Chapter 9 — Three Years of Patience, One Day of Flipping the Cards

Each property. Every car. Each deposit. Each share. All are clearly listed on black and white paper. That evening. I called the phone number whose name was not saved.

“I have seen the report.”

“What are the three projects whose value was inflated?”

The opponent took turns reading the names of three projects.

“Is there still hidden debt?”

“Two clauses.”

“One is a construction loan from Thanh Dong Trade Center.”

“Suspended under the name of a subsidiary.”

“Does not appear in official financial reports.”

"The remaining amount is a tourism real estate project cooperated with Hoa Nam last year."

“Currently abandoned.”

I hold the pen. Make a few marks on paper.

“If you add it all up.”

“How much is the actual value of Co Group different from the announced value?”

“Conservative estimate.”

“The real value is only about forty percent.”

“It means that from the outside it looks like a fatty piece of meat.”

“But inside the six parts are bones and water.”

I smiled softly.

"The agreement clearly states that all assets belong to Co Canh Tham."

“So all the losses and debts also belong to him.”

“That's right, young lady.”

“Just sign to give up all rights.”

“Those debts will have absolutely nothing to do with you.”

I put down the pen.

“One more thing.”

“The Hoa Thanh Center project starts bidding for construction units next month, right?”

"That's right."

“Is Co Group participating?”

“Definitely yes.”

“This is the biggest project in the city this year.”

“All mid-range real estate companies are taking aim.”

“What are the odds of them winning the bid?”

The other end of the line was silent for two seconds.

“If there is no outside influence.”

“With their current capacity and the price they offer.”

“They have about a sixty percent chance.”

“But if someone contacts the investor first…”

“I understand.”

I interrupted.

“Don't touch it for now.”

“Wait until I finish signing the agreement.”

“Miss, do you have any other instructions?”

“Then I'll hang up the phone.”

The woman stopped for a moment.

“Boss has a sentence he wants me to pass on to you.”

“He said…”

“Very well done.”

“As expected of being my daughter.”

My fingers tightened on the phone. After a long time, I slowly relaxed. Outside the window. The night was pitch black. From the small room on the third floor, only the wall of the opposite building could be seen. I closed my eyes. Three more days. I will sign it. Date of signing the agreement. It's a beautiful sunny day. Co Canh Tham deliberately chose the largest meeting room at the Co Group headquarters. He said:

“Let the lawyer testify.”

But I know. He wants everyone to see. Seeing Tham Niem Khanh go away empty-handed. Seeing how much I struggled. When I entered. There were already five people sitting in the meeting room. Co Canh Tham sat in the middle. On the right is To Uyen Ninh. On the left is Tien My Hoa. Two lawyers sit at either end of the table. The thick agreement was spread out right in front of them. All are waiting for me. Wait for me to put down my signature. It is also waiting for the day they fall from high places. Outside the meeting room hallway. Through transparent glass. I can see the Planning and Administration staff pretending to be busy. But their eyes kept glancing in this direction. Lam Kha Binh stood in the farthest corner. Don't dare look at me. Co Canh Tham gently raised his hand. Pointing to the only empty chair on the opposite side meeting table. I stepped forward. Calmly sit down. Today To Uyen Ninh dressed very carefully. The light yellow vest made her look gentler than usual. Her hand rested on the table. The ring finger wears a diamond ring. I recognized it immediately. That is the ring Co Canh Tham bought on the occasion of their one-year wedding anniversary. Then he said he bought it for me. Then keep it in the safe in the bedroom. Last month I discovered it disappeared. It is lying in To Uyen Ninh's hand.

“Let's get started.”

Co Canh Tham looked towards the lawyer. The lawyer pushed the agreement in front of me. Flip straight to the last page.

“Please confirm the content of the agreement and sign here.”

“According to the content of the contract.”

"All common property after marriage belongs to Mr. Co Canh Tham."

"Ms. Tham voluntarily waives all rights to divide assets."

To Uyen Ninh finally couldn't bear it. She lowered her voice. Just let me hear.

“So poor that even my self-esteem is gone.”

“What else are you pretending to be noble about?”

I don't look at her. Just quietly picked up the agreement. Turn each page. From the first page. Until the last page. Tien My Hoa lost patience.

“What else are you looking at?”

“Haven't you had enough of watching it all week?”

“I want to confirm once more.”

Co Canh Tham frowned slightly. But it doesn't stop it. My finger stopped on the seventh page.