Chapter 2 — After Firing Me, My Husband Lost the 6 Billion Dollar Project!

I hung up. Put the phone in the cardboard box. Grab the box and leave the office. Along the hallway. Many people saw me and immediately moved aside. Like I was something to be avoided. Go to the elevator door. Sister Vuong, the Chief Financial Officer who has been with the company for more than twenty years, looked at me slightly. She hesitated for a moment then spoke:

“Tieu To... don't be too sad.”

I smiled.

“I'm not sad.”

Rain poured down on the city, cold to the bone. It was like from the beginning, everything was destined to end like that. Leaving the group, the sky just started to rain. No one saw me off. There wasn't even an umbrella. I hugged the cardboard box and quietly walked into the white rain. Just a moment later, the barrel was soaked by rainwater, soft and distorted. His shirt was soaked and stuck to his body. The high heels were full of water, each step was unusually heavy. After walking three blocks, I stopped in front of a convenience store. Buy a hot Americano. Half a year ago, my doctor forbade me to drink coffee. My stomach can't stand it. But today... I don't care anymore. The phone suddenly vibrated. On the screen appear two words. Under the rain, those two words were so blurry that it was blinding. I let it go. The bell rang a second time. I still don't listen. On the third call... I slowly clicked to receive. On the other end of the line, a familiar voice rang out.

"Project, Secretary Trieu told you?"

Not a single question. Not a word of concern. Only work. That tone was exactly like a general manager assigning work to his subordinates. Not a husband talking to his wife.

"I know."

He was silent for a beat then continued:

"That customer is a relationship my father left behind. They only cooperate with the Co family. Hand over the documents, the company will compensate adequately."

I asked softly:

"How much?"

"...I set the price myself."

I smiled.

"Then give me back the position of Deputy General."

There was a faint laugh on the other end of the line.

"I'm no longer Vice President."

"That is the decision of the Board of Directors."

I slowly squeezed the coffee cup in my hand.

"I really think..."

"That customer cooperated because of the Co family?"

I stopped for a few seconds. Then each word fell clearly.

"That person is my uncle."

"This relationship was built by me little by little."

"Your father understands very well."

"He knew you couldn't work with that person, so he assigned it to me."

"He accepted me."

"Never accepted the Co family."

The other end of the line immediately went silent. I looked at the rain before my eyes. The voice also became colder.

"Before agreeing to let Lam Nhuoc Khe fire me..."

"Have you ever thought about this project?"

Co Canh Tham only responded with one sentence.

"That's the company's decision."

I laughed softly.

"Then I'll make it clear."

"The project is still in my hands."

"I won't hand it over to the company."

"Don't give it to Lam Nhuoc Khe."

"If you are brave enough..."

"Then go sign it yourself."

I hung up. Handily dragged his number to the block list. I stood in the middle of the rain. Five years of marriage. Three years in the position of Deputy General. In the end... There wasn't even an umbrella. I still have that project. Last card. It's also the only thing... They can't steal it. I called a taxi. Report home address. The driver looked at me in the rearview mirror. Maybe seeing that I'm so wet that I'm struggling. He didn't ask anything. Only Quietly turn on the air conditioning. I open WeChat. Contact list of more than two hundred people. After deleting and blocking... There are just over thirty left. Those who remained. They are not related to Co Thi Group. Former colleague. And some people... Honestly consider me a friend. A message appears.

"I heard you were fired?"

I replied.

"Want to go for a drink tonight?"

"Seven o'clock. Same place."

I turned off the phone. Looking at the city outside the window. The rain covered all the lights. The buildings blurred into long streaks of light. Suddenly... I remembered the wedding five years ago. That day, Co Canh Tham wore a black tuxedo. Hold my hand and walk across the red carpet. His father stood on stage, smiling gently.

"From today..."

"I give the company to Tieu To."

"I'll also give this boy to her."

I thought it was the beginning of happiness. Now I understand. That's just the opening act to an exchange. Afternoon. I sat alone in the living room. It's still raining outside. The table was filled with beer cans. Six cans were empty. The seventh can in my hand is no longer cold. I don't want to drink anymore. But I don't know what to do. The house was eerily quiet. The TV is still on. Just muted. Right at that moment. The doorbell rang. I thought the food delivery person was coming. The person standing outside was Secretary Trieu. She was still wearing a neat business suit. In hand, hold a thermal bag. The polite smile is impeccable.

"The boss told me to bring you soup."

I leaned against the door frame. There was no intention of inviting her in.

"Why doesn't he come himself?"

The smile on Secretary Trieu's face remained the same.

"Today, Mr. Co has to meet the Board of Directors."

"It's not convenient to leave the company."

"He specifically asked the maid to cook the lotus root rib soup you like, and then asked me to bring it over."

I received the bag.

"I'm sorry."

She breathed lightly as if a burden had been relieved. Then continue saying:

"Mr. Co still sent a message..."

"Don't keep company matters in your heart."

"General Lam just followed the procedure."

"If you rest for a while, you can return to manage the Northwest region."

"That side is lacking a department head."

"Work is also lighter."

I looked up at her.

"The pressure is not as great as in the South China region."

"Mr. Co only wants the best for you."

I carried the bag of soup into the kitchen. The familiar scent immediately spread. It's truly my favorite dish. He still remembers what I like to eat. I'm just sorry... You forgot I'm your wife. I didn't say a word. Quietly empty the pot of soup down the sink. Ribs are also thrown in the trash. Clean the thermal bag. Then give it back.

"Help me thank Mr. Co."

"But my stomach can't handle it."

Secretary Trieu was slightly confused.

"Mr. Gu also said..."

"I know."

I gently interrupted.

"Tell him too."

"I don't need the position of department head."

"From employee to Deputy General."

"Now tell me to return to being department head."

"If that's the outcome..."

"If only you hadn't let me step up in the first place."

Secretary Trieu bowed his head. Don't say another word.

"Then I'll excuse you."

"You take care of your health."

She turned her back and walked towards the elevator, the sound of high heels tapping on the marble floor echoed loudly. I closed the door and returned to the sofa. About ten minutes later, I remembered that the phone charger was still in the company office. Rummage through the drawers in the room Customers also couldn't find a backup charger. I decided to go downstairs and buy one. Put on your shoes, open the door, and walk to the elevator lobby. The elevator just arrived. The door opened, inside was Secretary Trieu. She was calling on the phone, her voice was very low, but the elevator was so quiet that I heard it clearly.

"Brother Canh Tham, the soup was delivered, she said she had an upset stomach and wouldn't drink it... Yes, I know... She said she wouldn't go to the Northwest area... Yes, I also think she's really unreasonable... You're right, she's really a burden, keeping it would only be an eyesore for Ms. Nhuoc Khe..."

When she said the last sentence, she raised her head, and saw me. Her face immediately turned white. The phone was still pressed against my ear, but not a single word came out. On the other end of the line came Co Canh Tham's voice. I couldn't hear it clearly, but the general idea was: "If she dares to cause trouble, just tell the Legal Department to send an official dispatch. I'm no stranger to her skills..." Secretary Trieu frantically hung up. She forced a smile: "President To, I..." I said: "You don't need to explain." I stepped into the elevator and pressed the first floor button. The elevator door closed, the two of us stood facing each other, no one said a word. The first floor is here.