Chapter 21 — Passionate About A Twisted Love

Three weeks after the incident came to light, Lam Phong Group held an official press conference at the large hall of the five-star hotel, gathering a large number of reporters from all large and small newspapers and television stations in the city. This is a particularly important ceremony, not only announcing the preliminary investigation results from the authorities, but also an opportunity to officially vindicate Mr. Vu Dinh Bao's honor after twelve long years of unjust suffering.

Thien Lam stood on the podium, his face solemn, his eyes scanning the crowd of reporters listening attentively. Nha Dan sat in the front row with her mother, her hand tightly holding Mrs. Anh Tuyet's hand, both could not hide their emotions.

"Today, I stand here as Chairman of Lam Phong Group, to publicly admit a painful truth that has been buried for the past twelve years." Thien Lam began, his voice echoing throughout the hall. "The collapse of Cao Nguyen Thinh Company twelve years ago, which was believed to be due to Mr. Vu Dinh Bao's capital withdrawal and falsification of records, was actually a carefully orchestrated plot by Mr. Cao Ba Vinh, who was then the company's Chief Financial Officer."

The whole hall was buzzing, the sound of cameras flashing rapidly recorded this historic moment. Thien Lam continued to detail all the evidence that had been collected, from the original audit report, witness statements, to the initial investigation results from the police confirming the authenticity of the allegations.

"On behalf of the Cao family, I would like to send my sincerest and deepest apologies to Mr. Vu Dinh Bao's family, especially Ms. Vu Thi Anh Tuyet and Ms. Vu Nha Dan, for the suffering and loss that my family has unintentionally or intentionally caused over the past twelve years." Thien Lam bowed deeply in front of the camera lens, a gesture that made the entire hall silent for a moment before applause rang out.

That same evening, a series of in-depth investigative articles by Dang Quynh Chi was officially published in a major newspaper, quickly becoming the most discussed topic on social networks. The article meticulously presents each stage of the conspiracy, from withdrawing project capital, forging signatures, to threatening the editorial office to cover up old information, accompanied by photos of original documents that have been confirmed by the authorities.

Under the article, thousands of comments expressed outrage at Cao Ba Vinh's crime, and at the same time sent a belated apology to Mr. Vu Dinh Bao's family. Nha Dan read each line of comments, unable to hold back her tears as she remembered the years her family was turned away by society, called the children of scammers, and had to live in humiliation and poverty. Now, the same people who once ridiculed and despised her family are the first to speak up to defend and demand justice for her father.

One of the comments that touched her the most came from an anonymous account, claiming to be her old high school classmate, writing: "In the past, I used to stay away from Nha Dan for fear of getting involved, but now thinking about it, I feel extremely embarrassed. I hope you and your family can soon make up for what you have lost." Nha Dan smiled sadly, typed a few short thank you lines, then closed her laptop, not wanting to let that sad past continue to haunt her mind any longer.

Some of her father's old business friends, who had hastily cut off all contact as soon as the scandal broke out, also came to the house to ask to see Mrs. Anh Tuyet, shyly expressing their regret. Ms. Anh Tuyet welcomed them with a calm attitude, without complaining, just gently saying that she understood the situation at that time, everyone had to protect themselves and their families from unclarified suspicions.

After the press conference, Cao Viet Hung, as the oldest remaining representative of the family, along with Cao Tuyet Mai, personally went to Mrs. Anh Tuyet's house to apologize in person, carrying a bouquet of pure white flowers symbolizing restored purity.

"We know no apology can make up for what your family has endured over the past twelve years." Cao Viet Hung said, his voice was sad. "But we hope you can accept this apology as a start so that our two families can truly reconcile."

Ms. Anh Tuyet, although still in the recovery stage, shed tears when receiving the bouquet of flowers, her voice choked up. "For the past twelve years, what I have wished for most is not an apology, but the truth to be revealed, so that my husband can rest peacefully under the golden stream. Today, that has finally come true."

As for Cao Ba Vinh, after a lengthy investigation, the police officially prosecuted him for the crimes of fraudulent appropriation of property, falsification of organizational documents, slander and intentional injury. All of the ill-gotten assets he had accumulated over the past twelve years, including a chain of real estate in his name in the central area, had been frozen to serve the investigation and will likely be used to compensate related parties. The news that he was detained awaiting trial made the public even more gloating, seeing this as a fitting end for the man who had caused so much suffering for more than a decade.

One week after the press conference, Nha Dan's family held a reburial ceremony for Mr. Vu Dinh Bao, moving his remains from the popular cemetery where he was hastily buried in the past, to a more solemn mausoleum, worthy of the honor to which he was restored. The ceremony took place in a solemn atmosphere, with the participation of old friends and business partners who had shunned his family after the scandal, and now came to express their regret and belated respect.

The afternoon breeze blew gently through the quiet mausoleum, carrying the faint scent of incense mixed with the scent of new chrysanthemums. Nha Dan stood in front of her father's new grave, her hand placed on the stone stele engraved with his name, the words "Vu Dinh Bao" no longer carried any unjust stains. "Dad, I did it. I found the truth and exonerated you. You can rest in peace now."

Thien Lam stood next to her, placed a bouquet of white chrysanthemums on the grave, and bowed his head respectfully. "Uncle Bao, I'm sorry that my family has misunderstood you for the past twelve years. I promise to take good care of Nha Dan and make up for what you and your family have had to endure."

Cao Dinh Nghi was also mentioned in the ceremony. Although not blood related, the friendship between the two men was once very deep before being divided by Cao Ba Vinh's evil plot. Thien Lam decided to hold a private memorial service for both of them, symbolizing complete reconciliation between two families who had been at odds for more than a decade.

Mrs. Anh Tuyet stood quietly behind, watching her daughter kneel in front of her husband's new grave, her heart overflowed with so many mixed emotions. She remembered her gentle, devoted husband, the happy years before the incident, and the subsequent years of suffering and humiliation that the whole family had to endure. Now, standing in front of his spacious grave, with his name engraved without any scandal, she felt as if a burden had been lifted from her shoulders for twelve long years.

"Mr. Bao, finally all injustices have been resolved." She whispered, placing a bouquet of white roses on the grave, tears rolling down her face, which was lined with many wrinkles from years of suffering. "My daughter has grown up, is much more resilient and stronger than I thought. You can rest assured."

On the way back from the ceremony, Nha Dan sat in the car, leaning her head on Thien Lam's shoulder, her heart felt lighter than ever. "Thank you, for accompanying me all the way through this journey."

"This is just the beginning." Thien Lam smiled slightly and squeezed her hand. "There are still many good things waiting for us ahead."

Nha Dan looked out the glass window, the sunset dyed the whole sky orange in Saigon. She lowered the window a small crack, letting the afternoon breeze flow in and caress her hair, a feeling of lightness that she had not dared to allow herself to have for many years. Twelve years of injustice, suffering, and humiliation have finally ended, making way for a new, brighter chapter, where she no longer has to carry the burden of the past, but can freely look forward to a future built on the foundation of truth and sincere love.