Chapter 17 — Stupid But Strong

Pressure from the board of directors of Tan Thanh Am entertainment company is increasing as the scandal shows no signs of subsiding. In a closed meeting without Bach Duy's participation, the company president put the issue directly in front of Lam Nha Thu.

"You are his direct manager, you should understand better than anyone the severity of the current situation," he said, his voice stern. "The three brands have officially announced the termination of advertising contracts. Revenue from booked performances has also decreased significantly because many organizers are concerned about image risks. If this situation continues, the company will be forced to consider the option of terminating the contract with him to protect public reputation."

Lam Nha Thu clenched her hands under the table, trying to keep her voice calm even though her heart was churning with anger. "I understand those numbers are putting a lot of pressure," she said, "but I believe this entire scandal stems from a deliberate sabotage campaign, not because Bach Duy did anything wrong. We are gathering evidence to prove that, and I believe that with just a little more time, the truth will be revealed, then Bach Duy's image will not only be restored but can also be strengthened more strongly thanks to public sympathy."

"Do you have any concrete evidence for what you just said, or is it just personal belief?" another member of the leadership team questioned, eyes skeptical.

Lam Nha Thu knew that if she revealed all the information about the Nhieu family's property plot right now, when the evidence was still incomplete, it was likely that the news would leak before they could fully prepare, ruining the entire plan. She chose to answer cautiously. "I cannot reveal details at this time for legal confidentiality reasons, but I would like to use all my professional reputation to assure the management that the truth is completely in favor of Bach Duy. I ask the company to give us two more weeks before making any decision on terminating the contract."

The meeting ended in unresolved tension, the company president reluctantly agreed to give Lam Nha Thu more time, but clearly warned that if after two weeks the situation did not improve, the decision would no longer be in her hands.

Before leaving the meeting room, another member of the board of directors, who had a long-term cooperative relationship with the Nhieu family company through event sponsorship contracts, pulled Lam Nha Thu aside to talk privately. “You should be careful,” he said, his voice somewhat warning. "I heard that Nhieu's company, specifically Mr. Trong Khai, is paying close attention to this incident. If you continue to side with Bach Duy, maybe some of your company's other sponsorship contracts will also be affected."

After hearing this, Lam Nha Thu became even more certain of her hunch that Nhieu Trong Khai was the person behind the entire sabotage campaign. The fact that a person related to him proactively warned her in this way only shows the scope of his influence and determination to suppress the incident at all costs, including putting indirect pressure on the company that manages Bach Duy.

After the meeting, Lam Nha Thu called Bach Duy to meet privately and recounted all the pressure she was under. "I've put my professional reputation on the line for you," she said, her voice tired but without remorse. "I need you and Ms. Ninh to speed up the process of collecting evidence, because we don't have much time left."

Bach Duy looked at her, a deep gratitude rose in his heart. “Thank you,” he said. "I know you've risked a lot for me, not just this time but since my early days as an unknown trainee. I won't let your trust become meaningless."

"You don't need to thank me," Lam Nha Thu replied, her voice suddenly became much gentler than usual. "I still remember the day you auditioned for the first time, a skinny young man with sad eyes but a voice that contained an untold story. I believed in your talent from that day, and I also believed that a person who has gone through many losses like you deserves to have true happiness, even if it comes in a way that is not easy or normal."

She told him more about her own story - many years ago, she was in love with a colleague who was much older than her, and had to endure a lot of malicious slander from people around her, to the point that she finally chose to let go just because of public pressure, a decision she regrets to this day. "I don't want you and Miss Ninh to repeat the mistake I made," she said. "Sometimes, true happiness is worth fighting for, instead of succumbing to the baseless prejudices of outsiders."

That unexpected confession made Bach Duy look at Lam Nha Thu in a completely different light - no longer just a sharp, professional manager, but also a friend who silently understood and supported him with all her heart, even at the cost of her own career and reputation.

From that day, Lam Nha Thu no longer kept a cautious distance as before, but actively participated more deeply in the evidence gathering process with Bach Duy and Tang Ninh, taking advantage of all her relationships and experience in handling media crises to support them in preparing for the upcoming decisive confrontation. She understands that this is no longer just a job, but has become a war that she is willing to accompany to the end, because she believes that justice and sincere love deserve to be protected, no matter what the cost is.

She also took the initiative to meet Tang Ninh in private once, wanting to see with her own eyes the woman who made the artist she wholeheartedly protected willing to risk her entire career. The meeting took place at Vom La restaurant on an empty afternoon, the two women sat opposite each other, initially keeping a certain distance.

"I need to know how sincere you are with Bach Duy," Lam Nha Thu said frankly, sharp eyes observing Tang Ninh's every expression. "He's lost a lot because of this relationship. I need to make sure it's worth it."

Tang Ninh did not avoid the question. "I spent six years trying to forget it, to convince myself that feeling was wrong, that it shouldn't exist," she said, her voice sincere. "But I was wrong. True love doesn't disappear just because we try to bury it. I'm willing to face any difficulty, including what's happening now, so as not to regret it again."

Lam Nha Thu listened and recognized in Tang Ninh's eyes and voice a sincerity that could not be faked. She nodded, revealing a real smile for the first time since the scandal began. "Okay. I trust you. From now on, think of me as an ally, not an obstacle."

Tang Ninh, touched by that straightforward change, poured another cup of tea for Lam Nha Thu, and the two women, despite completely different starting points, began to talk more openly about what each could contribute to the upcoming plan. Lam Nha Thu shared her experience on how to build a systematic communication strategy, while Tang Ninh provided additional details she remembered about the relationship between Mr. Nhan and Mr. Trong Khai, small clues that could be useful for the investigation process. The meeting ended with a solid consensus, laying the foundation for a three-person alliance that will work together to confront the conspiracy that threatens their happiness and justice.

When Bach Duy came to pick up Lam Nha Thu after the meeting, he realized that the atmosphere between the two most important women to him was now completely different, no longer as reserved as before but had become close and trusted each other. Looking at that scene, he felt much more relieved, as if another important piece had just been placed in its correct place in the picture of his life that was gradually being completed again after many years of disruption. On the way home, he thought to himself, even though there were still many challenges ahead, at least now he no longer had to fight alone, but had a whole group of people who believed in him and were willing to stand by his side to the end. The two weeks Lam Nha Thu requested from the board of directors now became a race against time in which all three of them were determined not to waste a single day.