Chapter 11 — Five Missed Registrations

Co Dien Chu is standing on the podium. Wearing a dark blue suit, silver-gray tie, and a handkerchief on his chest pocket. The projector displayed his company logo, and on the screen was a perspective drawing of the second phase of the East area project. He stood on the podium with a calm demeanor, occasionally glancing at the bottom of the stands - When his gaze glanced at the third row of seats, he paused. He saw me. I smiled at him, gently raised the notebook I was holding. He was stunned for a second. His eyebrows slightly furrowed in an imperceptible way. But he quickly regained his composure and continued his speech. I know what he's thinking — Why am I here? Shouldn't I be working at a design institute? He'll probably think I'm here to "cheer" for him. After all, I am his fiancee. Coming to see my boyfriend's career property is also reasonable. After Co Dien Chu finished presenting, there was a Q&A session (Q&A). The investor's representative asked a few questions about cash flow and profit margins. He answered discreetly without any gaps. When the Q&A session was about to end, the MC spoke up: "Does anyone else have any other questions?" I raised my hand.

“This reporter, please.”

I stood up. In his hand he held a thin file. The eyes of the entire hall turned towards me. Co Dien Chu also looked over — his expression changed from initial surprise to a vague uneasiness. I smiled and spoke.

"Hello boss Co. I have a question to ask."

“Please speak.” His voice remained steady. But I saw his fingers curl slightly.

"Last year, when your company won the right to use the eastern land, the winning price was more than three-tenths lower than the average price of neighboring land in the same period. May I ask by what method this price advantage was achieved?"

The entire hall was silent for a second. Several people from the investment side looked at each other. Co Dien Chu laughed. It's the kind of commercial smile when faced with difficult questions.

"This reporter, the Eastern land concession was completed through a public bidding process, all procedures were legal and in accordance with regulations. As for price - the starting price of each land plot is determined by the appraisal agency, we only bid according to the rules of the game."

“So what?”

I opened the file.

“So I would like to ask, what is the nature of the three transfers between this shell company called ‘Tanh Kien Construction Consulting’ and your company in the three months before the bidding — a total of one million two hundred thousand yuan —?”

I pulled out the first sheet of the file and held it up high. It's a photo of a bank statement. Blurred, leaving only important numbers and the last four account numbers. Co Dien Chu's face changed. Not a gradual change. But in an instant. It was like someone drained all the blood from my face.

“This —”

“Also —”

I pulled out the second sheet.

"The actual controller of this shell company is Truong Mo. During the time your company participated in the auction, he was holding the position of deputy head of the land transfer approval department of the City Planning Department. Currently he has been summoned by the Disciplinary Inspection Committee."

The whole hall was in an uproar. The reporters' camera flashes flashed continuously want to explode. The faces of several investment representatives turned gray and they whispered. Co Dien Chu stood on the podium. He opened his mouth.

“This is… spreading false rumors.” His voice started to sound a bit unstable. “These documents are of unknown origin and have absolutely no legal value —”

“Unknown origin?”

I took a step forward. Take down the business card on your chest.

“Then let me change my identity and ask you.”

I put the card on the chair next to me.