Chapter 5 — World Chess Game

On the other end of the line was a processed voice, indistinguishable from male or female. The sound was electric and cold, like crawling out of hell.

“Tham Nguyet… right?”

My heart sank.

“Who are you?”

The other party did not respond. Just let out a low laugh.

“I know… what you're planning to do.”

“You want to leave, want to get away from all this… right?”

“I advise you, it's best not to do that.”

“Because… you have absolutely no idea what your ‘kind’ cousin… has gotten into.”

My heart immediately sank.

“What do you want to say anyway?”

“I don't want to say much, I just want to let you listen to a recording.”

There were a few light noises on the other end of the line, then a clear conversation was transmitted. It's Tham Hao's voice.

"...I did everything you said! I also ground the brake pads, I also loosened the oil pipe screws... he definitely won't survive!"

Another voice rang out. It's a girl named Ly Thien.

"Once it's done, there will be no shortage of rewards for you."

The recording is very short. Just two sentences. But the contents inside... made my whole body feel cold like falling into an ice cellar. This is not a traffic accident. Nor is it negligence. It was a murder planned from start to finish. As for my stupid cousin… just a knife in someone else's hand. That strange voice rang out again, carrying a sarcastic smile.

“How are you, Miss Tham?”

“Now do you think… can I easily get out of this?”

07 Fatal Choice That cold laugh was like a sharp needle piercing my ear. Killing. Not an accident, not unintentional. It was a calculated murder from the beginning. My stupid cousin… became a murder tool in the hands of others. And I - the car's former owner, whose name was on the insurance policy - was tied tightly to the carriage, which was plummeting down a cliff. My hand holding the phone was so cold that I lost feeling. But my mind... is alert like never before. Anger, fear, disgust... all rose, then subsided, leaving only absolute coldness.

“What do you want?”

I asked, my voice so calm that even I was surprised. The other end of the line paused slightly.

“Ha… how interesting.”

“I thought you were going to scream and go crazy.”

“It seems… you are much stronger than that useless cousin.”

I did not respond to the ridicule.

“Your intention.”

I repeated, my voice not allowing for evasion.

“My intention… was to see a play.”

“A play where the Tham family kills each other… and then collapses together.”

In that voice, there was bone-deep hatred.

“Who are you?”

“Do you have a grudge against my family?”

“You have no right to know who I am.”

“You just need to know, from now on, every choice you make... is related to your own life.”

“And the lives of your stupid family.”

He stopped for a moment.

“Give me your first piece of advice.”

“Don't call the police.”

“The police only made things worse, and they... couldn't find anything.”

“Second piece of advice.”

“Don't think about running away.”

“Even if you run to the ends of the earth, I will still find you.”

“Third piece of advice… and most important.”

His voice was low, cold as ice.

“Looking for… ‘second contract’.”

“What kind of contract?”

“When that time comes, you will automatically know.”

“Tut… tut… tut…”

The call was cut off. I stood still, phone still in hand, as if petrified. The whole living room… everyone was looking at me. My father, my mother, my eldest uncle, my uncle-in-law. Just from my pale face and a few fragmented conversations, they understood... how serious this was. Fear spreads like an epidemic.

“Nguyet Nguyet… just now… who was calling?”

My mother asked with a trembling voice. I don't answer. My eyes slowly scanned each person. Glancing at my father's doubtful face. Glancing through the panicked eyes of the eldest uncle and aunt-in-law. Finally… stopping on the ringleader cowering on the ground — Tham Hao. I stuffed the phone into my pocket. Turn around, pull the suitcase that was just placed at the door... back into the room. My father's eyes lit up, perhaps thinking I was scared and had changed my mind.

“Nguyet Nguyet… you won't go anymore?”

In his voice… there was even a hint of relief. I looked at him, only to find it so funny that it chilled me. At this point... he still thinks I should stay and clean up the trash for them. I put the suitcase in the corner of the wall. Then walked into the middle of the living room. Pull up a chair, sit down. Calm movements, cold eyes. I looked at them, not saying a word. My father was made uneasy by that look.

“What… what do you want to do?”

I finally spoke up.

“I won't go anymore.”

The faces of the eldest uncle and aunt-in-law appeared as if they had just escaped death, and my father also breathed a sigh of relief. But my next sentence made their entire expressions freeze on the spot.

“Before everything is resolved, not only will I not go…”

I looked down at Tham Hao who was trembling on the ground, the corner of his lips curved up into a cold smile.

“I still have to investigate to find out.”

“I want to see… who is trying to drag the entire Tham family to hell.”

My finger pointed straight at Tham Hao.

“I will tell you everything I know, word for word, without missing anything.”