Chapter 3 — Having occupied a Business Seat, I went straight to First Class

“We got to where we are today, not thanks to capital, but thanks to technology, thanks to the people sitting here.”

“‘Thien Khuong’ is our future.”

“It's also my final limit.”

“Whoever dares to touch it… I will make that person pay to the end.”

As soon as the sentence ended, the entire meeting room erupted in thunderous applause. At that moment, the phone on the table vibrated slightly. Same city. I have a hunch. I picked up the phone and turned it on speaker. The whole room immediately fell silent. On the other end of the line, the female voice was cold, carrying a sarcastic smile.

“Khuong Nhien, I told you… we will meet again soon, in a more official situation.”

“My opening gift… what do you think?”

It's Manh Phi. Her voice echoed clearly throughout the meeting room. Arrogant. Provocative. Not at all hidden. Everyone held their breath looking at me. I leaned back in my chair, my voice calm as if I were talking about the weather.

“Miss Manh, you haven't stopped yet... it seems that Hoanh Vien Capital's revenue pressure is not small.”

The other end of the line laughed softly.

“Thanks to you, I am very alert today.”

“Khuong Nhien, I didn't call to argue.”

“I give you a chance to choose.”

"I admit, you and your team are very good. 'Thien Khuong' is also a worthwhile project."

“But in the end… you guys are still just technical people.”

“Don't understand the capitalist game.”

“This war, from the beginning… you were destined to lose.”

“Stop now, take the money we gave you, leave with dignity… that is your best outcome.”

“Otherwise, when we kick you out of the game… your outcome will be very unsightly.”

Blatant threats. In her eyes, this is not competition. It's hunting. And I... am just prey.

“Are you done yet?”

The other side was silent for a beat.

“…What did you say?”

“I asked… are you done talking yet?”

My voice lowered and became a little colder.

“If it's done… then listen to me.”

"First, don't use your so-called 'capitalist rules' to define me and my company. Sang Khoa Tri Nang has come to this point based on strength, not games."

“Second, ‘Thien Khuong’ is not a commodity.”

“That is my passion.”

“It's something I created.”

“If you want to touch me… you have to ask me if I agree.”

“Third, it's also what I want to say the most.”

I stopped for a beat. The voice was as cold as a blade.

“Meng Phi, you chose the wrong opponent.”

“Also chose the wrong battlefield.”

“You just started a war… that you cannot win.”

“Prepare well.”

“I will play with you… to the end.”

Having finished speaking, I hung up the phone. Don't give her another chance to open her mouth. The entire meeting room fell into absolute silence. Everything was stopped by my stubbornness. A few seconds later, Lam Phong was the first to react, clapping his hands loudly.

“Very good, Ms. Khuong!”

Immediately afterwards, applause echoed throughout the room. Everyone's spirit... was pulled straight to the top by me. I raised my hand, signaling to stop.

“Emotions are emotions, work is work.”

"This battle is not easy to fight. Hoang Vien Capital is a hungry wolf, we must concentrate twelve times more than usual."

“Now, immediately deploy according to the plan I just said.”

"Dissolve."

Everyone immediately stood up, carrying a fiery spirit, and quickly left the meeting room. Soon, the vast space left me alone. I walked to the ground-level glass door, Look at the stream of cars below connecting like flowing light. This city… never stops. Just like the war had just begun. I took the phone and called lawyer Ly Triet.

“Ly Triet, it's me, Khuong Nhien.”

"Miss Khuong, you're still calling at this hour, it seems like the situation is not light." His voice was calm, clearly someone used to dealing with turbulence.

“Have you seen the documents? What do you think?”

“Typical of a ‘door-crasher’.” Ly Triet spoke very calmly. "The method is crude, but effective. Manh Phi, I've heard that a rookie has emerged in the investment world, famous for being fast, precise, and extremely ruthless."

"This time she hit when you guys hadn't yet finalized the price of round A, taking advantage of that gap to strike."

"And yet, the three investors she chose are all financial investors, the main goal is to divest capital to make a profit. This is an attack on psychology."

“Is there a way to handle it?” I asked directly.

"Have." He answered immediately. “Two ways.”

"First, prolongation. We can ask for a temporary order from the court, on the grounds that the deal shows signs of unfair competition, and there is a risk of 'Thien Khuong''s technology secrets being leaked. If we can do it, it can last one to two months."

"Second, attack directly. Activate the 'poison pill plan', dilute shares, push up their acquisition costs. At the same time, launch a media campaign, turning Hoanh Vien into a 'technological innovation saboteur', taking advantage of public opinion and regulatory agencies."

“I choose option two.”

I don't hesitate. Stretching… not my style. I want to counterattack immediately.

"Okay." Ly Triet seemed to have predicted it. "I have a channel in the media. But the 'poison pill plan' is very high risk and requires the majority of the board of directors to agree, especially the other three..."

“Let me handle those three people.”

I interrupted.

“I take care of legal and media.”

"No problem."

I immediately opened my contacts and found the first person I needed to convince. Professor Vuong Minh Duc. My college instructor was also the first angel investor of Sang Khoa Tri Neng. If it weren't for him then, there wouldn't be me today. Among the three shareholders... he is the one I trust the most. Also the person... I had to keep. Phone connected.

“Teacher Vuong, it's still bothering you this late.”

“Is it Nhien Nhien?” His voice sounded tired. "Your story... I know. Hoang Vien's people came to see me this afternoon."

My heart sank.

“Teacher, I…”

“Nran Nhien, you don't need to say anything.” He interrupted.

“I know you have the ability and ambition.”

"But the conditions that Hoanh Vien proposed... to be honest, it was very difficult for me to refuse."

"I'm old. That money is enough for me to be safe for the rest of my life, and it's also a guarantee for my children and grandchildren."

Those words... were like a bucket of cold water poured straight down. The person I trusted the most... was the first to waver. I was about to say more, trying to calm the situation down. But his voice suddenly lowered.

“Nien Nhien, listen to me.”

“I hesitated… not just because of money.”

“There are other reasons.”

“There's something... maybe you don't know.”

“That Miss Manh Phi of Hoang Vien…”

“She… is related to your father.”

Those two words were like a bolt of lightning tearing through my memory. My father, Khuong Van Bac, is a talented software engineer. It's also a pain... I've never touched it again. When I was still in college, because his startup failed, he worked too hard but leave early. Since then, I have never proactively mentioned him to anyone. But now... His name appears again... along with Manh Phi.

“Master Vuong… what do you mean?”

My voice… tightened.

“I couldn't speak clearly on the phone.” Professor Vuong's voice became serious. "Is it convenient for you? Come to the teacher's house, we can talk in person."

“I'll be right there.”