Chapter 19 — Swept into the Wave of Love

Early the next morning, when the mist still hung over the casuarina trees along the road, Viet Khoi and Lam Khue drove to the small event sound company on the outskirts of Phan Thiet according to the address they had found, their hearts mixed between hope and fear that this last clue would end up being just another dead end like many times before. Fortunately, the technician named Ho, now a middle-aged man with gray hair and a skinny body due to age, was there to prepare equipment for an event of the day. When he heard Lam Khue introduce himself as Vu Dinh Trac's daughter, his face turned pale as if he had just touched a ghost from the past. His hands trembled so much that he dropped the entire roll of cable he was holding onto the cement floor. The sound of the impact rang out dryly in the empty yard, causing a few other employees to look back curiously before returning to their work.

After a period of tearful and sincere persuasion from Lam Khue, and a commitment to protect his identity in public if he feared retaliation, the man finally agreed to tell the truth, his voice broken as if he had to peel off the layers of scabs that had been hardened for sixteen years on a wound that had never healed. He confessed that sixteen years ago, it was Lu Khac Bon who came to him and forced him to use the primitive sound editing technology of that time to combine Vu Dinh Trac's fragmentary conversations into a recording that sounded like evidence of fraud, threatening to frame him for other crimes if he did not cooperate, and at the same time promising him a large sum of money to ensure his eternal silence.

"I've lived in regret for the past sixteen years," he said, his voice choking, his hands clasped tightly together on his knees as if he were punishing himself. "But I was too afraid to come forward and confess, afraid of losing everything, afraid of being prosecuted for criminal liability for helping fabricate evidence. I'm sorry, sorry for being silent for so long, letting an innocent person suffer unfairly all his life."

He agreed to write a detailed report, sign it, and provide them with the original, unedited file that he had secretly kept for many years as a form of self-protection, in case he needed to use it to exonerate himself if the incident was exposed. The original recording, when compared with the fabricated one published sixteen years ago, clearly shows awkward cuts and unnatural silences that are forcibly connected, which modern audio analysis technology can easily detect.

When Viet Khoi carefully put the USB containing the original file into the inside pocket of his jacket, he looked straight at Mr. Ho, his voice was low and serious, different from the soft attitude at the beginning of persuasion. "There is one more thing I want to ask you, and you have every right to refuse. The paper report may be suspected of being forced or staged. But if you yourself stand up, in front of the camera, in front of tens of thousands of people, telling us exactly what you just told us, no one will be able to deny it anymore."

Mr. Ho turned pale, took a step back, his hands clasped the edge of the table. "Standing in front of the public? I... I don't think I have the courage to do that. I've been hiding for so many years, and now I have to face thousands of eyes..."

"I understand it's too much for you," Lam Khue said, his voice gentle but unable to hide his earnestness, "but my father has been waiting sixteen years for someone like you to dare to speak up. I'm not forcing you, I'm just asking you to think, and if you agree, please be present at Ghenh Rang beach this afternoon, standing in the backstage area, waiting for our signal. You don't have to step out if you don't want to. But if you step out, you won't just save your honor. of your father, but also to save your own conscience."

Mr. Ho was silent for a long time, his eyes glued to the space in front of him, then finally nodded slightly, his voice trembling but with some determination. "I'll try. I can't promise, but I'll try."

Leaving the sound company, Viet Khoi immediately called Dong Vong Khang, recounted the entire situation and invited him to also be present at Ghenh Rang beach this afternoon, standing in the same backstage area as Mr. Ho, in case a second witness was needed to confirm his testimony. Dong Vong Khang did not hesitate and replied immediately, his voice was sharp and full of determination. "I have owed Trac a public apology for sixteen years. Today, I will pay."

With Ho's report, Dong Vong Khang's testimony, Vu Dinh Trac's own audio tape, Suong Bach Lam's signed report confessing to having been forced to install the artificial flow system at the semi-final round, and physical evidence of equipment sabotage, Viet Khoi and Lam Khue now have in their hands a complete, closed chain of evidence from the case sixteen years ago to each latest sabotage case, convincing enough to expose them. Lu Khac Bon's entire plot. But they both understood that once the game had turned upside down, there was no going back for any of them.

At noon, they handed all the documents to Mr. Luong Ba Truc in a small room hidden in the executive area, the door was locked, the curtains were closed. The head of the security department flipped through the document pages, his face becoming more and more serious.

