Chapter 20 — It's Too Late, Doctor Vu

After a tense break, the Board of Directors meeting continued with a completely different atmosphere than at the beginning. Ton Ba Thanh, as the chairman, stood up to preside over the handling of the issue related to Vuong Ba Khiem. His tone was stern but still maintained the necessary impartiality in a sensitive situation like this.

"In light of the evidence presented, including technical data, recordings and direct testimony from the person involved, I recommend that the Board of Directors vote on the immediate suspension of Mr. Vuong Ba Khiem's position as Vice Chairman, and at the same time transfer the entire case file to the authorities for investigation and clarification of criminal liability, if any." Mr. Thanh said, his voice resounding decisively before the entire council.

The vote took place quickly, almost all members agreed with this proposal, except for a few people who were close to Vuong Ba Khiem who were hesitant but in the end did not dare to object due to the overwhelming amount of evidence. Vuong Ba Khiem was officially dismissed on the spot, losing all positions and powers in the hospital's leadership board, along with serious legal consequences that await when the file is transferred to the investigation agency.

An elderly council member, who had spoken out in defense of Dinh Vu in the previous emergency meeting, stood up to speak further, his voice filled with admiration. "I have worked with Mr. Khiem for nearly twenty years, never expected that behind that calm appearance was a cold calculation that was willing to destroy an entire family just because of his personal ambition for power. This is an expensive lesson for all of us about putting our trust in the right place."

Mr. Ly Thanh Dat, after listening to all the developments, also spoke, his voice was calm but full of weight. "On behalf of the Meridian Healthcare Foundation, I appreciate the transparent and decisive way the Board of Directors has handled this situation. This is exactly what we look for in a long-term partner — not a flawless cover, but the courage to face and resolve problems when they arise."

As for Vuong Tuyet Nhung, thanks to her proactive cooperation, voluntarily providing evidence and admitting her actions before the council, lawyer Trinh Bao Han represented her and petitioned the authorities to consider extenuating circumstances for her, especially the situation of being forced under the pressure of family debt. Lam Nhi, even though she was directly hurt by Tuyet Nhung's actions, also testified about her repentance and cooperation, an act of mercy that touched many people in the meeting room.

"I understand the feeling of being cornered, having no other choice." Lam Nhi spoke before the council, her voice was calm but full of empathy. "I hope the Board of Directors and the authorities will consider fairly and clearly distinguish between the true mastermind and those who were taken advantage of in force majeure circumstances."

After the meeting, when all necessary administrative procedures had been processed, Dinh Vu privately met Vuong Tuyet Nhung before she left the hospital, where she had gone to complete some paperwork related to the official testimony.

"Thank you for having the courage to speak the truth." He spoke, his voice lacking any resentment, only sincere understanding. "I know it's not easy."

Tuyet Nhung bowed her head, her eyes still held torment. "I'm sorry for causing so much pain to your family. If I could do it again, I wish I had the courage to refuse from the beginning."

"The important thing is that you made the right choice at the most decisive moment." Dinh Vu replied. "Regarding your family's debt, I asked lawyer Bao Han to advise you on a legal debt repayment plan, completely separate from any constraints from Mr. Khiem. You deserve a new start, no longer controlled by anyone."

Tuyet Nhung looked up, her eyes filled with tears because she was touched by the unexpected tolerance from the very person she helped hurt. "I don't know how to thank you and Ms. Nhi enough. I promise to start over, live a more dignified life, and never let myself fall into a situation of being taken advantage of like this again."

"That's enough." Dinh Vu smiled slightly, nodded goodbye before returning to the unfinished work of that afternoon, his heart felt lighter knowing that even in a dark conspiracy, there is still room for redemption and a new beginning for those who truly repent.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the hospital building, the economic police were present at the official request from the board of directors, taking minutes and sealing a number of documents at Vuong Ba Khiem's private office to serve future investigation. Many boxes of files and computer hard drives were carefully packed away, while office workers working nearby stood looking through the glass window with expressions of both curiosity and shyness at a scene that had never happened before in the hospital's history. Vuong Ba Khiem himself was also asked to leave the office immediately afterwards, taken away in heavy silence, no longer with the authoritative, confident appearance of a powerful Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors just a few hours before, instead with his face bowed in humiliation before the eyes of his former colleagues who once respected him.

Late that afternoon, Dinh Vu received a call from a friend who worked in the journalism industry, saying that a few newspapers had begun to sniff out the story and wanted to contact him for an interview. He quickly discussed with Ton Ba Thanh and the hospital's media department, agreeing to prepare an official press release in the next few days, presenting the incident honestly but still ensuring respect for the privacy of all parties involved, especially to avoid baby Moc Mien's image being affected by excessive attention from public opinion.

News of the incident spread quickly throughout the hospital that afternoon, although the leadership tried to control the information in an orderly manner through an official internal announcement, avoiding exaggerated rumors that caused unnecessary confusion among the staff. Many people expressed shock that a character who was considered a reliable pillar of the leadership could be behind such a cruel plot, while many people also expressed sympathy and support for Dinh Vu and Lam Nhi after learning the whole story behind.

In the hallway of the Cardiology Department, where Lam Nhi worked for many years as a nurse and then a personal assistant, former colleagues gathered in small groups, chatting endlessly about what had just happened. Some of them, who once doubted or probed about the special relationship between her and Dr. Vu without daring to ask directly, now came to send sincere congratulations upon learning the whole truth, expressing their admiration for the strength she had shown during the past difficult months.

On Bich Van, Lam Nhi's closest friend throughout the difficult journey, came to hug her as soon as the meeting ended, unable to hide her tears of happiness mixed with relief. "It's finally over, Nhi. You did it."

Lam Nhi hugged her friend tightly, feeling that a huge burden that had been suppressed for many weeks was finally completely lifted. She looked towards Dinh Vu who was standing and chatting with Ton Ba Thanh and Mr. Ly Thanh Dat in the distance. His eyes occasionally turned towards her with a warm smile, and she knew that, although there were still many things that needed to be resolved on the road ahead, the biggest storm in their lives had finally passed.

On the drive home to pick up little Mien at the nursery that afternoon, Lam Nhi rolled down the car window, letting the cool afternoon breeze flow in. Her heart felt light as if she had just lifted a rock that had been weighing her down for many years. She turned on the radio, a familiar song played, and for the first time in a long time, she softly sang along, her voice, although not perfect, was filled with genuine joy, an emotion she had almost forgotten the feeling of during the past months of living in anxiety and hiding. When she stopped the car in front of the school gate and saw little Mien running out with a bright smile as usual, Lam Nhi suddenly realized that from today onwards, she would no longer have to tell her child anything about hiding or calling her father by another name.