Chapter 21 — At the end of the week when I was fired, I made the 3.9 billion contract into waste paper

My eyes stopped on the gray file.

"Hua Le Capital."

That line was like a key, suddenly opening a door that I had never known for the past seven years. My father looked at the file in my hand and was silent for a few seconds. Then he pulled out a chair and sat down. This time, he didn't say "that's an adult matter", nor did he tell me not to ask anymore. He just sighed softly.

"There are a few things."

"It's about time you should know."

I sat down opposite him. The file is still on the table. Looking at the age of the paper cover, it has clearly been kept for many years. My father opened the file. The first page is the investment evaluation report. Seven years ago. The same year I graduated. I glanced at the first few lines, my pupils slightly constricted. On the left corner is the internal seal of Thinh Ninh Capital. It is clearly written above:

"Strategic investment proposal project."

"Business name: Hoa Nhac Capital."

I raised my head to look at my father.

"Thinh Ninh ever wanted to invest in Hoa Nhac?"

He nodded.

"It's not just about investing."

"At that point, the board almost approved it."

I was a bit surprised. In my memory. Seven years ago, Hoa Nhac was just starting to enter a period of rapid growth. Although there is potential. But it is completely not qualified to be included in the list of key projects of Thinh Ninh. My father turned to the next page.

"Trieu Duc Xuong is very good."

"Also very good at creating images."

"In those years, he appeared at almost every major investment conference."

"Very good speaking ability."

"The performance on paper is also very good."

I looked at the report. That's right. If you just look at the data. Hoa Nhac was almost a new rising star at that time. My father continued:

"Initially, the majority of shareholders agreed."

"My brother also agrees."

There was a soft laugh outside the door. Tham Nghien did not know when he had been standing there. He walked in.

"Because Hoa Nhac was really attractive at that time."

"High growth rate."

"Nice return rate."

"I even suggested increasing the investment rate."

I looked at the two people.

"So why not invest in the end?"

Tham Nghien shrugged.

"Because Dad."

My father took out another report from the file. This time it's not a financial report. It's a corporate governance investigation report. I turned a few pages. The more you read, the slower you read. Inside there are many details. There are unusually adjusted bonuses. There are personnel decisions that are not transparent. There are expenses for receiving guests that exceed standards many times. There were even some internal letters of complaint. Although not enough to conclude. But enough to create doubts. I raised my head.

"Dad discovered these things seven years ago?"

My father nodded.

"It's not a discovery."

"It just doesn't feel right."

He leaned back in his chair. Eyes looked towards the window.

"Money can be faked."

"Reports can be falsified."

"But the way a person treats his subordinates is very difficult to fake."

I was silent. My father continued:

"First time meeting Trieu Duc Xuong."

"It took him thirty minutes to talk about his achievements."

"But it only takes three seconds to wipe away an employee's hard work."

"Since then."

"I didn't like this person."

Tham Nghien burst out laughing.

"Dad even argued with the board of directors because of that."

"Everyone says you're too conservative."

"Finance is a number-crunching industry whether."

"It's not about watching emotions."

My father looked at him.

"What about now?"

Tham Nghien shrugged.

"Now prove you right."

I bowed my head and looked at the file. A strange feeling rose in my heart. Seven years ago. Dad saw the problem. But I don't.

"So why didn't you tell me?"

The office suddenly became quiet. A long time later. My father just spoke up.

"Because at that time I wanted to enter Hoa Nhac."

I stopped. He looked at me.

"Do you remember graduation day?"

That day I brought the job offer letter home. Very proud. Very fun. I told my whole family that I would build my own career. Will not enter Thinh Ninh. Will not rely on anyone. I think I'm fighting the whole world. But now think again. Actually I'm just fighting the arrogance of youth. My father said:

"I was so determined."

"If I stop it."

"You will think that I underestimate your abilities."

I clenched my fingertips. Cannot refute. Because you're right. If at that time my father said Hoa Nhac had a problem. I will assume that you deliberately found a reason to take me back to Thinh Ninh. I will want to prove myself right even more. My father continued:

"I didn't say."

"I just withdraw capital."

I raised my head. He nodded.

"Last meeting."

"I'm the one who voted against it."

"Also the person who requested to cancel the entire investment plan."

Tham Nghien smiled bitterly.

"At that time, the board of directors thought Dad had gone crazy."

"Because the project is almost complete."

"Survey costs also go into a lot."