Chapter 32 — Shrimp Street Without Name

The police finding Ms. Ut Phuong at Dai Duong's abandoned warehouse, leading to the arrest of two security guards directly involved in the illegal detention, quickly became an event that could not be hidden, even though all parties tried to keep the information secret during the initial investigation phase. Within just three days, news began to leak out through many unofficial channels, from whispered conversations among factory workers to cautious comments on several local forums.

Dai Duong responded quickly with a brief press release, affirming that the incident was just the personal misconduct of a few low-level security guards, completely unrelated to the policy or direction of the company's leadership, and announced that it had immediately fired those involved and would fully cooperate with the investigation agency to clarify the incident.

Hai Yen read the announcement over and over again on the phone screen, a feeling of indignation rising in her heart at its brazenness. The way the company had quickly pushed all responsibility onto low-level employees, when it was clear that such an organized action could not have taken place without direction or at least tacit permission from higher up, made her understand more than ever the sophistication of how this company operated to protect itself.

But what worried her most was not the press release, but the call she received from the Certification Center board of directors the very next morning, convening an emergency online meeting with the entire newly hired legal team in attendance.

“Miss Yen,” the director began, his voice much heavier than before. "With recent developments, especially the fact that you are directly implicated in a criminal case being investigated, even if only as an information provider, the board of directors is forced to seriously reconsider your role in this audit."

“I understand your concerns,” Hai Yen replied, trying to keep her voice calm even though her premonition told her what was about to happen. “But I affirm that all my actions stem from civic responsibility when detecting signs of crime, completely separate from my role as an official inspector.”

“I don't doubt your motives,” the director said, his voice somewhat apologetic. "But our legal team advised that, in order to protect the legality of the entire audit process against the risk of being sued by Dai Duong alleging lack of objectivity, we need to officially withdraw her from the role of auditor in charge of this case. Mr. Duc will take over completely, based on all the technical data she has collected."

Even though she was mentally prepared, Hai Yen still felt a real shock when she heard that decision was officially announced. “So I will no longer have access to case files?”

“You can still support Mr. Duc in an informal advisory role if needed,” the director said, his voice trying to be soothing. "But officially, your name will no longer appear in any audit documents from now on. This is a difficult decision, but necessary to protect both you and the organization from increasing legal risks."

The meeting ended, leaving Hai Yen sitting silently in front of the turned off screen, feeling like The effort and risk she had sacrificed over the past month were suddenly pushed aside by the very organization she once believed would always stand on the side of truth.

She called Kien, her voice unable to hide the bitterness as she recounted the decision she had just received. He listened, silent for a moment before speaking, his voice both sympathetic and firm.

"They can take your name out of the official records," he said, "but they can't take you out of what you've known, seen, experienced. You can still continue, just no longer as an official inspector."

“That's right,” Hai Yen replied, a new determination began to replace the initial bitter feeling. "Maybe this is even a good thing, in a way. No longer bound by an official role, I will have more freedom to investigate as I see necessary, without having to worry about every move having to be approved in advance by the board of directors."

“So what are you going to do next?” Kien asked.

“I will continue, as a citizen, as a son who wants to find justice for his father, no longer as an auditor bound by organizational processes,” Hai Yen said, her voice regaining stability. “The Cua Bien Project, Mr. Son's fate, what's really behind this entire chain of events — I won't stop until I find it all out, even if I have to go it alone.”

“I won't go alone,” Kien replied immediately, his voice firm. "I'm still here, with Mr. Duc, with lawyer Hoang, and everyone who has been with you until now. Just because you lost your official title doesn't mean that your network of supporters will also disappear."

Those words made Hai Yen feel warmer in the middle of a turbulent day. She understands that the road ahead will now be more bumpy, lacking the official sponsorship of a large organization, but she also feels a new freedom, an ability to act no longer constrained by considerations of organizational reputation or collective legal risk — only remaining, purely, her personal journey to find the truth for her father and for all those who have paid the price for it.

That afternoon, Hai Yen met Mr. Duc to officially hand over all audit documents, a meeting that brought many mixed emotions for both. Mr. Duc, even though he is now the official owner, still maintains absolute respect for what she has built.

“I will continue in the direction you have outlined,” he said, his voice sincere. "The final report will honestly reflect all technical evidence, not influenced by any pressure from the Ocean side or from within ourselves. I promise you that."

“I believe you,” Hai Yen replied, handing him the final file along with a detailed note of everything she had discovered, the unanswered questions, the clues to continue pursuing. “I just hope you keep in touch and inform me of anything important, even though I no longer have an official capacity.”

“Of course,” Mr. Duc nodded. "You laid the foundation for this entire incident. Even though your name is no longer on the record, the truth will still be found thanks to what you did."

Leaving the meeting, Hai Yen felt a strange emptiness creep into her heart, as if a part of her identity had been attached for four years. The past year has just been taken away. But at the same time, she also felt a certain relief — from now on, she could act according to what her heart told her, no longer having to consider each step through the lens of an organization that always had to weigh benefits and risks.

That night, she sat alone, writing down on a new page all the things she needed to do next in her new role: closely follow the developments of the criminal case involving Ms. Ut Phuong, learn more about the Coastal Development Investment Group and Cua Bien Project, maintain contact with Mr. Son if given the opportunity, and continue to support lawyer Hoang in pursuing the official denunciation. That long list, instead of discouraging her, gave her a new source of energy, as if losing her official role had freed her from the invisible limitations she hadn't realized she was placing on herself all along.

She called her mother to inform her about the Center's decision, mentally preparing for Mrs. Sau to worry more. But contrary to her expectations, Mrs. Sau received the news with a surprisingly calm attitude. “That's better,” she said over the phone, her voice firm. "You no longer have to take on the name of the company, no longer have to keep your guard up for fear of affecting the organization. You just do what you believe is right, mom supports you." That simple word of encouragement from her mother, coming at the right time she needed it most, made Hai Yen even more confident to step into the next journey with a completely new posture, no longer entangled by any name or institution. She turned off the desk lamp, closed the notebook, ready for a new chapter in her journey.