Chapter 16 — The 12th-Floor Kitchen Contract

Three days after the conversation with Ms. Cam, Khang's legal team completed a review of financial records related to Mr. Phat, discovering a series of unusual expenditures disguised as "strategic consulting fees" over the past two years, totaling up to a staggering number.

"This is clearly a systematic act of embezzlement," the company's chief lawyer commented in an emergency meeting with Khang. "These funds were transferred to a shell company under Mr. Phat's own name, without any actual consulting services being provided."

Khang felt a surge of anger rising in his heart at the clear evidence of the betrayal of the uncle he once trusted, even though the relationship between them had never been truly close. “He took advantage of his position for personal gain for such a long time,” he said, his voice filled with suppressed indignation. "While constantly trying to sabotage me, accusing me of incompetent management."

***

Diem Tram, present at the meeting as a close companion, could not hide her shock at the scale of this wrongdoing. "What are you going to do with this information?" she asked.

"I will bring the light before the entire board," Khang decided, his voice steady. "It's time to end all his plots and calculations once and for all, and restore the necessary transparency to the entire company's operations."

An emergency board meeting was convened that very week, with the full attendance of all key members, including Mr. Phat, who was still unaware of what was about to be exposed before him.

***

"I convened today's meeting to present a serious issue related to transparency in the company's financial management," Khang began, his voice solemn and authoritative before the entire board of directors. He presented the collected evidence one by one, clearly exposing all of Mr. Phat's systematic embezzlement acts.

Dead silence filled the room as each number, each document was presented in undeniable, detailed detail. Mr. Phat, sitting at the end of the conference table, his face gradually turned pale when he realized that all the secrets he had tried to hide for many years had been completely exposed.

"This... this is a serious misunderstanding," Mr. Phat tried to justify, his voice trembling and losing his usual confidence. "I can explain all these expenses, if you give me time."

***

"Then please explain," Khang replied, his eyes not wavering at those weak excuses. "In front of the entire board of directors, please explain why billions of dollars were transferred to a company in your own name, without any actual services being provided."

Mr. Phat hesitated, unable to give any reasonable explanation in the face of clear, irrefutable evidence. The other board members, who had previously been secretly directed by him to doubt Khang, now turned to look at him with eyes full of disappointment and indignation.

“We will need to conduct a formal, independent investigation, in coordination with the appropriate authorities,” the board chairman announced, his voice solemn. "During that time, Mr. Luong Dinh Phat will be temporarily suspended from all positions in the company."

Mr. Phat stood up, his face showing bitterness and defeat. “You will regret trusting it,” he said, pointing at Khang before being escorted out of the meeting room by security guards, leaving an atmosphere of tension but also of relief enveloping the room.

***

After the meeting, Khang went to Diem Tram, who waited patiently outside during the tense confrontation. "It's over," he said, his voice still shaking somewhat from the stress he had just experienced. "The truth has finally been revealed."

Diem Tram hugged him, feeling relief fill both of their hearts. “You did very well,” she said. "Your grandmother would certainly be very proud."

"We did very well," Khang corrected, hugging her tighter. "Without your support and companionship all this time, perhaps I wouldn't have had the courage to face all of this." Although the war with Mr. Phat has come to an end, both understand that there is still another problem that needs to be resolved - the potential threat from Yen Chi, who has not completely given up the idea of interfering in their lives.

***

The news that Mr. Phat was suspended from his position quickly spread throughout the company, bringing a relieved and positive atmosphere to the entire staff, who had secretly sensed the instability in his management style over the past time. Kien, upon hearing the news, could not hide his joy as he came to congratulate Khang.

"In the end, the truth wins," Kien said, patting his close friend on the shoulder with a bright, relieved smile. "I always believe that justice will be served, no matter how long it takes."

"Thank you, for always being by my side and supporting me during this difficult time," Khang replied, squeezing the hand of his most trusted partner. "I will never forget what you did."

***

That evening, Mrs. Cam invited the whole family and Diem Tram to dinner at the villa, a small party to celebrate justice having finally been served. "I have always believed in you, Viet Khang," she said, clutching her grandson's hand with unconcealed pride. "I have proven that I am completely worthy of the responsibility you entrusted me with."

"I can do this because Diem Tram is always by my side, supporting me," Khang replied, holding Diem Tram's hand with deep respect. "If it weren't for her, maybe I wouldn't have had the courage to face all of this."

Mrs. Cam smiled and looked at both of them with eyes full of satisfaction. "I believe this is the clearest proof of the power of sincere love," she said. "When two people truly love and trust each other, there is no challenge that cannot be overcome."

***

After dinner, when Diem Tram and Khang walked in the small garden of the villa under the gentle moonlight, she couldn't help but think about the long journey that had brought them today. "I still can't believe it happened so fast," she said, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Me too," Khang replied, wrapping his arms around her. "But I think it's because we faced each challenge together sincerely and steadfastly that everything was able to go so smoothly."

They stood there, in the quiet garden under the moonlight, enjoying a rare moment of peace after the stress they had just experienced, both clearly feeling that, although there were still some small challenges ahead, they had overcome the biggest hurdle together, opening up a brighter future for both of them.

"Do you think Uncle Phat will face serious legal consequences?" Diem Tram asked, curious about what would happen next to the man who had caused so much trouble for them both.

"Maybe so," Khang replied, his voice thoughtful. "The company's lawyer is considering transferring the file to the investigation agency, because the severity of this embezzlement behavior goes far beyond the scope of normal internal handling. But whatever the outcome, I only hope that this will be a lesson for the company to rebuild stricter monitoring processes in the future."

"Do you still care about the company's future, even after everything he's done?" Diem Tram asked, unable to hide her admiration for his tolerant heart.

"That's my grandmother's legacy," Khang replied, his eyes filled with determination. "I don't want to let one individual, no matter how treacherous, overshadow all the good values she has worked hard to build throughout her life."

Diem Tram squeezed his hand, feeling more deeply than ever the precious qualities of the man she had chosen to love - a man who was not only talented at work, but also had a kind heart, knowing how to put common interests above personal resentments, worthy of all the trust his grandmother had given him over the years.