Chapter 18 — Back Before The Wedding Day

Two days later, as expected, a tense atmosphere pervaded the twenty-second floor when rumors spread that Ms. Kim Chi was preparing an extraordinary meeting with the board of directors. Khanh Linh received a call from Bao Ngoc as soon as she arrived at the company, her voice was really panicked.

"Linh, she just called me up and gave me the official contract straight away, asking me to sign it this morning, saying that this is the final decision, there is no chance to delay any longer," Bao Ngoc said over the phone, his voice trembling. "What should I do now?"

"Just keep calm," Khanh Linh replied, trying to keep her voice firm even though her heart was stirring. "You said you need to read the entire contract carefully before signing. This is your legal right. If she continues to pressure you, just use health reasons and ask permission to go out for a while to calm down."

"I'll try," Bao Ngoc replied, her voice still shaking but somewhat more steady.

Khanh Linh immediately called Lam Quoc Bao and reported the emergency situation. "They're speeding things up, it seems like today's extraordinary meeting is when they plan to finalize everything."

"I just checked the system this morning," Lam Quoc Bao replied, his voice urgent. "The official money transfer worth one billion eight hundred million VND is scheduled to take place early this afternoon, right after the contract is signed. This is the decisive moment, we don't have much time left."

"I'll call Uncle Kien immediately and report the emergency situation," Khanh Linh said, her heart beating rapidly. "I will find a way to delay more on Bao Ngoc's side."

"I will also take a photo of the entire planned transaction history and print a hard copy in case the electronic data is deleted or edited," Lam Quoc Bao added, his voice urgent but still maintaining the necessary calmness in an emergency situation. "We cannot let any loopholes cause all our hard work to go down the drain."

"Be careful, don't let anyone find out what you're doing," Khanh Linh advised, her voice genuinely worried for his safety. "If there are any unusual signs, stop immediately, don't take risks."

"I'll be careful," he replied, his voice reassuring. "You too, keep in touch with me constantly."

While waiting, Khanh Linh could not sit still, stood up and walked back and forth in the office, her eyes constantly looking at the phone screen. She imagined Bao Ngoc sitting across from Mrs. Kim Chi in that luxurious but stuffy office room, her trembling hand holding a pen in front of a thick set of contracts, Mrs. Kim Chi's cold eyes following every smallest movement, not allowing any hesitation to last too long.

She remembered that in her previous life, she had been in a similar situation - forced to make a decision under suffocating pressure, with no one around to show her the way. This time, at least, Bao Ngoc was not alone, and that, she told herself, should be enough to make a difference.

Half an hour later, Bao Ngoc texted Khanh Linh: "I asked permission to go out, saying I needed time to take medicine because my blood pressure was not okay. She seemed dissatisfied but let me go. I have 30 minutes." Khanh Linh breathed a sigh of relief, even though she knew this was only a short delay.

She immediately contacted lawyer Kien by phone and briefly explained the situation emergency form. "Uncle Kien, everything is happening much faster than expected. They plan to complete the transaction this afternoon."

"I understand," Mr. Kien replied, his voice serious. "With the evidence you have - the draft contract, evidence of test transactions, direct threats to Bao Ngoc - I think there is enough basis for me to prepare an urgent denunciation sent to the corporate finance inspection agency today, along with a request to suspend the transaction for investigation and clarification. But you need to understand, once the petition is sent, everything will officially become public, there is no way back."

Khanh Linh closed her eyes for a moment, considering all the consequences of this decision. This is the turning point that she has been mentally preparing for for nearly a year since the day of her birth - the moment that cannot be delayed any longer.

"I agree," she said, her voice decisive and without hesitation. "Please send a complaint immediately. I will be responsible for this decision."

"Okay, I will prepare immediately," Mr. Kien replied. "I will also attach a witness protection request for both you and Bao Ngoc, in case any retaliation occurs."

"Thank you very much," Khanh Linh said, her voice choked with emotion and tension. "I know this is a big decision, but I believe this is the right thing to do, not only for me and Bao Ngoc, but also for everyone who could become the next victims if this plot is not stopped in time."

"I understand, and I'm proud of you," Mr. Kien replied, his voice warm and serious. "Mr. Tai's daughter is certainly not average. I will send an application within the next hour, you can rest assured and wait to hear from me."

Hanging up, Khanh Linh immediately texted Bao Ngoc: "Don't sign anything. Uncle Kien is sending an urgent complaint to the inspection agency right now. You just need to hold out a little longer." A few seconds later, Bao Ngoc responded: "Understood. I will try."

In the afternoon, when Khanh Linh was sitting in the office, her heart pounding, watching the developments through each update message from Lam Quoc Bao and lawyer Kien, she received an unexpected call from Ms. Kim Chi herself.

"Miss Linh, I need to see you right now, in my office," her voice rang out over the phone, colder and more authoritative than ever.

Khanh Linh took a deep breath, trying to stay calm before the confrontation that she knew could no longer be avoided. "Yes, I'll be up soon," she replied, her voice trying to remain calm even though a wave of anxiety mixed with determination was rising in her heart.

Putting down the phone, she looked out the window where the afternoon sunlight was gradually turning yellow, taking a deep breath to regain composure. This was the moment she had been mentally preparing to face for nearly a year - the first direct confrontation with the woman who, in another life, indirectly pushed her to an unjust death.

Before leaving the room, she quickly texted Lam Quoc Bao: "Mrs. Kim Chi called me to meet privately. I'm going." Just a few seconds later, he called immediately.

"You be careful," he said, his voice filled with undisguised concern. "If there are any signs of danger, just make an excuse to leave immediately, don't try to suffer alone. I will be nearby in case you need me."

"Have a cold Thank you," Khanh Linh replied, feeling a familiar warmth spreading amid the surrounding tension. "I'll be fine, she can't do anything rash right at the company office in broad daylight."

“I trust you,” he said, his voice softening. "But still be careful."

Hanging up the phone, Khanh Linh stood in front of the small mirror in the office, adjusted her shirt, and took a deep breath to dispel any remaining traces of worry on her face. She needs to enter this confrontation with the strongest posture, not revealing any loopholes that could be exploited by the opponent.

Stepping out of the office, passing by the design team's desk area, she caught Bao Ngoc's worried eyes watching her from afar. Khanh Linh nodded slightly, a small gesture but enough to convey a reassuring message: everything is under control, just keep your stance. Bao Ngoc nodded in response, his eyes filled with absolute trust in his friend who did not hesitate to shoulder the most difficult part of the entire plan.

The elevator took Khanh Linh to the twenty-second floor slowly, each number appearing on the electronic board as if counting down to an important moment about to happen. She looked at her own reflection in the shiny metal elevator door - calm face, steady eyes, no trace of panic left, as weak as the girl who had collapsed before her own tragedy.

A light "ding" rang out as the elevator stopped on the correct floor. The door slowly opened, revealing the familiar hallway leading to Ms. Kim Chi's office. Khanh Linh stepped out, each step sure and decisive, heading straight towards the confrontation that she knew would be the decisive turning point for the entire journey of rewriting her fate. The door to Mrs. Kim Chi's office appeared before her eyes, closed like a silent challenge, waiting for her to step through to face everything that had been arranged behind it.