Chapter 17 — The Heiress's Selection of a Husband

Just as the discussed plan, Lam Vinh Phat began to quietly use his relationships in the business media to cause difficulties for Chu Nguyen Group, but he chose a more indirect and sophisticated attack: spreading false rumors about serious violations in the legal documents of the resort project that Vinh Khang personally inspected, in order to confuse foreign partners and put pressure on the group to reveal loopholes that could be exploited later.

In the morning, when rumors spread on financial forums, the entire Chu family mansion fell into chaos. Vinh Bach's phone rings continuously from worried shareholders and foreign partners demanding urgent explanations at the risk of canceling contracts worth hundreds of billions of dong. Vinh Khang was having to handle an emergency meeting at a remote branch according to Bach Dinh's intentional arrangement, and could not be present in time to support.

"Damn, who would spread such malicious rumors at the most sensitive time!" Vinh Bach slammed his hand on the table, his face red with anger and pent-up pressure. He summoned the entire legal and communications team of the corporation, but in the chaos, no one could find the key point to quickly and convincingly refute the rumors.

Mrs. Xuan ran around the mansion, trying to keep the family's routine from being too disturbed by the incoming media storm, while Lam Ngoc Dung sat quietly in the living room, her face full of anxiety when she heard the news that the group's shares were at risk of plummeting in the morning trading session if there was no timely response. Chu Vinh Toan, even though his health was weak, had to force himself to sit up and call to ask about the situation every hour. His eyes were full of the fatigue of a person who had gone through too many ups and downs throughout his business career.

Chu Bach Dinh was also present in that emergency meeting room, playing the role of a devoted uncle worried about the family's fate, but in fact, in his heart, he was secretly pleased with the chaos that was taking place, seeing this as the first stepping stone for the bigger plan that he and Lam Vinh Phat had planned together. He deliberately gave some vague, unconstructive suggestions, making the meeting even more confusing instead of finding a clear solution.

Ms. Thu, helping clean the meeting room nearby, overheard the entire content of the tense meeting. She recalled the documents she had reviewed during her business trip with Vinh Khang, especially the legal provisions that she herself discovered errors in and had them promptly corrected before signing the contract.

"Sorry Elder, can I say a few words?" Anh Thu timidly spoke up, even though she knew this was a reckless action that could bring her unwanted attention.

Vinh Bach turned back to look at her with a mixture of surprise and annoyance at being disturbed during a stressful time. "What business do you have?"

"I heard rumors related to the legal documents of the resort project. Previously, I helped Mr. Hai check this document. I remember all the terms were carefully reviewed and edited before signing. There were absolutely no violations as the rumors said. If you need, I can help find exactly which terms were intentionally distorted." Anh Thu said, her voice was steadier than her usual timidity.

Vinh Bach looked at her for a long time, still a little skeptical in his heart, but the urgency of the situation did not allow him to hesitate any longer. "Okay, you help me with this. If you're right, this could be an opportunity to refute the rumors in time."

Throughout that afternoon and night, Anh Thu and the group's legal team worked non-stop, reviewing each clause in the contract, comparing it with the rumors that were spreading. She pointed out exactly where the points were intentionally distorted and cut to create the feeling of serious violations, when in fact all legal procedures had been completed according to regulations.

"Here, this clause in the rumor says that the project has not completed an environmental impact assessment, but in fact the assessment report was approved three months ago, I still remember the document number clearly because I rearranged this document myself." Anh Thu pointed at the computer screen, her voice was so confident and clear that it made even the experienced legal team admire.

The head of the group's legal department, an experienced middle-aged man, was initially skeptical about the intervention of a maid in such complicated professional work, but after just a few minutes of observing how Anh Thu accurately quoted the document number, compared the date of approval and pointed out every unreasonable point in the rumor, he had to completely change his attitude. "Where did you study law? Your analysis is sharper than some of the young lawyers I have trained."

"Yes, I only remember what I've read. I don't dare claim that I'm talented at anything." Ms. Thu replied, trying to stay humble but unable to hide her steadfast gaze as she continued to work non-stop, her hands quickly scrolling across the keyboard, comparing one document after another.

By nearly midnight, the whole team had completed a complete set of review documents, detailed down to each number, enough to convince even the most demanding partners. Vinh Bach personally reviewed it one last time before allowing it to be sent, unable to hide his admiration for the quality of work that a panicked team could complete so quickly, largely thanks to the silent guidance of the maid whom he himself had always doubted.

Thanks to that accurate and timely information, the group's communications team drafted a convincing official response, fully attached with supporting documents, and sent it to partners and shareholders that night before the rumors could spread further and cause more serious damage. The next morning, the situation had stabilized again, the group's shares not only did not decline but also increased slightly thanks to transparency and quick response.

Vinh Bach stood looking at Anh Thu who was slumped over the table due to exhaustion after an all-nighter working without rest. A complicated feeling arose in his heart that he had never experienced before towards this girl. He remembered all the doubts and harsh accusations he had given her, and now, she was the one who saved the corporation from a serious media crisis without asking for anything in return.

"You did well." Vinh Bach said, his voice was somewhat embarrassed because he was not used to praising others so sincerely. "I have to admit, I was wrong to underestimate you. Not everyone from a poor background lacks ability and honesty."

"I'm just doing what I can to help the family that gave me the opportunity to work." Anh Thu replied, her voice was tired but sincere.

Vinh Bach nodded, his eyes were now completely different from the initial cold scrutiny. "From now on, if anyone doubts you without reason, they will have to answer to my face first. I believe that you deserve to be treated more fairly than what you have received since entering this house."

That statement made Anh Thu emotional, because she understood that she had just gained an important ally, a change that she had never dared to dream of when she first knelt down in front of that strict eldest brother during a tense interrogation not long ago.

When Vinh Khang returned to the mansion immediately after hearing that the crisis had been resolved, he could not help but be surprised to hear Vinh Bach recount the entire development, especially Anh Thu's key role in saving the situation. "I never thought the day would come when I would have to thank a maid for saving the entire corporation." Vinh Bach said to his younger brother, his voice still a bit surprised at the change in his own thoughts. "She's not as simple as she looks, you're right."

Vinh Khang just smiled, not revealing anything more about the truth that Anh Thu shared with him privately, only secretly happy to see that his older brother, who was originally rigid and suspicious, now had a much more sympathetic view of the girl he loves. This was the important step they both needed, an additional solid ally within the family ranks, before they faced even more difficult challenges ahead.

She did not know that behind this recently resolved media crisis, there were also the hands of Lam Vinh Phat and Chu Bach Dinh secretly preparing for a much more drastic attack, aimed directly at herself.