Chapter 20 — Stupid But Strong

Just a few hours after the press conference ended, the video recording the entire event spread at breakneck speed across social networking platforms, surpassing any usual entertainment scandal to become one of the most discussed stories in the country that day. Unlike previous times, this time the wave of public opinion was no longer aimed at Bach Duy or Tang Ninh, but focused all of its anger on Nhieu Trong Khai and his family's nearly decade-long plot to appropriate his family's assets.

The economic crime investigation agency officially stepped in that night, inviting Nhieu Trong Khai and his trusted accountant to work to get detailed testimony. With evidence that had been carefully prepared in advance — the signature appraisal, digital reports, and the accountant's voluntary testimony right at the press conference — the investigation process took place much more quickly than usual. Within just a week, Nhieu Trong Khai was officially prosecuted on charges of falsifying documents, fraudulent appropriation of property, and organized slander.

The Nhieu family company, under pressure from public opinion and business partners who simultaneously withdrew capital, was forced to publish an official announcement, admitting the mistakes of the former leadership and pledging to fully cooperate with the investigation agency to clarify the case, and at the same time return all illegally appropriated assets to Tu Bach Duy in accordance with the provisions of the original will.

At Vom La restaurant, the atmosphere was completely different from the previous turbulent weeks. Former customers, after learning the whole truth through the press conference, returned one after another, many even left messages apologizing for being hasty in judging. The grocery store owner opposite, who used to avoid Tang Ninh, now took the initiative to apologize, holding her hand with trembling hands. "I'm sorry for believing in baseless rumors," she said, sounding somewhat embarrassed. "You've sacrificed so much, yet I doubt you."

Tang Ninh just smiled and grabbed her hand in response. "It's okay, I understand. The important thing is that everything is clear now."

Ha Thuy Duong, standing right next to witness that scene, could not hide her radiant smile. She hugged her friend and spun around excitedly in the middle of the bar. "You see, I told you, the truth will win in the end!" They both laughed, tears of happiness mixed with relief after many days of tension were finally completely relieved.

Tang Ninh, when he learned that his father - even though he had passed away - was also named in the investigation file as an initial accomplice of the plot, felt a complicated pain that was difficult to name. She visited her father's grave one afternoon, standing silently for a long time in front of the stone stele engraved with his name.

"I don't know whether to forgive you or not," she whispered, tears rolling down her eyes. "But I know, I can't continue to live in silence just to protect your honor anymore. I hope, somewhere, you understand and forgive me for my decision."

She stood there a moment longer, recalling the image of her father carrying her on his shoulders as a child, teaching her early lessons in kindness, before greed and fear gradually turned him into a completely different person in his later years. She placed a bouquet of white chrysanthemums on his grave, bowed her head for a long time, then turned and walked away, carrying with her a serenity that she did not expect to feel after everything that had happened.

Bach Duy, who accompanied her to the cemetery that day, stood quietly behind, saying nothing, just placing his hand on her shoulder to let her know that he was always there, no matter how complicated and painful the past between their family was. After leaving Mr. Nhieu Trong Nhan's grave, they both visited Bach Duy's biological father's grave, placed a bouquet of fresh flowers on it and lit incense sticks.

"Dad," Bach Duy said softly, his voice choked. "I have found justice for you, father. The property you left behind has now returned to your wishes. And I have also found the person I believe you would approve of if you lived to see it."

A few weeks later, the trial of Nhieu Trong Khai took place, attracting great attention from the public and media. Faced with irrefutable evidence, he was forced to admit all his crimes, from forging authorization documents, setting up fake witnesses, to directing the creation of fabricated financial evidence to destroy Tang Ninh's honor. The court sentenced him to many years in prison for related crimes, and forced him to compensate for all financial and honor damages to Bach Duy and Tang Ninh.

During the trial, Lam Nha Thu also had to work non-stop to handle the new wave of interest from brands and event organizers, those who had previously hastily withdrew but now returned to offer cooperation with renewed enthusiasm. She refused a few offers from the same brands that abandoned Bach Duy in his most difficult time, resolutely saying that "we only cooperate with partners who have truly trusted Bach Duy in difficult days, not those who just want to gain attention after everything is clear." That decision made many people in the industry admire her integrity.

Standing before the dock, Nhieu Trong Khai, who was once powerful and arrogant, is now just a collapsed old man, losing all credibility in the business world, turned away by his closest partners. He bowed his head, not daring to look directly at Bach Duy and Tang Ninh when the verdict was read, as if only at this last moment did he truly realize the price he had to pay for his greed and betrayal.

After the trial, Lam Nha Thu held a short press conference to update the public on the situation, clearly affirming the complete innocence of Bach Duy and Tang Ninh in the entire incident. "I'm proud to have accompanied you two throughout this difficult journey," she said to the camera, her eyes sparkling with sincere pride. "They have proven that, sometimes, the right path is not the easiest, but it is always worth taking to the end."

The public, after witnessing the entire truth revealed, began to completely change their attitude, from criticism to sympathy and strong support for the arduous love story of Bach Duy and Tang Ninh, opening a completely new chapter for both of them, where they no longer have to hide or fear anything.

The night the trial ended, Bach Duy and Tang Ninh sat on the steps behind Vom La restaurant, looking up at the starry night sky, saying nothing for a long time, just enjoying the rare peace after many turbulent days. "Finally, it's over," Tang Ninh said softly, resting her head on his shoulder.

"It's not over yet," Bach Duy replied, smiling slightly, holding her hand. "This is just the end of the hardest part. The rest, the part where we can truly live for ourselves, has just begun."

Tang Ninh looked up at him, her eyes sparkling under the starlight, a genuine smile, without any hesitation or fear, bloomed on her lips for the first time in many years. She realized that this was the feeling she had denied herself for six long years — the feeling of being allowed to be happy, being allowed to love without having to apologize to anyone for it.

The night wind gently blew through the vines in front of the shop, carrying the gentle scent of flowers, and in that rare moment of peace, they both silently thanked fate for giving them a second chance, after having to pay the price of a decade of pain and waiting. The lights in the shop gradually dimmed, leaving only the late moonlight illuminating the silhouettes of two people sitting next to each other on the steps, quietly enjoying the moment of peace that they both knew they deserved after everything they had been through. Tomorrow, a new chapter of their lives will officially begin, no longer entangled by the ghosts of the past or the fear of people's eyes. They both understand that the journey ahead still has a lot to build on, but at least now, they are allowed to walk together in a dignified and public manner, no longer having to hide behind masks or clumsy excuses, and no longer having to be afraid of any cameras or people's gossip.