Chapter 2 — Chess Game Grandfather's Will

Lawyer Ly Minh pulled out a stack of documents from his file bag. It is not a will. Looking closer, it resembles a commercial contract. He gently cleared his throat and began to read:

“I, Khuong Chan Quoc, as the founder and largest shareholder of Khuong Thi Group, officially create this Founder's Final Instructions.”

“The legal effect of this directive is superior to any will, deed of gift or asset division document that I have previously drawn up or will make in the future.”

“No way!”

He burst out.

“This can't be happening!”

"The new will is the document with the highest legal effect! This so-called final directive is definitely fake!"

Lawyer Ly Minh slowly raised his eyes. He looked coldly at my uncle.

“Mr. Wang.”

“When this document was prepared, the entire process was videotaped and fully notarized by the Notary Office under the Supreme Court.”

“If you doubt its authenticity, I can immediately invite a notary here to confront it.”

“But all legal consequences arising from that, including charges of obstruction of justice, will be your responsibility.”

My uncle's lip trembled. He opened his mouth but couldn't say a word.

“Fake notarized documents…”

“It's a felony.”

Lawyer Ly Minh's voice is not loud. But it was like a heavy hammer hitting everyone straight in the heart. Aunt Khuong Man also began to panic. She squeezed Vuong Hao's hand as if she was clinging to the last life-saving straw. Lawyer Ly Minh did not pay attention to them anymore. He continued reading.

"75% of Khuong Thi Group's shares owned by me will be transferred to my grandson Vuong Hao in the form of conditional inheritance."

He especially emphasized four words:

“Temporarily held.”

“The so-called conditional inheritance means that Vuong Hao's heir must complete a series of business goals after receiving these shares to be able to gain final ownership.”

Lawyer Ly Minh turned to the next page.

“This set of goals is called a counter-agreement.”

“In his first year, as Executive Chairman of the group, Vuong Hao must grow the group's annual net profit by 30%.”

“The second year, net profit growth must reach 50%.”

“The third year, the capitalization value of the corporation must double.”

The entire meeting room simultaneously inhaled a cold breath. Those numbers sound like nothing more than a fantasy. Even under my direction. In the past three years, the group's best performance was only about 15% growth per year. But that is also in an extremely favorable market context. I had to use all my strength to do it. And tell Vuong Hao... A person who only knows how to play and enjoy... Achieving twice my achievements, even higher? Are you kidding, grandpa? Aunt Khuong Man immediately shouted.

“No way!”

“This mission is completely impossible to complete!”

“The old man is forcing Hao Hao into a dead end!”

But my uncle reacted even faster. His brain immediately found an opening.

“Lawyer Ly!”

“Even if it's not completed, so what?”

“The shares have been transferred to Hao Hao!”

“The so-called counter-bet agreement is nothing more than a commercial term and cannot change the legal truth it was inherited!”

He said proudly. As if finally finding a chance to counterattack. Lawyer Ly Minh looked at him without emotion. Those eyes were like looking at a dancing clown.

“Mr. Wang.”

“It seems you didn't listen carefully to what I just said.”

He pushed the file forward.

“It is clearly stated in the directive.”

“If in any year, Mr. Vuong Hao does not complete the prescribed business goals…”

He stopped. The entire meeting room fell into dead silence. Everyone knows. The next part is the most important thing.

“...then all 75% of the shares that Vuong Hao is temporarily holding, along with all rights arising from those shares, will immediately, unconditionally and automatically be transferred to my granddaughter, Ms. Khuong Van.”

“This process will be overseen by a team of special advisors and the board of directors.”

“Cannot be canceled.”

“Cannot be modified.”

“Vuong Hao will also forever lose the right to inherit any shares of Khuong Thi Group.”

After reading the last sentence. Lawyer Ly Minh raised his head. His eyes stopped on me.

“So, Miss Khuong Van.”

“Now…”

“Are you still planning to go down to the human resources department to submit your resignation?”

My eyes glanced over everyone and stopped on lawyer Ly Minh. His eyes were as calm as an ancient well with no bottom. No emotions. There are only rules and order. In that moment, I suddenly understood. My grandfather never punished me. Nor are they testing me. You're protecting me. In the most extreme way. But also the most radical. He exposed the greedy face of my aunt's family before everyone. He gave them an opportunity that seemed like they could take one step to heaven. At the same time, give them a rope enough to hang themselves. It is he who carries out the final sentence. Resign? The game has just begun. How could I leave the stage so early? I pulled my legs back. Turn around. Step back to the front of the meeting table. I don't sit down. Just standing there. Looking down from above at my aunt, uncle and Vuong Hao.