Chapter 3 — The Wrong Ring, The Right Deception

"But neither of us has met the director yet. How are we supposed to recognize him?"

Chu Yen Thoi shook his phone.

"Don't worry, they will send the director's information over shortly."

Tran Vu Han nodded.

"The director is French. I heard that people from that region have a fondness for sweets."

"I just had the kitchen prepare a few dishes, but I was worried I might not get the sweetness level quite right."

Tran Vu Han wore a troubled expression, then accidentally caught sight of me, her eyes lighting up.

"An Vi, you spent a year in France, so you must be quite familiar with their local palate."

"Could you help me taste these and tell me how they are?"

Chu Yen Thoi chimed in with agreement.

"When problems arise, Vu Han is always the thoughtful one."

"Since that is the case, An Vi, go taste them."

His tone carried a command that brooked no refusal. In the past, I certainly would have gone. Tran Vu Han also looked at me with a gentle smile. Her eyes seemed to say: See? As long as she is here, she will forever be able to keep me under her thumb. I slowly opened my mouth.

"I don't want to."

Those three words made Chu Yen Thoi knit his brows. He simply could not understand why I would refuse such a simple request. The whispering from the surrounding crowd constantly drifted into my ears.

"Opposing him like this shows a clear lack of perspective. She only focuses on trivial matters of romance and lacks the bigger picture. Look at Secretary Tran, her heart and soul are entirely devoted to the company."

"If it were me, I would choose Secretary Tran too, so we could strive together to make the company grow stronger."

Furious, Chu Yen Thoi strode over and forcefully dragged me to the dining table.

"This is not a matter of whether you want to or not."

He looked at the servers and said in a low voice.

"You people, hold her down for me."

Seeing that none of the servers dared to step forward, Chu Yen Thoi gave a cold laugh.

"Hold her down, and I will give each of you ten thousand."

Just holding me down was enough to earn ten thousand. This was a deal with guaranteed profit and zero loss. The servers swarmed forward, instantly suppressing my struggles. Tran Vu Han feigned a sigh.

"An Vi, when the company does better, everyone benefits. Why must you be like this?"

At that moment, Chu Yen Thoi walked over. But the instant I caught the scent of the pastries, my pupils violently contracted. My mouth screamed frantically.

"Chu Yen Thoi, there is rum in these pastries."

"You know very well that I am allergic to alcohol. Just a trace of it could cost me my life."

Chu Yen Thoi's footsteps paused, a flicker of internal conflict flashing through his eyes. During the company's most difficult five years, I had constantly drunk with clients to secure contracts, drinking until my stomach vomited blood. Back then, Chu Yen Thoi had looked at me with reddened eyes and promised that he would never let me touch a drop of alcohol again. Tran Vu Han stepped forward, offering gentle persuasion.

"Yen Thoi, the director is arriving soon. If the taste of the pastries is not to his liking, I am afraid it will affect our cooperation."

"Besides, it is only a tiny bit. By now, most of it has likely evaporated, so it won't have any ill effects on An Vi."

Chu Yen Thoi's gaze turned as cold as steel. He grabbed my chin and forcibly shoved the pastry into my mouth. Unbearable. My stomach churned as if heaven and earth were turning upside down. My entire body felt as though it were being tossed back and forth over a roaring fire to be roasted. The world spun wildly around me. The second before I lost consciousness, I heard Chu Yen Thoi shouting in utter dismay.

"What do you mean? You cannot reach the director?"

When I regained consciousness, I was lying on a hospital bed. I shifted uncomfortably, which startled Chu Yen Thoi, who had been dozing beside the bed. He stood up and brought a cup of warm water to help me moisten my throat.

"The doctor said you were brought in just in time, so there is nothing majorly wrong."

"However, your sudden fainting not only ruined our networking event with the foreign director, but it also gave the young girl quite a scare."

"She has been blaming herself so much these past few days that she hasn't been able to eat or sleep."

"Now that you are awake, you should call and apologize to her."

I looked at Chu Yen Thoi in sheer disbelief, as if I were meeting him for the very first time. After a long silence, I spoke slowly.

"Very well."

"Once I am discharged, I will bring something and apologize sincerely."

Satisfied, Chu Yen Thoi pulled the blanket up over me.

"You should have been reasonable like this long ago. Get along well with Vu Han from now on."

"Alright, I must be going."

"There is still a mountain of work waiting for me at the office."

After Chu Yen Thoi had walked away, I fished out my phone. I rummaged through my bag for the charger, plugged it in, and made a phone call. Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Chu Yen Thoi held a shareholders' meeting. During the meeting, he announced his intention to transfer five percent of the company shares to Tran Vu Han. Quite a few people agreed, abiding by the principle of majority rule. He handed the signed contract to Tran Vu Han. Once she signed her name on it, the contract would immediately take effect, and five percent of this publicly listed company would belong to Tran Vu Han. Just as she was about to put pen to paper, I pushed open the door to the conference room.

"Wait."

Seeing that it was me, Chu Yen Thoi's expression turned glacial.

"This is a shareholders' meeting, not a place for you to throw a tantrum."

"Get out immediately."

I ignored him entirely, walked straight to a seat, and sat down.

"I hold shares in this company as well."

"As far as I know, only those who have made significant contributions to the company are eligible to be gifted shares."

"What about her? What major contribution has she made?"