Chapter 13 — Thirty Years Later, We Brought Mom Home

The next morning. The court's interim hearing remains on schedule. Hua Hoanh Vien could not be present. Tri Dao asked for permission to testify via video connection. Tham Ngoc Nhu also came. After just one night, she visibly aged. But the makeup is still perfect. Tham Gia Thu did not appear. His lawyer said he was unwell. After reviewing the file, the judge approved Hua Hoanh Vien to testify via video right at the hospital. The monitor is connected. Hua Hoanh Vien lies on a hospital bed. Next to them are doctors and notaries. Tri Chau stood in the corner of the screen, his face expressionless. Tri Dao started asking questions.

"Mr. Hua Hoanh Vien, please confirm. In the assets you gave to Ms. Tham Ngoc Nhu that year, did they include the personal assets of his late wife and assets belonging to the trust fund for the three children?"

Hua Hoanh Vien breathed very heavily. All eyes were focused on the screen. Tham Ngoc Nhu tightened her grip on the bag strap until her knuckles turned white. Hua Hoanh Vien opened his mouth. Just two very small words. But it was as heavy as a rock falling to the ground. Tri Dao continued.

"Do you know clearly that you have no right to dispose of that part of the property?"

Hua Hoanh Vien closed his eyes. Tham Ngoc Nhu jumped up.

"He is sick! That testimony is invalid!"

The judge tapped his gavel.

"Request to maintain order."

Tri Dao immediately submitted to the court the hospital's assessment, video recording and the doctor's professional opinion.

"The patient is alert, has full cognitive ability and presents simple events."

Lawyer Tham Ngoc Nhu's face immediately became unsightly. Tri Dao continued to play Hua Hoanh Vien's recording from the previous day. Each question. Each answer. Jewelry box. Van Giang Cong Quan. Donation contract. Every nod... It's clearly recorded. Tham Ngoc Nhu sat down on the chair. His face gradually became gray. Finally... She couldn't laugh anymore. The judge announced to continue maintaining the asset freeze order. At the same time, officially opened procedures to adjudicate ownership disputes over related assets. The court recommends that the two sides reconcile first. However, the plaintiff still has the right to continue to claim the profits earned from the infringement of property rights and related legal liabilities. When walking out of the hearing room. Tham Ngoc Nhu called me back.

"Hua Tri Chanh."

I stopped walking. She walked in front of me.

"You won."

"Do you want to see me kneel down?"

I calmly looked at her.

"Are you kneeling or not..."

"It has nothing to do with me."

Hatred immediately flashed in her eyes.

"So what else do you want?"

Tham Ngoc Nhu burst out laughing. Tears also fell.

"You look exactly like your mother."

"On the outside, he's noble, but on the inside he's cruel."

I took a step forward.

"Don't mention my mother."

My gaze made her suddenly step back. I coldly said:

"You don't deserve it."

On the way back to the hospital. Tri Dao received a phone call. After hearing a few words, her face immediately darkened.

"Tham Gia Thu has arrived at the old house."

"What does he want to do?"

Tri Dao looked at me.

"The construction team is already inside."

"He intended to take advantage before the blockade was enforced..."

"Destroy the west building."

When we Arriving at the old house, the excavator ran into the yard. The entrance to the western building has been cordoned off. Some workers are moving furniture. The window frame of my mother's old room was half removed, and wood mulch was scattered all over the ground. Tham Gia Thu stood in the middle of the yard, holding a construction contract in his hand. As soon as he saw me, he smiled bitterly.

"You guys are late."

I walked straight through the guard wire. The construction team leader raised his hand to stop me.

"Miss, there's construction going on here, you're not allowed in."

I looked at him.

"Who let you do the construction?"

The captain pointed towards Tham Gia Thu.

"Owner."

Tri Dao held up a copy of the court's decision to freeze assets.

"This place is in dispute over ownership and has been asked to apply property preservation measures. If you continue construction, you will be jointly responsible."

The construction team leader was stunned. Tham Gia Thu shouted loudly:

"Don't listen to her! I have power of attorney!"

Tri Dao asked:

"Who authorized it?"

"Currently, Ms. Tham Ngoc Nhu is not the person with undisputed ownership rights."

Tham Gia Thu's face turned red.

"How much is this ruined house worth? Don't you want to find evidence? I will make it impossible for you to find anything!"

Just finished speaking. The workers nearby all stopped at once. I walked step by step in front of him.

"You destroyed the west building... to destroy evidence?"

Only then did Tham Gia Thu realize that he had said something wrong.

"That's not what I meant."

I took out my phone.

"I already recorded it."

His face immediately stiffened. I turned the phone screen face down and put it in my bag. That's the movement I've done the most in the past few days. Every time he sees... He gets scared. The police quickly arrived. Tri Dao handed over all documents including the application for property preservation, the report of the patient being taken away, documents on the ownership of the old house and the recent recording of Tham Gia Thu. The construction team leader immediately denied responsibility.

"We didn't know there was a dispute here. Mr. Tham said all the procedures were complete."

Tham Gia Thu pointed straight at him and cursed.

"After receiving the money, do you immediately turn over?"

The construction team leader also got angry.

"You told us to demolish the house involved in the case. If something happens, who is responsible?"

Outside the gate, there were many neighbors standing and watching. Someone recognized us three sisters.

"Aren't those the Hua family's children?"

"You three were sent abroad a long time ago?"

"Didn't we say before that they left on their own?"

"Now it seems it's not that simple."

Hearing those rumors, Tham Gia Thu's face became even more unsightly. He turned around to leave. Tri Chau stopped right in front of the gate.

"Wait until the police finish asking."