it's not worth it. I just looked at him. Eyes... no waves. Not angry. Don't hate. No contempt. Just… empty. A look... for a complete stranger. It's that coldness... that hurts Chu Minh the most. On his face, the pleading gradually turned into crazy anger.

"Lam Thu! Don't forget!"

"We've been together for five years! Married for three years!"

“Even if I'm wrong… am I not at fault!”

"Why can't you be like before... be a little more tolerant! Be a little more tolerant of my family!"

He started screaming, completely out of control. The lawyer next to him pulled his hand in panic, but he pushed him away.

“You think you're so good now!”

"I thought I could hold on to a high branch... come back and stomp on me!"

“I tell you, you're dreaming!”

“Without you, I am nothing!”

“At that time, I couldn't get a job, it was thanks to my connections that I got an office job!”

“What I have today… is all thanks to you!”