Chapter 10 — The Last Gift Is Goodbye

"Three years ago, I was a contestant at an international piano competition. Before the final, the defendant put Dantrolene Sodium in my drink, causing my fingers to lose control while waiting to perform, forcing me to withdraw. After that, my ex-boyfriend Co Hoai Tham, using the excuse that I was 'no longer useful', intentionally broke three knuckles of my left hand."

Below the audience seats there was a stir of surprise.

"Even though the defendant did not directly break my arm, it was the act of drugging me during the competition that caused me to withdraw, leading to a series of tragedies afterward. Without her drugging behavior, I would not have had to quit the competition, would not have been assaulted by Co Hoai Tham, and would not have lost three years of my peak career."

The judge asked: "What is the plaintiff's claim?"

"First, declare defendant Jiang Wanqing guilty of intentionally causing injury. Second, request the defendant to compensate for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, compensation for mental damage and loss of professional income for three years, a total of 26 million yuan. Third, request the defendant to publicly apologize."

Giang Uyen Thanh's lawyer stood up to defend.

"Image inspection only has 93% similarity, not meeting the legal identification standard of 95%—"

Vuong Van immediately stood up and interrupted.

"Additional evidence. The plaintiff submitted to the court a toxicology report from the blood sample of the tournament organizers in Vienna, hotel entry and exit records at the same time, and an indirect recording of confirmation from the defendant's father, Giang Duc Vinh, in the phone call.

We respectfully request the court to consider." Lawyer Giang Uyen Thanh's expression changed continuously. That recording, they obviously didn't know about. The trial lasted for three days. On the final day of sentencing, outside the courthouse was filled with reporters. The judge's voice reading the verdict rang out through the court's loudspeaker system.

"Defendant Giang Uyen Thanh committed the crime of intentionally causing injury, sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison, suspended for 2 years. Compensation for economic and mental losses to plaintiff Lam Niem totaling 18 million yuan. At the same time, a public apology must be published in the 5 newspapers with the largest circulation in the country."

Giang Uyen Thanh stood at the horseshoe, her face as white as paper. The lawyer next to him quietly said "can appeal", but she did not have any reaction. After the verdict was announced, the judicial police asked the defendant to leave the court. As she passed me, she stopped for a moment.

"Lam Niem."

I looked at her.

"You ruined my life." She exclaimed.

"Are not." I replied, "Three years ago, you were the one who destroyed me first."

She was taken away by the police. As soon as I stepped out of the court gate, the flash from the camera surrounded me.

"Miss Lam! May I ask if you are satisfied with the verdict?"

"Miss Lam! How has your hand recovered now? Can you still play the piano?"

"Miss Lam! It's rumored on the internet that Co Hoai Tham is the real mastermind, what do you think about this?"

I stopped in front of the forest of microphones.

"As for Co Hoai Tham, the case has been separated for separate handling. Today I only filed a lawsuit for Jiang Uyen Thanh's drug addiction, and the court gave a fair verdict. For other matters, the law will provide the answer."

"What about your hands? Can you still play?"

I raised my left hand, Stretch your fingers in front of the lens.

"In a few months, everyone will know."

Some people in the crowd applauded. I don't know who started it, but the applause quickly spread everywhere. Vuong Van helped me through the crowd to get in the car.

"Miss Lam, did you know? The scene just now will definitely be on the front page of all newspapers tomorrow."

"As for Co Hoai Tham's side—"

"As for him, let's figure out the next step."

Co Hoai Tham's end came faster than I thought. After the Giang family withdrew capital, Co Thi Group's financial supply chain was completely disrupted within two months. Real estate projects in Southeast Asia were banned, partners sued, banks tightened lending. The stock price has plummeted 68% compared to its highest point. The board of directors voted to remove him from his position as CEO. What's more fatal is that the police investigation into his intentional injury case also had results. My old medical records at the hospital, X-rays, along with a recording in his office - which was the recording I secretly recorded with my phone that year and always kept it private - created a perfect chain of evidence. In the recording, he said:

"A woman who can't play the piano is of no use."

Was cited by the prosecution right in the indictment. Court sentenced: Co Hoai Tham guilty of intentionally causing injury, sentenced to 3 years in prison. There is no suspended sentence. It's a real 3 years in prison. On the day of sentencing, Chu Ngoc Lan stood in front of the court gate, crying and complaining.

"My son was harmed by that woman named Lam! She designed a trap for my son!"

No one paid any attention to her. Reporters only focused on taking photos of the verdict posted in front of the court door. When Dao Nhien called me, her voice was still shaking.

"Nien Niem, he's in jail."

"How do you feel?"