Chapter 18 — Thirty Million Yuan and One Slander

On the other end of the line... It was Tran Dong's voice. Processed. Cold as the devil's voice.

“Hua Tinh.”

“You really know how to surprise me.”

His voice didn't sound happy or sad. But it carries a calmness that makes people shiver.

“You think based on those media reports…”

“Can you overthrow me?”

“You look down on me too much.”

“I also prepared for you…”

“A great gift.”

“Right at your press conference.”

“I guarantee…”

“It will be the most brilliant and unforgettable fireworks display of your life.”

He hung up. I hold the phone. His palms were wet with cold sweat. What is he going to do? I immediately told Ly Kien Quan the entire content of the call. His face immediately became extremely unsightly.

“He wants to plant a bomb in the hall!”

“Inform the bomb squad immediately!”

“The same night the third test was conducted!”

“It's also the most thorough inspection!”

“Don't miss any corners!”

The entire command center... In the blink of an eye, it fell into a state of extreme tension. Everyone understands. Tran Dong went crazy. He is preparing to use the most extreme method... To destroy everything. The day of the press conference. The sky is miles clear and blue. But above the conference center... There still seems to be an invisible layer of gloomy clouds covering. Hundreds of reporters from all over the city, even from the whole province. Been there very early. Camcorders and cameras pointed everywhere. All are waiting to witness... What secret will this storm ultimately expose. Inside and outside the hall are strictly guarded. Every person entering must go through three layers of security checks. A demining team carrying sniffer dogs inspected the hall throughout the night. No suspicious objects detected. But that did not make Ly Kien Quan relax. He sat in the monitoring room behind the scenes. Eyes glued to dozens of monitoring screens.

“Attention all units!”

“The target can appear at any time!”

“He can pretend to be a reporter, an employee, even a security officer!”

“Watch closely for each person showing unusual behavior!”

I wear light makeup. Change into a neat business suit. Sitting in the backstage makeup room. Wait your turn to step out. My heart beats very fast. But I knew… I couldn't show any tension. I'm the bait. My calmness… Is the best disguise. Exactly ten o'clock in the morning. I took a deep breath. Under the guidance of the staff, step onto the press conference podium. As soon as I appeared. Under the auditorium. The flash light flared up thickly. The whole hall was as bright as day. The sound of cameras rang continuously like falling rain. I walked to the podium to speak. His eyes calmly scanned each unfamiliar face below. I'm looking. Find the eyes… Hidden in the crowd. Angry and crazy eyes.

“Hello media friends.”

I hold the microphone. Clear, steady voice.

“I am Hua Tinh.”

“Standing here today…”

“I want to tell everyone the truth.”

“A truth about money rights transactions, business collusion…”

“Even disregarding human life.”

My words just ended. The whole hall immediately stirred. I didn't pay attention to that reaction. Continue reading according to the prepared manuscript. I started with a 30 million yuan project. Tell me about my car accident. Tell me about Vuong Kien Quoc, Liu Wei, Ton Le, Lam Dao... Every time I say one name. There was another wave of surprise in the auditorium. All the cameras were pointed at me. Every sentence, every word of mine. Broadcast live to tens of thousands of families in the city. Just as I was about to say the name... Unexpected events occurred. In the back row of seats in the hall. A "reporter" who was carrying a camera suddenly threw the camera down. From inside his shirt... Pulled out a black pistol. But the gun's muzzle... Not pointed at me. Which pointed at the man standing next to him. A gentleman looking elegant. Wear gold-rimmed glasses.

"Tran Dong! You scammer!"

“Give me my son's life!”

That man... It's Tran Dong! He really dared to come! He disguised himself as an ordinary reporter. Blend into the crowd. Just to see with my own eyes that I was completely ruined. The scene was immediately chaotic. The reporter shouted. Everyone ran away in panic. The surrounding plainclothes policemen immediately rushed forward.

“Don't move!”

“Put the gun down!”

But the man with the gun… Went completely crazy. Gunfire rang out. Tran Dong's body shook strongly. He bent down. I couldn't believe it when I saw the blood stains on my chest. His eyes were filled with shock and confusion. He calculated everything. If I figure it out, I'll hold a press conference. Calculate that there will be ambushes here. He even prepared the final move.

The “fireworks” he said on the phone…

It's a remote controlled bomb. It was hidden in a fake camera next to him. Just let me say his name. He will detonate. Drag everyone to death with you. But he calculated everything. Again, I can't count... The father of the truck driver who hit me. Found him. And chose the most extreme way... To avenge his son.

“Dang! Bang!”

Two more gunshots rang out. The ambush task force immediately opened fire. Shoot down the man holding the gun. Tran Dong's body... Slowly fell down. Falling right next to the "fireworks display" that he himself had prepared. Blood stained the expensive suit red. His eyes were still wide open. Only unwillingness remains. In this game. The person who considers himself the controller of the chessboard... Becomes a chess piece. Chess piece of fate. Tran Dong is dead. Died right in the ending he carefully arranged. The father of the truck driver, who opened fire to avenge his son... Also because his injuries were too serious. On the way to the hospital... Stopped breathing. A shocking case. Ends in a brutal yet dramatic way. The investigation continues to be implemented. Tran Dong's death... Made the giant protective umbrella behind him completely appear in the light. From the City Police Department... To higher levels. Dozens of people were involved. One by one pulled out into the light. The official of the whole city. Experiencing an unprecedented earthquake. Vuong Kien Quoc. Chu Minh Vu... People who once held important positions in my life. They all received deserved sentences. Waiting for them... Is the fair judgment of the law. And the long years behind bars. Tan Nguyet. Finally got what she wanted. Chu Minh Vu for being involved in many crimes. Summary of penalties. Sentenced to life imprisonment. She sent me a text message. Only two words. I replied back. Just two words.

"Take care."

Between us. All grudges... From now on, it will be erased. My life also gradually changed peaceful again. The agency reinstated me to my position. There is even the intention of promotion. But I refused. After going through this life and death battle. I took a lot of things for granted. It's all just like a passing cloud of smoke. I submitted my resignation. Then quickly completed the divorce procedure with Chu Minh Vu. I sold the house... The place that contained five years of fake marriage. Then taking my parents out of the city left me so traumatized. We went to a small city in the South. Gentle landscape. I used all the accumulated money. Open a small bookstore. The name of the bookstore is…

“Tan Sinh”.

Ly Kien Quan came to visit me once. He brought with him the first-class medal that the project team gave me. We sat by the window of the bookstore. Chat. He is about to be transferred somewhere else. Start a new position. Take on new challenges. Before leaving. He stood at the door. Look at the room full of books. And the sunshine is bright out there. Smile and talk to me.

“Hua Tinh.”

“Now you look…so good.”

I saw him leave. Return to the store. A young girl is standing in front of a bookshelf. Carefully choose. She holds a book. Go to the front counter.

“Sister, what is this book… about?”

I received the book. Take a quick look at the cover. Then smiled and said to her.

“A story of self-redemption.”

Outside the window. The sunlight is just beautiful. The gentle wind flipped through the pages of the book. Brings with it the faint scent of ink. My life... Has turned a new page. And that page. Because of me. Just me. Write it yourself.