Chapter 18 — You Are The Most Expensive Mistake Of My Life

Lam Phi Phi answered very frankly.

"This USB is real or fake, you can check it yourself. Our goals are the same... we both want the Co family to collapse. That's enough."

She stood up.

"I'm done. The decision... is up to you."

Without another word, she turned and left. I sat alone for a long time. The cup of tea in front of me... has since gone cold. I picked up the USB, squeezing it tightly in my palm. The metal was cold... but it felt like it was burning. I know, right at this moment… the rules of the game have changed. And I… am no longer a chess piece. I will be the one holding the chessboard. When I got home, I plugged the USB into the computer. Inside is an encrypted folder. Lam Phi Phi sent me a long series of passwords. The moment I entered the password, opened the file... I froze. Each transfer record, each recording file, each "two-book" contract... There is even Co Minh Hai's handwritten signature. Each document... is a fatal blow. Enough to push the entire Co family down a cliff. Lam Phi Phi... never lied. Compared to this pile, my lawsuit... is just child's play. I turned off the phone, leaned back, and closed my eyes. In my mind, Co Ngon's torn face appeared one after another. Co Minh Hai's arrogant eyes. And also Lam Phi Phi's cold, determined look. We… were all… trapped in a giant net. Fame, family, emotions... are intertwined, suffocatingly tight. But now… I have a knife. A knife sharp enough... to cut through everything. I opened my eyes. In the look... there was no more hesitation. I dialed the number. But this time… no need to call a lawyer. It's... Co Ngon. The phone rang for a long time before someone picked up. His voice was hoarse and tired to the point of almost breaking.

“Tham Duyet…”

He clearly didn't expect... I would take the initiative to call.

“Tomorrow, ten o'clock in the morning, at my father's office.”

I said, my voice without any emotion.

“I want to meet all of you.”

“Let's… talk once and for all.”

The other end of the line was silent for a long time. There was only the sound of heavy, suppressed breathing. After a long time, he replied with a word. The next morning, I showed up on time at the top floor of the Co group. Co Minh Hai's office is so luxurious that it's dazzling. The ground-level glass door looks down on the entire city... prosperous to the point of coldness. Co Minh Hai sits behind a giant red wooden desk. His face... was gloomy like there was about to be a storm. Co Ngon stood to one side, his head bowed low, his face in darkness, his expression could not be seen clearly. I don't look at you. I walked straight to the sofa, sat down, and placed the tablet on the coffee table in front of them.

“Before we talk… let's take a look at this.”

I pressed the play button. The screen lights up. Each piece of data appears one after another. Clear transfer cash flow. The recordings make people uncomfortable. And even black and white contracts with full signatures. Every single thing… is evidence. Indisputable. There's no turning back. The room fell into dead silence. Only the sound in the video rang out. Co Minh Hai's voice coldly discussed how to falsify books with his accomplices. Every word is clear. So deafening that it makes people shiver. His face changed little by little. From pale... to white. The sweat on his forehead dripped down in heavy drops. His once arrogant eyes were now filled with panic. He suddenly broke out Suddenly rushed forward, intending to grab the tablet. I didn't move. Just quietly looked at him. His eyes were cold as ice.

“Boss Gu, it's useless.”

“These… I made many backups.”

“You can break this… but you can't save me.”

My words were like pouring ice water straight down on his head. He stopped. Then collapsed. Not sitting. Which is a complete collapse. The whole body trembled uncontrollably. He understands. It's all… over. So many years of calculation, so many flashy shells. They all crumbled in this moment.

“What do you… what exactly do you want…”

His voice was hoarse, almost pleading. The person who once stood at the top is now just a desperate person. I didn't answer him. His eyes turned to the other person. I call your name. He slowly raised his head. Eyes bloodshot, full of blood. There is pain, regret, and struggle. And a little letting go.

“Now, you have two choices.”

I looked straight at him, every word clear.

"The first."

“I will hand all of this over to the police and media.”

“Your father will spend the rest of his life in prison.”

“The family will go bankrupt and their reputation will collapse.”

I stopped for a beat. Give him time to fully understand the meaning of each sentence.

“You turn yourself in.”

“For your father, also for yourself, end all these years of cowardice and compromise.”

“Reveal the whole truth.”

“Then take your family and leave this city.”

“Disappeared completely from my life.”

I looked at him, my voice calm but cold.

“In return… I withdraw the lawsuit.”

“And will never appear before you again.”

The whole room was silent. Even the sound of breathing seemed to disappear. Co Minh Hai looked at me, his eyes full of surprise.