Chapter 2 — Who Gave You the Right to Take My Home?

Because the mother and daughter's obvious, yes, occupying someone else's house and yet blatant expression on their faces... doesn't look like an act. Do they... really believe that this house belongs to Trieu Diem Diem? Where are my parents? Where are they? Why let things turn out like this? A series of scary thoughts flashed through, making my fingertips cold. But I'm very clear— Don't panic now. Dealing with this type of person who has no limits, talking is just a waste of time, but taking action is what they want. I stood still, my eyes glanced over Ton Tu Anh's carefully cared for but unable to hide her harsh face, then stopped at Trieu Diem Diem's expensive designer outfit. That nightgown... If I remember correctly, it's a silk item placed specifically in my closet, which I normally don't even have the heart to wear. And that shiny skin that just took off the mask— It's thanks to the limited edition cosmetics set on my dressing table. I suddenly burst out laughing. Not the fun kind. It's a cold smile, when seeing a very ridiculous drama. I don't rush in anymore. Don't bother arguing further. Under the cautious, proud, and slightly panicked eyes of the mother and daughter, I slowly pulled my phone out of my pocket. Turn off airplane mode. The waves immediately filled the lines. Fingers gently touch the cold screen. First call—I called the lawyer. Turn on speakerphone.

"Lawyer Tran, my name is Lam Van. My house in the Cam Hoa Uyen area, building 12, room 1201... is currently being illegally occupied by strangers. Yes, they are inside. I need you to immediately contact the local police, and prepare all ownership documents, and carry out the fastest recovery procedures. I request - tonight, my legal right of use must be restored."

On the other end of the line, a calm, professional voice rang out through the speaker:

"Understood, Ms. Lam. Clear ownership, legal procedures. I will handle it immediately, keep in touch."

Trieu Diem Diem's face changed slightly. But very quickly he tried to act arrogant. Ton Tu Anh even smirked:

"Threatening someone? Calling a lawyer? This house now belongs to my Diem Diem!"

I don't bother to answer. The finger touched down again. Second call. Still turn on speakerphone.

"Hello, is it the city station's 'Civil Life at the Scene' program? I want to provide information. In the Cam Hoa Uyen area, there was a case of illegal house occupation, of a very serious nature. The occupant blatantly declared that the house belonged to them, even intending to evict the legal owner. Yes, the scene is very 'content', if your side is interested, they can send a reporter immediately, it will definitely be 'expensive'."

TV station?! Ton Tu Anh's face immediately turned pale. She rushed over and tried to snatch my phone:

"Lam Van! What are you doing! Family matters are not allowed outside, don't you understand?"

I gently leaned away.

"The address is Cam Hoa Uyen, building 12, room 1201. My last name is Lam. Okay, I'll wait for news."

I hung up. Trieu Diem Diem's eyes showed panic. She unconsciously looked at her mother. I don't stop. Open contacts. Select the number saved as “King Department”. Still turn on speakerphone. My voice softened a bit, but each word carried weight.

"Uncle Vuong, I won't bother you to rest, right? I'm Lam Van... Yes, I just returned home. I didn't expect to run into some trouble. My house in Cam Hoa Uyen... for some reason was taken over by my aunt's family. They even changed the lock, saying the house belongs to them... I remember you're in charge of this area? This is just a civil dispute in a small way, but in a big way... it's also related to the image of local management and the year-end evaluation..."

The other party immediately said solemnly:

"Don't worry, I'll have someone take care of it right away! This is too much!"

“I'm standing right in front of the house.”

“Okay, wait for me.”

The call ended. Less than two minutes. It was so quiet that you could hear your heart beating. Trieu Diem Diem's face immediately drained of blood. Her lips trembled, she looked from me to Ton Tu Anh. The arrogance from before disappeared without a trace, leaving only naked panic. Ton Tu Anh is even more miserable. Her face was as gray as ashes, her finger pointing at me trembled, her mouth opened several times, so choked that she couldn't even say half a word. She probably wouldn't have thought in her wildest dreams that the niece in their eyes before was just "a little better at studying than others", after three years of not seeing each other, would handle everything in such a neat way. Communication. Senior manager. The three paths tightened, like three cold shackles. Before they could recover, they were quietly locked around their necks. I have no interest in looking at the faces of mother and daughter anymore. Right in front of them, I opened my phone, logged into the search page of the city's real estate registration center, entered the certificate number and password. Information appears clearly on the screen. Owner: Lam Van. Form of ownership: in sole name. Registration date: the day I bought the house. No mortgage. No blockade. There is also no record of any name transfer. I turned the screen towards them, my voice not loud, but each word fell like a hammer into the silent void.

“See clearly?”

“Do you need me to read each line to you two?”

Ton Tu Anh seemed to have lost all his strength, his knees were weak, he almost sat down on the ground. Trieu Diem Diem frantically supported her. I don't look at them anymore. Pulling the suitcase back two steps, leaning against the opposite wall, crossing my arms over my chest, coldly looked at the door of the house that I paid for but now cannot enter. The hallway light shined down, clearly depicting my profile, and also illuminating the desperate white faces of mother and child. Outside the window at the end of the hallway, the city's neon lights still flickered endlessly. In the distance, the sound of police sirens was gradually approaching. The corners of my lips curled slightly. It's only just begun. My house, of course I will enter. But how to get in, who has to get out... It's up to me to decide.

“Auntie, cousin.”

My voice was very calm, but so cold that it made people feel cold.

“Don't rush.”

“Good days for the two of you… are still behind you.”

The siren got closer and closer. The red and blue light shined through the hallway window, glistening on the glossy white wall. Under that light, the faces of Ton Tu Anh and Trieu Diem Diem became even scarier. Trieu Diem Diem clutched her mother's arm, her nails almost digging into her skin. Ton Tu Anh was trembling, his lips moved continuously, as if he wanted to say something to save the situation, but in the end he still couldn't say a word. The elevator stops on the twelfth floor. The first people to step out were two uniformed policemen, with solemn faces. Behind them was a middle-aged man wearing a suit, carrying a briefcase, walking very quickly. It's my lawyer, Tran Minh. His work efficiency is no joke.

“Who recently reported someone here illegally entering the house?”

The older police officer glanced around, his gaze stopping between me and the mother and daughter blocking the door. I immediately took a step forward, my voice clear and calm:

“Dear police officer, I am reporting the crime.”

“I am Lam Van, the legal owner of this apartment 1201.”

I took out my phone and opened the search information from the real estate registration center again.

“This is the ownership information I just looked up.”

"I went abroad to work for three years. Today, when I returned home, I discovered that the locks on my house had been changed. These two people..."

I raised my hand and pointed towards Ton Tu Anh and Trieu Diem Diem.

"It's my aunt and cousin. They arbitrarily occupied my house, claiming that the house had been transferred to their name, and refused to let me enter the house."

Lawyer Tran Minh also stepped forward at the right time, handing over his business card and copies of prepared documents.

"Hello comrade, I am Tran Minh, the lawyer representing Ms. Lam Van."

“This is a copy of my client's home ownership certificate and identification documents.”

“Ownership is very clear, no legal disputes exist.”

"The current situation is typical of illegal property seizure. My client's legal rights have been seriously violated."

The police received the documents, looked at them carefully, and compared them with my ID card. Then, he turned to look at Ton Tu Anh, his voice lowered:

“You two explain.”

“What is it all about?”