Chapter 23 — The Dignity of a Signature

“The organizing committee decided…”

“Cancel Tham Thi Design Company's eligibility to participate…”

“…backward review within three years.”

“Golden Award for the twelfth time…”

“…will be returned to the original creator — Ms. Lam Ha.”

“The compensation ceremony will be held at the annual summary conference next month.”

“Hopefully you can attend in person.”

I stood in the hallway. Quietly looking at the river in the distance. Trieu Duy added one more sentence.

“Teacher Phuong Tri Vien specifically recommends…”

“…hope you can take on the identity of a true designer…”

“…to express his feelings about receiving the award during the compensation ceremony.”

I smiled softly. After hanging up... I still stood there looking at the river for a while longer. The orange-red color on the water's surface gradually turns dark purple. Lights began to light up from every corner of the city. I suddenly remembered the night a month ago. At that time, I wore a black uniform with the word "Officer" printed on it... Standing in front of the mirror backstage, I looked at my reflection. Maybe that night... I would never have thought that... A month later... That golden trophy would finally return to where it belonged. By the most accurate name. And in the most dignified way. I lowered my head and looked at my wrist. The position where Tham Hao once squeezed him to the point of bruising... had long since healed. But it's okay. There are some pains... No bruises are enough to remember for a lifetime. News about the compensation ceremony was just announced... The entire design world immediately exploded. In the history of the Golden Crane Award... There has never been a story about "compensation". This is the first time. Which means... The ceremony itself will become a symbolic milestone. The media intensity was even stronger than the original awards night. Newspaper headlines of all kinds:

"For the first time in Kim Hac's history, compensation is organized."

“The design world's biggest signature rights scandal is officially over.”

“From employee to gold award winner — Lam Ha.”

I read a few articles then put the phone down. Compared to those bustling things... I'm more interested in something else. Tham Hao's eligibility to participate has been suspended for three years... What does that mean? That means... The six other professional awards that Tham Thi has won in the past three years... All must be completely reinvestigated. If among those six awards... If only one of them had a problem of forged signature rights... Tham Thi's reputation in the industry would completely go to zero. And out of those six awards... At least four core projects were all done by me. Tham Hao probably understands the consequences better than me. His reaction came even faster than I expected. The next afternoon when the compensation news was announced... Tham Thi's official account posted a statement. Written by Tham Hao himself. Extremely formal language. The content is roughly as follows: After a process of in-depth self-reflection... The design examiner confirmed that there were serious errors in the process of project management and handling of signature rights in the past. Tham Hao himself would like to send his sincere apologies to Ms. Lam Ha... The organizing committee of the Kim Hac award... And the entire public in the industry. Tham Thi will do her best to coordinate the investigation... At the same time, carry out a comprehensive internal rectification. The last paragraph of the statement reads:

“By the way…”

“I would also like to officially confirm…”

“Previous false statements about Ms. Lam Ha…”

“…posted publicly or through the media…”

“…all were wrong actions due to my losing control of my emotions.”

"I solemnly withdraw all related statements..."

“…and once again I apologize to Ms. Lam Ha.”

Reactions in the comments section divided into two distinct poles. One side feels he has finally admitted his mistake. Attitude is still considered acceptable. One side laughed coldly and sarcastically:

“What are you doing so early?”

"Being beaten to the point where you have no way to live can you admit your mistake and call it sincere?"

“This statement immediately shows that it was written by a lawyer.”

I finished reading that statement... Screenshot and sent to Le Kha. Le Kha answered correctly with three words:

“It's late.”

It's really late. Because before the compensation ceremony… There is another thing about to happen. Two days later, one morning. I received an unexpected call. It's Diep Dao — one of the founding members of "Nguyen Thach".

“Are you free today?”

“Someone wants to see you.”

“Chairman Tran of Vien Hanh Real Estate.”

Chairman Tran. Far Away Real Estate. That was Tham Thi Design's previous biggest customer. Strategic cooperation partner for three consecutive years. Thirty percent of Tham Thi's revenue... comes from Vien Hanh's projects.

“Why is he looking for me?”

Diep Dao burst out laughing.

“You guess.”

At two o'clock in the afternoon, I met President Tran at a tea house. He is over fifty years old. Round face. Wearing a very casual dark blue polo shirt. Doesn't look like a real estate tycoon. But more like a retired teacher. As soon as he sat down, he got straight to the point.

“I've been following you for a month.”

“Starting from that awards night.”

“So what do you see?”

“I see…”

“…a person uses one month’s time…”

“…from ‘staff’ on stage…”

“…became the hottest name in the world.”

He took a sip of tea.

“But more importantly…”

“…I went back and reviewed all the project documents that Vien Hanh cooperated with Tham Thi in the past three years.”

“Those six projects…”

“The design style is completely consistent.”

“Exactly the same as the early works that you recently published.”

“So today I came…”

“…wanted to talk about cooperation with you.”

He put down his cup of tea.

“Vien Hanh has a new project next year.”

“The complex on the east side of the city.”