Chapter 10 — Sentence for Traitors

"So have you ever thought... why has he gone to this extent, but still doesn't dare to divorce and marry you?"

The expression on her face… cracked for the first time.

"Because you also know in your heart that he says you understand him... but what you understand most is how he uses you as an escape route, uses me as a safe spot."

I leaned forward slightly, looking straight at her.

“Lam Van Y, do you really think you won?”

She pursed her lips tightly, and her eyes finally showed a bit of anger. I continue:

"A man can secretly be with you when he's married... not because you're special, but because he's greedy. Greedy for new things, admiration, excitement from you... and at the same time greedy for stability, dignity and foundation for many years from me. You think you're the bright moonlight, but in reality... you're just the second set of bowls and chopsticks that he can't bear to throw away."

Her face completely turned cold.

“Tham Tri Vi, you speak so harshly.”

“So what you do is easy to listen to?”

I stood up, picked up my bag.

"Also, don't open your mouth and call Nghien Chau. No matter how intimately you call him... he has never given you a title, right?"

Having finished speaking, I turned around and left. Behind her came her voice, almost gritting her teeth:

"Don't be too quick to be complacent, the court is not the place to win with your mouth."

I don't turn around.

“Then you just wait and see.”

The day the second trial opened... was the scene at the beginning. Chu Nghien Chau still wants to bet. Bet that hotel records cannot be directly qualified. Bet that a transfer can be interpreted as a loan. Bet that the shares can be packaged into commercial incentives. Bet I only have a bunch of fragmented evidence... that can't be put together into a complete blade. But he forgot... I used to be an auditor. What I'm best at... is gathering disparate cash flows, contracts, timelines and behavioral logic... weaving them into a web that makes it impossible to deny. When I submitted the recording... his expression was extremely unsightly. In the recording, his mother's voice is very clear:

"For now, just let the house be in my mother's name, wait for the two of us to divorce and then move it back. She's a woman, what does she understand?"

Right after that... was Chu Nghien Chau's voice:

"Mom, keep quiet. She's been checking my books lately, don't let her get to you."

The entire courtroom was so silent that you could hear a pin drop. His lawyer also wanted to defend:

“This recording is of illegal origin…”

Duong Ninh immediately stood up to rebut, his argument was clear, his speed was not fast, but every sentence and every word were as solid as nails. From regular hotel stays, to fixed apartments, to cheap stock transfers, fake consulting fees, fake housing debt... Each point does not exist separately. It all revolves around the same purpose. Avoid dividing assets. Intentional transfer of assets. And serious violations in marriage. The judge bowed his head to look at the document, the sound of turning pages could be heard clearly. I sat in the plaintiff's seat... suddenly felt time pass very slowly. So slow that I can clearly hear each beat of my heart. Also clearly visible... sweat gradually appeared on Chu Nghien Chau's forehead. He is no longer General Zhou standing on high. Just a man... having his face peeled back layer by layer by evidence. As the trial neared its end Finally, the judge asked:

“Defendant, regarding the plaintiff's additional evidence, is there anything else you want to present?”

Chu Nghien Chau was silent for a long time. It took so long that even his lawyer turned to look. Finally, he said hoarsely:

“I admit… between me and Lam Van Y… there is indeed a relationship that goes beyond normal friends.”

Suddenly, low whispers rang out below. I still sat still. Actually, from the night I met him... I knew sooner or later he would admit it. I just didn't expect... it would be in court. In front of the judge, in front of the lawyer, in front of everyone. He finally said out of his own mouth the words that I had wanted to force him to admit countless times... but had never heard. But I don't feel gloating. Because at this moment I realized... what I needed... was never his recognition. But little by little... regaining my lost dignity. And now… I did it. The judge continued to ask:

"Regarding the issue of property transfer during marriage, how does the defendant explain?"

This time, Chu Nghien Chau was completely unable to answer. When he looked at me… there was real panic in his eyes for the first time. Not because of fear of sharing less money. It's because he finally realized... the wife he always looked down on, always thought only knew how to cause trouble, only knew how to calculate... could actually push him to the position he was most afraid of. At the end of the trial, Chu Nghien Chau stood waiting for me in front of the court gate.