Chapter 16 — At the end of the week when I was fired, I made the 3.9 billion contract into waste paper

“Or because you discovered the price to pay was too great?”

Trieu Duc Xuong did not answer. I continue:

"President Trieu, you're not calling to apologize. You just want me to stand up and say a few words, so that my partner believes Hoa Nhac is okay."

His voice lowered.

“She lived in Hoa Nhac for seven years.”

“In those seven years, Hoa Nhac did not mistreat her.”

This time I really laughed.

“You said this, do you believe it yourself?”

The other end of the line was silent. I said each word very slowly:

“Bonus is withheld.”

“Stock promises not delivered.”

“Promotion lasts half a year.”

“My risk report was edited over and over again.”

"In the end, when the project was about to be signed, you guys still wanted to kick me out of the game."

I stopped for a moment.

“President Trieu, Hua Le did not collapse because I left.”

“But because you guys started to rot a long time ago.”

From the other side came the sound of something being hit on the table. But Trieu Duc Xuong did not get angry with me. Perhaps by this time, he also knew that he was no longer qualified. A moment later, he asked in a low voice:

“What do you want?”

I looked at the night outside the window.

“Disclose all internal investigation results.”

“Pay full outstanding bonuses to all employees who were wrongly terminated.”

“Recall all defamatory statements against former employees.”

“And for the person who should be responsible to actually take responsibility.”

Trieu Duc Xuong laughed hoarsely.

“You want me to cut off my own hand?”

“I just want you to admit, those hands are inherently dirty.”

The call ended in silence. I put down the phone. Vien Giai sat next to him, his eyes slightly red.

“General Shen.”

“Before in Hoa Nhac, did you also wish for someone to stand up and help you like that?”

I looked at her. After a long time, he said: Just one word. But Vien Giai immediately bowed his head. I know she understands. No one is born strong. It's just that during the years when you need to be protected the most, no one stands in front of you. So later, I learned to stand on my own. Also learn how to stand in front of others. Ten thirty. I arrived home. Just as I changed my shoes, my phone vibrated again. This time it's Do Hang. Since the Association meeting, he has almost stopped actively contacting me. I received the phone. The other end of the line was very quiet. Do Hang's voice is lower than usual.

“Miss Tham.”

"What is up?"

He was silent for a few seconds, as if hesitating whether to speak or not. Then, he took a deep breath.

“I just discovered something.”

I stopped pouring water. Do Hang continued, each word very clearly:

“Three years ago, my bonus was approved.”

“It's not that it hasn't been approved yet.”

"It's not like the company is in difficulty so it should delay."

“It's been approved.”

I squeezed the glass of water in my hand. On the other side, Do Hang's voice trembled.

“But then someone signed to confirm the adjustment.”

“That money was transferred to the executive board's special bonus list.”

I closed my eyes. An image suddenly appeared in my mind three years ago. At that time, I had just completed an extremely difficult project. Trieu Duc Xuong told me:

“Nhuoc Ninh, the company is temporarily in difficulty, your bonus will be calculated next quarter.”

I believed. Because at that time, he spoke very sincerely. Because at that time, I really saw Hoa Nhac as a place where I could stay for a long time.

“Who signed the amendment?”

Do Hang replied very quietly:

“I'm still investigating.”

“But on the record the system has two final approvers.”

“One is Cao Peng.”

“The other one…”

He stopped. I opened my eyes. The living room was so quiet that you could clearly hear the sound of the wall clock. A moment later. Do Hang finished the remaining sentence:

“It's Trieu Duc Xuong.”

I sat on the sofa for a long time. The glass of water in my hand had already grown cold. The phone screen still stopped at the chat frame with Do Hang. His last sentence was like a stone thrown into an already calm lake. Final signatory. Outside Cao Bang. There is also Trieu Duc Xuong. I originally thought this would make me angry. But strangely no. After everything that happened in the past few days, the first feeling that appeared in my heart was fatigue. A kind of fatigue that comes from finally seeing the truth clearly. The phone vibrated again. This time I didn't turn it off. The other end of the line immediately heard a familiar voice.

"Where are you?"

I suddenly burst out laughing. My mother is always like that. Speak very gently. But sometimes it's scary stubborn.

"My own house."

"So go home now."

I don't answer. The other side was silent for a few seconds. Then mother lowered her voice.

"Your father has been sitting in the living room since afternoon."

"Don't let anyone set the table."

"He said to wait for me to come home."

I looked at the clock. It's past eight o'clock in the evening. The man runs a large investment corporation. Waiting for my daughter to come home for dinner. It sounds a bit funny. But I couldn't laugh. A moment later. I replied softly. ________________________________________ The Tham family's villa is located south of Giang Thanh. I haven't been back here for seven years.