Chapter 13 — World Chess Game

The whole center immediately operated at full capacity, all eyes, all hopes were focused on that invisible bracelet, as if it were the only rope pulling us out of the abyss. Five minutes later. A Luc's phone rang.

“Mr. Phong, I asked clearly, it is a limited edition of Cartier, Love line.”

Almost at the same time, Chu Ky jumped up, his voice cracking with excitement.

“The globally unique serial number of this bracelet begins with 731!”

“The last two numbers are… 24!”

Complete password! 14 Clues in the locked room The moment the complete number appeared, the atmosphere in the factory seemed to freeze, all sounds disappeared, leaving only the pounding heartbeat echoing in the chest. All eyes were glued to the screen in front of Chu Ky, as if just leaving for a second, the truth would disappear.

“The key is the serial number… so what is the password used for?”

Lam Phong's voice was low, unable to hide his tension. Chu Ky typed until his hands became a blur, and the data on the screen rushed like a waterfall.

"I'm trying to pair with Ly Thien's internet account, bank account, phone unlock code..."

“It's not right… it's all wrong…”

Bright red "ERROR" lines covered the screen one after another, like a knife cutting into the glimmer of hope.

“Maybe… it's not the account password.”

I looked at the screen, my voice slow but steady.

“Ly Thien carved a number on the railing when he was about to die.”

“It was the most desperate moment, she wouldn't leave anything that needed complicated decoding.”

“What she left behind… must be the most direct.”

One sentence, like lightning tearing through the night. Chu Ky slammed the table and stood up.

"I got it!"

“This is not an online password, but a real-life locker code!”

“I'll scan the entire electronic cabinet system in the city now!”

The city map appeared on the large screen, each red dot flashing and then off, like a hunt in the dark. Time passes every second. My heart also drifted along with each of those bright spots, hanging between hope and collapse. What did Ly Thien leave behind? Evidence… or the “second contract” itself? Chu Ky shouted, almost jumping out of his chair.

“West of the city, center of Kim Nguyen, basement B1!”

“A locker with code 73124!”

“And it was just used… yesterday afternoon!”

Yesterday afternoon. That was a few hours before Ly Thien died. Lam Phong did not hesitate for a second, put on his coat and rushed out.

“Ah Luc, Chu Ky stay and watch Trieu Thien Thanh!”

“Tham Nguyet, follow me!”

I rushed after him, sat back in the black SUV, the engine roared like a wild beast tearing through the night. My heart beat so fiercely that it almost drowned out the sound of the machine. We're getting closer to the secret... or the death trap. Kim Nguyen Center was closed, the entire building was in darkness, silent like a sleeping monster.

“How to get in?”

I looked at the locked door and my heart sank. Lam Phong didn't answer, just guided me around the back. A Luc was already standing there, with a professional unlocking tool set in his hand. Ten minutes later. We quietly penetrated inside. The shopping center was empty, footsteps echoed into a chilling echo in the vast space. Go down to the basement. The weak light shines down on the cold cabinets, lined up in long rows like silent coffins. We quickly found locker number 73124. Lam Phong looked at me. A nod. I stepped forward, hand trembling slightly, touching the keyboard. A sound of unlocking rang out, small but terrifyingly clear... like a fateful door had just been opened. The cabinet door opened with a "click" sound, the sound was so small that it was almost non-existent... but it was enough to make my heart jump into my throat. I slowly pulled the cabinet door open, little by little, as if opening a box containing my own destiny. Inside... no documents, no USB. There's only one thing. An old pink stuffed rabbit. It looks like it has existed for a long time, one ear is drooping, the fur has worn away over the years, the eyes are two black buttons quietly looking out in the weak light. The first feeling... is wrong. So wrong that it chills my spine.

“What… is this?”

I stood there, my mind blank, unable to believe everything we had just traded... for an old stuffed animal. Lam Phong was also silent, his face heavy, he raised his hand to pick up the rabbit, examining it little by little. He gently squeezed its body, turned it back, looking for any unusual signs. Nothing.