Chapter 12 — The Darkness After a Model Marriage

Finally, she stopped in front of her father's photo. "Dad, I'm home." After saying that, she hugged the photo in her arms. Don't say another word. At seven o'clock in the evening, I convened a meeting of the Board of Directors. There was only one content. "To Uyen Thanh was arrested on suspicion of fraud, her position as general director was automatically dismissed. The company's daily management activities are temporarily assumed by the deputy general director. I myself will continue to hold the concurrent position of executive director."No one objected. A longtime member of the Board of Directors asked: "Chairman Tham, does To Uyen Thanh's story affect the company's reputation?" "Yes. But not because she left, but because we didn't detect it sooner." "So next..." "Normal operations, narrowing down non-core businesses, focusing on the main business." "Understood." After the meeting, I returned to the office. Tran Nham stood at the door. "Chairman Tham, it is expected that Lam Vu Hang's sentence will be announced within three months. To Uyen Thanh's case will be later." "About how long?" "Half a year." "How much money can be recovered from the old house?" "The balance in the frozen accounts is about seven million. The rest needs to liquidate assets related to the case. A conservative estimate is that eighty percent can be recovered." "The mortgage loan part is about seven million. Why?" "Advanced from Nham Thi's account to pay off." "From now on, no loans are allowed to appear in my mother's account." "Understood." After Tran Nham left, the office became silent. I stood in front of the window, looking at the city lights. Half a year ago, I thought my marriage was just cold. Three months ago, I believed the company's risk lay externally. A month ago, I learned that betrayal was really right next to me. Someone used my voice to trick my mother into taking refuge. And that person was the wife whom I personally promoted to the position of general director. She teaches interns to imitate me. Fix his nasal voice, final sounds, and pauses. Like a director, adjusting every detail time and time again. Until that copy was so perfect that it could fool my mother. I closed my eyes. The face reflected on the glass wall had no emotions. But I know. Some grudges are not non-existent. It's too deep, pressed down in a place no one can see. The phone lights up. Mom sent a photo. It's a cinnamon tree in the yard of the old house. Under the night light, the whole tree is covered in a bright yellow color. Below is a line of text.— The flowers have bloomed. The tree the father and son planted has bloomed again. I looked at it for a long time. Then answer one question.— Every year it will bloom. After sending the message, I put the phone down. The night outside is quiet. In the office, there was only the sound of the air conditioner. Tomorrow, work will continue. The company will still operate. The world will not stop because of anyone's departure. But there are things I can never forget. Looks like mother cooking noodles in the warehouse. The old house looked like it had been vacant for eight months. And the look of that woman correcting an intern's pronunciation. She taught him to imitate me. Use all the understanding accumulated during seven years of marriage. 7Three months later, Lam Vu Hang's case was tried in first instance. I came to the audience. He wore a blue detention center vest and sat on the defendant's chair. Her hair has been cut short, the radiance on her face has completely disappeared. When the prosecutor read the indictment, his fingers kept shaking. Imitate voices. Cheat. The amount of money involved in the case is nineteen million. Each piece of content is read very slowly. The judge asked him if he had any opinion on the charges. He was very quiet

long. Then opened his mouth. "No opinion." The voice was very quiet. It's no longer an imitation of my voice. After the trial ended, he was led away by the judicial police. As he passed by the auditorium area, he suddenly stopped. Raise your head and look at me. His lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something. But in the end did not say. The judicial police pushed him. He bowed his head and continued walking. There was unwillingness in those eyes. But no regrets. I don't show emotions. When I walked out of the court, the sunlight was very blinding. Tran Nham gave me a document. "President Tham, the trial date for To Uyen Thanh has been determined." "When?" "The twelfth day of next month." I received the document but did not open it. "How long will she be punished?" "The lawyer predicts ten years or more." I put the document in my pocket. Say nothing. The twelfth day of next month. Thirty-two days left. Time at some point will become extremely specific. It's no longer just numbers on a calendar. It's a countdown. When I returned to the company, the receptionist gave me an envelope. "President Tham, someone sent it." "Who?" "An older maid, said to be a former employee of General Manager To's house." I opened the envelope. Inside is a photo. Taken seven years ago.