Chapter 11 — The 12th-Floor Kitchen Contract

Two weeks after the frank conversation between Khang and Yen Chi, things seem to have calmed down, allowing Diem Tram and Khang to enjoy a rare period of peace to nurture their deepening relationship. But that peace was only temporary, when Mr. Phat, not satisfied with the failure of the previous audit, quietly hired a private investigator to investigate more thoroughly the relationship between the two.

"I found a few things of interest," the detective reported to Mr. Phat during a secret meeting in his private office. "Miss Ngo Diem Tram moved to live in Mr. Luong Viet Khang's apartment just one week after the two announced their engagement. Before that, there was no sign that the two had ever dated or known each other for a long time."

Mr. Phat frowned, his eyes shining with calculating satisfaction. "Continue further investigation," he ordered. "I want to know exactly, whether there are any documents or agreements between the two of you."

***

Meanwhile, at Cam Luong restaurant, Kien became more and more curious about the small details he accidentally noticed in the way Khang and Diem Tram interacted with each other. Although the two have become much closer and more natural, sometimes there are still moments when Kien catches a strange hesitation and caution between them, as if there is still a secret that has not been completely revealed.

"Have you ever wondered why everything between you and Diem Tram happened so quickly?" Kien asked frankly late one evening, when the two were checking the raw material warehouse together after work.

Khang stopped, turned to look at his closest colleague. "What are you trying to ask, Kien?" he asked, his voice careful.

"I just want to know the truth," Kien replied, his eyes sincere but determined. "I consider you a brother, and I think, no matter what happens, I deserve to know. Especially when I see Uncle Phat's increasingly suspicious moves recently."

***

Khang was silent for a long time, considering carefully before deciding to reveal the truth to his most trusted friend. "Okay," he finally replied, his voice turning serious. "I will tell you the whole truth, but you must promise to keep it absolutely secret."

Kien nodded firmly, and Khang began to tell the whole story — from the terms of her grandmother's will, to her decision to offer Diem Tram a fake marriage contract, and the genuine feelings that had gradually arisen between the two since then.

"So at first this was just an agreement," Kien said, unable to hide his surprise at the whole story. "But now..."

"Everything is different now," Khang affirmed, his voice sincere. "I really love Diem Tram, it has nothing to do with the inheritance or the original contract anymore."

Kien was silent for a moment, processing all the unexpected information he had just received. "I understand," he said finally. "And I'm glad that you have found true happiness. But you need to be more careful, Khang. If Uncle Phat discovers this truth, he will not hesitate to use it to destroy everything you have."

***

Kien's sincere warning made Khang even more wary. He knew clearly that the inheritance deadline was approaching, and with each passing day the risk of being discovered increased. "I'll be more careful," he promised. "But I also don't want to hide Diem Tram forever in the darkness of this worry. She deserves to live a peaceful life, not always having to watch every word and every action."

"So what are you going to do?" Kien asked, curious about his friend's next plan.

"I'm thinking about actually proposing," Khang confided, a new determination evident in his eyes. "Not because of the contract, but because I really want to spend the rest of my life with her. If we officially get married because of true love, then even if Uncle Phat discovers the original origin of this relationship, it won't matter anymore."

Kien smiled and patted his close friend's shoulder with sincere support. "It's a great plan," he said. "I believe, Diem Tram will be very happy to hear that. But you need to choose the right time, make sure everything goes smoothly, don't let Uncle Phat have the opportunity to sabotage that important moment."

Khang nodded, in his heart he began to form specific plans for a real proposal, coming from his own heart, no longer bound by any contract terms.

***

Meanwhile, the detective hired by Mr. Phat continued to dig deep into Diem Tram's financial past, discovering an unusually large amount of money was transferred to her account right at the time she signed a staffing contract with Cam Luong restaurant. “This is much more than the typical salary of a part-time pastry consultant,” the detective reported, showing bank statements he had collected through informal connections.

Mr. Phat carefully studied the documents, a triumphant smile gradually appeared on his lips. “This is just the proof I needed,” he said, his voice filled with satisfaction. "Now I just need to find a way to release this information at the right time to cause the most disadvantage to Viet Khang."

"What do you plan to do with this information?" the detective asked, curious about his boss's plan.

"It's not the right time," Mr. Phat replied, putting the documents in a separate safe in the office. "I will wait until the right time for the board of directors to meet to officially approve the inheritance, then a surprise attack will have the greatest effect."

***

Unaware of the plot being secretly prepared, Diem Tram and Khang continued to nurture their relationship in the following days. One evening, when the two walked together along the riverbank near the Zenith building after work, Khang suddenly stopped and pulled Diem Tram to sit on a stone bench overlooking the river sparkling with city lights.

"What's up?" Diem Tram asked, a bit surprised by the sudden change of route.

"Nothing," Khang replied, smiling mysteriously. "I just want to enjoy this moment with you for a bit." He held her hand, watching the river flow in meaningful silence. "Have you ever thought about our future? After the contract officially ends?"

Diem Tram was silent for a moment, considering that serious question. "I thought about it," she replied honestly. "But I'm also afraid, not knowing whether what we have now can last, when it started from a foundation that is not entirely natural."

“I understand that worry,” Khang said, squeezing her hand with sincere reassurance. "But I believe, how we start is not as important as how we choose to continue. And I choose to continue with you, not because of any terms, but because I really want to."

That sincere affirmation warmed Diem Tram's heart, dispelling some of the worries creeping into her heart about an uncertain future ahead.

"What about my bakery?" she asked, wanting to better understand Khang's plans. "I don't want to give up what my mother built, no matter how much my life changes."

“I will never ask you to give up the bakery,” Khang replied immediately, his voice firm. "On the contrary, I think, we can find a way to combine the two — perhaps, Diem Tram bakery can become an independent brand, collaborating long-term with the Cam Luong restaurant chain, instead of simply a temporary consulting relationship like it is now."

That idea made Diem Tram excited. “That's a great idea,” she said, her eyes lighting up at the new prospect. "I always wanted my mother's bakery to grow further, but I never thought about the possibility of such large-scale cooperation."

"We can discuss this plan in more detail later," Khang said, smiling at her excitement. "But in the meantime, I just want you to know, no matter what the future holds, I will always support your dreams and passions, not only as a business partner, but as someone who truly appreciates and loves you."

They sat together for a while longer, watching the sparkling river under the city lights, enjoying the rare moment of peace amid the worries and challenges that lay ahead. They both felt a firm belief that, even though the road ahead was still full of thorns, the sincere feelings between them would be strong enough to overcome everything.