Chapter 6 — Before Retirement, I Was Demoted to Work as a Laborer

I still stood still. Tham Trieu An also did not speak. Seeing an opportunity, La Thien immediately grabbed it.

"Today she went to the twenty-ninth floor, and brought with her the old registration book and all kinds of copies of documents. That proves that she has always known where those things are kept."

Trinh Hoai Nhan continued:

"It's also possible that because she was dissatisfied with the regime before retiring, she intentionally caused trouble."

Phan Minh quickly nodded.

"Our Finance Department only works according to the documents that are sent to us. If the documents have been modified by someone before, we don't know."

I looked at Phan Minh. He immediately bowed his head to avoid it. Thirty-two years working at Vien Thai... I've seen too many eyes like that. Every time something happens, they immediately withdraw their hands. Waiting for the storm to pass... Stepping out again to enjoy the benefits as if nothing had ever happened. Tham Trieu An put down the report.

"Tan Ngoc Tran."

"Have you ever been to the internal area on the twenty-ninth floor?"

"Do you still have the key?"

"All old keys were handed over to the President's Office five years ago."

"Do you still have access?"

"At nine twenty this morning, my admin rights were revoked."

La Thien immediately frowned.

"How do you know?"

I took out the elevator card swipe record from my file bag.

"Before accepting the job, Uncle Ho followed the correct procedure and issued me a temporary access card."

"That card can only be used in public areas."

Old Ho was quickly called into the meeting room. He was so nervous that he didn't know where to put his hands. Tham Trieu An asked:

"Is it you who issued the card?"

Old Ho nodded.

"Yes. Temporary card number 317 is only allowed to go from the first floor to the public area of the twenty-eighth floor. As for the twenty-ninth floor, Chairman Tham himself pressed the elevator to open afterward."

La Thien's face immediately stiffened. I calmly added:

"I was able to go to the twenty-ninth floor because the elevator button was open at that time."

"But the control door to the internal area is still locked."

The middle-aged man immediately checked the system again.

"That's right."

"Today there is no record of Department Head Qin swiping a card in the internal area on the twenty-ninth floor."

Trinh Hoai Nhan's facial muscles were tense. He was about to open his mouth. But Tham Trieu An raised his hand to stop him.

"Down."

Trinh Hoai Nhan was stunned.

"Get off where?"

"Basement B1."

No one dared to object. Twelve past ten minutes at night. A group of senior leaders followed the Chairman to the basement. The daily housekeeping room was filled with mops... Now bright under the lights. Ha Mieu stood at the door. Still clutching a pair of sanitary gloves in his hand. As soon as she saw such a large crowd, the little girl retreated to the wall in fear. I smiled reassuringly.

"Just say exactly what you see."

Ha Mieu looked at me. Then looked at Tham Trieu An.

"Yesterday I worked overtime to arrange cleaning supplies."

"I saw Director La leading someone to bring two cartons of paper in here."

La Thien immediately shouted loudly.

"You're talking nonsense!"

Ha Mieu's shoulders trembled slightly. But still not backing down.

"I'm not lying."

"The two cardboard boxes were still labeled 'Old files on the twenty-ninth floor'."

Tham Trieu An continued asking:

"Who else is going with you?"

Ha Mieu replied softly:

"Manager Phan."

The laptop in Phan Minh's hand almost fell to the ground.

"I... I just happened to pass by and lend a hand stop."

I looked at him.

"Help move to where?"

Phan Minh was silent. Ha Mieu pointed to the iron cabinet in the deepest corner.

"Over there."

On the cabinet door hangs a brand new lock. During the day during the inventory... I saw it. The lock is new. But the cabinet... It's very old. Tham Trieu An turned to La Thien.

"Key."

La Thien's throat moved slightly.

"I... don't have one."

Trinh Hoai Nhan immediately said:

"If it's just a cabinet in the utility room, just call the logistics department to open it."

Tham Trieu An completely ignored him. He turned to Mr. Ho.

"Get pliers and combine forces."

Old Ho immediately turned and ran away. At that moment... La Thien suddenly rushed straight towards the safe. La Thien rushed forward.

"Chairman Shen, it may contain private information of employees, it cannot be opened arbitrarily!"

Tham Trieu An looked straight at her.

"Now do you remember your right to privacy?"

One sentence... Immediately made La Thien speechless. The force pliers were quickly brought. The sound of the lock being severed echoed loudly in the quiet mess room. The iron cabinet door slowly opened. The smell of old damp paper immediately entered my nose. Inside were half a box of old forms, a bundle of destroyed employee cards and a yellow cardboard box wrapped tightly with tape. Middle-aged man uses a paper knife to cut the tape. The top layer... is a discarded cleaning uniform. The second layer... Is scrap paper. Go to the third layer... Revealing a red corner of the cover. As soon as I saw that red color... My heart sank slightly. Tham Trieu An also saw it. He took it out himself. On the cover it clearly states:

"Special guarantee list for companions from Vien Thai's startup period."

None of the people present recognized this notebook. But I do. That is a list made when Vien Thai had not yet moved to its current headquarters. The Board of Directors at that time directly signed the confirmation. On the list... There are only seventeen people.