Chapter 3 — You Are The Most Expensive Mistake Of My Life

Looking at that face full of wrinkles but trying to force a smile, I just felt cold down my spine.

"Ms. Truong, how are things going with finding a house?" I asked directly.

The smile on Truong Thuy Hoa's face paused, then she sighed, looking awkward.

"Sigh, don't mention it again. Rent is very expensive now. My mother and I have been running for a few days. The house is either too far away, or too bad, and a better place can't be afforded. Miss Tham, can you..."

“Impossible.” I directly interrupted her, "Three days are over. Tomorrow morning, I hope you will have finished packing all your things."

My voice was decisive, not leaving any room for negotiation. Truong Thuy Hoa's face completely darkened, her smile disappeared completely. Truong Le, who was standing behind the room door secretly listening, immediately rushed out.

"You're such a cold-blooded person! We're only staying a few more days, do you really have to chase and kill us?" she pointed straight at my nose and shouted.

It's that finger again. My eyes turned cold: "I'll say it again, put your hand down. Otherwise, I can't guarantee that your other cheek will still be healthy." Truong Le seemed to remember the pain that night and instinctively withdrew her hand, but her mouth still refused to let go.

"Is it still reasonable to beat someone? Believe it or not, I'll call the police to arrest you!"

“Okay, tell me.” I crossed my arms and leisurely looked at her, "By the way, tell the police how you have stuck around in my house and how you still show off and dictate to the homeowner."

"Miss!" Truong Le was so angry that her face turned red, but she couldn't say a word.

Truong Thuy Hoa saw that and immediately started acting again. She pulled Truong Le back, then, without warning, knelt down straight in front of me.

"Miss Tham, I beg you! Please pity us a little!" She cried and said, tears and snot running down her nose, "We really have nowhere to go. If you kick us out, we'll have no choice but to sleep on the street!"

If outsiders saw this scene, they would definitely think I was a bully of the weak. Unfortunately, I am no longer the same person I was three days ago. I coldly looked at Truong Thuy Hoa kneeling on the ground, not helping, nor saying anything. I know, the drama has just begun. Sure enough, Truong Le saw her mother kneeling down. Not only did she not help, but she also took out her phone, pointed it at us and started recording a video.

"Everyone, come and see! The cruel landlord forces people to the end! My mother works hard for her, now she says they'll evict her, and she won't even let us have a place to stay!"

She turned and cried, as if she were acting out a tearful tragedy. It turns out that's it. Their purpose is to use this method, record a video and post it online, taking advantage of public opinion to force me to give in. At that time, I will be labeled "cold-blooded", "harsh", "bullying the weak". Under the pressure of social networks, I may be forced to compromise, letting them continue to blatantly stay. The calculation is beautiful. I looked at the mother and daughter, one kneeling and crying, the other filming and denouncing, in perfect harmony. Anger welled up in my heart, but a smile appeared on my face. I slowly sat down, looked straight into Truong Thuy Hoa's eyes, used a voice only enough for three people to hear, and softly said:

"Miss Truong, did you know? Your acting... is really good."

Truong Thuy Hoa's crying stopped. I still smiling: "But have you ever thought that every performance of yours... has an audience watching?" I took out my phone, opened the camera app, and brought the screen in front of the mother and child. On the screen, a camera mounted on the living room ceiling lamp was recording the entire incident from a high perspective. From the moment Truong Thuy Hoa suddenly knelt down, to the moment Truong Le pulled out her phone to film, the looks exchanged between the two, and the smug smiles that flashed across their faces... everything was clearly visible. The expressions of mother and daughter immediately froze. They were like two ducks being strangled, their mouths were open but not a single sound could come out. Surprise, panic, disbelief... layers of emotions appeared on their faces.

“You… you…” Truong Le pointed at me, her fingers shaking like fallen leaves in the wind.

I stood up, put my phone away, and looked down at them from above.

"Are you guys still going to report to the police now? Or do you still want to post that 'staged' video online?"

The air seemed to freeze. Truong Thuy Hoa and Truong Le stood still, their faces visibly pale. They couldn't imagine that the "trump card" they were most confident about would become useless just because of a small phone screen.

"You... you dare secretly film us! This is illegal!" Truong Le was the first to recover, but her voice was full of strength on the outside while inside she was panicking.

“Breaking the law?” I laughed, "I installed security equipment in my own house to protect people and property, so what law is broken? On the contrary, you guys, voluntarily staying in my house, intend to use fake videos to slander me, or should I call lawyer Co now and ask who is the one breaking the law?"

I intentionally emphasized the three words "lawyer Co". Truong Le's momentum immediately deflated. People like them only know how to bully the weak. When I realized I was not a soft persimmon, and even had a lawyer behind me, fear would swallow everything. Truong Thuy Hoa sat down on the ground, her eyes were empty, her mouth mumbling: "Why is this... why is this..." The entire plan she worked so hard to arrange, at this moment, melted into foam.

“I give you one last chance.” My voice was cold and decisive, "Before eight o'clock tomorrow morning, take all your belongings and leave here and disappear from my sight. Otherwise, these videos and your information will appear on the blacklist of the housing company and on online platforms."

I stopped, looked into their frightened eyes and added:

“Trust me, I can do it when I say it.”

Having finished speaking, I didn't pay attention to them anymore, went back to my room, and locked the door. I know, this is the end of this play. That night, I slept better than ever.