Chapter 15 — The Wedding House Was Destroyed, I Want It All Back

“What does this mean?”

“In the short term, Chu Tinh will not be approved for detention.” Tham Du said frankly, without beating around the bush, "but the case is not over, it's just been prolonged."

“The good thing is that you have more time to complete the evidence, the bad thing is that they also have more space to maneuver.”

She sent another voice clip, with a heavier voice.

"More importantly, in the document returning the case, there will likely be sentences such as 'there is a discrepancy between the damage provided by the reporter and the available evidence'."

“That opens up a line of attack for their side — shifting the focus from ‘will you destroy it or not’ to ‘will you exaggerate the damage or not’.”

“Is the appraisal report not valuable?” I frowned.

"Valid." Tham Du replied immediately, "but the prosecutor will still compare with your testimony before and after the incident, the words of the construction company, the building manager, and any factors related to 'damage'."

"If their side wants to make a big deal out of it, there will be two directions - one is to doubt the documents you provided to the appraisal unit, the other is to use words from the construction or management side to deny the numbers."

“Management side?” I immediately tensed up, "Is it possible for them... to be convinced?"

“For now, there are no signs.” Tham Du reassured, "but be careful."

“You should meet with them again, in the name of coordinating additional investigations, please back up all the original documents - scene records, incident descriptions, repair estimates.”

“If someone changes the words later, at least you still keep the original.”

“I leave tomorrow.”

“And the construction side.” Tham Du continued, “How is your relationship with the project manager?”

“It's okay, I worked directly with them before.”

“So we need to contact as soon as possible.”

"See if anyone has asked them about the apartment recently. If necessary, ask them for a document confirming the damage and repair costs."

"I get it."

Hang up the phone, I open the file "To do list", add two new lines. The list is so long that it makes people a little scared - from reporting cases, taking photos, saving evidence, extending to judicial appraisals, litigation files, the opponent's cash flow, recording pressure... Now add "save the original from the management side", "prevent testimony from the construction side". Each item is a rope. Those strings are gradually weaving into a net. I just hope... that net will hold the truth, not tie itself back. At the end of the week, I made an appointment with the building manager - Mr. Tran - to meet at the area manager's office. As soon as he saw me, he was a bit confused.

"Miss Lam, it must have been very difficult these days... we feel sorry for that."

“I understand it's difficult for you.” I said frankly, without beating around the bush, "but this is no longer a personal matter, it is already a criminal case, the management has an obligation to coordinate."

“We understand.” He nodded, "Last time you asked for the camera, I had someone check it carefully, then the police also came to get a copy."

I pushed the preparation list over.

“There are two things this time — first, I need to copy the ‘incident report’ that day and the ‘scene description’, second, have you ever done an internal repair cost estimate?”

Old Tran hesitated for a moment, then opened the drawer and took out two pieces of paper.

"This is a copy made by the shift that day. According to the procedure, it can be reissued. I will ask the receptionist to make a photocopy for you."

“As for the cost estimate…” he lowered his voice, “before you said you would be the director determined by a third party so we do not dare to give official figures."

“But then, Chu Da's father came looking for me.”

I immediately noticed.

“What did he say?”

"He said something like 'we're all family, she's just impulsive, don't make a big deal out of it', and hinted that if my side would help, in the future any project in the area would prioritize cooperation with management."

Old Tran smiled wryly, his voice full of helplessness, "I don't dare, if this story is written wrong, if it is found out later, my side will also be implicated."

“Did he come back after that?” I continued asking, not missing any details.

“Yes, came again two days ago.” He scratched his head, "This time I said it more cleverly, saying that if a superior checks, just 'report the truth' and don't 'be influenced by emotions'."

"To put it bluntly, we don't want us to say the extent of the damage is too severe. I'll only answer one question - we only say what we saw with our own eyes, the rest we don't know."

I nodded, my voice firm.

“What you did was right, just keeping the three words 'true' is enough.”

“We are also just afraid of being responsible.” He sighed, "Miss Lam, don't worry, I don't take any side on this matter. Whoever asks, I say so."

“That's fine.”

Holding the photocopy in my hand, I read each line carefully. In the "Incident Minutes", the description clearly states: "The owner's house was vandalized by many people, the doors, glass, furniture, and electrical equipment were all damaged in many locations, the scene was chaotic." The note also added: "The homeowner was not present, the vandal was the fiance's younger sister and a number of young people accompanying her, the state of excitement and clearly malicious behavior." At the bottom is the red seal of the management unit. Outside, the pounding on the door had not stopped. Mixed with the shrill screams, the hallway gradually became noisier, clearly someone had gathered to chat.

“Nim Niem, calm down.” Tham Du's voice was lower but heavier, "Don't open the door, immediately call the receptionist, ask them to notify the police, send me the location, I'll be there in ten minutes."

“Every step you take now must turn into evidence in your favor, understand?”