Chapter 18 — Once I don't hold back, your whole family has to pay the price

Turn to the jury. Clear, calm voice.

“I ask the court for a fair trial.”

“I reject any mitigation agreement.”

“And do not accept any form of mediation.”

One sentence… cut off all their last hope. Chu Minh collapsed onto the defendant's chair. Eyes... completely off. The trial adjourned. Half an hour later— the hammer fell again. The verdict was announced. Chu Minh, guilty of defamation and intentionally causing injury... combined punishment, was sentenced to two years in prison. Civil part, full compensation according to my request... 300,000 yuan. At the same time, they must publicly apologize in newspapers and online platforms. Mother-in-law and Chu Dong... were given administrative sanctions, community service, and a permanent protection order. Don't come within a hundred meters of me...for life. The hammer struck one last time. The Chu family... completely collapsed. The moment the verdict was announced... Chu Minh felt like his soul was drained out, his whole body collapsed onto the chair, without any strength left. His mother fainted on the spot and was carried out by the judicial police, while Chu Dong stood there... eyes as empty as a soulless corpse. The war they themselves started... eventually ended in a disastrous outcome. I walked out of the court, the bright sunlight fell, but it was strangely warm. Luc Trach walked beside me, took off his lawyer's coat, and returned to his usual appearance.

"Done." he said.

“Yes, it's done.” I took a deep breath, feeling like the rock that had weighed me down for the past three years... had finally disappeared.

News about the Chu family quickly reached my ears. To pay the 300,000 yuan compensation and fine, they had to beg me to sign the house sale papers. After the sale, Chu Minh's share was directly deducted by the court. The remaining money... after paying this fee and that fee, there is almost nothing left. They lost their home. You can only rent a damp basement in the suburbs. Mother-in-law, because the shock was too great... had a stroke, paralyzed half her body, lying in one place. The burden of care... falls entirely on Chu Dong. The "princess" who was once cherished... now has to face the dirtiest things in life. For a few coins of vegetables... you have to bargain a little bit. Their reputation… among relatives and neighbors was completely rotten. No one wants to go back and forth anymore. All the calculations and fanfare of the past... are now just ashes. The remaining half of their lives... will be engulfed in regret and resentment towards each other. As for my life... opened to another page. Based on my own abilities, after only half a year, I was officially accepted, becoming Hang Thien's youngest lawyer. I am no longer dependent on anyone. I have a career. Have the capacity… to live brilliantly. I used compensation money plus savings... to buy a small apartment in the center. On the day of moving house, Giang Dao and Luc Trach both came to help. Sunlight poured through the large glass door... making the room bright. Giang Dao looked at me, his voice full of emotion.

“Finally… I can live to be the person I want to be.”

I smiled and gave him the bottle of water. Yeah… that's good. That night, Giang Dao had something to do so he went home first. In the large living room... it's just me and Luc Trach. We stood on the balcony, looking at the city lights up, the light spreading like a sea of stars.

"Thank you." I said softly, looking at his face sideways.

“If it weren't for you… I don't know how I would get out.”

He turned to look at me, his eyes as deep as night.

“I told you… you are stronger than me think."

“I am just someone who… gives a weapon to a warrior who dares to fight.”

That sentence... made my heart flutter a little. I took a deep breath, gathering all my courage.

“So… to thank the logistics chief.”

“Can I invite you to a meal…?”

He didn't answer right away. Just looking at me... his eyes gradually softened. Then… he held out his hand. I paused for a second. Then he laughed, placing his hand in his palm. His hand was warm… and firm. Fingers closed, clenched. That moment… I clearly heard my heartbeat. Each beat... clear, strong. My life... from this moment truly begins. Only by letting go of what's wrong... can we find what's right. Finally… I reached the sky after my own rain.