Chapter 6 — Post-Divorce Rebound: Claiming My Daughter and Starting Over

Standing before me, she used her small, fragile frame as a shield. Her entire body was trembling uncontrollably, yet she kept her arms stretched wide, looking exactly like a fledgling bird desperate to protect its mother.

Do not hit my mommy!

The childish cry, choked with sobs, caused the hand of Chu Bich Hoa to freeze in mid-air. In that very instant, a flash of cold, malevolent cruelty flickered in the eyes of Lam Vy Vy. Chu Bich Hoa lowered her hand, her chest heaving with fury as she glared at Noan Noan with utter loathing.

You are nothing but an ungrateful wretch; no matter how much you are fed, you never learn! Just like your mother! You are both completely beneath notice!

Auntie.

Lam Vy Vy hurried to support Chu Bich Hoa, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness as she offered counsel. Please, do not be angry; it is not worth damaging your health over this. Thanh Uyen is simply going through a moment of confusion. After all, she gave five years of her life to this family. If she has no merit, she at least has the burden of effort.

She was always like this. On the surface, she played the peacemaker; in reality, she was pouring gasoline on the fire. She made sure to portray herself as virtuous and magnanimous at every turn, all to highlight my supposed lack of understanding.

What effort? What burden?

Chu Bich Hoa let out a contemptuous, icy laugh. What has she ever contributed? She could not even give birth to a son. She only brought this worthless girl into the world!

She pointed a rigid finger directly at Noan Noan, hurling insults with venomous speed before turning her attention back to me, delivering an ultimatum. Diep Thanh Uyen, I am giving you one last chance. Either you obediently follow me back and continue acting as a proper Mrs. Co, and as for Noan Noan... our family will reluctantly keep her around. We can consider it as just adding one more bowl to the table. Or...

She sneered, her eyes scanning us like a venomous serpent. You can continue to rot in this slum with this little creature! Let us see if Dinh Tham will ever soften his heart. Let us see who else would even spare you a glance once you have left the Co family. How much are those worthless paintings of yours worth anyway? Can they even afford to feed the two of you? Do not forget, you have already signed the divorce settlement! It is stated very clearly there that you voluntarily relinquished all rights to the division of assets. You want to sue? What leverage do you have to fight the Co family? In this city of Phong Dan, is there any lawyer who would dare to take your case?

As she spoke, Chu Bich Hoa took a step forward, lowering her voice, each syllable heavy with malicious threats. Furthermore... that kindergarten of hers... it seems to be quite close to here, does it not? I hear the security in this area has been rather poor lately.

In that moment, the blood in my veins seemed to turn to ice. I could endure their insults; I could face any hardship that lay ahead. But I would never, under any circumstances, allow anyone to direct their malice toward my Noan Noan.

Chu Bich Hoa!

For the first time, I addressed her by her full name, my voice as frigid as a winter blade. You dare to touch Noan Noan, and you will see what happens.

Oh? Chu Bich Hoa chuckled mockingly. Getting bold, are we? And what do you think you can do? What do you have that could possibly challenge me?

Then... would this be sufficient?

A deep, calm, and composed male voice suddenly resonated from the hallway. We all turned in unison toward the open doorway. Standing there was a man in a dark grey woolen coat. He was tall and lean, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and holding a briefcase. He possessed an elegant air, yet his gaze was extraordinarily sharp. He cast a fleeting, indifferent glance at Chu Bich Hoa and Lam Vy Vy before resting his eyes on me and giving a slight, respectful nod.

Greetings, Ms. Diep Thanh Uyen. I am the attorney, Tham Du Minh. I have been retained by you. I am here today to discuss the invalidation of several clauses in the divorce settlement between yourself and Mr. Co Dinh Tham, as they show clear signs of being unconscionable. Furthermore, there is significant evidence that Mr. Co Dinh Tham engaged in fraudulent behavior during the course of your marriage.