Chapter 12 — The Man Behind the Rain in Old Street

At the district police headquarters, the first official meeting with witnesses took place in a solemn atmosphere. Ms. Huynh Thi Yen, Ms. Bay Lieu, and Mr. Ly Cong Tuan were invited into separate testimony rooms, each recounting in detail what they knew under the careful notes of the investigators.

Bao Ngoc and Nhat Quang waited in the hallway, both tensely watching the hours pass while the witnesses completed their testimonies one by one. "I didn't expect this day to come," Nhat Quang said, his voice emotional, looking through the glass window into the testimony room where Ms. Bay Lieu was sitting presenting with a serious, determined expression.

"This is just the beginning," Bao Ngoc said, although her heart was also full of hope. "But yes, this is a very important milestone."

After completing the testimony, Captain Hoang Minh Duc came out to meet Bao Ngoc and Nhat Quang, his face carrying a serious look mixed with cautious optimism. "The statements of the three witnesses are quite consistent with each other and with the documents you previously provided," he said. "Based on this basis, I have proposed to my superiors to apply for an urgent search warrant for the suspected area within the grounds of the Ton family mansion."

"When can we know the official decision?" Bao Ngoc asked, her voice full of hope.

"Maybe within a week," Captain Duc replied. "But I must say first, applying for a search warrant for the assets of a large corporation like Bao Long is not a simple matter. They will certainly have a strong team of lawyers ready to object in any way possible."

***

As expected, just two days after the official testimony, news began to leak out. Bao Ngoc received a call from Phan Duc Long, his voice was full of worry. "I just received a phone call from one of the editorial board members," he said. "It seems that information about the investigation has reached the leadership, and they are under great pressure."

"Where does the pressure come from?" Bao Ngoc asked, even though she already had a hunch about the answer.

"Bao Long Group is our largest advertiser," Mr. Long replied, his voice heavy. "They just announced a temporary suspension of all advertising contracts, citing a 'media strategy reassessment,' but the timing is clearly no coincidence."

Bao Ngoc felt anger rising in his heart at that blatant pressure tactic. "They are trying to strangle the newsroom to force us to stop the investigation," she said.

"Exactly," Mr. Long confirmed. "And I have to be honest with you, Bao Ngoc, the management is putting a lot of pressure on me, asking to suspend this topic until the situation 'stabilizes' again."

Bao Ngoc's heart sank before that news. "Do you intend to stop the investigation?" she asked, her voice strained.

"I haven't made a final decision yet," Mr. Long replied, his voice filled with inner conflict. "But I need you to understand the real situation we're facing. This isn't just my decision anymore."

After the call, Bao Ngoc sat silently for a long time at his desk, clearly feeling the weight of the situation that was becoming increasingly complicated. She called Nhat Quang and shared this disturbing news.

"They are trying to use money to silence the truth," Nhat Quang said, his voice filled with indignation. "This is exactly what they did thirty years ago to Mrs. Bay Lieu."

"I won't let them succeed this time," Bao Ngoc said, her voice more determined than ever. "If the editorial office decides to stop the article, I will find another way to bring the truth to light, even if it means sacrificing my own job."

"I don't want you to have to sacrifice your career because of this," Nhat Quang said, his voice filled with concern for her.

"This isn't just a job anymore, Quang," Bao Ngoc replied, her voice sincere and determined. "This is justice for your sister, for everyone who has had to live in silence and fear for the past thirty years. I cannot turn my back on that just because of financial pressure from a powerful corporation."

Nhat Quang was silent for a moment, his eyes filled with deep emotion at her steadfastness and courage. "Thank you," he said softly. "I don't know what I did to deserve a companion like you on this journey."

"You deserve to know the truth," Bao Ngoc replied. "And I will do everything in my power to ensure that, no matter how difficult the road ahead."

That night, as Bao Ngoc looked back on the entire journey she had traveled since the day she received the assignment to write an article about a seemingly simple folk legend, she realized that the real war — the war against power, money, and organized silence — had just begun, and she would need all the strength, wisdom, and courage she had to see it through to the end.

***

The next morning, Bao Ngoc came to meet Thanh Son early to discuss the next steps in a context where the editorial office was under heavy pressure. "We need to prepare for the worst," she said, sitting down at his desk. "If the editorial office decides to stop reporting, we need to have a backup plan."

"What are you thinking about?" Thanh Son asked, his eyes full of curiosity.

"I am in contact with a few independent reporters who specialize in writing for online journalism platforms that do not depend on advertising from large corporations," Bao Ngoc said. "If necessary, I can publish articles through that channel, although this may affect my career at my current newspaper."

"It's a huge decision," Thanh Son said, his voice filled with concern for his friend. "Have you thought it through?"

"I thought very carefully," Bao Ngoc replied, her voice determined. "But I believe that this truth is more important than any personal career. Nhat Quang's family has been waiting for justice for thirty years, I cannot let it be buried again just because of financial pressure."

At noon, Bao Ngoc was summoned to the Editor-in-Chief's office, along with Phan Duc Long. The atmosphere in the meeting room was tense from the first moment. The Editor-in-Chief, an older man with a stern appearance, looked at Bao Ngoc with complicated eyes, both appreciating her courage and worrying about the financial consequences that the editorial office might have to suffer.

"Miss Bao Ngoc, I have looked through your entire investigation file," the Editor-in-Chief said, his voice grave. "I must admit, this is one of the most serious and responsible investigations I have seen in many years in my profession. But you also need to understand, the editorial office is facing serious financial pressure if we continue to pursue this topic."

"I understand that pressure, Mr. Editor-in-Chief," Bao Ngoc replied, her voice steady even though she was filled with nervousness. "But I believe that the responsibility of journalism is to serve truth and justice, not to serve the interests of advertisers. If we back down from this pressure, we are sending a very dangerous message — that money can buy the press's silence."

The editor-in-chief was silent for a long time, his eyes full of thought before Bao Ngoc's passionate words. "I need time to consider it carefully," he said at last. "I will convene a full board meeting in the next few days to make a final decision. During that time, you can continue to collect more evidence, but you are not allowed to publish anything yet."

Leaving the meeting, Bao Ngoc felt both relieved that he was not forced to stop the investigation immediately and worried about the uncertain future that lay ahead. She knew that the editorial board's final decision would be an important turning point, possibly deciding whether the truth about Nhat Lan would ever be officially made public or not.

Phan Duc Long accompanied her out of the building, placing his hand on her shoulder reassuringly. "She presented it very well in there," he said. "I believe you have planted a seed of doubt in the Editor-in-Chief's heart, causing him to reconsider between financial pressure and professional ethical responsibilities."

"I hope so," Bao Ngoc replied, sighing tiredly. "But I also prepare myself for the worst possibility."

"No matter the outcome, I will always support you," Mr. Long said, his voice sincere. "She reminded me why I chose to pursue journalism in the first place — not because of money or fame, but because of the belief that the truth deserves to be told."

Bao Ngoc smiled gratefully at that support, feeling that although the road ahead is still uncertain, she is not alone in this fight to protect the truth.