Chapter 14 — Back Before The Wedding Day

With only two weeks left until the show launches the "Coi Nguon" collection, the atmosphere at Bao Tin Group is as tense as a string. The final rehearsal meeting took place in the large meeting room, with the participation of the entire board of directors, including Ms. Kim Chi and Dang Khoa.

"This collection has great expectations," Ms. Kim Chi said, her eyes scanning each member of the project team. "I hope every stage of preparation must be perfect, there must not be any mistakes that will affect the image of the corporation."

After the meeting, when everyone was packing up documents, Ms. Kim Chi's assistant approached Khanh Linh, her voice polite but full of hidden pressure. "The chairwoman wants to remind you that the budget for stage decoration needs to be cut twenty percent compared to the original estimate, to save resources for other strategic projects of the group in the next quarter."

Khanh Linh frowned. This was an unusual request, coming at the last minute when all stage design plans were almost complete. "Can you tell me the specific reason? Such a sudden cut will seriously affect the quality of the performance."

"I'm just conveying instructions, Ms. Linh," the assistant replied, her eyes averted. "Perhaps you should talk directly to the chairwoman if you have any questions."

Khanh Linh immediately understood that this was not simply a budget issue — most likely, Ms. Kim Chi was intentionally creating pressure, testing her reaction, or simply redirecting financial resources to serve the secret share transfer plan that she and Lam Quoc Bao had discovered.

She decided not to react harshly, instead finding ways to cleverly manage within the new budget, while silently recording this entire development as further evidence of the anomaly in the group's financial operations in recent times.

However, she still decided to meet Ms. Kim Chi directly to clarify the issue, partly because she was really worried about the quality of the show, partly because she wanted to further probe her attitude during this sensitive period.

"I came to ask more about cutting the theater budget," Khanh Linh said, standing in front of Ms. Kim Chi's desk with a calm, professional look. "I want to ensure that every decision does not affect the overall quality of the project that the group has invested in for many months."

"Miss Linh," Ms. Kim Chi looked up, her eyes sharp as if she was considering something, "the group is having several plans to restructure its capital in the next quarter, needing to focus its efforts on more strategic priorities. I believe, with your ability, a simpler stage can still enhance the beauty of the designs, right?"

"I will try my best to adapt," Khanh Linh replied, not showing any signs of doubt. "But I also hope that if there are any major changes in the group's direction that may affect the project, I will be notified soon to proactively adjust the plan."

"Of course," Mrs. Kim Chi replied, the corner of her lips slightly curled up in an unpredictable smile. "You're always the one I trust with the most important projects."

That sentence, seemingly a compliment, made Khanh Linh feel a vague chill. She clearly remembered that in her previous life, right before tragedy struck, Mrs. Kim Chi also gave her compliments. Similar praise - like a perfect cover to hide the calculations that are silently being arranged behind.

The same afternoon, another event made the situation even more tense. When Khanh Linh was in a private meeting room calling the fabric supplier, she accidentally heard Bao Ngoc and Dang Khoa's voices echoing from a nearby hallway. Neither of them knew she was nearby.

"What do you think I should do now?" Bao Ngoc's voice trembled, full of worry. "If your mother really plans to do that with accessories, I will take full responsibility if anything happens."

"I don't know exactly what my mother is planning," Dang Khoa replied, his voice also sounded confused, not the voice of a mastermind but of someone who was caught up in a vortex that he had no control over. "I'll try to ask her, but you know, she never shares everything, even with me."

"I'm so scared," Bao Ngoc said, her voice choked up. "I don't want to do anything wrong to Khanh Linh, but I also don't know how to refuse when your mother has promised so many things..."

The conversation was interrupted when someone passed by in the hallway, causing the two to hastily change the subject. Khanh Linh stood silently in the meeting room, her heart beating rapidly. What she had just heard confirmed many things — Dang Khoa was not the mastermind, just another weak pawn in his mother's game, and Bao Ngoc was clearly torn between his conscience and the sweet promises that Mrs. Kim Chi had sown.

"Promising too many things" — she wondered, what could that be? A higher position? A large sum of money? Or even a promise of a relationship with Dang Khoa, something that actually happened in a previous life after all the tragedies befell Khanh Linh.

She stood silently for a while longer after the sound of both of their footsteps had disappeared, trying to organize the thoughts that were scattered in her head. Part of her wanted to walk out immediately, face both of them, force them to explain everything. But she knew, such an impulsive action would only cause everything to fall apart faster, pushing Bao Ngoc into a desperate defensive position instead of giving her the opportunity to voluntarily turn back. Patience, she reminded herself, now is the time to be more patient than ever.

That evening, she met Lam Quoc Bao to update the situation. "I think it's time for me to take a more proactive step," she said, her voice determined. "We can't just wait and watch forever. The show is coming up, and I'm worried that they'll take action immediately after that."

"What ideas do you have?" he asked, his eyes focused on listening.

"I want to try to approach Bao Ngoc directly, not to confront him, but to show him that I already know part of the truth, and I'm still willing to give him a way out if he chooses to stand on the right side before it's too late," Khanh Linh replied, her eyes determined. "I believe, based on what I just heard, he still has a chance to turn around."

Lam Quoc Bao pondered for a moment before nodding. "It's a risky move, but I think you're right — if Bao Ngoc is really still so torn, this may be the last chance to prevent a tragedy before it happens. But you need to be careful not to reveal too much information that could alarm them." sense, destroy evidence before we can act."

"I will just say enough for him to understand, I am on his side, not to accuse," Khanh Linh added, as if reminding herself of the limits to keep in the upcoming conversation. "The most important thing is for him to feel that, even though he has made mistakes, the way back is always open."

Lam Quoc Bao nodded in agreement, his eyes softened and filled with confidence. "She always knows how to see the good in people, even when they are lost. That's what I admire most about her."

"I understand," Khanh Linh replied, taking a deep breath to prepare herself for the important conversation to come, a conversation that she believed could decide the direction of this entire fateful game.

Before saying goodbye, Lam Quoc Bao gently held her hand, his eyes reassuring. "Whatever happens tomorrow, I'll be nearby, in case you need any assistance." That simple but sincere gesture made Khanh Linh feel more confident, as if all the burdens weighing on her shoulders suddenly became a little lighter knowing she was not alone in the risky conversation ahead.

That night, Khanh Linh couldn't sleep, her mind constantly spinning around scenarios that could happen when she approached Bao Ngoc. She was afraid she would say something wrong, putting her friend on the defensive instead of opening up. But at the same time, she also understands that the longer she hesitates, the narrower the chance to save everything. She opened the notebook and wrote a short line before falling asleep: "Tomorrow — talk to Bao Ngoc. This may be the most important turning point since I was reborn." Closing the page, she turned off the light, closed her eyes in the darkness, letting sleep finally come, bringing with it a shapeless dream about an uncertain tomorrow.