Chapter 14 — The Bride Strikes Back: Exposing the Liar

The next afternoon, I arrived at "Starlight Kiss" fifteen minutes early, choosing a quiet corner near the window, easy to observe. I ordered a glass of iced Americano, no sugar, the bitter taste helped my mind stay absolutely alert. At exactly two o'clock, To Thanh appeared. She walked in like a main character, brand new dress, luxury handbag, perfect makeup like a doll. The eyes of everyone in the bar were following her. And she... enjoyed it very much, like a princess entering her own stage. As soon as she saw me, she immediately smiled brightly as if nothing had ever happened, and naturally walked over to sit opposite me.

“Du Du, you're really early.”

She placed the designer bag on the side of the chair next to her, moving casually but deliberately showing off.

“Eh, why do you drink such bitter coffee?”

She called the waiter, her voice gentle but full of style.

“A cappuccino, with more milk foam and caramel.”

Every gesture is showing off their "classy" life.

“Du Du, look at you, you've lost a lot of weight.”

She looked at me with eyes full of fake "pity".

“The Trieu family is really too much, why do they treat me like that?”

“But it's over, it's over, you're so good, you'll definitely meet someone better in the future.”

Every sentence and every word is so perfect that there are no gaps. If I didn't know in advance, I probably would have believed she truly cared. I silently watched her act, not saying a word. Then I took out my phone, opened the recording from yesterday with Uncle Vuong, put it on the table and pushed it towards her. When the words "To Thanh" and the number "500,000 yuan" rang out. The smile on her face instantly froze. His pupils constricted, his hand unconsciously reached out to grab the phone. But I'm faster, taking a step back. The music in the shop was still melodious, but our little corner was as cold as an ice cellar.

“What is this?”

Her voice was dry.

“What do you mean?”

Still want to act. I took a sip of coffee, the bitter taste spread to the tip of my tongue.

“Sister, stop acting.”

“I didn't come to hear you say those meaningless words today.”

“I just asked you a question.”

I looked up, my eyes cold as knives. Her face was sometimes red, sometimes white, she took a big sip of coffee, then leaned back in her chair, crossed her arms, and completely changed her attitude.

“Why?”

She smiled coldly.

“To Du Du, do you still have the face to ask me?”

The mask finally fell off. Revealing a face distorted by jealousy.

“From childhood to adulthood, why are you better than me in everything?”

“Study better, be prettier, even have a better family!”

“Everyone praises you, everyone likes you!”

"What about you? Always my shadow!"

“I'm not willing!”

Her voice gradually rose, filled with resentment.

“I have to prove that I am better than you!”

“Trieu Khai is whom I knew first, I introduced him to you!”

“And yet he chose me!”

"He has a house and a car, such good conditions, how can you rely on that?"

She smiled, a sickly twisted smile.

“That's why I came up with this plan.”

"Knowing that Trieu Quoc Cuong loves gambling, I introduced him to Bao Ca."

"Watching him step by step get bogged down, owing debt upon debt."

"Then he 'kindly' suggested it to Trieu Khai."

"Du Du's family has money. When they get married, doesn't the money just flow in?"

“The other 500,000 yuan is the introduction fee.”

"You and they agreed, after getting your money back, I will get a 30% share."

“Just watched you fall go to hell, just made money, how perfect!”

She laughed like crazy. As for me... I'm not angry anymore. It's just cold. Cold to the point of paralysis.

“Unfortunately.”

I looked at her, my voice slow.

“Your plan… failed.”

Her smile stiffened. His eyes became full of resentment.

“Yes! Failed!”

“It's all because of you!”

“Can't you be a little stupid!”

“Can't you be like other girls and endure for the sake of your family!”

“Why protest!”

“You ruined my plans! Destroy my 500,000 yuan!”

She really believes it's my fault.

“I'll ask you again.”

“What do you want to do now?”

Her eyes changed. Crazy. Same road.

“Du Du, I lost this time.”

“But don't think everything is over.”

She leaned closer, her voice lowering with each word.

“Three years ago, your graduation trip… do you remember?”

“In Tibet, I had a high fever.”

“You forgot a lot of things after that… right?”

“To Du Du…”

“Do you really think… it's just a normal fever?”