Chapter 3 — Single Dog Boss Becomes My Husband

I was stunned. “How did you know…” — I like to eat strawberry cake? “Just guess.” His voice is bland. I opened the box, scooped a piece and put it in my mouth. The sweetness of the cream mixed with the sweet and sour taste of the strawberries seemed to melt, erasing all the warm memories in my heart. “Why are you so nice to me?” I asked softly. He was silent for a long time. “Let's just say…” — he started the car again, eyes straight ahead, voice very quiet — “overtime pay.” That night, I ate the entire box of cookies. When I got home, I lay in bed, unable to sleep. In my mind, there are only images of Luc Tram Uyen's cold, angular face. This man... doesn't seem to be as hateful as I thought. 5 Since that night, Luc Tram Uyen's attitude towards me has changed. He is still strict, but no longer as harsh and harsh as before. He will let his assistant bring me breakfast after I stay up all night. When I have a headache over a difficult problem, he will pretend to accidentally put a related document on my desk. He didn't scold me anymore, but directly pointed out the problem: "There is a problem with the data logic, go ask CFO Vuong." “The design plan is too safe, check out some recent projects of Phuong Thien Group.” He is like a strict teacher, forcing me to grow up. Under his high intensity of "sharpening", I really began to improve. The West area project - that burning potato - in my hands gradually had positive changes. I began to feel the joy of solving problems... even a little... liking the feeling of being under his control. Of course, the other three people also refused to sit still. Phuong Tu Nam started to attack the people around me. My mother's square dancing team, he sponsored the new sound system. To my father's fishing association, he donated a whole set of high-quality fishing rods. My close friend Chu Hieu Hieu was placed at Phuong Thien Group's headquarters and her position was promoted three levels. So my parents and close friends whispered in my ear every day: "Tong Phuong is such a good person." Ky Ngon developed an application called "Mac Mac Protection Plan", connected to all smart devices in my house, can schedule feedings for cats, automatically adjust temperature - humidity, and prepare warm water for bathing. As for Tham Duc, he is still like a dragon with no head or tail, but always appears right when I need him the most. An important project partner changes his mind? One call from him and it's over. Project needs revolving capital? The next day, the investment company under him sent a direct invitation to cooperate. Each of them used their own way to treat me... so well that I didn't know how to respond. Chu Hieu Hieu asked me: "Mo Mac, why are you still hesitant? Just choose one person, the next half of your life you won't have to worry about anything." I just smiled bitterly. I admit, they are all great. Phuong Tu Nam's enthusiasm, Ky Ngon's meticulousness, Tham Duc's strength... all made me shake. But when the night is quiet, the person who appears in my mind... is always Luc Tram Uyen's cold face. It was you who, when I was struggling the most, gave me a piece of cake. It was you who, when everyone denied me, forced me to become a better version of myself. I don't know if this is just dependence on superiors... or is something else. 6 The project bidding date is set for Friday. Phuong Tu Nam, Ky Ngon, and even Tham Duc were all personally present, sitting right in the middle of the judges' seats, as majestic as three great mountains. Luc Tram Uyen sat next to me. “Stressed?” – he asked softly. "Rather." – my palms were wet with sweat. “Take a deep breath,” his voice was steady, “believe in you, believe in me too.” I nodded, feeling a little more at peace. The bidding begins. I walked up to the podium, opened the PPT and started presenting. The more I talk, the more I get into it — the data, analysis, options... have long been engraved in my mind. The more I spoke, the more confident I became, and I saw the eyes of everyone below gradually change — from suspicion to surprise. When I finished presenting the last page, I bowed, and thunderous applause echoed throughout the conference room. Returning to his seat, Luc Tram Uyen smiled slightly - a very faint smile, but genuine. “Very good presentation.” This was the first time he directly praised me. My heart stopped for a beat. But at that moment, the incident happened. Our competitor — a subsidiary of Phuong Thien Group — suddenly stood up. “Dear judges, we have evidence that Luc Thi Group's plan shows signs of stealing our trade secrets!” The whole hall was buzzing. The evidence they provided was a set of their never-before-publicized internal data, which matched almost completely with the core data in our plan. And that piece of data, is what I paid to download from an industry database just a few days ago. There was a buzzing sound in my head, it was completely empty. “No way!” "Miss Lam," their representative interrupted, smiling smugly, "You said this data was purchased, so do you have proof? Unfortunately, that database had a server problem yesterday, all the data was erased." This is clearly a trap! All eyes immediately turned to me—suspicion, judgment, contempt. I can't explain it, my whole body feels cold. “I trust her.” A cold, deep voice rang out. It's Luc Tram Uyen. He stood up, walked to my side, facing everyone, his voice firm: "Lam Mac is my person. Each of her data sets is checked by me. If the plan has problems, I will take full responsibility." He paused, his eyes turned to Phuong Tu Nam, sharp as a knife: "Of course, if I can find out who is behind the trick..." He did not finish his sentence, but everyone could hear the implicit threat in it. Phuong Tu Nam's face became unsightly for the first time. “I believe in General Luc's dignity.” A calm voice broke the tense atmosphere — it was Ky Ngon. He stood up: "Logically, with Ms. Lam Mac's performance today, she has no reason to steal. I suggest suspending the bidding and thoroughly investigating the incident." "I agree." This time, the person who spoke up was Tham Duc. He only said three words, but it was like the final verdict. The bidding was therefore postponed in a dramatic way. I was taken back to the office by Luc Tram Uyen, my whole body still shaking with fear. “Don't be afraid, I'm here.” He poured me a glass of warm water. I held the glass, the heat transmitted into my palm, looked up at him, my eyes suddenly red: "Mr. Luc... thank you." "Call I'm Luc Tram Uyen." — His eyes looking at me have never been so serious — “Lam Mac, do you believe me?” “I believe.” — I didn't hesitate at all. “Good.” — he reached out and gently stroked my hair, his movements were very gentle — “Then leave it to me. Don't think about anything, go home and get some sleep. When I wake up tomorrow morning, everything will be resolved.” His palm was very warm, so warm that it made my nose sting. At that moment, the balance in my heart - which had always swayed hesitantly - completely tilted. 7 I don't know how Luc Tram Uyen did it. The next morning when I woke up, the whole world seemed to have changed. The internet is full of news about the Phuong Thien Group's scandal. The person in charge of the subsidiary who harmed me was exposed for accepting huge bribes and malicious competition, and has now been arrested by the police. The "server problem" of that database was also investigated as fake. Phuong Thien Group's shares plummeted, falling into a media crisis. Phuong Tu Nam called me. His voice on the other side of the phone, for the first time, no longer had the usual joking tone, but carried fatigue and guilt: "Mac Mac, sorry. It's because I don't manage my people well.” “You… knew from before?” He smiled bitterly: "I just want to give you a difficult problem to see how Luc Tram Uyen reacts. I didn't expect them to be stupid enough to use this method. I've lost, I'm satisfied with my words." He said again: “Luc Tram Uyen is a very dangerous person. In his hands, he certainly held many of my weaknesses. This time, it seems like you've really angered him." When I hung up the phone, my mind was filled with hundreds of questions. When he arrived at the company, Luc Tram Uyen was in a meeting. Through the glass wall, I saw him commanding troops and making decisive decisions, suddenly feeling a bit strange.