Chapter 16 — When I Don't Need Them Anymore

She answered herself.

“Because I'm not holding back.”

“I'm just waiting.”

I said nothing. Just turned around and left the makeup room. The award ceremony officially began. The previous parts… I barely heard a word of it. Until the MC read the award ceremony for the "Best New Designer of the Year" category.

“This designer used unique Oriental aesthetics and sophisticated craftsmanship to shine on the international stage.”

“Her work was rated by Milan's leading jewelry magazine as 'the most notable new face of the year'.”

“She is…”

Applause rang out. Very even. I stood up and walked onto the stage. The light shines down on me. Blindingly white. Below the stands are hundreds of faces. I recognize a few people. The front row seats are Co's father and Co's mother. Their faces were filled with complex emotions. A few seats away... is Luc Canh Tham. He looked at me, not showing any emotion. But the hand on the chair's armrest... Is squeezing very tightly. I received the trophy. Stand on stage. The MC gave me the microphone.

“An Lac, is there anything you want to tell everyone?”

I held the trophy and stood still for a second. Then speak up.

“Thank you jury.”

“I have been waiting for this award for a long time.”

“But I didn't get it because I was especially gifted.”

“But that's because…”

“When everyone didn't believe in me, I still believed in myself.”

“I'll just add one last sentence.”

I tilted my head slightly, looking down at the stage.

“I don't need anyone to tell me the news.”

“There's no need for anyone to apologize for me.”

“My stuff…”

“I will get it back myself.”

The applause grew louder again. Some people started standing up and clapping. I walked down the stage. When passing by the front row, Co's mother stood up. I don't stop. When passing by Luc Canh Tham, he reached out to stop me. I took a look at him.

“Congratulations.”

“The annulment agreement has officially taken effect.”

His hand slowly retracted. The award ceremony ended. I went backstage. To Uyen Ninh is no longer there. From the moment the MC read the winner's name, her seat was empty. I heard that before I went on stage, she left. Don't say a word. One month after the awards ceremony. To Uyen Ninh's brand lost a lawsuit in a copyright infringement case. The core product line was ruled out of business. All investors withdrew capital. All channels cooperate to zero. That brand name disappeared from all platforms. Thoroughly clean. Tien Nhuy cut off contact with To Uyen Ninh a week ago. She posted a status line to her friends circle:

"After a long time, you only know people's hearts. Some people are not worth being associated with."

Attached is a selfie. The first comment below is from a marketing account that once wrote a PR article for To Uyen Ninh:

“Sisters are right.”

All of To Uyen Ninh's social network accounts have stopped updating. The last post stopped at three months ago. The content is the announcement for that day's livestream:

“Tomorrow, I will tell everyone the truth.”

The irony is that…

That "truth" is her last covering.

After being torn down… She had nothing left. Loss of brand. Loss of cooperation. Losing friends. Lost position in the world social. Even the Co family's stance has changed. During that month, Co's father was asked countless times by his partner:

“What is the story of your adopted daughter?”

From the beginning, he replied:

"Uyen Ninh also has her own suffering..."

Until the end... There was only silence. Co's mother was even asked to her face at a gathering of ladies:

“In the end, does your family side with your biological daughter or your adopted daughter?”

Can't answer. The second week after I received the award, Co's father contacted me through his lawyer. The lawyer conveyed:

"Mr. Co hopes to meet you once to talk about family matters."

I asked the lawyer to answer one question for me.

“The blood relationship has ended.”

“There are no more family matters to talk about.”

The lawyer sent another message.

"Mr. Co said he would transfer To Uyen Ninh's shares and the ownership of the old house to her name."

I thought for three seconds. Then answer:

“The old house was left to me by my grandmother, there is no need for him to move it.”

“My lawyer will send a revocation letter.”

“Still shares…”

“No need anymore.”

“Donate to charity.”

After that, I didn't say another word to the Co family. Luc Canh Tham came once again. This time he didn't go to the studio. I sat and waited in the lobby of the hotel where I lived. When I stepped out of the elevator, he was sitting on the sofa. Dress very normally. Dark jacket. Jeans. Different from the man who always wore tailored suits before. Seeing me coming, he stood up.

“What are you still doing here?”

“I quit my job.”

“What does it have to do with me?”

“Not relevant.”

"It's just that I feel... the things I did at the Co family, I can't erase any of them."

“I signed the annulment agreement.”

“The severance certificate is also effective.”

“You can't change the past.”

“But I can do one thing.”

"Behind To Uyen Ninh's story, there is another person."

“That person helped her think of a plan, find a workshop, and forge manuscripts.”

I looked at him.

“Tien Nhuy has turned around.”

“She sent you all the records of To Uyen Ninh's operations.”

"Including the fake manuscript purchase invoice, details of the processing contract, and even screenshots of the chat group planning to defame me for the past year."

He took out a stack of papers from his file bag.