Chapter 22 — There Are Positions You Can Only Hold For Yourself

“Just tell the truth, don't answer leading questions.”

I nodded. The reporters immediately brought the microphone closer.

"May I ask, did you know before about the relationship between Mr. Tran and Manh Dinh?"

“Is today's annulment part of the Jiang family's plan to counterattack commercially?”

“The recordings and medical records are circulating online, can you confirm their authenticity?”

Question after question was thrown at me. Waiting until the surrounding noise subsided a bit, I slowly spoke up.

“Before today, I was completely unaware of the photos, recordings and stories related to the clinic abroad.”

"The first reason why I decided to annul the marriage is not because of the documents circulating online."

“It's because right at my engagement ceremony, I was openly despised by my fiance and his family.”

The crowd immediately became quieter. I continued talking.

“The position in the middle of the banquet table originally belongs to me.”

“But it was exchanged for Manh Dinh before.”

“I once asked Tran Nhien, he told me to hold back.”

“His mother blamed me for not understanding.”

"Manh Dinh said she didn't know anything, but surveillance cameras recorded the scene of her personally changing the seat nameplate."

“All of that, the guests present in the banquet hall witnessed with their own eyes.”

A reporter immediately asked again.

“So did you cancel the engagement just because of a seat?”

I looked towards the person who had just asked the question.

“Not for a seat.”

“It's because of my position in this relationship.”

“If on the day of my engagement, I had to give up my position…”

“Then after getting married, what else can I expect?”

As soon as the words ended, the surroundings fell into a short silence. Mom squeezed my hand tighter. I didn't cry at all. But the voice was calmer than I imagined.

“About the cooperation between the Tran family and the Giang family.”

“My father and the lawyer will handle it according to legal procedures.”

"If the Tran family's documents have problems, the Giang family will retain the right to pursue responsibility."

"If someone spreads false news that the Giang family is taking advantage of this story to polish their name, we will also handle it according to the law."

Lawyer Tham nodded slightly. The reporters still intended to continue asking about medical records. I raised my hand to interrupt.

“Regarding the privacy and medical information of others, I do not make any comments.”

“But I want to remind everyone of one thing.”

“No one's painful past should be used as an excuse to hurt another innocent person.”

“Meng Dinh has her suffering.”

“Tran Nhien has his fault.”

“The Tran family has secrets that they have hidden.”

“But all of that cannot become a reason for them to look down on me, deceive me and take advantage of me.”

The entire hallway was suddenly filled with only the continuous sound of camera shutters. Finally, I calmly spoke.

“Today I annul the engagement.”

“It's not because of impulse.”

“It's not for anyone to see.”

“I just don't want to give the rest of my life to someone who doesn't respect me.”

“I would like to stop answering here.”

Having finished speaking, I turned around and left. Giang's relatives immediately surrounded them around to protect me, taking me towards the elevator. Behind me, the reporters kept calling my name. But those sounds were gradually separated by the closing elevator door. Inside the elevator it was so quiet that it made one's ears strain. Mom finally couldn't hold it anymore and hugged me tightly.

“Nguyet Nguyet, I have to endure the pain.”

I leaned my head on my mother's shoulder, my nose suddenly stinging.

“Mom, have I made your parents lose face?”

Dad immediately responded.

“Today I regained my dignity.”

My uncle also spoke in a low voice.

“It's right to cancel the engagement.”

“If you really marry there, you will push yourself into a fire pit.”

I bowed my head, looking at the engagement ring still in the box. It was a ring that had not yet been given to each other. Mom is still holding it. The ring was tiny, the light was cold and blinding. I reached out my hand to receive it and looked at it quietly for a moment.

“Do I still have to return this to them?”

Lawyer Tham spoke up.

“According to customs or legal regulations, both can be negotiated.”

“But the most important thing right now is to quickly preserve the rights of the Giang family.”

Dad nodded.

“Lawyer Tham, immediately return to the company and send an official dispatch.”

"Terminate cooperation, while preserving all evidence."

Lawyer Tham replied. The elevator stops at the basement parking lot. As soon as the door opened, a cold wind immediately rushed in. I had just taken a step when my phone vibrated again. I thought it was a strange number. But the name that appeared on the screen... It was Tran Nhien again. I didn't pick up the phone. After the call was automatically disconnected, he sent me a text message.

“You are wrong, Giang Nguyet.”

Right after that, the second message also appeared.

"Don't push things to the end. Give me a day, I'll explain everything clearly."

I looked at those two messages, calmly pressed delete. But in the next second, a third message appeared.

“If you refuse to see me, I will come find your father.”

My steps stopped. Dad quickly noticed my strangeness.

"What's up?"

I gave the phone to dad. After he finished watching, his face immediately darkened. Lawyer Tham glanced at him and then immediately spoke.

“Don't meet him alone.”

“This is no longer a love story.”

Just as I was about to nod, the sound of rapid footsteps suddenly sounded from the other side of the parking lot. Unexpectedly, Tran Nhien ran down the emergency exit. His shirt collar was askew, his face was still red, but his eyes locked on me.

“Giang Nguyet.”

“Let's talk.”

Dad stepped up to block me.

“If you go one step further…”

“I will immediately report to the police.”