"This is the strongest evidence I have ever seen in my professional life," he said, his voice low. "But I have to speak frankly so that you two understand the risks. Lu Khac Bon is not the type of person who will sit idly by and take the fight. If he senses it first, he has enough time and power to destroy traces, isolate witnesses, and even withdraw before we can act. And if the plan announced today fails for any reason, even a small loophole, you two will not only lose your title. He has the power to sue for slander, and with his current position. now, he can win."

"We understand the cost," Viet Khoi replied, without a hint of hesitation in his voice. "But if today isn't the time, there won't be any other time."

"Are you sure you want to announce it right in the middle of the final?" Mr. Luong Ba Truc asked again one last time, his eyes examining both of them. "This will be a very shocking decision, affecting the entire reputation of the tournament, and there is no turning back once the microphone is turned on."

"That's why we chose this time," Viet Khoi replied, his voice decisive. "If we wait until after the tournament ends, it is likely that there will not be enough public attention, and Lu Khac Bon will have enough time to erase his traces or find a way to defend himself. Announcing it right when the whole country is watching is the only way to ensure that the truth does not sink again."

Mr. Luong Ba Truc nodded, his eyes full of respect for the determination of the two young athletes, then outlined a coordination plan: the two witnesses would be brought into the backstage area through the side gate, avoiding all cameras; Several plainclothes security officers will discreetly surround the stage for the organizers, close enough to prevent Lu Khac Bon from leaving or communicating outside as soon as the announcement signal is given; Local authorities were also notified in advance and were on standby outside the tournament area, waiting for the signal.

But just when everything seemed ready, a panicked call from Mr. Ho caused the plan to almost collapse right before hour G. Less than two hours before the final match started, Lam Khue's phone rang, and Mr. Ho's trembling voice rang out on the other end of the line.

"I just received a strange call," he said, his breath laced with every word. "A man's voice I didn't recognize said just one sentence and then hung up: 'Remember to keep your mouth shut like you have for the past sixteen years, if you don't want your children to get into trouble.' I... I can't do this anymore. I'm sorry, I have to think of my family."

Lam Khue's heart tightened, feeling like the whole plan was on the brink of collapse just because of an anonymous threatening phone call. She closed her eyes for a second, trying to keep her voice as calm as possible. "Uncle Ho, I understand your fear better than anyone else, because my father also had to live with that same fear during the last years of his life. But if you step back now, the person who called to threaten you will continue to freely threaten anyone else who dares to speak up, forever. I can't promise there won't be any risks, but I promise, we won't let you and your family face the consequences alone."

Viet Khoi grabbed the phone, his voice was deep and firm. "Uncle Ho, I will ask Mr. Luong Ba Truc to arrange someone to protect your family right now, before the announcement. This is not an empty promise, I will call him immediately after this call." He paused, his voice softening. "But the final decision is still yours. If you don't come, we will still announce it with what we have, even though it may not be strong enough like when you stand up. You don't owe anyone anything, except your own conscience."

The other end of the line was silent for a long time, only the sound of heavy breathing remained. Then Mr. Ho's voice rang out, small but stronger. "Give me half an hour. I need to arrange for my wife and children to go to my grandparents' house for a while. After that, I will come."

Viet Khoi immediately called Mr. Luong Ba Truc, and only fifteen minutes later, a private security team was sent to discreetly monitor Mr. Ho's residence. But throughout the remaining time before the match, neither Viet Khoi nor Lam Khue could completely rest assured, their eyes constantly glanced at the phone, waiting anxiously to see if their most important witness would actually appear or not, or if all the efforts of the past few days would disappear just because of a last-minute threat.

The final round took place that afternoon, under the rare clear blue sky of the Mui Ne summer, tens of thousands of spectators flocked to Ghenh Rang beach, with a large presence of domestic and foreign media, all eagerly waiting for the climactic confrontation between defending champion Chieu Viet Khoi and the shocking phenomenon Vu Lam Khue. No one in that sea of people knew that, right behind the canvas curtain of the backstage area, two men were sitting quietly, their hearts pounding, waiting for a signal that could change both their lives and an entire sport.

