Chapter 21 — It's Too Late, Doctor Vu

After the overwhelming events of the Board of Directors meeting, the biggest question still hanging in the minds of the entire leadership of Anh Duong Hospital is the fate of the investment deal with Meridian Healthcare Fund. No one is sure whether Mr. Ly Thanh Dat and his team still want to continue to cooperate after witnessing such a serious internal scandal, especially when the entire initial brand image strategy that the hospital built to attract them has now completely collapsed.

Three days after that stormy meeting, Ton Ba Thanh received a call from the representative office of the Meridian Healthcare Foundation, requesting to arrange a private meeting with the hospital's senior management to "discuss the next step of the deal". An anxious atmosphere permeated the management departments, many people predicted that this could be the meeting to announce the withdrawal from the deal.

The meeting took place in the same meeting room where all the events had just happened, this time with only the presence of key figures - Ton Ba Thanh, Dinh Vu, Lam Nhi at the special invitation of the investor, along with Mr. Ly Thanh Dat and two lawyers representing the fund. On the way to the meeting room, Lam Nhi couldn't help but feel nervous, her hand clasped Dinh Vu's hand tightly, both of them understood that the outcome of this meeting not only affected their own future, but was also directly related to the livelihoods of hundreds of employees attached to the hospital, who were completely innocent in the entire conspiracy that had just been revealed.

The meeting table was arranged much tidier than the previous crowded open meeting, leaving only a more formal but intimate atmosphere. Ton Ba Thanh poured water for the guests, his hands were still shaking a bit because he was still nervous, while Mr. Ly Thanh Dat sat down with his usual composure, opening his briefcase slowly, as if he was deliberately prolonging the suspenseful moment before getting to the main issue.

"I know people are worried about our decision." Mr. Ly Thanh Dat opened his mouth after the initial social greetings, his voice was calm but unpredictable. "So I'll get straight to the point."

He stopped for a moment, looked around at the faces waiting anxiously before him, then continued. "When Meridian Healthcare Foundation began to consider investing in Anh Duong Hospital two years ago, we were attracted by your excellent professional capacity and development potential. The hospital's communications department at that time built for us the image of a perfect team of doctors and nurses, especially the story of a doctor who devoted himself to his profession, not entangled in personal matters. Honestly, from the beginning, I personally felt that the story was somewhat inauthentic, because In my investment experience, I understand that no one can maintain an absolutely perfect image forever without any cracks."

The whole meeting room listened silently, Lam Nhi held Dinh Vu's hand tightly under the table, both of them were not sure what conclusion this conversation would lead to. Ton Ba Thanh sat up straight, his hands clasped together on the table, his eyes fixed on each expression on the investment fund representative's face, trying to read in advance some of the results about to be announced but could not predict it.

Mr. Ly Thanh Dat remained silent for a moment long enough for Ton Ba Thanh to swallow. "I won't hide one thing from you — last night I had to convene an emergency video meeting with the fund's investment committee. Not all of them agreed with me. Some people thought that an internal scandal that broke out right before the signing was a sign of unacceptable governance risk, and asked to withdraw the entire proposal immediately, as if this deal had never happened." He stopped, his eyes glanced at Dinh Vu and then Lam Nhi. "I had to argue for a long time to maintain my right to make my own decisions during this survey. So I hope you understand, the conclusion I am about to make is not an obvious one."

"What I witnessed in the last meeting, instead of making me concerned, actually convinced me more about going ahead with this deal." Mr. Ly Thanh Dat continued, a slight smile appearing on his normally serious face. "Doctor Vu chose to face the truth, accept the risk of losing his image and position to protect his family and transparency, instead of continuing to hide or compromise with the wrong. That is the type of bravery and integrity I look for in leaders that our foundation will accompany for a long time, not a flashy cover that can collapse at any time."

Ton Ba Thanh breathed a sigh of relief, but still couldn't hide his surprise. "So you still want to continue signing the investment contract as originally planned?"

"Not quite as originally planned." Mr. Ly Thanh Dat replied, his eyes turned to Dinh Vu and Lam Nhi. "I would like to propose a small adjustment in the hospital's communication strategy. Instead of continuing to build the image of 'single star doctor' as before, I think the real story of a family that has overcome difficulties together, of integrity and sincere love, will be a much more powerful and lasting brand story than any staged image."

He turned to Dinh Vu and Lam Nhi, his voice became more sincere. "Doctor Vu and Ms. Lam Nhi, if you two agree, I believe that my family's true story, once shared properly, will become a source of inspiration for many people, and at the same time strengthen the public's trust in the core values that the hospital pursues - dedication not only in work, but also in the way each person treats their own family."

Dinh Vu looked at Lam Nhi, looking for agreement in her eyes. She nodded slightly, a warm smile on her lips.

"We are honored to share our true story, Mr. Ly." Dinh Vu replied, his voice filled with relief and gratitude. "It's time for us to no longer have to hide anything."

Lam Nhi also spoke up, her voice was emotional but still maintained the necessary composure. "Mr. Ly, on behalf of my family, I would like to thank you for looking at the problem with such a humane perspective, instead of simply judging based on numbers or superficial images. That gives us more confidence that we are entering a truly sustainable cooperative relationship."

Mr. Ly Thanh Dat smiled, nodded with satisfaction at that sincere answer, then signaled his lawyer to prepare the necessary adjustment documents so that the official signing could be carried out next week, in accordance with the new spirit that both sides had just established together.

The meeting ended with a completely different atmosphere than the initial anxiety - the investment contract was confirmed to continue on schedule, and Mr. Ly Thanh Dat even proposed to increase a small budget specifically for employee welfare programs, as a way to show goodwill and faith in the hospital's sustainable development under transparent and upright leadership.

Leaving the meeting room, Ton Ba Thanh came to Dinh Vu and Lam Nhi, his face clearly showing guilt mixed with gratitude. "Doctor Vu, Ms. Lam Nhi, I'm sorry that my wrong image policy has pushed you two into a situation where you have to live in secret for so many years. I placed too much importance on the outer shell and forgot the true value that lies in sincerity and honesty."

"We understand he was just trying to do what was best for the hospital in the way he thought was right at the time." Lam Nhi replied, her voice did not carry any resentment. "The important thing is that now, we have all learned a valuable lesson, and perhaps that is also what is necessary for our hospital to enter a more stable and authentic stage of development."

Ton Ba Thanh nodded and squeezed Dinh Vu's hand as a commitment. "From today, the hospital will officially recognize and welcome your family fully, without any further concealment."

On the way back to the office, Dinh Vu and Lam Nhi walked side by side through the hospital hallway, for the first time without needing to keep distance, without worrying about the eyes of anyone around them. A few employees passing by saw the two holding hands and couldn't help but be surprised for a moment, but then quickly smiled friendlyly, some even nodded slightly in congratulations, making Lam Nhi feel like an invisible burden had been lifted from her shoulders for her entire young life.

"How does it feel to walk down this hallway without having to act any more?" Dinh Vu asked, his voice was somewhat joking but his eyes were full of love.

"It feels like I can breathe fully for the first time in many years." Lam Nhi replied, resting her head lightly on his shoulder for a brief moment in the crowded hallway, no longer shy like before, her heart was filled with a feeling of peace that she had been waiting for throughout a long journey to have.