Chapter 14 — The 12th-Floor Kitchen Contract

Before Yen Chi could open the file to reveal the evidence, Khang suddenly stepped forward, his voice echoing throughout the main hall with an authoritative calm that he had learned over many years of running the restaurant. "I think, everyone here came to witness the launch of a new product, not to hear unfounded accusations," he said, his eyes looking straight at Yen Chi without flinching.

"This is not an unfounded accusation," Yen Chi replied, her voice still maintaining its sharpness. "I have clear evidence of the unusual amount of money transferred to Ms. Diem Tram's account."

Khang smiled, a strangely calm smile in this tense situation. “If you want to discuss work-related payments, I'm happy to explain,” he said. "Diem Tram was paid an initial consulting fee by Cam Luong restaurant for her role in developing the dessert menu, a completely legal and transparent business decision, signed through an official labor contract."

***

That clever explanation caused the surrounding crowd, especially the reporters, to start whispering. Some people were skeptical about Yen Chi's accusations when they heard Khang's reasonable explanation. Diem Tram, although still trembling inside, tried to keep a calm face and stood firmly next to him.

"If you have any other questions about Cam Luong restaurant's business operations, I am willing to arrange an official meeting, instead of turning this important opening ceremony into a place to resolve personal misunderstandings," Khang continued, his voice still calm but containing an undeniable toughness.

Yen Chi stood still for a moment, realizing that her direct attack strategy had not achieved the expected effect due to Khang's skillful improvisation. Her eyes glanced towards Mr. Phat, looking for guidance, but he was also standing motionless, his face showing disappointment at the situation not going as planned.

"I... I just want to make sure everything is transparent," Yen Chi finally replied awkwardly, her voice losing some of its initial confidence.

***

“I appreciate your concern for transparency in business,” Khang said, his voice still polite despite a sharp undertone. "But I believe the most appropriate way to show that concern is through official channels, not by interrupting an important event like this in the presence of the media."

Realizing that the situation was becoming unfavorable for her, Yen Chi decided to retreat with the little honor she had left, putting the documents in her bag. "I'm sorry for interrupting the ceremony," she said, trying to keep her expression calm before quickly leaving the main hall, leaving the crowd still buzzing about the unexpected situation that had just occurred.

Khang turned to the reporters, smiling confidently to calm the situation. "I'm sorry for the little interruption just now," he said. "Now, let us continue to introduce to everyone the wonderful products that Diem Tram's team has diligently prepared."

The ceremony was quickly resumed, with Khang's ingenuity in handling the crisis helping to minimize the negative impact of the unexpected incident. But when everything gradually calmed down, Diem Tram still could not completely dispel the anxiety that was creeping into her heart, knowing clearly that this was just the beginning of a more fierce battle still waiting ahead.

***

After the official opening ceremony ended with success beyond expectations despite the recent incident, Diem Tram and Khang retreated together to their private office to discuss the dangerous situation that had just occurred. "We need to find out who is behind providing false information to Yen Chi," Khang said, his voice serious, filled with worry.

"I'm sure it was Uncle Phat," Diem Tram replied, recalling his triumphant eyes during the incident. "He watched from afar, and I could clearly see the disappointment on his face when things didn't go as planned."

Khang clenched his fist, his eyes filled with determination. "I will not let this continue," he said. "It's time for me to gather enough evidence to confront him directly, before he can cause any more harm to us."

***

Kien, called into the office to join the discussion, could not hide his worry at the increasingly complicated developments of the situation. "I think we need a more careful strategy," he commented. "If Uncle Phat was ready to use such tricks, he certainly wouldn't stop here."

"You're right," Khang replied, deep in thought. "I think it's time for me to proactively publicize the whole story, before he has a chance to distort the truth in his favor."

Diem Tram looked at him, unable to hide her worry at that bold decision. "Are you sure that's the right idea?" she asked. "If the truth about the origin of our relationship is made public, will it affect my ability to inherit?"

"I don't know for sure," Khang replied honestly. "But I think it's better for us to control our own story, instead of letting Uncle Phat or Yen Chi distort it in the most unfavorable direction for us."

***

The three spent many hours discussing possible options, carefully considering each next step. "I think we should approach grandma first," Kien suggested. "She is the only person with enough power and credibility to defend Khang before the board, and she deserves to know the truth from his own mouth, instead of from unreliable sources."

Khang nodded, realizing this was reasonable advice. "I'll arrange a private meeting with you tomorrow," he decided. "It's time for me to be completely honest with you, no matter the outcome."

Diem Tram held his hand tightly, her eyes filled with support even though she was worried about what she was about to face. "I'll go with you," she said, her voice steady. "We will face the truth together, no matter what the outcome is."

That night, when the two returned to the apartment after a tumultuous day, Diem Tram and Khang sat together in silence, each with their own thoughts about what was about to happen. Even though the future is still uncertain, they all feel one thing clearly — they will face every challenge together, no longer as two individuals bound by a contract, but as a real couple, ready to fight for the love and happiness they have built together.

"Are you scared?" Diem Tram asked softly, breaking the silence between the two, her eyes searching for sincerity in his answer.

"I'm scared," Khang admitted honestly, a rare thing for a man who always remains calm and in control of every situation. "I'm afraid of losing everything my grandmother worked so hard to build, afraid of disappointing her. But I'm more afraid of losing you, of losing the truest things we've found together."

Diem Tram leaned her head on his shoulder, feeling the familiar warmth even though she was still worried. "No matter what happens tomorrow, I want you to know, I don't regret any of the journey we've been on together," she said, moving naturally for the first time to a more informal form of address. "Even if everything started with a contract, it led me to the person I truly love."

Khang squeezed her hand, feeling a strange peace amidst the storm that lay ahead. "Me too," he replied, his voice filled with sincerity. "No matter what tomorrow brings, I will never regret my decision to offer you that contract, because it brought you to my side."

They sat together until late at night, not saying many more words, simply enjoying each other's presence, accumulating more mental strength for the important confrontation that awaited the next day, when the truth would finally be revealed to the most important person in Khang's life - the woman who had devoted her whole life to teaching him what perseverance is, what unconditional love is.