Chapter 17 — The 12th-Floor Kitchen Contract

One week after Mr. Phat was suspended from his position, the official investigation agency stepped in, confirming all allegations of embezzlement that Khang's legal team had discovered. The news quickly spread in the business world, causing Mr. Phat's reputation to completely collapse, while also strengthening Khang's position before the board of directors.

"The case has been completely transferred to the authorities," the chief lawyer announced during the situation update meeting. "Given the severity of the evidence, it is highly likely that Mr. Phat will face criminal prosecution."

Khang nodded, feeling a mixture of relief and sadness at the end of the uncle who had once been close to his family. "I hope this will be a lesson for the company to rebuild a more transparent monitoring system," he said, although he couldn't help but regret what could have been different.

***

Meanwhile, Ho Yen Chi, after learning about Mr. Phat's demise, proactively contacted Diem Tram to meet privately at a quiet cafe, a meeting she did not expect. "I want to apologize," Yen Chi said as soon as Diem Tram sat down, her voice filled with rare sincerity. "For what I did at the opening."

Diem Tram looked at her with cautious eyes, not completely believing in this sudden change. "What made you change your mind?" she asked frankly.

"After learning the whole truth about Mr. Phat's motives, I realized I had been used as a pawn in his plot," Yen Chi admitted, her eyes clearly showing remorse. "I let my pride and jealousy be taken advantage of, without thinking through the consequences. I'm truly sorry for causing trouble for both of you."

***

"So what about the business cooperation agreement between the two families?" Diem Tram asked, curious about the real motive behind this change.

"My father agreed that forcing a marriage that is not based on true feelings will not bring long-term benefits to both parties," Yen Chi explained. "We will continue to do business with Cam Luong restaurant, but purely on a purely partnership basis, without any additional marital conditions attached."

Diem Tram felt relieved at that explanation, although she still maintained a certain degree of caution. “I appreciate your honesty,” she said. "I hope, from now on, we can build a relationship of mutual respect, even if we cannot become close friends."

"That's what I want too," Yen Chi replied, a gentle, sincere smile appearing on her lips for the first time since they met. "And I really congratulate you and Viet Khang for your happiness. I can clearly see that it is a genuine feeling, something that I cannot deny even though I have tried everything."

***

When Diem Tram recounted this unexpected meeting to Khang in the evening, he could not hide his surprise. "I didn't expect her to change so quickly," he commented.

"I think, sometimes people just need a shock big enough to reconsider themselves," Diem Tram replied, reflecting on the recent conversation. "I believe, she was truly sincere in her apology."

Khang nodded, feeling another burden lifted from his shoulders. “So, both of our biggest threats have been resolved,” he said, a smile of relief appearing on his lips. "We can focus entirely on building our future without having to worry about outside plots and calculations anymore."

Diem Tram leaned her head on his shoulder, feeling a rare complete peace since the contract between them began. "I'm looking forward to it," she said softly, her eyes filled with hope for the next chapters in the book of life they were writing together, no longer obscured by any darkness from the past or lingering conspiracies.

***

That weekend, Diem Tram took the time to take her mother for a routine health check. She couldn't hide her joy when the doctor announced that Mrs. Lam's heart condition had completely stabilized after surgery, no longer needing close monitoring like before. "This is truly wonderful news," Diem Tram said, hugging her mother in indescribable happiness.

"It's all thanks to you," Mrs. Lam replied, holding her daughter's hand tightly. "If it weren't for you taking care of the surgery costs in time, I probably wouldn't have the chance to stand here today."

On the way home, Mrs. Lam suddenly asked a question, making Diem Tram confused. "Do you have anything to hide from mom?" she asked, her eyes filled with deep concern. "I feel like sometimes you seem to be carrying a heavy burden inside, even though on the outside you always try to appear happy."

Diem Tram was silent for a moment, considering whether to reveal the whole truth to her mother or not. Finally, she decided, this was the right time to be completely honest. "Mom, I need to tell you something important," she began, her voice shaky but steady.

***

She tells the whole story — from the initial contract, to the true feelings that gradually arose between her and Khang over time. Mrs. Lam listened attentively, without interrupting, her eyes filled with many complex emotions as the story was gradually revealed.

"I'm sorry for not being honest with you from the beginning," Diem Tram said at the end of the story, her voice full of guilt, her eyes red with emotion. "I just don't want mom to have to worry anymore while her health is still weak."

Mrs. Lam was silent for a long time, then suddenly smiled and held her daughter's hand tightly with deep tolerance. "I'm not mad at you," she said. "I understand, you had to make a difficult decision in a difficult situation. The most important thing to me is that you found true happiness from that situation."

"Aren't you disappointed in me?" Diem Tram asked, still a little worried.

"How could I be disappointed, when I see you so happy," Mrs. Lam replied, her eyes filled with unconditional love. "I just hope you always remember, no matter what circumstances brought you to Viet Khang, the most important thing is what you feel in your heart right now."

Those tolerant words made Diem Tram unable to hold back her emotional tears, feeling a deep sense of relief when she could finally be completely honest with the mother she loved the most, no longer having to carry the burden of a secret kept hidden for many months.

***

That evening, when Diem Tram told Khang about the conversation with his mother, he could not hide his emotion at Mrs. Lam's tolerance. "Your mother is truly a wonderful woman," he commented. "I look forward to the opportunity to officially ask her permission, not as someone who is acting, but as someone who truly wants to become a part of your family."

"Mom also really hopes that," Diem Tram replied, smiling at the sincerity in his words. "She has asked about you many times since our conversation today."

Khang pondered for a moment, then suddenly grabbed her hand, his eyes contained an unusual seriousness that she had rarely seen. "I think it's the right time to do what I've been meaning to do for a long time," he said, his voice trembling in a rare way.

Diem Tram looked up at him, her heart pounding at the change in tone. "What are you talking about?" she asked softly.

"I won't say it first," Khang replied, a mysterious smile appeared on his lips, making her even more curious. "But I promise, you'll find out soon enough. Just trust me, and prepare yourself for something truly special."

That hidden promise made Diem Tram curious, nervous and happy, even though she couldn't predict exactly what was waiting for her ahead, she only knew that her heart was beating faster than ever before what was to come. But looking into Khang's eyes full of love, she knew for sure that whatever it was, it would be a beautiful beginning for the next chapter in the love story that the two of them wrote together from the initial cold pages of the contract, which has now become the truest love story she ever dared to dream of.