Chapter 3 — The Whole Company Knows

“Think for a moment.” There was a hint of laughter in his voice, "In times of disaster there is happiness. Who knew this wouldn't be a good thing." I turned my head to look at him. He's still smiling. That smile is not comforting. It's satisfaction. I suddenly understood something. Regardless of whether this cut is real or fake… He knows the inside story. Furthermore, he enjoys my current situation very much. "Thank." I said. Then leave. Returning to my desk, I completed the final handover and sent a confirmation email to Ms. Truong. I wiped out my personal files on my computer. Clean your computer screen. Pick up the cloth bag. Leave. In the elevator, I touched the notarized paper in my pocket. The paper is sturdy. Very reassuring. 【Chapter 3】 Monday. I'm packing up my things at home, so I can check out the recruitment application. At ten o'clock in the morning, the doorbell rang. I opened the door. A girl in a white dress stood in the hallway. Short hair, earrings, delicate features, from head to toe are written two words: Have money. Behind her is a man wearing a suit, holding a bag of documents in his hand. “Are you Co Bac?” “Who are you?” “Tham Niem Duong.” Tham Niem Duong. The boss's daughter. Ms. Tham is famous for being arbitrary. As long as she is not satisfied, she can force the administrative department to change the company's regulations. I have never come into contact with her. Haven't even met face to face yet. Why did she come to find me? "What is up?" Tham Niem Duong took a deep breath, as if arranging his words. Then… “The matter of the personnel reduction list…” “Yes.” “It's fake.” The atmosphere was quiet for two seconds. I leaned against the door frame, looking at her. “What do you mean?” “It's the meaning in the words.” She was a little impatient, "The story about layoffs is fake, I asked someone to post that list." "Why?" "...You don't need to worry about this. In short, it has nothing to do with you, it's just a misunderstanding. You can return to work normally tomorrow." Having finished speaking, she seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. It feels like this is the end. I looked at her, then looked at the man in the suit behind me. “Wait.” "What?" “You said the layoff was fake.” "Correct." “But I have completed the entire procedure.” Tham Niem Duong blinked: "What procedure?" "Resignation procedures. Handover, social insurance transfer, and resignation certificate have all been issued." The expression on her face turned from relief to confusion. “No… why did you do it so quickly?” "You put my name on the personnel reduction list, can't I be quick?" “But everyone knows it's fake!” "I do not know." Tham Niem Duong was stunned. It seemed she had never thought of this possibility. People involved do not know. “You… didn't HR tell you?” "Are not." “Your colleagues in the department didn't tell you?” "Are not." "The Lam family..." "He told me not to be too serious. I thought he was comforting me." Tham Niem Duong's face became unsightly to the naked eye. She turned her head to look at the man in a suit behind her. The man in the suit was also bewildered. “Okay… that's okay.” She looked back at me, "You just need to go back to work. I'll talk to human resources and revoke the resignation procedure." “Cannot be recovered.” “What?” "The resignation certificate has been issued, social insurance has also stopped since last Friday. Once the process is completed, it is complete." “Then let's go through the procedure again…” “Miss Tham.” I interrupted her. She shut her mouth. I turned back into the house and took the parchment bag from the tea table. Pull out the documents inside. Bring it in front of her. “Agreement to restrain competition.” I said, “Look at the last page.” She took it and turned to the last page. Signed by: Tham Quoc Luong. Company seal. Her eyes stayed on that signature for a long time. Then slowly raised his head to look at me. “When was this signed?” "Last Friday. Your human resources department brought it." “Twenty million violation fine?” "Correct." “Compensation of one hundred and fifty thousand each month?” "Correct." “Two years?” "Correct." "This..." Her voice rose, "How is this possible? Who approved it?" "Ms. Truong is in human resources. The legal department stamps it. Your father signs it." “My dad can't… why would he sign this!”

“Then ask your father.” Tam Niem Duong's face turned red. Not out of shame. It's the panic of feeling like the world has lost control. She took out her phone to call. “Dad! Did you sign a non-compete agreement last Friday?” On the other end of the line came Tham Quoc Luong's calm voice: "What deal?" "Restriction of competition! An employee named Co Bac! Fine of twenty million for violation!" The other end of the line was silent. Five seconds. Ten seconds. Then… “Tut… tut… tut…” Hang up. Tham Niem Duong held the phone, her face pale. She turned her head to look at me. I leaned against the door frame. Calm expression. “Miss Tham, is there anything else?” Her lips trembled. “You… you did it on purpose, right?” “What are you trying to do?” “You knew it was fake, you deliberately negotiated such high terms…” “I didn't know it was fake.” “Who are you fooling!”