Chapter 5 — I am no longer anyone's ladder

The applause in the stands grew louder and louder. I stood in a dark corner behind the stage. Saw Uncle Luong stopping in the aisle. In his hand he held an old document. That was the first time. I saw a hesitant look on his face. The host continued to ask:

"What did you do then..."

"Making Mr. Luc never forget like that?"

Hua Niem An holds the microphone. The voice choked.

"I'm just with him."

"Run with me to all the venues."

"Correct each plan with me."

"So many nights..."

"He said he wasn't going to be able to hold on anymore."

"I just told him one thing."

"I will always be with you."

Under the stage. Many female employees had red eyes. Right at that moment. Behind me. A boss of a supply unit suddenly asked the person next to him in a low voice.

"Didn't Ms. Hua still take graduation photos at our internship school last year?"

The person next to him immediately pulled his hand.

"Don't talk nonsense."

On stage. Hua Niem An continued to speak.

"So..."

"I want to tell all the girls."

"If you love someone..."

"Suffer with him."

I calmly took out my phone. Send exactly four words to your assistant.

"Start collecting the net."

"All..."

"Follow the plan."

The very next second. The romantic photo on the LED screen suddenly stopped. The video for the couple that was supposed to be broadcast... Suddenly turned into a sign board of a project meeting from last year. The date is clearly written. Last March. Meeting topic: Crisis handling of Truong Dieu's Nam Thanh project. In the list of attendees... There is no name Hua Niem An. MC's smile immediately stiffened. The technical staff behind the stage frantically switched the screen. The second photo has appeared. Luc Thua Chu is sitting in the meeting room of the On family in Van Chau. In front of him was a tightly edited stack of plans. Next to it, only half of a woman's arm was exposed. On her wrist is a simple silver bracelet. It's my hand. Below the stage, whispers began to sound.

"What is that?"

"Didn't you just say that Hua Niem An is the person who helped him overcome difficulties?"

Hua Niem An's face turned pale. Luc Thua Chu immediately turned his head to look backstage. I didn't avoid it at all. He rushed off the stage. A few steps came in front of me. The hand tightened around my wrist.

"Did you do it?"

I looked at him.

"Didn't you just say..."

"Aren't you afraid that people will verify the truth?"

"Stop right now."

He growled. I calmly replied.

"It's late."

The third photo has appeared. That is the document returning the file sent by the On family assistant to Truong Dieu. It clearly states: Because the person in charge of the project had a serious controversy over the issue of honesty and reputation, the Wen family decided to suspend all further support plans. Luc Thua Chu's hand slowly loosened. On stage. Hua Niem An cried and called.

"Thua Chu."

"Please explain quickly."

Luc Thua Chu immediately returned to the stage. Take the microphone.

"This is just a misunderstanding."

"Someone intentionally sabotaged the event."

I walked out from backstage. Several spotlights simultaneously shone on me. I heard Manh Giai take a sharp breath. MC was about to step forward to stop him. But Uncle Luong raised his hand to stop him. I went straight ahead. Take the spare microphone.

"Luc Thua Chu."

"You said just now..."

"If it weren't for Hua Niem An, there wouldn't be me today."

He gritted his teeth.

"On Nam Chi."

"Don't force me."

I looked straight into his eyes.

"So I'll tell everyone."

"From March to June last year..."

"Where is Hua Niem An?"

Hua Niem An immediately interrupted.

"I'm in Nam Thanh."

"I'm always by his side."

Right at that moment. The director of the supply unit in the audience suddenly spoke up.

"Last May, weren't you the guide for the graduation exhibition at my niece's school?"

"I even took pictures with the girls."

Hua Niem An opened her mouth. But couldn't say a word. Behind the stage. Manh Giai was so impatient that he stomped his feet.

"Don't trust her, everyone."

"She's just jealous of Niem An."

I turned to look at Manh Giai.

"You're in such a hurry..."

"Is it because Hua Niem An promised to give you the position of Department Head?"

Manh Giai's face immediately turned pale. I lightly touched the phone screen.