Chapter 4 — Justice, Six Years Later

It cannot just be an apology to me alone. Director Luc also needs to explain to the entire company staff why a Human Resources Director would compromise the integrity of the recruitment process for the sake of family affairs.

Someone asked about my father-in-law. Dao To looked directly into the camera lens and said, I understand his good intentions in wanting to save a life, but good intentions cannot become a free pass to break the law.

Applause echoed from the hall. Lam Lan picked up a pen and shoved it into my hand. Luc Kieu, save your father first.

Trieu Hang checked his watch. You have seven minutes.

I signed the document. The pen felt incredibly heavy. As the final stroke landed, Trieu Hang immediately snatched the declaration away. Go up on stage and read it as written; do not deviate from the script.

What happens after I read it? I asked.

A six-month suspension and a demotion to recruitment manager.

I do not agree.

Then your employment contract will be terminated.

The investigation into my case has not yet reached a conclusion, I countered.

Trieu Hang straightened his cuffs. The live stream has over twenty million viewers. The company share price dropped four percent this morning. That is the conclusion.

At exactly ten o’clock, I was pushed onto the stage. Nearly a thousand employees filled the auditorium. Behind them, the press gathered, and the number of online viewers continued to climb. Dao To sat in the center of the front row, wearing her new company identification badge. She was officially the specialist in cultural promotion and legal compliance. After a brief introduction, Trieu Hang handed me the microphone.

Luc Kieu, now you will apologize to Ms. Dao To and all the staff.

My written declaration appeared on the giant screen behind me. I had just finished the second paragraph when the side door of the auditorium swung open. My father-in-law was pushed in, seated in his wheelchair. Lam Lan’s face drained of color. Father, why are you here?

Ms. Dao sent a car to pick me up, he replied, looking toward the stage. She said that since Luc Kieu wanted to apologize on my behalf, I had to come and listen.

Dao To stood up. Uncle Chu, you have the right to know the truth.

I gripped the microphone tightly. Who gave you permission to take a patient out of the hospital?

Uncle Chu is of sound mind and chose to attend voluntarily.

My father-in-law spoke up again. She told me that if I didn't come, Luc Kieu’s apology would lack sincerity.

Every pair of eyes in the hall fixed on us. Dao To smiled. I was simply explaining the implications of the situation to him.

Is that what you call voluntary? I asked.

Director Luc, please continue reading, Dao To commanded.

The text on the giant screen scrolled to the final page. I read aloud, I also acknowledge that the dangerous driving behavior of Chu Quoc Luong on that day holds no merit and does not deserve the praise it received.

My father-in-law saw those words, and his body shuddered violently. Don’t read it.

I placed the declaration down. Trieu Hang stood up immediately. Luc Kieu!

My father-in-law gripped the armrests of his wheelchair. I ran the red light, and I accept the consequences. The company fired me, and I accepted that, too. But you cannot claim that trying to save her life was meaningless.

Dao To turned to face him. Uncle Chu, you are once again avoiding the core issue. If you had killed someone else that day, who would have taken responsibility?

I would have, he replied.

And how would you have done that?

My father-in-law opened his mouth, but no words came out. Dao To produced a petition signed by passengers. This contains the signatures of twenty-seven passengers who were on that bus that day. They all agree that your actions put their lives in danger. Twelve of them are here today.

The cameras panned to the right. A row of people stood up. One said, He wouldn't listen to reason back then. The bus was moving so fast. Another added, My child was so terrified that they had nightmares for half a year. Why should we have been dragged into your attempt to save someone else? Call an ambulance next time!

My father-in-law’s hands slid off the armrests. I lunged off the stage, but I was blocked by security guards after only two steps. Trieu Hang muted my microphone. Luc Kieu, continue the apology. Otherwise, the company will discipline you for insubordination.

My father-in-law looked at the passengers. That day… you didn't say it like that.

No one answered. Dao To held the petition out before him. It is written in black and white; are you still going to deny it?

My father-in-law stared at the final page, then suddenly reached out. This is not their signature.

Dao To quickly pulled the paper back. Please do not damage the documents.

The third name, Luu Quang Sinh, my father-in-law said, his voice trembling. He left in the ambulance that day and passed away three days later. How could he have signed this a month after the incident?

The hall fell into a heavy silence. The smile on Dao To’s face vanished for a split second, but Trieu Hang grabbed the microphone first. Irrelevant information does not change the fact that Luc Kieu violated company regulations.

The giant screen suddenly turned black. A moment later, an audio recording from inside the bus filled the auditorium. A young woman was heard crying, her voice hoarse. Driver, don’t stop to wait for the ambulance. I have a brain tumor; I am going to die. Please, run the lights. If anything happens, I will take responsibility.

It was Dao To’s voice. Every camera turned toward her. Dao To jumped up. Turn it off!

In the recording, my father-in-law asked, Are you still conscious?

The girl sobbed in response, I am still conscious.

This recording is a fake, Dao To snapped, though she could only maintain her composure for two seconds.