Chapter 21 — The Heiress's Selection of a Husband

Just a few hours after the truth was revealed in the middle of the death anniversary, the legal team of Chu Nguyen Group officially contacted the investigation agency, reporting all evidence of Chu Bach Dinh's acts of falsifying records, slandering and plotting to harm others twenty-five years ago, along with the plot to collude with Lam Vinh Phat to harm Anh Thu recently.

News of the incident quickly spread beyond the villa, causing the entire city of Xuyen Giang to stir and discuss for many days. Local newspapers simultaneously reported on a shocking scandal within one of the city's largest corporations, about a story of whitewashing that lasted for a quarter of a century, and about the courageous journey of a young girl who dared to disguise her identity to find justice for her family.

The police arrived at the mansion that afternoon and took Chu Bach Dinh away in the silent witness of the entire family. He no longer resisted or justified anything further, just bowed his head and got into the car, looking like a person who had completely surrendered to the fate he had caused. Several longtime maids in the house stood close together, whispering, not daring to believe that the Vice President they had respected for so long could carry such a dark past.

"With this clear evidence, along with witness testimony, I believe he will be held fully criminally responsible before the law." The group's chief lawyer spoke to Chu Vinh Toan, his voice full of sympathy for the family head's pain. "In addition to the charges of falsifying documents and slander, he may also be prosecuted for conspiracy to endanger the lives of others."

Chu Vinh Toan nodded, his voice sad but decisive. "Just handle it according to the law, no need to hold back because of family feelings. Dac Nghia has suffered unjustly for twenty-five years, we cannot let justice be delayed one more day."

In the following days, the investigation agency continuously invited relevant parties to work to complete the case file. Ms. Thu and Mr. Dinh Van Tho had to go to the police headquarters many times to present the entire incident, comparing every detail in the testimony with the evidence that had been collected. Although tired, both felt relieved when they finally had the opportunity to tell the truth officially, recognized and protected by law.

The independent signature expert invited by the investigation agency also came to a conclusion that was completely consistent with what was presented at the death anniversary ceremony, confirming that the signature in the old indictment against Ton Dac Nghia was a forgery, made by another person who deliberately imitated the original handwriting. Along with Mr. Tho's detailed testimony about witnessing Bach Dinh sneaking into the file room in the middle of the night, the accusation file had almost no room to deny.

As for Lam Vinh Phat, as soon as news of the collusion plot was exposed, Lam Phat Group faced a wave of fierce criticism from the media and business partners. Lam Vinh Phat's father, who was unaware of his son's dark plan, was forced to publicly apologize and end all cooperation with Chu Nguyen Group to avoid further involvement.

"You have disgraced the entire Lam family because of your greed and personal hatred." Lam Vinh Phat's father spoke at the press conference, his voice full of disappointment. "From today, you will have to leave every management position in the corporation to take responsibility for your actions."

Lam Vinh Phat, from a person who once confidently held power and property, now had to suffer heavy consequences for his selfishness and hatred, being turned away by his own family in the midst of the worst honor crisis of his life.

As for the shares that Lam Vinh Phat once held in Tan Phuc Company through a previous marriage agreement, Anh Thu's team of lawyers quickly carried out legal recovery procedures, restoring full control of the company to the true owner. Mr. La Binh, who once arranged the marriage for his own benefit, was also forced to resign from his position as interim chairman of the board of directors after the truth about his self-interested motives was revealed to the public, ceding full management authority to Anh Thu, the true and only owner of the company.

At the Chu family mansion, the atmosphere after the storm gradually calmed down, giving way to a quiet and thoughtful silence. Chu Vinh Toan convened an extended family meeting, inviting both longtime shareholders and media representatives to officially announce the truth about the incident twenty-five years ago.

"I, Chu Vinh Toan, would like to officially declare before the entire family and the business community of Xuyen Giang city that Mr. Ton Dac Nghia, who was accused of embezzling Chu Nguyen group funds twenty-five years ago, is completely innocent. The entire incident was orchestrated by my younger brother, Chu Bach Dinh, for personal gain. I apologize to the spirit of my deceased soulmate, and apologize to his family for the delay in exonerating him." His voice rang out solemnly and emotionally in the silent hall.

Several reporters present at the meeting immediately recorded the entire statement, and within just a few hours, news of Ton Dac Nghia's exoneration spread throughout the business community of Xuyen Giang city. Many former partners who worked with him in the past, now older, called to express their emotion and sympathy for an unjust story that had lasted for a quarter of a century and was finally cleared up. Some people even sent handwritten letters to the mansion, recounting beautiful memories of his integrity and talent during his time in office, making Anh Thu even more proud of the father she never had the chance to meet.

Applause rang out scatteredly, then spread throughout the hall, not to celebrate a victory, but to honor the courage of a family that dared to look directly at the mistakes of the past to correct them. Anh Thu stood silently in the crowd, tears rolling down her cheeks, feeling like the burden of many years had finally been completely lifted.

Vinh Bach, standing next to her, gently patted her shoulder to comfort her. "The Sun family has now been vindicated before the entire business world. Your family's honor has been fully restored."

"I thank my family for believing in me and standing by my side." Anh Thu said, her voice choked with emotion.

That evening, Chu Vinh Toan sent someone to bring a bouquet of white flowers, along with the small wooden box he had kept half of the jade pendant for many years, placed in front of the temporary altar set up right on the grounds of the mansion to commemorate Ton Dac Nghia and Vu Thi Hien. He stood silently for a long time in front of the altar, lighting incense sticks, his voice whispering as if he were talking to a long-dead friend.

"Dac Nghia, I'm sorry for not trusting you enough at the most important moment. But my daughter has proven that my family's righteous bloodline is still intact. I promise to take care of her like my own daughter, to make up for what my family has had to endure."

Anh Thu stood next to her, looking at the elderly man bowing her head before the portrait of her parents. Her heart was filled with an indescribable emotion, both sad and warm, as if an unfinished circle of twenty-five years had finally completely closed.

Vinh Phong stood behind, quietly observing the entire emotional scene. An indescribable pride rose in his heart when he thought that he, without even knowing it, had contributed a small part to his close friend's journey to find justice. "You know, from now on you're not just my friend anymore, you're also a real sister in this family." He spoke, his voice joking but containing deep sincerity.

Anh Thu turned to look at Vinh Phong, the corner of her mouth showed a rare smile of relief after many stressful days. "Thank you, for always being by my side without needing to know everything, simply because you believe that I'm a good friend."

That night, when the moonlight shone down on the quiet garden, Anh Thu sat alone at the makeshift altar, whispering to her parents about the arduous journey she had just gone through, about the love she had found, about the sincere friendship she had, and about justice that had finally been served after a quarter of a century of waiting in the dark.