Chapter 2 — When I No Longer See Them As Family

Dinh Tue and Luu Van's faces immediately turned pale. Dinh Tue rushed forward and wanted to snatch my phone.

“Khuong Nghien, are you crazy?!”

“Do you dare call the police?”

"We are family! Do you want to let the police arrest your biological mother and younger brother?"

I leaned away to avoid it. Looking at her coldly.

"Since people broke down my door, threw my things, and held fake red books to take over this house..."

“We are no longer family.”

Luu Van also panicked. She no longer had the mind to preserve that golden belly and screamed shrilly.

“Are you talking nonsense?!”

"What illegal intrusion? This is my husband's house!"

“It's natural for me to stay at my husband's house!”

I continued talking to the other end of the line.

“Comrade police, there are two suspects at the scene.”

“A woman about fifty years old, is my mother, Dinh Tue.”

“A pregnant woman about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, my sister-in-law, Luu Van.”

"Not only did they destroy my property, but they also showed signs of falsifying state agency documents to appropriate real estate."

“Please come quickly to the scene.”

Dinh Tue was completely frightened and rushed forward to slap me.

"You ungrateful girl! I will beat you to death!"

The two workers were so scared that they were paralyzed and cowered in the corner of the wall, not daring to move. I don't dodge. Just as her hand was about to fall on my face. I opened my mouth.

“The police are almost here.”

“You gave me this slap…”

“It would become intentional infliction of injury.”

“Sins are added to sins.”

Dinh Tue's arm stiffened in midair. She was so angry that her whole body trembled, her lips continuously trembled but she could not utter a word. Luu Van leaned against the wall, her legs were weak.

“Mom… she… she really did it…”

Fifteen minutes later. The doorbell rang. Two uniformed policemen stood outside the door. Behind there is also a building manager.

“Who reported the crime?”

I raised my hand. The police's eyes swept through the chaotic house, glanced at Dinh Tue and Luu Van, and finally landed on me.

“Please briefly describe the situation.”

I simply narrated the whole incident. From the moment I got home and discovered the lock had been changed, until I broke the door and saw the bedroom completely destroyed. Dinh Tue immediately started crying loudly.

“Comrade police, don't listen to his nonsense!”

"She is my daughter! I am her biological mother!"

"There's no way a daughter would report her biological mother to the police? This is a family matter!"

Luu Van also started sobbing.

“That's right, police officer, this house belongs to my husband, his name is written on the certificate.”

“I'm pregnant, what's wrong with wanting to change to a room with better lighting?”

"She's just jealous that I'm pregnant with this family's heir, so she's just trying to find trouble!"

Having said that, she also gave the fake red book to the police. The leading police officer took it, looked at it, then gave it to his colleague next to him. He looked at me, his expression serious.

“Are you sure this house is yours?”

“Do you have proof?”

I nodded.

"Based on my citizen identification number, all real estate in my name can be searched."

“I bought this apartment entirely in cash three years ago, without a bank loan.”

“And the original certificate is in the bank safe.”

“I can bring it out tomorrow to coordinate the investigation.”

“And about The amount of property destroyed..."

I walked over to that pile of "trash", took out my phone and opened the photo album.

“This is my model collection. I have electronic copies of all sales invoices, auction certificates and customs documents.”

"The other mattress is a custom order from Italy. I also keep all the sales contract and payment documents."

“The total value of the damage… I said earlier that 500,000 yuan was already a low number.”

“If you want to be accurate, you have to wait until I compile all the documents.”

The police officer's expression became more and more serious. He turned to look at Dinh Tue and Luu Van.

“Dinh Tue, Luu Van, right?”

"Currently, Ms. Khuong Nghien reports charges of illegal entry and intentional destruction of property."

“Because the amount of money involved is particularly large, it is qualified to constitute a criminal case.”

“Please follow us to the station to coordinate the investigation.”

Dinh Tue's cries immediately choked up. Luu Van's legs became weak and he sat down directly on the ground. The police station is brightly lit. Dinh Tue and Luu Van were separated to testify separately. I sat in the reception room, holding the cup of hot water that the police had just poured. Not long after, a young policeman entered.

