Chapter 7 — The Last Word Is Myself

Early the next morning, Co Dinh Phong indeed came to the store. Starting from store number two, he patrolled each location. And I didn't show up. Trieu Man sat with me in a cafe, the phone was on speaker. Every hour, Old Chu sent a status report.

"Goed to store number two. Asked the front desk to give me a financial report. Tieu Ly said he had to get your approval first. He got angry."

"Goed to store number five. Called the chef to a meeting. The chef said that since Ms. To spoke up, he wouldn't participate."

"Got to store number seven. Scold the lobby manager. Tell him that in the future, anyone who doesn't listen will be fired immediately."

After hearing this, Trieu Man laughed coldly.

“He really considers himself the boss.”

I took a sip of coffee. The coffee has gone cold.

“Let him make trouble.”

“Make it even bigger…”

“It will be even more unsightly when you fall down.”

Trieu Man's eyes looking at me became complicated.

“Nien Chan.”

“Have you been preparing something these past few days?”

I don't answer directly.

“Help me date your husband.”

“Let's just say I have some legal matters I want to clarify.”

Trieu Man's husband, Lam Triet, works in civil litigation. Not too famous, but the winning rate is very high. She nodded.

“Tonight is fine.”

At two o'clock in the afternoon, Co Dinh Phong called me. I picked up the phone.

“To Niem Chan.”

“Did you say anything to the staff in the store?”

His voice was trying to contain his anger.

“What do I say?”

“Don't pretend with me.”

“I went to six stores today, but no one cooperated.”

“Finance won't let me see the books.”

“The chef doesn't listen to instructions.”

“Can you tell me what's going on?”

My voice was very calm.

“Because they were originally the people I recruited.”

“Originally, they only listen to me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I didn't mean anything.”

“You can manage the store if you want.”

“But the prerequisite is that the people in the store must obey you.”

Co Dinh Phong was silent for two seconds.

“To Niem Chan.”

“You forced me.”

"Tomorrow I will ask the lawyer to send you a letter. Either coordinate the division, or meet in court."

The phone was hung up. Trieu Man looked at me with a straw in his mouth.

“Did he really hire a lawyer?”

“He doesn't have money to hire a lawyer.”

I put the glass down.

“He will ask Tong Thanh Man to help.”

“Tong Thanh Man?”

Trieu Man frowned.

“Can she manage this?”

“Previously, Tong Thanh Man worked as an administrator at a law office for five years.”

“Even though she's not a lawyer, she knows people.”

Trieu Man was stunned.

“How do you know?”

“I investigate.”

In the three months since Tong Thanh Man returned, I've looked up everything I could about her. Previously, she worked as an administrator at a law office elsewhere for five years. The reason for quitting is unknown. After returning, I didn't go to work anymore. Living in an apartment bought with my own money. Life is very comfortable. Trieu Man put down the straw.

“When did you start investigating?”

“The night the house certificate was discovered.”

She opened her mouth, momentarily not knowing what to say.

“To Niem Chan.”

“Before, I thought you were the honest type.”

I looked at the flow of people passing by outside the window.

“I'm such an honest person.”

“But honest people are forced to the limit…”

“You also have to leave yourself a way to live.”

Eight o'clock in the evening. Trieu Man's house. Lam Triet After listening to my whole story, carefully look at the statement and photocopy of the contract I brought. He pushed up his glasses.

“Sister-in-law, your situation is actually not complicated.”

“All business contracts are in her name.”

“The sources of supply are your personal relationship.”

“The recipe is a product of my personal intelligence.”

"If you divorce and divide your assets according to the law, the right to operate a restaurant will most likely be awarded to you."

“But if he intentionally prolongs the trouble, your normal business will definitely be affected.”

I nodded.

“So I don't want to follow the normal process.”

Lam Triet looked at me.

“What do you mean?”

“If you stop all supplies.”

“Retrieve the recipe.”

“Bring out the core team.”

“So what's left in his hand…”

“How much is it still worth?”

Lam Triet leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment.

“Lease contract for eight stores.”

“Each store's rent is at least 50,000–60,000 yuan a month.”

"If there are no more suppliers and chefs, he will have to bear the rent for the empty space himself, and he will have to pay for breach of contract."

“A total of eight stores…”

“Every month he will lose at least 400,000–500,000 yuan.”

Trieu Man took a sharp breath.

“To Niem Chan…”

“Are you going to make him lose so much that he won't even have any pants left to wear?”

I looked at Lam Triet.

“Is there any legal risk in doing so?”

He shook his head.

“The supply contract is in your name, and if it expires and is not renewed, it is your right.”

“The formula is your intellectual property.”

“If employees want to follow you, it's their right to freedom of labor.”

“He has a lawsuit…”

“Can't win either.”

I stood up.

“So let's do that.”

Trieu Man pulled my hand back.

"Wait."

“When do you plan to strike?”

I thought for a few seconds.

“Tong Thanh Man's housewarming party.”

Trieu Man blinked.

“What housewarming party?”

"The big apartment Co Dinh Phong bought for her with my money."

“Next week there will be a housewarming event.”

“He even invited me.”

Trieu Man stood still.

“He still has the face to invite you to come?”

“Of course I do.”

I picked up my bag.

“In his eyes, I don't know anything.”

“He thinks I'm just a jaundiced wife who can cook.”

“I will come.”

I walked towards the door.

“Right in front of everyone.”