Chapter 5 — When I Learn How to Bloom Again

The statement shows that, in the week before the court date, nearly ten million in Chu Van Bac's main accounts were divided and transferred. Receiving account... is a name I've never heard of. He had prepared in advance. He already planned... if we get divorced, he won't let me get any money. A cold stream spread from the soles of my feet to my whole body. I used to think he was just fake, just selfish. I didn't expect... to be able to love you to this extent. Ten years of marriage... in his eyes, there is not even a shred of love left. Trieu Tinh's voice pulled me out of that cold feeling.

“He thought that would be the end of the matter, he was so naive.”

"Large transfers of money, especially during sensitive periods such as divorce, are very likely to be determined by the court as a dispersal of assets."

"When it's time to divide, he not only has to pay back that money... but also gets less, or even no distribution at all."

“He is personally giving us… the most powerful weapon.”

Hearing her speak, my heart gradually relaxed. I looked out at the brilliant city outside, my eyes becoming steadfast little by little. Chu Van Bac, you think you can calculate me. He thought he could force me to leave empty-handed. Then I'll show you... Who wins in the end. I won't be weak anymore. Will not back down either. What belongs to me... I will not miss even a penny. As for what you owe me… I will make you pay double. Trieu Tinh's performance is so fast that it's scary. While I was still digesting the story of Chu Van Bac's dispersal of assets, her team completed a thick stack of documents - an application to freeze assets, along with initial evidence of adultery and asset transfer. The whole office is like a machine operating at full capacity. The sound of phone calls and keyboard typing rang out incessantly. Each person is busy, precise, without a single unnecessary move. I sat on the sofa, watching that scene… for the first time I truly felt— Law, how sharp a blade can be. In the evening, Trieu Tinh's phone rang. She answered the phone and only said a few short sentences: "Okay", "Received". After hanging up the phone, she turned to me, the corners of her lips curling up in a smile.

"Done."

“The court has approved the application to freeze our assets.”

“The decision takes effect immediately.”

“From now on, all assets in Chu Van Bac's name — houses, cars, shares — including assets in the names of his parents and his cousin Truong Vi that we request to be implicated... are frozen.”

“The money in the account, before the case ended, he couldn't touch a penny.”

My heart… fell steadily. An unprecedented feeling of peace of mind enveloped me. Compared to the past ten years, all the things Chu Van Bac has given me... cannot bring back this feeling. Not long after, my phone rang loudly. Display: “Husband”. Those two words... now I only see them as ironic. I clicked to listen, didn't say anything. On the other side, Chu Van Bac's angry screams immediately rang out.

"Tan Tranh! What exactly did you do!"

"My accounts are all locked! The company account is also frozen!"

"Are you crazy?! Do you want to destroy me?!"

His voice was sharp with anger, shrill enough to hurt his ears. I put the phone away a bit, my voice still calm.

“I'm just taking it return what belongs to me.”

“Belongs to me?!”

He roared.

“For ten years you have eaten mine, worn mine, what do you have that is yours?!”

“The law will tell you what I have.”

I said it as lightly as nothing. My calmness made him even more crazy. He started talking chaotically.

“Tan Tranh, I warn you! Immediately cancel the blockade!”

“If not, I will let you know! I have a hundred ways to make it impossible for you to live in this city!”

Hearing those weak threats, I suddenly felt funny. This is the man I loved for ten years. When it comes to your own interests... even the last bit of dignity is thrown away.

“Chu Van Bo.”

I interrupted his screaming.

“Have you forgotten… your company's books are not clean.”

"Over the years, to get the project, how much you have 'went through the back door', you know for yourself."

“And your tax evasion.”

I stopped for a moment, my voice lowered.

“Guess what… if I brought that evidence and submitted it to the tax authorities…”

“What will happen?”

The other end of the line... immediately fell into dead silence. I clearly heard his heavy, suppressed breathing. What I just said is all pieces of the puzzle I pieced together over ten years, from the times he blurted out drunk. Once, I was afraid because of him and advised him not to go down the wrong path. He was always impatient, saying I was a woman and didn't understand business. Now, the "business secrets" that he was once proud of... have become a knife hanging over his head. A long time later, his voice rang out again. No more aggression. No more anger. Only the hoarseness was forced down… and a bit of panic.

“A Tranh… I…”

“What do you want?”

Finally, he learned to be afraid.

“My conditions were made very clear from the beginning.”

"Divorce. I… went away empty-handed.”

"Cannot!"

He immediately objected, but clearly was no longer as confident as before.

“Let's meet in court then.”

He quickly interrupted. In his voice... there was even a hint of begging.

"A Tranh, we... have been husband and wife for ten years after all."

“Do you really want to be so cruel?”

“Have you forgotten how miserable we were when we first got married? How did we get through it together?

He started hitting on feelings. But unfortunately... It's too late. My heart, from the moment I saw the summons... has died.

“Chu Van Bo.”

“When you were in the hotel bed with Lam Hieu Vu… do you remember we were husband and wife for ten years?”

“When you transferred all the money away, wanting to leave me empty-handed… do you remember the days when we used to suffer together?”

“When you let your lover point at me and call me a minor… where were you?”

Every question I asked... was like a heavy punch, hitting him straight. On the other end of the line, there was only silence.

“Stop calling me.”

“From now on, if anything happens, please contact my lawyer.”

Having finished speaking, I hung up the phone. Then drag his number to the block list. The world… was once again quiet. I looked at the thousands of house lights outside the window and let out a long breath. Zhou Wenbo... This game has just begun.