“Miss Khuong, we have verified your personal information.”

“The apartment in Thien Du Hoa Phu is indeed registered in your name.”

“The red book your mother gave you… is fake.”

I nodded, not at all surprised.

“Where are they?”

“Still taking statements.”

“Your mother insisted that this was a family matter, saying that you were not filial.”

"And your sister-in-law keeps crying, saying she doesn't know anything, everything is according to her mother's arrangements."

I laughed coldly. Those two are really good at denying responsibility.

“What about my younger brother, Khuong Vi? Have you been contacted yet?

“Contact is possible. He was running back from somewhere else, it must have been midnight."

The young police officer hesitated for a few seconds, his expression a bit awkward.

“Miss Khuong, this…”

"After all, they are your family members. If it's just a family conflict, our side still recommends that reconciliation be a priority."

“If an official case is filed, your mother and sister-in-law will most likely be placed in criminal detention.”

“Especially your sister-in-law is still pregnant…”

I put down the glass of water. The cup touched the table, making a cold, crisp "click" sound. I raised my head to look at him.

“Comrade police, I would like to correct a few points.”

“First, this is not a family conflict.”

“This is a criminal act.”

“Illegal entry into a dwelling is a prosecution case.”

“The crime of intentional destruction of property, with a value exceeding 5,000 yuan, can be prosecuted. Currently I estimate the damage to be 500,000 yuan, which is extremely serious."

"Fake state agency documents are even more serious."

“Second, my mother is an adult. My sister-in-law is also an adult.”

“Adults must be responsible for their actions.”

“Pregnancy is not a golden excuse.”

“I request a verdict.”

“Resolutely do not reconcile, do not settle, do not accept any form of apology.”

“I request that they be handled according to the law and prosecute them for all their criminal liability and civil compensation.”

My attitude is so decisive that it does not allow negotiation. The young police officer was stunned, clearly not expecting me to be so tough. He opened his mouth and finally nodded.

“Okay, Miss Khuong, I understand.”

"We will be handled according to proper procedures.”

"You rest first, later we need to get more detailed testimony about the list of damaged properties."

I took out my phone and opened the notes. Above is the list I started compiling on the way home. Each item clearly states the brand, model, date of purchase, purchase price and current market value. Clear to every detail. Hegesis mattress, 103,000 yuan. GK studio limited statue set, complete set of twelve models, total 180,000 yuan. The painting "Deep Sea", the first work of young artist Tran Canh, was bought at auction five years ago for 80,000 yuan. I read each item for the police officer to write down. His note-taking speed is getting slower and slower. The expression on his face also became more and more surprised. When I finished reading the last item, he raised his head and swallowed hard.

“Miss Khuong… are you sure all of these things are in the master bedroom… and have all been disposed of?”

“I'm sure.”

“I have photos, videos and all sales invoices.”

By the time I finished giving my testimony, it was already late. I walked out of the police station. The cold wind blowing past made my mind much more alert. The phone vibrated once. It's a text message from an unknown number.

“Miss Khuong, I am the person introduced by lawyer Vuong. My name is Ly. I specialize in handling real estate disputes and criminal cases. Lawyer Vuong said you may need assistance, here is my phone number.”

I looked at the message, the corners of my lips curled up slightly. Lawyer Vuong is my college friend and a legal advisor for many years. Before going home, I texted him. That said… I might be in for a big fight. I didn't expect his performance to be so fast. I didn't answer right away. But call another number.

“Hello, Tieu Truong, right?”

“It's me, Khuong Nghien.”

“Help me investigate someone, my younger brother, Khuong Vi.”

“Check all bank transactions, consumption history, and hotel room rental history in the last half year.”

“Yes, all of it.”

“The more detail the better.”

After hanging up, I called lawyer Ly again. The phone just connected, I was not polite.

“Hello lawyer Ly, my name is Khuong Nghien.”

“The fish is already in the net.”

“Now… we can start discussing how to tighten the net.”