Chapter 13 — Back Before The Wedding Day

The "Coi Nguon" collection launch show is scheduled for the end of the month, and the design department enters a sprint phase with countless tasks to complete — from tailoring the final samples, choosing runway models, to arranging the stage and lighting for the launch night. In the midst of that busy routine, Khanh Linh still keeps an eye on the unusual signs that are silently happening around her.

One afternoon, while checking the model list, she received an urgent call from Lam Quoc Bao, his voice was unusually urgent. "Can you come out and talk? I just discovered something important."

The two met at the fire escape, where Lam Quoc Bao showed her a copy of the contract he had just captured from the internal storage system, taking advantage of his financial access to dig deeper into little-noticed folders.

"This is the draft capital contribution contract between Bao Tin Group and Ngoc Lan Capital fund," he said, pointing to the highlighted terms. "According to this contract, the group will transfer twenty percent of the shares of the accessories business - the segment that Bao Ngoc is in charge of - to this investment fund, in exchange for a 'financial support' transferred directly to a personal account in Ms. Kim Chi's name, not the group's account."

Khanh Linh felt cold all over her body. This is exactly the embezzlement model that she discovered too late in her previous life - transferring company assets out in the name of investment cooperation, but actually draining the family assets into her own pocket, and when discovered, the entire responsibility for signing and approval will be placed on the direct manager of the relevant business - in her previous life, it was her, and this time, it will most likely be Bao Ngoc.

"When is the expected signing date?" she asked, her voice shaking slightly with indignation.

"Leave blank, it seems they are waiting for the right moment," Lam Quoc Bao replied. "But with the contract already at this detailed draft stage, I think they will act soon, maybe right after the collection launch show ends, when all the attention has subsided."

Khanh Linh clasped the copy of the contract in her hand, her mind reeling with a series of thoughts. If as expected, Ms. Kim Chi is taking advantage of the success of the project she worked so hard to build as a springboard for the embezzlement plot, and Bao Ngoc - whether accidentally or intentionally - is being pushed into the perfect scapegoat position.

“We need to back up this contract well, in many different places,” she said, her voice determined. "And I think it's time for me to talk frankly with Uncle Kien and ask him for legal advice on what we should do next with this evidence."

"Are you going to call the police now?" Lam Quoc Bao asked, a little worried.

"No," Khanh Linh shook her head. "If they act hastily when there is not enough evidence that the contract has been officially signed and the money has actually been transferred, they can completely deny and cancel this draft and create another, more sophisticated scenario. We need to wait until the right time, when there is enough irrefutable evidence, to be able to act decisively."

Before leaving the company, Khanh Linh stopped by Bao Ngoc's work area to hand over a few more details about the accessories segment for the upcoming show. She accepted saw that my friend looked different - his eyes were dark from lack of sleep, his hands were shaking slightly as he held the pen to sign the sample approval sheet.

"Are you okay? You look so tired," Khanh Linh asked, her voice truly worried.

"I'm fine, it's just the pressure of preparing for the show," Bao Ngoc replied, trying to give a forced smile. "There are still a few weeks left but work is still so chaotic."

"If there's anything difficult, just tell me," Khanh Linh said, her sincere eyes looking straight at you. "I'm always here, ready to listen and help you at any time, whether it's work or personal matters."

Bao Ngoc paused for a moment, his eyes flashed with clear fluctuations, as if he was considering whether to say something that was weighing heavily on his heart or not. But then she shook her head and dismissed it. "Thank you, but it's really nothing. I just need to rest a little more."

Khanh Linh did not force her, just nodded slightly, but in her heart she clearly understood that the distance to reach the truth hidden behind those wavering eyes was probably not far anymore. She just hopes that when that time comes, things will still be saved in time.

That evening, Khanh Linh went to meet lawyer Le Trung Kien and presented everything she knew, although she still had to cleverly hide the origin of some sensitive information so as not to reveal Lam Quoc Bao's role in collecting internal evidence.

Mr. Kien listened attentively, his face increasingly serious. "If what you say is true, this is a very serious case that could constitute misappropriation of assets and abuse of trust on a large scale," he said, his voice thoughtful. "But you're right, we need authentic, complete legal evidence — not just a draft, but an officially signed contract, along with the actual cash flow that has been transferred. Only then will the authorities have enough grounds to investigate."

"I understand," Khanh Linh replied, nodding. "I will continue to monitor closely. When I have enough evidence, I will ask you to help me officially report."

"You be careful," Mr. Kien advised, his eyes filled with worry for his old friend's daughter. "If the opponent really has such power and great finances, they will not hesitate to use every trick to protect themselves when they feel threatened. You must always put your own safety first."

"I will be careful, don't worry," Khanh Linh replied, nodding. "I have also prepared a few backup plans, not to let myself fall into a passive position if the plan is accidentally revealed ahead of time."

Leaving the lawyer's office, Khanh Linh felt a heavy pressure on her shoulders, but at the same time a new determination was emerging stronger than ever. She is no longer the naive, confused girl who didn't know what to do when faced with a conspiracy like in her previous life — this time, she has a plan, allies, and most importantly, enough time to prepare thoroughly before the real storm hits.

On the way home, she stopped by her father's garment factory and stood silently watching him working hard at a familiar sewing machine under the warm yellow light. That simple image, amidst all the calculations and conspiracies that abound in the marketplace, serves as a reminder of the values that are truly worth protecting and fighting to the end.

"Are you back?" Mr. Tai looked up, his familiar gentle smile blooming lip. "You look tired. Has work been stressful lately?"

"It's a bit hard, Dad, but I'm fine," Khanh Linh replied, sitting down next to her, resting her head on her father's shoulder like when she was a child. "Just coming back here and watching dad work makes me feel relieved."

Mr. Tai patted his daughter's head, did not ask anything else, just quietly continued his work, leaving a peaceful space for his daughter to rest after a long and turbulent day. Khanh Linh closed her eyes, took a deep breath of the new, familiar smell of fabric, telling herself that no matter how many challenges she had to face tomorrow, as long as she could keep peaceful moments like these, she still had enough strength to continue fighting.

Mrs. Hanh came out of the house, carrying a plate of freshly peeled fruit, and sat down next to the father and son. "What are you two talking about that's so quiet?" she asked, smiling gently.

"It's nothing mom, I'm just enjoying a rare bit of peace," Khanh Linh replied, smiling and taking the piece of watermelon her mother gave her. Looking at the whole family gathered in this small but warm space, she silently thought, this is the reason for her to persevere on the thorny journey ahead - not because of hatred or ambition, but because she wants to fully protect the simplest, most precious things that she is having for the second time in her life.

That night, before falling asleep, she opened her notebook and briefly jotted down the day's developments: "Draft contract with Ngoc Lan Capital - twenty percent of the shares in the accessories segment, money transferred to Ms. Kim Chi's personal account. Bao Ngoc shows signs of wavering, not yet completely giving up. Uncle Kien has grasped the situation and is ready to support when there is enough official evidence. Need to wait patiently for the right time, not to be hasty even a single step."