Chapter 21 — Reborn to Love the Perfect One

In the week after the shocking shareholders' meeting, the legal department of Vệ Thịnh Group officially transferred all evidence files to the investigation agency. Chu Bách Nam was prosecuted for falsifying documents, slander and showing signs of appropriating property through abuse of position and power. Kiều Ý Nhi was also investigated not only for her role in this case, but also for an investment fraud from two years ago that had never been exposed before.

Tưởng Bảo Long, after being dismissed from his position as vice chairman of the board of directors, also faced accusations of accepting bribes and seriously violating his duty of loyalty to the company. He was forced to repay all the money he received, and also pay compensation for damages proposed by the new board of directors.

One afternoon, Ánh Vy received a call from the company's lawyer, informing her that Chu Văn Đạt had asked for permission to meet her before the official meeting with the investigation agency took place. She agreed immediately, arranging a private meeting in the villa's small living room.

Chu Văn Đạt walked in, his figure hunched over compared to a few weeks ago, his eyes sunken from insomnia. "Miss Ánh Vy, I came to apologize to you one last time, and also to ask your permission to let me leave my position as the family driver."

"You don't have to do that," Ánh Vy said, her tone sincere. "Bách Nam's problem was caused by him and has nothing to do with you."

"But I don't have the face to continue serving your family anymore," Chu Văn Đạt replied, his voice choked. "The boy has betrayed your kindness, and that of your entire family. I feel that I am also partly responsible for not raising him properly."

"Uncle Dat, you did your best," Ánh Vy said, holding the older man's shaking hands. "When our children grow up, each person must be responsible for their own choices. You can't always shoulder Bách Nam's mistakes. If you want, I hope you will continue to stay and work with my family, as a new beginning, completely separate from what happened."

Chu Văn Đạt burst into tears and bowed his head in thanks. "Thank you, Ms. Ánh Vy. You really have more tolerance than I deserve."

"You deserve to be treated fairly, which is different from what Bách Nam did," Ánh Vy replied, her eyes gentle. "My kindness, I have now learned to put it more in the right place."

A few days later, Ánh Vy went to the detention center to meet Bách Nam one last time before the official trial took place. She stood on the other side of the glass partition, looking at him in a simple detention outfit, his face visibly haggard.

"What are you doing here?" Bách Nam asked, his tone was still a bit bitter but had completely lost the aggression of the previous days.

"I came to say goodbye," Ánh Vy replied, her tone calm. "I will not appeal to reduce your sentence, Bách Nam. But I will also not do anything to make your punishment more severe than it deserves. I hope that, during your sentence, you will have the opportunity to reflect on what you have done, and learn to appreciate what you once had."

Bách Nam was silent for a long time, then bowed his head, his voice breaking. "I'm sorry, Ánh Vy. I'm really sorry for betraying you."

"I accept your apology," Ánh Vy replied, her eyes also filled with tears. "But there are things that, once lost, can never be regained as before, Bách Nam."

She stood up and left the visiting room without looking back. Stepping out of the prison door, the afternoon sunlight shone down, Ánh Vy took a deep breath, feeling that a burden that had been on her shoulders for two lifetimes was finally completely lifted.

As for Kiều Ý Nhi, the trial took place quickly a few weeks later, with complete irrefutable evidence of both fraud and document falsification. She was sentenced to many years in prison, marking the complete downfall of a person who once dreamed of changing her life through nefarious means.

The Ve family's company, after the recent storm, gradually entered a period of stability again. The Board of Directors was strengthened with new members with more worthy abilities and ethics, and Ánh Vy, after everything she had been through, felt that she was truly mature and strong enough to shoulder the responsibility that her father had entrusted to her.

After visiting Bách Nam at the detention center, Ánh Vy returned to the company with a heavy heart. Dịch Phong was already waiting for her in the parking lot and immediately recognized the tired look on her face.

"Are you okay?" He asked, his eyes filled with worry.

"I'm fine," Ánh Vy replied, smiling slightly and awkwardly. "Just seeing her in that situation, I still can't help but feel heartbroken, even though I know clearly that this is the price she has to pay for her own choices."

"It showed that she still retains a kind heart, no matter how much pain she has gone through," Dịch Phong said, gently holding her hand. "That's not a weakness, Ánh Vy. It's part of what makes you special."

She leaned her head on his shoulder for a moment, letting herself be a little vulnerable in that safe embrace. "Thank you, for always being by my side through all of this."

One week later, at the first board meeting after all legal procedures were completed, Vệ Thành Lâm officially announced the list of newly elected members to the board, replacing the vacant position of Tưởng Bảo Long. He also announced a series of reforms in governance processes, strengthening more layers of independent supervision for all important funds and assets of the company, largely based on the proposals that Ánh Vy and Dịch Phong built together during the recent crisis.

"I believe, with these reforms, Vệ Thịnh Group will become stronger and more transparent than ever," Vệ Thành Lâm spoke in front of the entire board of directors, his eyes filled with pride as he looked towards his daughter. "And I want to especially acknowledge Ánh Vy's irreplaceable contributions during the past difficult period."

The sound of applause rang out throughout the meeting room. Ánh Vy stood up, bowed her head in thanks, her eyes briefly glanced at Dịch Phong who was sitting in the row representing the Strategy Department, now officially promoted to the position of strategic director of the entire corporation. The two exchanged a knowing smile, knowing that their persistent efforts had finally paid off.

That evening, Ánh Vy called Gia Hạnh to share the good news. "Gia Hạnh, everything has finally been resolved. The company has had important reforms, and Dịch Phong has just been promoted to the position of strategic director."

"I heard, the whole company is talking about this." Gia Hạnh smiled, her tone full of excitement. "I'm so happy for you, Ánh Vy. You've been through so many ups and downs, now you're finally rewarded."

"Thank you, for always being by my side throughout this journey," Ánh Vy said, her tone filled with emotion. "If it weren't for your help in gathering information, perhaps things wouldn't have gone so smoothly."

"We're close friends, it's only natural for us to help each other," Gia Hạnh replied, then her tone turned mischievous. "Ah, I heard that you and Mr. Dịch Phong are officially together, right? Tell me the details!"

Ánh Vy laughed, clearly feeling the relief and happiness gradually filling her heart after a long and turbulent time. She knows that although there are still many things ahead that need to be nurtured, at least the darkest chapter of her life has finally completely closed.

Putting down the phone, she walked out onto the balcony, looking up at the starry night sky. The cool night breeze blew past, carrying the gentle scent of flowers from the garden below. She smiled slightly, her heart filled with a peace that she had never dared to dream of since the day she was reborn, knowing that from now on, the future ahead would only have light, instead of the darkness of betrayal and loss that had covered her life in her previous life. Standing there for a long time in the quiet night, she silently thanked fate for giving her such a precious second chance, and promised herself that she would never let it go to waste.