Chapter 5 — The Bride Strikes Back: Exposing the Liar

Actually, that marriage certificate was real, but I kept all the evidence he cheated on me, from bank statements to text messages and recordings. Those things are my real shield, and the last sentence was just a psychological blow. But his reaction said it all, he was scared, he was confident, and he was falling apart little by little. On the other end of the line, Trieu Khai had gone completely crazy, like a cornered animal, leaving only the sound of gasps and chaos that could not be hidden.

“When did you find out, or were you lying to me all along?”

“The moment your mother stuffed me with an empty envelope, I understood everything.”

“Trieu Khai, let's talk about conditions now.”

My voice was so cold that it was almost emotionless.

“First, immediately release the mortgage on the house.”

“Second, the bride price and the money I spent, a total of 388,000 yuan, return every penny.”

"Third, the car I brought as a dowry was immediately transferred back to me."

“Fourth, publicly apologize to me and my family, correct the entire incident, and restore my honor.”

“If I can do these four things, I can consider not pursuing criminal prosecution.”

“If not… we will meet in court.”

"In my hand, I have evidence that you falsified the power of attorney, including evidence that you cheated me of money."

“The amount is big enough for you to pay for it for the rest of your life.”

Trieu Khai's voice trembled: "To Du Du, don't force me!"

“I force you?” I burst out laughing, each word sharp as a knife, "From beginning to end, you guys forced me."

“Forcing me to swallow humiliation with an empty envelope in front of so many people.”

“Forcing me to accept that you used my photo to threaten me.”

“Forcing me to watch you mortgage the house my parents gave me to fill the hole in your house.”

“Now you say I forced you?”

“I tell you, this is just the beginning.”

“What the Trieu family owes me, I will make you pay ten or a hundred times more.”

After speaking, I hung up immediately, not giving him a chance to say another word. Chu Duyet stood next to hear everything, his eyes widened, and he rushed to hug me.

"Du Du! You're really cool! How did you come up with this move?"

I leaned on her shoulder, my body still a little soft from the tension.

“I just… have a bad feeling.”

“Probably a woman's intuition.”

“Fortunately, it saved me this time.”

Chu Duyet patted my back, his voice full of excitement: "It's so beautiful! It's worth treating those guys like that!"

“What now, waiting for him to answer?”

I shook my head, my eyes more alert than ever.

“Can't wait.”

“Someone like Trieu Khai, when cornered, will bite back.”

"He's been caught by me. He will definitely find a way to counterattack."

“I have to stay one step ahead of him.”

I took the phone and called my father's lawyer friend, Uncle Vuong. I told the whole story, including the story of Trieu Khai forging the power of attorney. Uncle Vuong was startled when he heard it: "Du Du, you are really brave and careful."

“Don't worry, I'll leave this matter to you.”

"I will prepare the documents and submit an application to the court tomorrow morning to apply for property preservation measures."

“Freeze all assets in Trieu Khai's name, including the house and car, so he cannot touch a single penny.”

“At the same time, we also prepare documents to sue for fraud and falsification of documents.”

“The evidence is complete, he can't run.”

Hearing that, the rock in my heart finally lowered by half. The only thing left... is to wait. Waiting for Trieu Khai's reaction. Also waiting for the results of the investigation from my father's side. I want to know how much debt the Trieu family owes, and to whom. To the point of having to use marriage to set a trap to cheat money. That hole is definitely not small. That same evening, my father called back. His voice was heavier than ever.

“Du Du, dad found out.”

My heart immediately sank: "How is it?"

“Trieu Khai's father, Trieu Quoc Cuong, participated in underground betting and lost everything.”

“Not only did I lose all my money, I also owed 5,000,000 yuan in high interest.”

5,000,000 yuan. I took a cold breath, this number was far beyond my imagination.

“The lenders gave him a deadline, which was the day after the wedding.”

“If he doesn't pay, they will take one of his legs.”

“That's why their whole family came up with this plan.”

"Scammed the child's bride price, swindled the child's savings, then used the child's name to mortgage the house and collect money to pay off the debt."

"An empty envelope doesn't mean you forgot to put money in."

“At that time, they no longer had tens of thousands to give.”

“But still trying to act rich in front of my children and relatives.”

“It's truly a matter of dying for dignity.”

Everything… is finally clear. All doubts have answers. But I don't feel relieved. I just feel cold down my spine. If I had held back that day. If I don't expose them on the spot. Then the person who bears the debt of 5,000,000 yuan... is me. I will be sucked dry by them like a prey, then thrown away mercilessly. Thinking about that, my whole body felt cold.

“Dad, I understand.”

"Don't worry dad, I won't let them go."

Hanging up, I stayed up almost all night, my mind so alert that it was cold, as if preparing for a battle that I couldn't retreat from. Early the next morning, Uncle Vuong brought good news, the application for asset preservation was approved by the court, all assets in Trieu Khai's name were frozen. His house, car, bank accounts, all locked up, he couldn't touch a single penny. Almost at the same time, I received a text message from Trieu Khai, just three words: "You are evil enough." I replied back with four words: "Not as good as you." Less than a few minutes later, a strange number called. I picked up the phone, and on the other end of the line was Ly Thuy Lan's shrill cry.

"To Du Du! You bastard! You killed my son!"

"Quickly withdraw the lawsuit! Remove the blockade immediately!"

“Otherwise I won't leave it alone!”

I silently listened to her scream like a cheap show, waiting for her to get tired before slowly speaking.

“If you want me to withdraw my application, fine.”

"Tell Trieu Khai to bring money, red book and car keys, and come see me personally."

“Remember well, my patience is limited.”

The other party was about to continue cursing, but I hung up first. With this type of person, saying another word would be a waste. I think they will quickly bow their heads, because between going to jail and paying, this is an obvious choice. But I underestimated their brazenness. That afternoon, Chu Duyet sent me a link, his voice urgent: "Du Du, look, you're in the news!" My heart twitched and immediately opened. An article from a local media account, the headline is so sensational it's nauseating.

"The bride annulled the engagement at the wedding, slapped the groom, the truth behind it was that she was a rich-hungry gold digger who had an affair with a tycoon!"

In the article, I was transformed into a money-hungry, flirtatious woman who saw the Trieu family destroyed immediately turned around and canceled the marriage. She also intentionally caused trouble at the wedding to defame her husband's family. The illustration photo is the photo of me helping customers into the hotel. It's blurred, but everyone can see that it's me. Below are countless comments like knives.

“You know this type of thing when you see it. When you see someone running out of money, you turn around immediately.”

“Pretending to be innocent, turns out to be full of intentions.”

"The groom's crime, being cuckolded and being slapped in front of many people."

The wave of attacks came like a flood, wanting to drown me immediately. I know, this is a counterattack from the Trieu family, they want to completely destroy me, making me no longer have a place in society. Chu Duyet was so angry that he was shaking: "Report to the police! File a lawsuit for slander immediately!" I looked at the screen, my eyes were terrifyingly calm.

“No need to rush.”

“Let them make a big deal out of it.”

“The bigger the better.”

“Does he think that he can destroy me?”

“He was just sending himself to the scaffold.”

I opened my laptop and logged into a social network account I hadn't used for a long time, where sweet and false memories between me and Trieu Khai were still saved. Looking at those photos, I just feel sarcastic to the bone. I typed a long article, every word was clear, cold, without any unnecessary emotion. Then click post.

“Hello, I am the bride in the viral story, To Du Du.”

“Regarding my story, I think it's time for me to tell the truth for myself.”

“And it all started… from an empty envelope, and a falsified power of attorney.”

My counterattack has officially begun.