The signal whistle sounded, both athletes rowed out to the main wave area, the sea breeze whistling through every fiber of the competition suit. Viet Khoi opened the first turn with a decisive cutback, his surfboard cutting through the water creating a long trail of white foam, then he opened his body to perform an aerial shot, his body spinning in mid-air for a moment of dangerous suspension before falling, neatly landing in the water amid the passionate roar of the stands. In response, Lam Khue caught the wave with a carve as sharp as a knife, his body leaning so close to the water surface that it seemed to touch the edge of the wave, before jumping back up to the top of the wave, making a disruptive spin, leaving behind a trail of water splashing like fireworks in the afternoon sun. The cheers from tens of thousands of spectators mixed with the sound of crashing waves and the sound of wind whistling in their ears, creating a passionate symphony that covered the entire beach, drawing both viewers and insiders into an unforgettable rhythm.

But while the match was at its climax, right after the second round of both matches, Mr. Luong Ba Truc suddenly asked to pause the match, walked up to the main broadcasting area, and held the microphone in front of the surprise of the entire audience.

"Sorry for the interruption," he announced, his voice echoing across the beach through the loud speaker system, "but tournament security has just received important evidence, which must be released immediately in the interests of transparency and sporting justice."

Lu Khac Bon, sitting in the bleachers area for the organizers, his face changed color for a split second, but regained his composure almost immediately, stood up, his voice rang out with authority, interrupting Mr. Luong Ba Truc's words. "I object to interrupting an important final match like this just because of so-called unverified evidence! This is a serious violation of competition regulations, and I, as Chairman of the Organizing Committee, request that the match be continued immediately!"

A few bewildered whispers spread throughout the stands, some spectators began to feel confused and didn't know who to believe. Mr. Luong Ba Truc did not flinch, his voice remained calm and professional. "Mr. Chairman, because the evidence directly implicates you, I am forced to release it here, before the entire public, to ensure that no one, including me, can be suspected of concealment or bias."

On a large screen placed in the middle of the beach, the original recording of Vu Dinh Trac was played, along with the fabricated recording that was used to incriminate him sixteen years ago. The two audio clips sounded in parallel, the difference was so clear that it didn't take an expert to recognize the forced cuts. The whole beach was plunged into stunned silence before erupting into whispers and fierce indignation.

But Lu Khac Bon refused to give up easily. He growled, trying to regain the initiative. "An old recording, of unknown origin, can completely be faked with modern sound editing technology! Who can guarantee that this is not another staged trick by two athletes desperately trying to polish their names before the finals?" His voice resonated far away, enough to sow a new seed of doubt into the crowd that had begun to lean toward the truth, causing the atmosphere in the stands to waver between two conflicting emotions.

At that exact moment, Lam Khue, still standing on the surfboard in the middle of the water, spoke through the wireless communication device, clearly and without the slightest tremor. "We don't just have a recording, Mr. Bon." She gestured toward the backstage area. "We also have someone who directly edited that recording under your orders, and someone who witnessed you meeting secretly with him before the scandal broke out."

From behind the backstage canvas curtain, Mr. Ho stepped forward, his body shaking but his steps still steadfast towards the area near the main microphone, the lenses of dozens of cameras immediately turned towards him. Right behind, Dong Vong Khang followed, placing a hand on Mr. Ho's shoulder as a way to reassure each other in a moment they both knew would shape the rest of their lives.

"I'm the one who faked that recording," Mr. Ho said, his voice shaking at first but growing stronger with each word, as if sixteen years of silence were breaking all at once. "According to Mr. Lu Khac Bon's orders and coercion, I cut and assembled Mr. Vu Dinh Trac's fragmentary conversations to create false evidence, making the whole world believe that he was cheating. I lived in that sin for sixteen years, and today, I would like to confess before everyone, so that an innocent person can finally have his honor cleared."

"I can confirm that," Dong Vong Khang continued, his voice sharp and without hesitation. "I saw with my own eyes Lu Khac Bon meeting Mr. Ho in private at an empty cafe, exactly one week before the Vu Dinh Trac scandal broke out. I was silent for sixteen years out of fear, and that is the thing I regret most in my life. Today I would like to atone for that mistake, even if it is late."

The whole beach seemed to hold its breath in a long silence before breaking into a rolling wave of anger, completely drowning out the sound of real ocean waves crashing against the shore. Mr. Luong Ba Truc raised his hand to signal silence and continued to announce one final detail, making the entire conspiracy chain completely closed. "We would also like to announce that the investigation agency has identified the two intruders who attacked Ms. Vu Lam Khue at the warehouse near the fishing wharf a few days ago. Both were outsourced security guards, and the junk phone on which these two left a piece of paper with a number at the scene was confirmed to have received a transfer from the personal account in the name of Mr. Lu Khac Bon just a few days before the attack had been seen there. Both were detained and claimed to be Mr. Lu himself. Khac Bon hired him to intimidate, not to kill, to force Ms. Lam Khue to give up the investigation."

