Chapter 9 — Rain Stops, Heaven Clears

What I need... Just a chance. One opportunity was enough to completely destroy her psychological defense. But that opportunity... It was To Nhu. Due to her participation in the kidnapping and extortion case, the evidence of To Nhu's crime was so clear that she was sentenced to three years in prison. But because she had just turned eighteen at the time of the crime and was identified as an accomplice, she was given a suspended sentence. She was released. This result is completely within my expectations. The law gave her a chance. But I don't. The first thing To Nhu did after being released was to come find me. She doesn't come to the company. Also don't go to the villa. But to the cemetery where my mother is buried. That day was the anniversary of my mother's death. I am placing a bunch of white daisies in front of the tombstone. Then she knelt down behind me. On his body were old clothes that had faded from being washed too many times. Bare face without makeup. Fragile yellow hair. There is no longer any radiant look of the past. Her voice was as hoarse as sandpaper rubbed together.

“I know it's wrong.”

As she spoke, she repeatedly slapped me hard in the face. The crisp sound of slapping echoed throughout the quiet cemetery. Soon. Both white cheeks were red and swollen.

“Just hit me…”

“Just scold me…”

“Just let me vent my anger.”

“I beg you…”

“Forgive your mother.”

"My mother is old and her health is not good."

“I can't stand life in prison.”

“Everything is my fault alone.”

“It was me who was blinded by greed.”

“It's because I'm jealous of you.”

“It was you who took the initiative to seduce Tran Hao.”

“It has nothing to do with your mother.”

“It's all my fault.”

“If you want revenge, just target me.”

She holds all the sins on herself. Performing a tearful mother-son love scene. I listened quietly. Never turned around. Until she slapped her until her hands were tired. Cry until your voice is hoarse. I slowly spoke up.

“Do you really think…”

“Your mother loves you?”

To Nhu was immediately stunned.

“What... what do you mean?”

I turned around. Standing from above looking down at her.

“From the moment she was born.”

“The doctor told Luu Van that she had a congenital heart disease.”

"It's the kind of disease that no matter how much money you spend, it can't be completely cured."

“The doctor still said.”

“It is very difficult for you to live beyond thirty years old.”

“Since that day.”

“In her eyes.”

“You are no longer a girl.”

“But it's just…”

“An investment can fail at any time.”

To Nhu's face immediately turned pale.

“No way…”

“You lie!”

“Did I lie?”

I took out a file from my bag. Throw it down in front of her. That is To Nhu's entire medical record from birth to eighteen years old, found by Vuong's team of lawyers. Along with a very valuable personal accident insurance policy that Luu Van bought for her. The beneficiary... is Luu Van.

“Look carefully at the effective date of this contract.”

My voice is cold.

“It was exactly one day after my father passed away.”

“After pawning my father's inheritance.”

“The first thing Luu Van did was not take her for treatment.”

“It's about buying you an insurance policy.”

“After you die…”

“She will receive a huge sum of money.”

“Now you think…”

“She loves you?”

To Nhu's hands trembled as she held the contract. When you clearly see the terms and dates on it. Her whole body completely collapsed. Trust was crushed in an instant causing her to scream in pain like a wild animal.

“It's not like that…”

“My mother can't treat me like that…”

I interrupted her self-deception.

“Because…”

“She was never a normal person.”

“The only thing she loves…”

“For money…”

“She could have killed my father.”

“Of course…”

“I might as well sacrifice you.”

Look at her lost appearance. A bit of pity flashed in my heart. I bent down. Get close to her ear. Just enough for the two of us to hear.

“Want to know…”

“How much longer will you live?”

“Go to the hospital for a complete check-up.”

“Who knows…”

“You will get a surprise.”

I stood up. Gently smoothing back hair that was tangled in the wind.

“Ah, right.”

I took two steps and stopped.

“Remind me something.”

"All assets in Luu Van's name have been frozen."

“Now…”

“You don't have any money left.”

“Even the money for medical treatment…”

“Neither.”

I didn't look at her again. Quietly turned around and left. Behind the back. It was To Nhu's choked cry of despair. The seeds I planted... Soon they will sprout. Then it bloomed... The cruelest flower. Three days later. Lawyer Vuong called me.

“General Manager To, To Nhu has gone to the hospital for a checkup.”

“The results... were not very positive.”

“Her heart was starting to show signs of heart failure.”

"The doctor said that if she doesn't have a heart transplant immediately, she will only have half a year to live at most."

I finished listening. There was no wavering in my heart.

“She doesn't have money for surgery.”

"That's right."

Lawyer Vuong replied.

“The cost of a heart transplant plus the entire recovery process after surgery is a huge amount.”