Chapter 13 — The 12th-Floor Kitchen Contract

The opening date of the new cake counter in the main lobby of Cam Luong restaurant is scheduled for the end of the month, marking an important milestone in Diem Tram's career. The whole week before the event, she had almost no time to rest, busy perfecting the menu, training new employees, and supervising the final decoration of the exhibition space.

"You need to rest a little," Hoai Thu reminded when she saw Diem Tram still working hard until late at the new cake counter, even though it was long past the restaurant's closing time. "If you're exhausted before opening day, all your efforts will be meaningless."

"I know," Diem Tram replied, gently rubbing her tired eyes. "But I want to make sure everything is perfect. This is not only an opportunity for the bakery, but also a way for me to prove that I am worthy of the trust that everyone has given me."

***

Meanwhile, Mr. Phat, realizing that the opportunity to attack was increasingly narrowing as the relationship between Khang and Diem Tram became stronger, decided to change tactics. He secretly contacted Yen Chi, proposing a new cooperation to break the relationship between the two before it was too late.

"I know you still have feelings for Viet Khang," Mr. Phat said in a private meeting with Yen Chi at a luxury cafe. "And I have evidence that the relationship between him and Ms. Diem Tram is not entirely as published. If we cooperate, perhaps we can both achieve what we want."

Yen Chi carefully considered that proposal, even though there were still many conflicts in her heart after the previous frank conversation with Khang. "What proof do you have?" she asked, unable to hide her curiosity.

"An unusually large sum of money was transferred to Ms. Diem Tram's account, right at the time she started a relationship with Viet Khang," Mr. Phat revealed, opening up the bank statement that his detective had collected. "This is clearly not a natural romantic relationship."

***

Although somewhat hesitant, Yen Chi finally agreed to participate in Mr. Phat's plan, partly because her pride was hurt, partly because she had not completely given up hope for a business partnership between the two families. “I will help you,” she said. "But I want this information to be released in a way that does not damage my family's reputation."

"Of course," Mr. Phat replied, a triumphant smile appearing on his lips. "We will choose the right moment for this information to have the greatest impact — right at the opening of the new bakery, in front of all the media and key business partners."

That cruel plan was meticulously outlined, aimed at the exact moment when both Khang and Diem Tram were focusing all their energies, hoping for the success of their new collaboration project, completely unaware of the storm that was silently coming, threatening to destroy all the achievements they had worked so hard to build.

***

Unaware of the plot being arranged, Diem Tram continued to put all her heart and soul into the upcoming opening ceremony. One evening, when she was alone completing the final decorations at the cake counter, Khang suddenly appeared, carrying a small bouquet of flowers and a carefully wrapped box.

"What is this?" Diem Tram asked, surprised by his sudden appearance at such a late hour.

"A small gift, to congratulate you before the important opening day," Khang replied, handing her the box with a warm smile. Inside is an apron embroidered with her name and the bakery's new logo, designed specifically in her favorite style.

Diem Tram could not hide her emotions at that thoughtful gift. "Thank you," she said, embracing him in a spontaneous, affectionate gesture. "This is truly the most meaningful gift I have ever received."

Khang hugged her tighter, enjoying the rare moment of closeness amid busy days. "You deserve all the best," he whispered in her ear. "And I believe, tomorrow's grand opening will be a great success, marking a promising new chapter for both of us."

The two stood there, embracing each other in the space of a new cake counter that still smelled of paint and new wood, completely unaware that tomorrow would not only be a milestone of success as they expected, but also the time when the most cruel plots would officially be launched, threatening to destroy everything they had built together.

***

The next morning, the atmosphere at Cam Luong restaurant was filled with excitement and suspense before the official opening time. Diem Tram, in a new apron embroidered with her name, stood next to the cake counter, checking every last detail before the first guests began to arrive at the event.

“Everything looks great,” Thuy Linh, a new employee hired to assist the bakery counter, commented excitedly as she looked at the ornately decorated display area with dozens of colorful, eye-catching pastries.

"Thank you," Diem Tram replied, although she still couldn't hide her nervousness before this important event. She glanced towards the main hall, where groups of journalists and business partners were arriving one by one, preparing for the official opening ceremony.

Khang, in a formal suit, walked up to her, naturally linking arms with her while the two prepared to step out to welcome guests. "Are you ready?" he asked, his eyes filled with pride as he looked at the achievement they had built together over the past several weeks.

"I'm ready," Diem Tram replied, taking a deep breath to calm her mind.

***

The opening ceremony went smoothly in the first half, with constant praise from the media and business partners about the product quality as well as the exquisite display space of the new bakery counter. Diem Tram couldn't hide her happiness when she saw her enthusiasm being received so warmly.

But while the ceremony was going well, Yen Chi suddenly appeared, not as a regular guest, but with a group of reporters that she had secretly invited, carrying a thin file of documents in her hand. Mr. Phat, standing in a hidden corner, observed all developments with a triumphant smile that was hard to hide.

"Sorry for interrupting this wonderful ceremony," Yen Chi spoke up, her voice loud enough to attract the attention of the surrounding crowd, especially the reporters who were eager to record every moment of the event. "But I think, everyone here deserves to know the truth behind the beautiful love story this couple keeps telling."

The atmosphere in the main hall immediately became tense, all eyes turned to Yen Chi, waiting for what she was about to reveal. Diem Tram felt her heart tighten, a bad premonition rising strongly as she realized, this was the moment she had been fearing for many weeks.

Khang, standing next to Diem Tram, also immediately recognized signs of danger in Yen Chi's tone. He squeezed her hand, an implicit gesture of reassurance amid the slowly gathering crowd. "Calm down," he whispered softly in her ear, his voice calm even though he couldn't hide the worry in his heart. "No matter what happens, we will face it together."

"Miss Yen Chi, I think this is not the right time or place to discuss private matters," Khang spoke up, his voice trying to keep calm in front of the reporters' cameras pointed at them.

"On the contrary, I think this is the perfect time," Yen Chi replied, holding up the documents in her hand, her voice echoing throughout the main hall filled with guests. "For the public's sake, the business partners here deserve to know that your upcoming marriage is not based on true love as is often praised by the media."

The reporters began to stir, cameras continuously flashed, recording every tense moment of this unexpected situation. Diem Tram felt her whole body tremble, not knowing how to react to the risk of all her secrets about to be exposed before hundreds of eyes were watching.

She glanced at Mr. Phat, who was watching from afar with an expression of barely concealed satisfaction, and in that moment, all the pieces finally fell into place in her mind - this was not a spontaneous action on Yen Chi's part, but a meticulously arranged plot, aimed at the most vulnerable moment of both of them, right in the middle of the moment when they seemed to be closest to success.