Chapter 17 — One Card, Exposing the Whole Family

“After consideration, the court pronounced the following sentence.”

"First, approve the divorce petition of plaintiff Tu Nhuoc Nhien and defendant Ly Hao."

"Second, defendant Ly Hao is the at-fault party, was not allowed to divide his assets, and was forced to leave empty-handed."

"Third, defendants Ly Hao, Liu Mai and Ly Manh, due to defamation, must jointly compensate for mental damage of five hundred thousand yuan and publish a public apology in five major newspapers within a week."

Hearing this, Luu Mai's body staggered, almost fainting, and Ly Manh bit her lip so hard that it bled. But that's not the end yet. The judge looked towards Ly Hao, his voice unchanged.

“For the criminal behavior of defendant Ly Hao.”

“Considering that there is an unsatisfactory act of theft and an unsatisfactory intentional injury, a combined penalty shall be imposed.”

"The court announced the verdict, defendant Ly Hao was sentenced to four years in prison."

Those two words were like the last bolt of lightning, destroying all remaining hope of their family. Luu Mai fainted on the spot, Ly Manh cried until he was hoarse, and Ly Hao was dragged away like a soulless corpse. I stood up, without turning around, and left the courtroom with my father and brother. Outside, the sunlight was so long and warm that it made people feel like they had just stepped out of a nightmare. I took a deep breath, the air carrying the taste of freedom that I had traded for. Everything… finally ended. The verdict spread like a storm, sweeping away the last bit of dignity of the Ly family, leaving behind only fragments that could not be put together. The next morning, the five largest newspapers in the city, in a small corner, published an identical, pitifully modest apology. 【We apologize for slandering and insulting Ms. Tu Nhuoc Nhien's honor, causing serious damage. We accept all legal consequences and hope for forgiveness.】 I told my assistant to buy five newspapers, cut out each piece of apology, don't keep it, don't take photos, just quietly put it into the paper shredder. Looking at the words that once carried remorse being crushed into pieces, I did not feel gloating, I only felt a very deep peace in my heart. This… for me, is truly over. The group's stock price, after a bit of fluctuation, quickly increased, even higher than before, as if the market also understood clearly who was in control. My father's decisive handling and my cold counterattack made everyone look back and see that the Tu family not only has money, but also courage. People began to say that Tu Zhenhua's daughter... had surpassed him. In the evening, the whole family ate a warm meal, no more tension, no more darkness, only gentle laughter returned. After the meal, my father called me into his office, where the familiar smell of incense still lingered like the first day. He opened the safe, took out a new card, placed it in front of me, his eyes were both gentle and profound.

“Nhuoc Nhien, take it.”

I paused, before I could say anything, he gently interrupted, his voice low and warm.

“Listen to what Dad has to say first.”

"In the past, that card was the support my father gave me, so that I could have the capital to stand firm in the face of life's storms."

“I'm very happy that you not only kept it, but also used it to win a beautiful match.”

“You have proven to everyone that you are not a flower in a hothouse, but a rose with thorns, capable of protecting yourself.”

"Still This card, its meaning is different.”

“It is no longer just an umbrella to cover the rain, but a starting capital for you to build your own life.”

“You can do whatever you want, it's okay to do business, it's okay to invest, it's okay to travel around the world.”

“I only have one request.”

He looked at me, each word was slow but heavy like an oath.

“Never lose yourself for money, and never suffer for anyone else.”

“Remember carefully, you are the only one who has the right to decide your life and this money.”

I looked at the small card in front of me, but behind it was a whole sea of love. The eye sockets became hot again. This time, I didn't refuse. I reached out my hand to receive it, seriously as if I was accepting my own future.

“Dad, I understand.”

My voice no longer trembles. Only the certainty of the bones remains. After that chaos called marriage, my life finally came to light, opening a completely new journey.