Chapter 11 — The day I signed the divorce petition, I won the bid for a 30 billion VND project

The Van Gian project has entered the detailed completion phase. Each line must be considered and reconsidered. Because an architectural work is never just a superposition of concrete and steel. It also retains emotions. Preserve memories. I hope many years later, when people walk through that building, they can still feel the dedication of the designer. Not because of me. For the future of this city itself. At that moment, the phone on the table vibrated. It was Tieu Chu calling back.

"Miss Tham, I've checked. That email was sent from a temporary mailbox so I couldn't trace the sender. But I followed the IP address and discovered the location was right near the Luc Thi building."

Luc Thi Building. No need to guess... I also know who is behind it.

"Alright." I calmly replied. “There is no need for further investigation.”

“Miss Tham, should I call the police?”

"No need."

I smiled slightly.

"She just wanted to scare me. If I really called the police, it would be like falling into the trap she had set."

“But…”

I interrupted Tieu Chu.

“I know what I'm doing.”

After hanging up the phone, I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes to rest for a few minutes. I saw through Khuong Niem's tricks a long time ago. She always has only one script. The first is to appear weak. Next is a silent threat. In the end, he put on a look of innocence. This trick can soften Luc Tu Hanh's heart. Doesn't work for me. Because I never believed in tears. Over the years, I have cried too much myself. Enough to understand that... Tears are the most useless thing in the world. It cannot solve any problem. Reality cannot be changed. It only makes others think that you are weaker. I don't cry anymore. I won't shed tears for anyone. Myself. On the twentieth day after the divorce... The storm I had been waiting for finally came. That day, I was meeting with the project team to discuss material options for the exterior of the Van Gian project. The whiteboard in the meeting room is filled with structural drawings. On the table are displayed more than a dozen different samples of materials.

“Miss Tham.” Structural engineer Mr. Truong pointed to the drawing. "This titanium-zinc alloy plate is a bit expensive. Should we change to aluminum plate to save costs?"

"No need."

I shook my head.

"Van Gian's design philosophy is a mark of time. The titanium-zinc alloy will gradually form a natural oxidation layer over the years. That is part of the design."

I looked at everyone in the room.

“As for the budget, let me think of a way.”

“But…”

“Materials cannot be replaced.”

I interrupted.

“That's the core part of the whole design.”

Old Truong looked at me for a few seconds then said no more. He worked with me for three years. He understood very well. Once I say I can't change... Then it definitely won't change. It's not because I'm stubborn. But because I know... What is right. In this industry... If you keep compromising. Will never create a truly excellent work. As soon as the meeting ended, Tieu Chu rushed in.

“Sister Tham... something happened.”

“What?”

“Look at this.”

She gave me the phone. On the screen is a topic that is climbing to the top of the search rankings. The title is glaringly prominent eye.

"The mysterious female architect was accused of plagiarizing the plan of her old company, the 30 billion yuan project showed signs of violating regulations."

The article mentioned my name directly. The content asserted that I brought the core design documents of my old company with me when I quit my job, was suspected of plagiarism and commercial espionage, and even said that the 30 billion yuan iconic project was at risk of having to be re-bid. Below the article is also attached a photo of the design. It has my signature on it. The same date is very clear. I looked at that photo for a few seconds. I immediately understood everything in my heart. It's true that that design was made by me when I was still working at Luc Thi. That's just the initial sketch. Compared to the final plan of the Van Gian project, it is completely different. The article intentionally swaps concepts. Mixing two completely different things. The sole purpose... Is to make people believe that I plagiarized. And the person capable of doing this... There is only one. Khuong Niem.

“Miss Tham…” Tieu Chu's voice began to tremble. "What should I do now? The comments section is scolding the company so much."

“What did they say?”

“They said... this project was possible thanks to relationships.”

I conveniently scrolled through the comments section. As expected... There are attacks everywhere.

"It's just the type of woman who relies on men to climb up."

"A 30 billion yuan project assigned to a twenty-eight year old woman? It's strange that there are no hidden secrets."

"A thorough investigation is recommended. Such plagiarism absolutely cannot be ignored."

Those words are very difficult to hear. My mood was strangely calm. It's not because I don't care. But because I know... This is exactly what Khuong Niem wants. She wants me to panic.