Chapter 17 — The day I signed the divorce petition, I won the bid for a 30 billion VND project

“Luc Tu Hanh.”

“Do you know…”

“What is called starting again?”

“Start again…”

“It means everything in the past never existed.”

“No damage.”

“There was no betrayal.”

“There is no self-pity that cannot be put into words.”

I looked straight into his eyes.

“Can you do it?”

His lips moved slightly. Not even a word can be said.

“I can't do it.”

I replied softly.

“Because…”

“All that…”

“I still remember it very clearly.”

“Just remember…”

“There will never be such a thing as starting over.”

Having finished speaking, I turned around and entered the building. Never looked back. Behind him came the sound of him calling.

“Tham Nghien Thanh...”

The door slowly closed. The hallway was strangely quiet. Only the sound of my footsteps remained. When I got home, I took off my coat, changed into home clothes and poured myself a glass of water. Standing in front of the window, I looked down. Luc Tu Hanh's car was still parked there. The car lights are still on. He was still sitting in the car. I looked for a few seconds. Quietly close the curtains. There are things... Once it's over. That's it, it's over. You can look back. Never turn around and walk back. One month later. The court's verdict was officially announced. Khuong Niem was convicted of slander and falsifying evidence. She was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years, and had to compensate me 800,000 yuan including loss of honor and compensation for mental damage. That result... was completely within my expectations. Not because I won. The truth has won. In this world... You can fool one person at a time. You can't fool them all your life. Lies will one day be exposed. It's just sooner or later. The day the verdict was announced, Tieu Chu ran into the office holding a stack of court documents. Her face was as radiant as a flower.

“Miss Tham!”

“We won!”

I received the file and flipped through a few pages.

“Transfer the file to the legal department.”

Tieu Chu looked at me bewildered.

“Miss Tham…”

“Aren't you happy?”

I closed the file.

“But the fun is over…”

“Let's just keep working.”

Tieu Chu looked at me for a long time. Eyes full of emotions.

“Miss Tham…”

“You have really changed.”

“For better or for worse?”

I asked smilingly.

"Not."

She shook her head.

“You have become stronger.”

I smiled softly. Three words sound very light. It took me three full years to redeem it. More than a thousand days and nights. I don't know how many times I silently shed tears. I don't know how many times I wanted to give up. But in the end... I still got through. It's not because I'm that good. I understand very well. Other than continuing to move forward... I have no other choice. Half a year later. At the International Architecture Awards ceremony. I stand on stage. In hand is the prestigious trophy. The flash below continuously flashes. I see a lot of people. Seniors in the industry. Partners who have accompanied each other. Even the opponents who once looked down on me. I also saw him. Luc Tu Hanh sat in the third row. He was wearing a neat black suit. Compared to half a year ago... A lot thinner again. He is clapping. The eyes were red. I quietly moved my eyes. Don't let it stay on him for even a second longer. After the award ceremony, the host invite me to speak. I hold the microphone. Silence for a few seconds. The entire auditorium also fell silent. All eyes turned towards me.

“First…”

“I want to thank those who didn't believe in me.”

“You guys taught me something…”

“Never live in other people's expectations.”

“I also want to thank those who have hurt me.”

“Because you guys made me understand that…”

“Even the deepest scars...”

“Can also nurture the toughest bones.”

“Finally…”

“I want to thank myself.”

“Thank you for...”

“Never gave up.”

“You did very well.”

The entire auditorium echoed with applause. I bowed my head in thanks. Then step off the stage. When passing by the third row... I could feel Luc Tu Hanh's eyes still following me. I don't look at him. The ceremony ended. The assistant walked over and handed me an envelope.

“Miss Tham.”

“A person named Luc asked me to pass it on to you.”

White envelope. Do not include the sender's name. There are only two words on the outside. Nghien Thanh. I hold the envelope. Standing in the middle of the hallway. Be silent for exactly three seconds. I went straight to the paper shredder at the end of the hallway. No hesitation either. The white envelope slowly disappeared in the steadily rotating blade.