Chapter 23 — Tears in the Frost

Two months after the proposal on the rooftop of Việt Thịnh building, the group has completely stabilized again, even growing stronger than in the pre-crisis period. The Eastern trade center project was officially started, marking an important milestone in the company's expansion strategy, and at the same time serving as a vivid testament to the leadership's steadfastness in the face of all events.

During the regular board meeting at the beginning of the quarter, an important content was discussed: the appointment of official personnel for the position of Director of Investor Relations, which has been vacant since Ms. Phùng Nhược My resigned. This is an important position, requiring the person in charge to have sharp financial analysis abilities, a deep understanding of the corporation's shareholder structure, and most importantly, to maintain absolute trust from both the board of directors and shareholders.

"I would like to nominate Ms. Kiều Thư Nhã for this position," Mr. Lăng Chính Nghĩa spoke to the entire board of directors, his voice full of confidence. "During the recent crisis, it was Ms. Thư Nhã who directly discovered, analyzed, and built an entire evidence system that helped us defeat the takeover plot of the Hằng Phát Fund. Her ability and bravery have been proven far beyond the usual role of executive secretary."

*

The proposal received almost absolute consensus from board members, no one objected, including the most cautious members. Bách Việt, even though he was directly involved emotionally, proactively left the meeting room during the voting process to ensure absolute objectivity for this decision, an action that made the entire board of directors respect his integrity even more.

An elderly board member, who was skeptical about Thư Nhã's abilities in the early days of the scandal, stood up to make an additional speech. "I used to think that a personal secretary was not qualified to participate in major decisions of the corporation. But through the way Ms. Thư Nhã handled the recent crisis, I realized I was wrong to evaluate people based only on their titles. I fully support this proposal, and I believe this will be the right decision for the long-term future of Việt Thịnh." The voting results were announced immediately afterward: one hundred percent of the members present agreed to appoint Kiều Thư Nhã to the position of Director of Investor Relations, accompanied by a resounding round of applause throughout the meeting room, showing the absolute respect that few people could have imagined before for someone who was once only known as a silent secretary.

When informed of the appointment decision, Thư Nhã stood still for a moment, an indescribable feeling of emotion welling up in her heart. For the past three years, she has always hidden behind the title of private secretary, silently contributing without anyone in the company knowing her true abilities. Now, for the first time, she is fully recognized for her own abilities, without any concealment or constraints from a secret contract.

"I accept this mission with all responsibility and respect," she spoke before the board of directors during the official announcement ceremony, her voice calm but full of power. "I understand clearly that this is not just a job position, but also a commitment to transparency and trust that I vow to maintain throughout my tenure."

*

Thư Nhã's inauguration ceremony took place solemnly but warmly at the main hall of the corporation, with the participation of the entire board of directors, shareholder representatives, and close colleagues who accompanied her throughout the difficult days. Đinh Bội Quyên stood in the front row, unable to hide her pride as she watched her friend step up to the podium to receive the appointment decision. Her pregnant belly was quite large but her standing still exuded a steadfastness and determination.

"From a secretary who hid her face behind the screen of a marriage contract, she has now become one of Việt Thịnh's most important figures, known and respected by the whole company by her real name," Bội Quyên spoke to Thư Nhã after the ceremony, her voice was emotional. "I believe your mother, if she were still alive, would definitely be very proud of you."

Thư Nhã smiled and gently touched the necklace her mother was wearing around her neck, a gift that she had always carried with her since that memorable night of the proposal. "Thank you, Bội Quyên. Without you and everyone by my side, I don't think I would have been able to get through this difficult time."

*

Along with stabilizing work, the private lives of Thư Nhã and Bách Việt also entered a busy but happy preparation period. They decided to choose a small villa on the outskirts of the city, away from the noise of the center, as a permanent place to live for their small family about to welcome a new member. Bách Việt personally participated in each stage of designing the child's room, choosing each gentle, warm color scheme, something that no one could have previously imagined in a man who was famous for being cold and disciplined at work.

"I think your child's room should be painted pale yellow, like morning sunlight," he said one evening, when they were both looking through a children's furniture catalog, his hand gently caressed her belly, feeling the child's increasingly strong kicks as if responding to his father's words.

"You're really romantic these days." Thư Nhã smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Before, I never thought I would see General Director Lăng Bách Việt sitting and choosing paint colors for the children's room with a serious expression as if he were negotiating a million-dollar contract."

"Because this is the most important contract of my life," he replied, smiling slightly, a rare but genuine smile that only Thư Nhã had the privilege of seeing often.

She looked at him, her heart filled with an indescribable feeling of gratitude at the great change in the man who had kept his emotions closed for many years. Not only stopping at choosing paint colors, Bách Việt also personally researched safe furniture for children, read dozens of articles on how to care for newborns, and even attended a prenatal class for fathers with her every weekend, an image that surprised many acquaintances when they saw the powerful General Director practicing changing diapers for dolls with a very serious expression.

*

Mr. Lăng Chính Nghĩa, during a visit to the couple's new villa, could not hide his emotions when he saw the complete change in his nephew who had always kept his emotions secret. "I have never seen you so happy and comfortable in many years, since your father was healthy," he said, patting Bách Việt's shoulder. "Thư Nhã is truly a precious gift that fate has brought to our family, even though initially in a difficult situation."

"I'm grateful for that every day, uncle," Bách Việt replied, his eyes looked towards Thư Nhã sitting in the garden, her hand on her stomach, her face radiant in the gentle afternoon sunlight. "If it weren't for the incident three years ago, perhaps I would never have realized the true value of the woman by my side."

That weekend, the whole small family had dinner together in the garden filled with sunset light, including Thư Nhã's father, Mr. Chính Nghĩa, Đinh Bội Quyên and Tạ Khắc Bình along with his wife and children, a warm scene that Thư Nhã had never dared to dream of during the three years of living in the name of a secret marriage. Bustling laughter echoed throughout the garden, mixed with the sound of bowls and chopsticks clashing together and simple everyday gossip, completely different from the tense, guarded atmosphere that she had to live with for a long time.

"I thank everyone for always being by my side and Mr. Viet all this time," Thư Nhã said, raising her glass of orange juice, her eyes glancing at all the dear faces around the table. "Without any of my aunts, uncles, brothers or sisters here, I think it will be difficult for me and brother Viet to overcome the most difficult period of our lives."

Outside in the garden, the pots of daisies that Bách Việt personally planted to remind him of the memorable proposal night are blooming, showing off their pure white color under the warm spring sunlight, as a symbol of the complete peace and happiness that both of them had to go through many challenges to reach.