Chapter 13 — Recruitment Spots Stolen

Nham Canh Hoa says:

"So tonight we must issue an authorization document."

"Revoke the right to manage recruitment and adjust the organizational structure to the Office of the Board of Directors first."

"As long as the power is still in our hands..."

"She will never get to the bottom of it."

The female voice asked again:

"What if she gets the candidate's file?"

Nham Canh Hoa calmly replied:

"Records may be supplemented."

"Review can be edited."

"If the camera expires, just overwrite it."

"Something she absolutely shouldn't touch..."

"Not Luc Giai Di."

The recording suddenly interrupted. It was as if someone was holding the device further. A few seconds later. Nham Canh Hoa's voice rang out again.

"It's the talent profile from seven years ago."

Just finished the sentence. The air in the meeting room seemed to be a few degrees colder. I clearly heard myself take a deep breath. Seven years ago. Thinh Hoa's talent profile. Those three phrases put together. Like a key. Suddenly opened the door that for the past seven years... I had never dared to touch. Finally, the Chairman spoke up. His voice was not loud. But no one dared to act like they didn't hear. I don't turn it off. Ha Minh Xuyen put his hand on the edge of the table.

"Just let it all play out."

The Chairman looked at him.

"This recording is of unknown origin."

"Unless verified, it cannot be considered any evidence."

Ha Minh Xuyen calmly replied:

"It may not be enough to draw a conclusion."

"But absolutely enough to launch an investigation."

Nham Canh Hoa immediately spoke up.

"General Manager Ha."

"You are being led by someone else's nose."

"Anonymous email."

"Anonymous recording."

"Who knows if behind the scenes a competitor intentionally sparked a separation or not?"

I looked at him.

"So please explain to me."

"Why is the authorization document mentioned in the recording..."

"Was it really set at 11:20 last night?"

"Why is Luc Giai Di's account..."

"Really accessing the project at 10:42 a.m.?"

"Why Phuong Man..."

"Are you really using English questions to eliminate public candidates?"

Nham Canh Hoa's face was sometimes blue, sometimes white.

"Coincidence..."

"Cannot be used to convict."

I nodded.

"So..."

"Just need to investigate."

He gritted his teeth and looked at me.

"Khuong An Ninh."

"Have you ever thought..."

"You are currently holding a recording of unknown origin..."

"Stand before the Chairman to question the Office of the Board of Directors."

"This is not professional behavior."

"Which is beyond the limit."

I haven't been able to answer yet. Tuong Viet suddenly spoke very softly.

"It's not unknown origin."

Everyone simultaneously turned to look at him. Tuong Viet's face was even whiter than before. But he still took out his phone.

"This recording..."

"I also received it."

Phuong Man immediately looked at him.

"You have too?"

Tuong Viet nodded.

"This morning."

"Before I filed a complaint."

"Someone sent it to me."

Ha Minh Xuyen asked:

"Is the sender information still available?"

Tuong Viet gave the phone to the Head of the Legal Department. He just took one look. His eyebrows immediately furrowed.

"Not external emails."

"It's an anonymous whistleblowing channel within the corporation's internal compliance system."

The corner of Nham Canh Hoa's eye twitched. The Chairman also fell silent. I looked at the recording that was still playing. In the last few seconds. Nham Canh Hoa's voice lowered to almost a whisper right in his ear.

"Seven years ago's selection..."

"Absolutely do not let it be brought up again."

"If the person who was replaced that year knew the truth..."

"Even Ha Minh Xuyen..."

"I can't keep Thinh Hoa."

The recording ended abruptly. The whole meeting room. No one spoke up. Finally, he slowly raised his head. Because the person who was eliminated from Thinh Hoa's Talent Program seven years ago... It was me. Seven years ago. I've been to Thinh Hoa. At that time I was twenty-four years old, had just finished a project abroad and returned. At that time, Thinh Hoa had a Young Talent Program, selecting high potential candidates from outside. I passed the written exam. Pass the professional interview round. Even received notification to participate in the final interview round. But then... Human Resources just sent me a very short email. The content is only one sentence. Overall rating unsatisfactory. There isn't any explanation. No response. There is also no complaints mechanism. At that time, I had no shortage of job opportunities. I don't ask further. But I remember it very clearly. The person in charge of welcoming candidates for that year's recruitment... was Phuong Man. It's just that at that time... She hadn't become a manager yet. Stand in front of the interview area. Her smile is much more polite than now. She once told me:

"Miss Khuong, Thinh Hoa values talent very much."

"But also attaches great importance to stability."

I don't understand what that statement means. And now... I understand. In the meeting room. Phuong Man also remembered what happened that year. Her eyes quickly avoided. I'm just sorry... It's too late. I looked straight at her.

"Seven years ago."

"Young Talent Program..."

"You participated, right?"

Phuong Man's lips were dry.

"It's been so long."

"I don't remember."

I said calmly.