Chapter 69 — Shrimp Street Without Name

The next morning, Hai Yen shared her concerns with lawyer Hoang and the lieutenant in the first meeting of the new day. They both listened seriously, although the lieutenant somewhat reassured her.

“We also noticed his unusual attitude,” he said. "During the first interrogation this morning, he remained completely silent, did not ask for a private lawyer, and did not appear panicked like most other suspects. This could be a sign of someone who has experience dealing with the law, or is waiting for something."

“Does the obtained notebook contain any content?” Hai Yen asked.

“We're decoding,” the lieutenant replied. "Most of the content is written in a unique, quite complex symbol system. The technical team estimates it will take a few more days to fully decode it."

While waiting, an unexpected development occurred: the lawyer officially representing Nguyen Dang Hoai, a famous lawyer from Ho Chi Minh City with a reputation for successfully defending many complex cases, appeared at the police headquarters, asking to meet his client in private immediately.

"This is the defendant's legal right," lawyer Hoang explained when Hai Yen expressed concern at this quick response speed. “But the quick appearance of such a famous lawyer shows that the people behind Nguyen Dang Hoai are mobilizing significant resources to protect him, or perhaps, to make sure he does not reveal too much information.”

After a private meeting lasting nearly two hours between Nguyen Dang Hoai and his lawyer, a development that surprised the whole group happened: he suddenly agreed to cooperate with the investigation agency, but with completely different conditions than what everyone expected.

“He did not ask for leniency for himself,” the lieutenant announced, his voice somewhat confused. “Instead, he asked to ensure the absolute safety of one person, not his family, but another witness whose identity he did not identify, in exchange, he would provide all the evidence about Mr. Tran Quoc Vinh.”

That information made Hai Yen extremely surprised. “Doesn't he care about himself?”

“That's what confused us too,” the lieutenant admitted. "It seems that, behind the cold, professional appearance of a criminal middleman, Nguyen Dang Hoai still retains something, some concern, big enough that he is willing to trade his own legal safety."

Lawyer Hoang, after hearing this information, came up with a hypothesis. "Maybe this is a relative of his, or someone he feels responsible for protecting because he accidentally dragged them into this criminal network. We need to carefully learn more before making any official agreements."

Two days later, through tense negotiations between the parties, the identity of the person Nguyen Dang Hoai wanted to protect was finally revealed: a young woman, who turned out to be his own daughter, whom he had tried to keep secret from all his criminal activities for many years, now living and studying in another city under a different name.

“He was afraid that if his daughter's identity was revealed, she would become the target of retaliation from others in the network who had could use her as leverage to force him to stay silent,” the lieutenant explained. “This is why he is willing to cooperate, as long as we can ensure her absolute safety.”

This news makes Hai Yen feel a new complexity in her image of Nguyen Dang Hoai, whom she has always imagined as a completely cold, evil person without any human weaknesses. Now, that image has added another dimension — a father, despite committing so many crimes, still retains a sincere love for his daughter.

“This doesn't change what he did,” Hai Yen told Kien as the two discussed this new development. “But it reminded me of the lesson I learned about my own father — that people, no matter what side of the moral divide they fall on, are much more complex than we often like to believe.”

Kien nodded, agreeing with that thought. “Perhaps, that is what makes our journey more meaningful than a simple revenge story. We not only seek justice, but also learn to see truth in all its inherent complexity.”

The final agreement was agreed upon after three days of negotiations: Nguyen Dang Hoai's daughter would be placed under secret witness protection, her true identity kept absolutely confidential, in exchange, he committed to providing all necessary evidence, documents, and testimony so that the investigation agency could take legal steps to target Mr. Tran Quoc Vinh.

The first official interrogation with full content took place immediately after the agreement was signed, lasting all day. Attorney Hoang, in her role as representative of the victims, attended part of the interrogation, and that evening, she updated Hai Yen on the main features.

“Nguyen Dang Hoai confirmed that Tran Quoc Vinh is the head of the entire network, operating from abroad through a complex hierarchical system of direction,” lawyer Hoang said, her voice serious. “He also provided detailed information about the network's financial structure, overseas accounts, and a list of several local officials who had received bribes to turn a blind eye to the network's activities over the years.”

Information about the list of bribed officials startled Hai Yen. “Is there anyone we know?”

“I cannot reveal details at this time, because the information is being verified,” lawyer Hoang replied, her voice cautious. “But I have to be honest, Ms. Yen, there may be names that surprise you, including people you once trusted during the investigation process.”

That warning made Hai Yen feel a new sense of insecurity, realizing that, even among the people she had cooperated with throughout her recent journey, there could still be those who had secretly betrayed and sided with the criminals she was trying to bring to light.

“We need to be more careful,” she told Kien that night, her voice filled with worry. “If there are officials in the local government who have been bribed, who knows, whether any of the people we still trust are also secretly working for the other side.”

“We'll find out,” Kien replied, his voice steady. “Evidence from Nguyen Dang Hoai will help us expose everything, including the traitors hiding in the ranks of those who are supposed to protect justice.”

The next morning, Hai Yen called the lieutenant, the person she had trusted and worked closely with for many months. A part of her couldn't help but flash a small doubt, even though she tried to put it aside immediately. This, she understood, was the psychological consequence of knowing there was a betrayal somewhere—it sowed doubt into even the most trusting of relationships.

“Miss Yen, I know you're worried,” the lieutenant said, as if he could read her thoughts through her voice. “I want you to know, I understand completely if you feel you need to be extra cautious with everyone, including me, during this time. That is a reasonable and necessary response.”

“I believe you,” Hai Yen replied, her voice sincere. “But I have to be honest, this discovery makes me look at every relationship with a new caution.”

“It's the right thing to do,” the lieutenant agreed. "The investigation agency is also conducting a strict internal review to determine exactly who was bribed, ensuring that the process of handling Mr. Vinh is not hindered by traitors in the system."

The call ended, leaving Hai Yen with a feeling of both reassurance and a renewed sense of vigilance that she knew she would have to carry throughout the next phase of the war, when the lines between allies and enemies were becoming more blurred than ever, requiring her to be more alert and more cautious in each next step of this journey, even if that meant learning to live with a certain level of suspicion, even with those she once trusted. absolute belief throughout the past long journey, since the first day returning to this land.