All eyes turned to Lu Khac Bon. The calm, authoritative shell he had built up over the years was now cracking in pieces right in front of thousands of cameras. Viet Khoi, without waiting another second, paddled to shore, stepped onto the wet sand, took long strides straight towards the organizing committee stand, stood opposite Lu Khac Bon at a distance of only a few steps, his eyes did not shy away.

"Grandpa once told me, the championship title is not worth exchanging for a new girl," Viet Khoi said, his voice echoed clearly even without a microphone, enough for nearby cameras to fully record. "I want you to know, my father was also a famous gambler, was also forced by a referee in a small movement tournament, and he chose to stay silent, hang up his board, and live out his life with the resentment that no one knew. Over the years, I have always wondered, if only there had been someone brave enough to speak up for my father. Today, I will not let that history repeat itself again."

Lu Khac Bon glared at him, anger and panic mixed together, causing his face to become disfigured, without any trace of the politeness that once made the media respect him. "Do you think you're on the side of justice?" he shouted, his voice breaking through the last layer of control. "Vu Dinh Trac has talent, but he never understood how power works in this world! I spent my entire youth climbing up the ladder while he just stood on the plank and was praised! I don't regret paving the way for myself, I only regret not clearing it more!"

That sentence, bursting out of control, echoed across the beach through the still open microphones, like the most naked confession that no lawyer could take back anymore. Lam Khue, just stepping out of the water's edge, standing next to Viet Khoi, looking straight at the man who had taken away sixteen years of her father's honor, her voice trembled but did not yield.

"My father once taught me, the sea never lies, only humans know how to lie," she said, each word seemed to be engraved into the quiet air that suddenly enveloped the beach. "You lied for sixteen years, but today's wave brought the truth back to shore, just as my father always believed."

No one in the crowd could say a word. A few seconds later, local authorities, already on duty outside the tournament area at the request of the security board to coordinate the investigation, entered the stands and read the order to temporarily detain Lu Khac Bon to serve the investigation of evidence fabrication, slander, hiring people to threaten and endangering the athlete's life.

"You will pay the price for defaming my honor!" Lu Khac Bon still tried to scream while being escorted away, but his voice was now only the scream of a completely defeated man, drowned out among the angry boos of tens of thousands of spectators who had once admired him.

Viet Khoi pulled Lam Khue into his arms right on the sand, both looking at the car carrying Lu Khac Bon leaving the tournament area, where justice was finally served after sixteen long years. "You did it," he whispered in her ear, his voice filled with emotion. "Your father has finally been exonerated."

Lam Khue couldn't hold back her tears, she put her head on his shoulder, letting the tears mix with the salty sea water still in her hair, releasing all the pain and resentment that had been pent up for the past sixteen years in a moment of bursting relief in the middle of the vast ocean.

On the shore, the crowd of spectators gradually calmed down after the initial chaos, replaced by loud applause, not to cheer for a beautiful surf as usual, but to honor the courage of a girl who dared to face the entire system of power to demand justice for her father, and of two men who were brave enough to break their own sixteen years of silence. Mr. Luong Ba Truc stepped up to the microphone again, announcing the postponement of the remainder of the final to the next day, so that the organizers had time to stabilize the situation and fully coordinate with the investigation agency.

Cao Boi Nghi, standing in the crowd of reporters, her eyes were also red with emotion, hastily recorded every detail of this historic moment in order to send the first exclusive article about the entire truth that had been buried for sixteen years, an article that she knew would shake the entire country's sports industry in the coming days.

Mr. Ho and Dong Vong Khang stood silently at the edge of the sandy beach, watching the scene that had just taken place as if they themselves could not believe that they had just done what they had been avoiding for sixteen years. Lam Khue let go of Viet Khoi and ran to hug both of them, her voice choked between laughter and tears. "Thank you two. Without you two standing up today, I would probably still only have a recording that no one would believe."

"You are the one who gives us courage," Mr. Ho replied, his voice still shaking but his face lighter than at any time in the past sixteen years, as if a giant boulder had just been lifted from his chest.