Chapter 16 — Twenty Years of Reclaiming Justice

My steps stopped. I turned my head to look at him.

“What do you mean?”

“From the beginning.”

“That chess game was personally arranged by one person.”

Co Truong Phong looked straight into my eyes. Each word rang out clearly.

“Old lady Tham.”

His words were like a thunderclap. Exploded in my head. Mrs. Tham? How is that possible? That's her biological son!

“Think about it.”

“Why did a naturally wise person like Tham Zhenhua suddenly become so reckless and stupid?”

“Why is he suddenly addicted to gambling?”

“Why are we in such huge debt?”

“It was all led step by step by Mrs. Tham.”

"She has long known that Tham Chan Hoa has more than just one lover like Liu Diem."

“She also knows how much money he embezzled from the company because of those women.”

“She knows better.”

“Luc Khiem, Tieu Chinh Duc and me.”

“For a long time, I have been dissatisfied with Shen Zhenhua's authoritarianism.”

“She knew that the Tham group would collapse sooner or later.”

“She struck first.”

“Using Tham Chan Hoa's death to arrange a chess game.”

“A game of chess pulls everyone into the water.”

“While she could have escaped in peace.”

Co Truong Phong's eyes were filled with pain.

“She sacrificed her son.”

“Sacrifice me.”

“Sacrificing all of us too.”

“She left the three of us with the reputation of betraying our brothers.”

“Turning us into the laughingstock of the entire capital's business community.”

“She appeared as a victim.”

“Stand up and clean up the mess.”

“Keeping the last inheritance of the Tham family.”

“Also maintains my supreme position in the family.”

“Truly killing three birds with one stone.”

Listen to those words. I just feel cold. Cold from head to toe. I always think of myself as the leader. From start to finish. I'm just a pawn being used by others. The old woman chants Buddhist scriptures every day. Always be gentle and discreet. To be able to possess such a terrifying mind. So cruel. The fierce tiger doesn't even eat its cubs. Yet she was able to personally push her own son to death.

“What about you?”

I looked at Co Truong Phong.

“Why are you telling me these things?”

“Aren't you also involved?”

I looked at Co Truong Phong.

“Why are you saying these things to me?”

“Aren't you also a part of it?”

A painful look appeared on Co Truong Phong's face.

“You participated.”

“For the past twenty years.”

“Not a day goes by that I don't regret it.”

“I regret not seeing her true face that year.”

“I regret even more that I couldn't protect you.”

“And our children.”

His voice choked.

“Thanh Thanh.”

“I'm always looking for you and the children.”

“Not to intimidate.”

“It's not for fighting either.”

“I just want to make up for it.”

“I know.”

“It's too late to say anything now.”

“But you must come today.”

“I can't let you be taken advantage of by that cruel woman again.”

He looked at me. There was a rare sincerity in his eyes.

“Luc Khiem's death is only the beginning.”

“The next person she targets is definitely Tieu Chinh Duc.”

“She will make the three of us die one after another without a place to bury us.”

“She will appear before you as a victor.”

“Tell her that she took revenge for you.”

“She will say I'll take Tham Chu back to the Tham family."

“What she has always wanted has never been justice.”

“What she wants.”

“An heir ruthless enough to take over the Tham family.”

“Someone who can inherit her cold heart and tricks.”

I was silent. Because I can't deny it. What Co Truong Phong said was very reasonable. Mrs. Tham. It is entirely possible to do such things. This time I return. Originally planning to borrow her hand to take revenge. It almost became a knife in her hand. The knife is used to kill people.

“Thanh Thanh.”

Co Truong Phong suddenly reached out towards me.

“Follow me.”

“Leave this place.”

“I will take you and the children to a place where no one can find you.”

“Let's start from the beginning.”

I looked at his outstretched hand. A strong hand. The joints are clear. Full of strength. But I didn't move. I slowly shook my head.

“I won't go.”

“This chess game.”

“If it has already begun.”

“It must be finished by my own hand.”

I looked straight into his eyes. Each cold word rang out.

“Old lady Tham.”

“Tieu Chinh Duc.”

“And you too.”

“Co Truong Phong.”

“What you owe me.”

“Owe my children.”

“I will make you give it back.”

“Little by little.”

“One item at a time.”

“Nothing is missing.”

Co Truong Phong was stunned. His eyes showed pain.

“Thanh Thanh...”

“Why do I have to go to this extent?”

I laughed. That smile was cold to the bone.

“You ask me why?”

“So have you ever asked Nguyet Nguyet?”

“Ask her why she had to swallow sleeping pills?”

“Ask her why her wrists are full of scars?”

“How desperate was he when the whole world sided with the bullies?”

“I'm just asking for justice for my daughter.”

“For my four sons.”

“For myself.”

I walked step by step towards the door. The last voice rang out in the empty factory.

“You guys thought that.”

“Just push a woman and five children out of the capital.”

“It will all end.”

“But you are wrong.”

I turned my head. Looking straight at Co Truong Phong. His eyes were cold as ice.

“The woman you all despised the most.”

“It's back now.”

“No one can retreat with their whole body anymore.”