Chapter 17 — You Are The Most Expensive Mistake Of My Life

"I always knew. I had someone investigate you. I knew you were a good person... I also knew he really liked you."

“Then why do you still…” I couldn't help but ask.

“Why do you still treat her like that?” She smiled bitterly, "Because I'm jealous."

"I'm jealous that you have all of his affection. Jealous that you can freely choose your life. As for me... since I was born, I've been a marriage tool. I don't have the right to choose."

“That day at the restaurant, I deliberately acted for you to see.”

"I want you to withdraw yourself. I want you to think he is a bad person... then proactively leave him."

"I thought so... I would have him. Even if it was just a corpse, I would accept it."

“But I was wrong.”

"What I have... is just an empty person. And a husband... who hates me more and more."

Her voice was choked, her eyes were red. I looked at her, a very strange feeling arose in my heart. The person I once considered an opponent... Turns out to be just a pitiful chess piece. We were, in a way… all victims of the same chess game.

“So today you came to find me… for what?” I asked.

“For myself.”

The answer was so straightforward that it made me pause. She lifted the teacup and took a small sip.

“It's also because of you.”

She raised her head and looked straight at me.

“Tham Duyet, let's make a deal.”

"Transaction?"

I raised my eyebrows. Her eyes flashed with a light that I had never seen before... a kind of absolute determination, as if there was no way back.

“I will help you… completely destroy the Co family and the Lam family.”

“And you… help me escape this ridiculous marriage.”

I didn't answer right away. I'm considering... how much of what she said is true.

“On what basis do you think… I need your help?” I asked again.

“Based on… the lawsuit in your hand, it's not enough to overthrow them.”

Lam Phi Phi spoke frankly, without beating around the bush.

"If you sue, at best it will only make them lose face. Compensate you a sum of money and apologize publicly. After a while... they are still the Co family, the Lam family stands tall."

"And you... will become a thorn in their eyes. They have countless ways to secretly make your life... not a peaceful day."

Every sentence... is correct. That's also what I'm most worried about. I'm alone... my power is still limited. I can win a lawsuit. But it is unlikely that you will win for the rest of your life after that.

“So what can you do?”

I looked at her and finally asked. The corner of Lam Phi Phi's lips curled slightly. She opened the Hermes bag next to her, took out a small USB, placed it on the table and pushed it towards me.

“In here… is all the evidence.”

"Evidence that Co Minh Hai has embezzled public funds, falsified books, and manipulated insider transactions for many years."

My heart beat loudly.

"Just release these things..." she said slowly, "he will go to jail. The Co family's company... collapses immediately."

Her voice was light... but each word seemed to hit me straight in the heart.

"At that time, the Lam family will immediately cut off their relationship. This engagement... will naturally disappear."

“I have freedom.”

She looked at me, her eyes deep and cold.

“And you… get what you want.”

“A blow to the core… they never had a chance to get up again.”

I looked at the tiny USB lying on the table. It's like a Pandora's box. Just open it up… there's no turning back.

“Why do you have to go to this extent?”

I still don't understand.

"Even without the Co family, your family will still force you to marry another family. So what benefits do you get?"

“Of course it's beneficial.”

Lam Phi Phi's eyes revealed for the first time a mischievous glint that was very befitting of her age.

"My father always wanted me to take over the company. But my useless brother... always interfered."

"If in this case, I withdraw promptly, and also help the family minimize losses due to the Co family's scandal... I will prove to the board that I am better than him."

“At that time, I will have the right to decide my future… instead of having it arranged by others.”

It turns out that's it. Every step she took... was calculated in advance. She is not the type of lady who only knows how to love blindly. But a person who is cold enough, alert enough... to gain benefits for himself. I suddenly realized... I had underestimated her before.

“How can I trust you?”

I asked the last question.

“I don't need your complete trust.”