Chapter 5 — I Don't Cancel the Marriage, I Cut My Losses

The entire meeting room was silent. So quiet that you can clearly hear the sound of breathing. Chairman of Pho Group, Pho Thua Nhac, said in a deep voice:

"Miss Tang, what happened last night really caused a lot of awkwardness. But the Pho family and the Tan family have cooperated for many years, not just because of the children's love affairs..."

"Vice President."

I calmly interrupted.

"What happened last night wasn't about love."

"It's a public violation of the agreement."

I pushed the first set of documents over.

"Tan Thi officially announced the revocation of guarantee for the Thanh Dong project."

"Request that Deputy Group replenish the deposit in full before nine o'clock this morning."

A director glanced at his watch. 8 hours 57 minutes. Only three minutes left. Pho Minh Te suddenly stood up.

"Tang Tri Van, are you determined to corner the Pho Group?"

I looked up at him.

"The Deputy Group didn't reach a dead end until last night."

I continue to push for a summary of the audit results.

"Three months ago, you started illegally transferring capital from the Thanh Dong project."

Pho Thua Nhac picked up the file. The more he read, the more serious his face became.

"Minh Te, what is this?"

Pho Minh Te's throat moved slightly. Luong Tinh Nghi immediately spoke up.

"The capital transfer was with my consent. At that time it was only a temporary capital rotation."

I raised my eyes to look at her.

"Turn around to supplement the deposit for the Chu family's overseas acquisition?"

Luong Tinh Nghi immediately fell silent. Pho Thua Nhac turned to look at her.

"The Chu family?"

At that moment, the bank representative walked in. Exactly 9 o'clock. Official notification has been sent. Due to not adding enough deposit on time, the Thanh Dong project was officially put into the process of handling contract violations. Outside the meeting room, the screams of the suppliers grew louder and louder. A director slammed on the table.

"Vice Minh Te must explain to the Board of Directors!"

Another person immediately responded.

"It's not just an explanation."

"His status as heir..."

"Should also be reconsidered."

Pho Minh Te's face immediately changed. He looked towards me. I was still sitting in the position of Tan Thi's representative, my face calm, as if the storm before me was just a project being implemented according to the correct process. Finally, he lowered his voice.

"Tri Van, can we talk privately?"

I closed the file.

"Deputy General."

"It's business time now."

I looked up at him.

"Please call me Representative Tang."

Pho Minh Te's hand slowly tightened. Outside the meeting room, the screams of the suppliers still rose like waves. Only now did the Vice Group understand. After I left... What remained was not an empty seat. A giant hole. Zhou Niem Duong was invited by people from the Vice Group at noon. She thought that Pho Minh Te would finally give her an explanation. Since last night, Pho Minh Te has never contacted her. Even Luong Tinh Nghi just told the driver to take her to the Chu family's house, without even a word of comfort. She didn't sleep all night. It wasn't until the secretary of the Vice Group called, saying she needed her to come explain the origin of the necklace, that she realized the situation was more serious than she thought. In the boardroom, I still haven't leave. In front of me was Tan Thi's jewelry book, insurance records, and a list of lost assets. As soon as he entered the door, Chu Niem Duong instinctively reached out to touch his neck. The necklace has been taken off. But everyone's eyes were still focused on her neck. That look... Like looking at a stolen item. Chu Niem Duong's eyes immediately turned red.

"Minh Te..."

Pho Minh Te did not get up. He hasn't slept since last night, his eyes are red from blood.

"Nien Duong."

"Tell me clearly."

"That necklace... where did it come from?"

Chu Niem Duong bit her lips tightly.

"I already told you."

"My mother gave it to me."

I pushed the appraisal in front of her.

"Code C-017."

"Tan Van Ninh's personal jewelry."

"Eighteen years ago it was sealed in Qin's jewelry warehouse. After the car accident, it was put on the list of assets to be recovered."

Chu Niem Duong's tears immediately fell.

"I... really don't know."

I didn't pay any attention to her tears. I played the second recording. Chu's mother's voice rang out.

"Right now, what the Pho family needs most is the relationship with Tan Thi. If you wear this necklace there, Luong Tinh Nghi will understand that the Chu family still has a few items in their hands."

Chu Niem Duong's voice lowered.

"Mom... this doesn't belong to our family?"

"Wear it a few times and it will become yours. Tan Van Ninh has been dead for so many years, who still recognizes him?"

The recording ends. The entire meeting room was silent. Chu Niem Duong had to hold on to the edge of the table to stand, his face was pale and bloodless. Pho Minh Te looked at her. For the first time... Doubt appeared in his eyes.

"You tricked me?"

Chu Niem Duong quickly shook his head.

"Minh Te, I didn't mean to deceive you. It's just... I want to be with you so much. You know, we've loved each other since college. It was Tang Tri Van who came between us."

I raised my eyes to look at her.

"I come between you two?"

Chu Niem Duong cried and said:

"If it weren't for that engagement contract, the person who was with Minh Te a long time ago would have been you."

I opened another file.

"Three years ago, the first time the Pho family and the Chu family met to discuss an overseas acquisition was before Pho Minh Te and I got engaged."