Chapter 15 — Post-Divorce Rebound: Claiming My Daughter and Starting Over

But beyond them... who else would wish to cause Nuan Nuan harm? Just as I was about to be swallowed whole by the tides of despair, my phone suddenly rang. It was an unfamiliar local number. I snatched it up, my hands trembling so violently that I nearly dropped the device.

Hello?

Mom!

The voice on the other end came through instantly. It was Nuan Nuan, her voice tear-streaked and choked with sobs, yet clear enough to pierce my heart.

Nuan Nuan!

I surged to my feet, tears spilling uncontrollably down my cheeks.

Nuan Nuan! Where are you? Are you alright? Who is with you?

Mom... I’m okay, but a very mean lady brought me to a big house. She scolded me and pinched me, too. Then, a man came. He argued with the lady, and then he brought me outside.

Nuan Nuan spoke through her hiccups, her words still jumbled and frantic.

A man? Which man? Nuan Nuan, can you put him on the phone, please?

My heart hammered against my ribs as if trying to break free. There was a faint rustling sound on the other end, and then a low, weary male voice spoke slowly.

Good evening, Miss Diep. This is Tran Mac, the personal assistant to Mr. Co Dinh Tham.

Co Dinh Tham’s assistant? Where is Nuan Nuan? How is she? Who took her? I fired off the questions in quick succession.

Please rest assured, Miss Diep. Nuan Nuan is safe now and is currently in my car. It was the old matriarch. She acted impulsively and had someone pick the child up, hoping to use this method to force you to concede.

There was a trace of helplessness and a hard-to-miss awkwardness in Tran Mac’s tone.

After learning of this, Mr. Co was furious. He has already returned to the family estate to confront the old matriarch. He instructed me to return Nuan Nuan to you immediately. We will arrive at your apartment complex in about twenty minutes.

Chu Bich Hoa! It was her, as I suspected!

Did she hurt Nuan Nuan? I ground the words out through clenched teeth.

She was quite frightened, and there are a few bruises on her arm. Mr. Co has already had the family physician examine her, and there is nothing serious. Regarding this matter, Mr. Co said... he will provide you with an explanation.

Tran Mac chose his words with extreme caution. I let out a cold, sharp laugh. An explanation?

That is unnecessary. Just bring Nuan Nuan back to me safely. Furthermore, please relay a message to Co Dinh Tham and Chu Bich Hoa for me. This is the first time, and it will be the last. If there is ever a next time, even if I have to go down in flames, I will make sure they pay for it.

My voice was calm and frigid, yet it carried a desperate, reckless resolve. On the other end, Tran Mac seemed stunned into silence. After a long moment, he answered softly.

Understood, Miss Diep. I will relay your message.

Twenty minutes later, I saw Tran Mac standing at the entrance of the complex with Nuan Nuan. Her little face was pale, and her eyes were red and swollen. As soon as she caught sight of me, she shook off Tran Mac’s hand and ran toward me, wailing.

Mom! Mom! I was so scared! She was so mean! I want to go home!

I pulled her into a tight embrace, feeling her tiny body still shuddering against mine. My heart felt as if it were being sawed at by a dull blade. Upon checking her, I discovered fresh bruises on the inner part of her arm—the clear marks of someone’s fingers. Tran Mac stood to the side, his expression complex. He held out a bag to me.

Miss Diep, this is a small gesture of compensation from Mr. Co, along with some supplements to help Nuan Nuan recover her spirits. Mr. Co also asked me to express how sorry he is for today’s events. As for the old matriarch, he will handle her personally. He guarantees that something like this will never happen again.

I didn't even glance at the bag, looking only at Tran Mac with icy indifference.

Take it back.