Chapter 15 — The Call That Locked My In-Laws Out

He did not answer immediately. It was precisely this flicker of hesitation that turned the face of Phung Le Binh even paler. Tham Man, standing behind them, suddenly let out a sharp, mocking laugh.

"Your mother told me to come downstairs and cause a scene."

"And she took it upon herself to bring people up here to pick the lock."

"Manh Thoi Vien, your family truly is a pack of thieves and swindlers."

Phung Le Binh whipped around. "Shut your mouth!"

At that very moment, the police arrived. The entire hallway fell into a deathly silence. I handed over the property deed, the formal police report, the audio recordings, and the surveillance footage. The officers listened, then turned their attention to the locksmith. The man was sweating profusely, his face glistening with anxiety.

"I truly did not know the homeowner had not given her consent," he stammered. "She showed me a photo of her son's identification and a copy of their marriage certificate."

My heart sank. "What kind of copy?"

The locksmith retrieved a folded document from his toolbox. It was a copy of my marriage certificate with Manh Thoi Vien. Clipped to it was a handwritten letter of authorization. It claimed that, as the homeowner was recovering from childbirth and unable to go downstairs, she was authorizing her husband's family to assist in unlocking the door. The signature at the bottom was mine: Ha Thanh Hoa. This time, I looked closely. It was not my handwriting.

The police officer placed the authorization letter into an evidence bag. Phung Le Binh tried to interject, her voice desperate. "My daughter-in-law is just throwing a tantrum; usually, my son handles all of these matters."

The officer looked at her sternly. "The homeowner has personally denied authorizing anyone. Bringing a locksmith to the very door of someone’s residence changes the nature of this incident entirely."

Phung Le Binh’s voice dropped to a whisper. "We didn't even manage to open it."

My lawyer friend stepped forward. "Even if the attempt was unsuccessful, a record must be made. Furthermore, yesterday evening, they explicitly threatened to forcibly take the infant."

Manh Thoi Vien’s expression was ashen. "Thanh Hoa, must you really go this far?"

I looked at him, my gaze unwavering. "Who forged the signature?"

His eyes darted away. "I wouldn't know."

Tham Man suddenly strode forward, confronting him directly. "You don't know? That day in my car, didn't you call someone and say you had already finished forging the signature?"

Manh Thoi Vien glared at her. "Don't talk nonsense."

Tham Man took out her phone. "Whether or not I am talking nonsense, you shall hear for yourself."

She played the recording. It began with the automated voice of the car's navigation system, followed by the low, calculated tone of Manh Thoi Vien. "She previously signed several blank confirmation pages; it isn't hard to imitate. First, handle the birth certificate. As long as I hold the child in my hands, she won't dare make a scene about the divorce."

As the recording played, the hallway seemed to be stripped of all sound. Phung Le Binh’s face drained of all color. Manh Thoi Vien lunged to grab the phone, but the security guard blocked him instantly. The officer’s voice grew severe. "Do not touch that."

Tham Man handed the phone to my lawyer friend. "I can send you the original file," she said, then turned to look at me. There was no trace of the morning’s provocation in her eyes. "I am not doing this to help you. I simply refuse to be lied to by them any longer."

I did not say thank you; at this moment, gratitude felt insufficient. I merely nodded. The police ordered Manh Thoi Vien, Phung Le Binh, and the locksmith to head to the station to provide statements. Manh Thoi Vien stood motionless. He stared at me, his eyes burning with an uncontrollable fury.

"Ha Thanh Hoa, do you really want to put me away?"

I held the baby, who was crying against my chest, face flushed. I lowered my head to pat the child's back. "You walked this path yourself."

Those words acted like a blade, slicing through the last shred of his dignity. He let out a dry, chilling laugh. "Fine. Do not regret this."

The officer frowned. "Watch your tone."

Manh Thoi Vien said no more. After they were escorted away, the hallway finally emptied. My mother leaned against the doorframe, her body sagging as if she had finally caught her breath, yet she seemed only now to realize the extent of the terror we had faced. I handed the baby to her. "Mother, go inside first."

My lawyer friend and I remained behind to ensure all management office and hallway security footage was backed up. The building manager’s attitude was far more cautious than before. "Ms. Ha, from now on, unless you personally authorize it, we will not allow anyone up."

I spoke firmly. "Please preserve the full footage from the gate and the elevator for today, along with the locksmith’s registration records."

The manager nodded repeatedly. Upon returning inside, the baby had fallen asleep. A tiny, fragile bundle resting in my mother’s arms, looking as if she had just been rescued from a storm. I sat on the sofa, my hands still trembling slightly. My lawyer friend poured me a cup of hot water. "Today was crucial. They forged an authorization, attempted to break in, and are involved in tampering with the birth certificate. We can now petition for a personal safety protection order, and this will be instrumental in the divorce proceedings."

I gripped the water cup. "I want to file the lawsuit immediately."

She nodded. "I understand. But you must prepare yourself. They will deny everything and will not settle willingly."

I looked at the stack of bank statements on the table. "I never expected them to settle willingly."

Past seven in the evening, the police station called. The officer informed me that Manh Thoi Vien had denied forging the signature, claiming that all the documents had been prepared by Phung Le Binh.