Chapter 4 — Three Days Lost Both Mother and Wife

"The chairman of the Co Group left his dying mother and went to rest with his female secretary for three days and three nights."

“The daughter-in-law took care of the funeral alone, her husband lost contact.”

“Famous CEO entangled in ethics scandal.”

Every headline is like a slap straight to Co Dan Thuong's face. He sat in the chair, his face haggard, his eyes full of blood. Never did he think that one day he would be brought to the top of news pages this way. A major shareholder slammed a file of documents on the table.

“How are you going to explain it?”

Co Dan Thuong clenched his hands.

“That's my personal matter.”

“Personal matter?”

Another person laughed coldly.

“Do you think it's still a private matter now?”

He pointed to the screen.

“The stock just opened the morning session down nearly seven percent.”

“Three partners called to request a temporary halt in signing the contract.”

“A bank is also reviewing credit limits.”

“It's all because of your scandal.”

In the meeting room, no one spoke up in defense. A female director sighed softly.

“The market doesn't just look at capacity.”

“They also look at the leader's ethics.”

“Someone who wasn't even with her biological mother when she passed away…”

“And let my wife shoulder everything alone…”

“How can customers still trust us with billions?”

Those words made the whole room fall silent. No one objected. That's all true. Co Dan Thuong bowed his head. For the first time in his life, he didn't know how to respond. The meeting lasted nearly two hours. Final result. He had to temporarily withdraw from three key projects. All foreign affairs activities are transferred to the vice president. Even the right to sign some important documents is limited by the board of directors. After everyone left. Co Dan Thuong was still sitting alone in the meeting room. The chairman's chair under him remains the same. But I know. The reputation we lose will not be easy to regain. Outside the office area. The staff huddled in groups of three and three, whispering.

“Have you seen the news?”

"I heard that Mrs. Co called dozens of times but the president did not listen."

“I also heard that Ms. Kien Thanh was alone at the hospital all night.”

“What a pity.”

“Having a wife like that doesn't even know how to appreciate it.”

The chatter quickly stopped when they saw Co Dan Thuong walk out. But the eyes looking at him had completely changed. Before, it was about respect. Now there's only pity left. And disdain. Co Dan Thuong clenched his fist. For the first time, he clearly felt the eyes of public opinion. Right at that moment. Tan So Anh walked over holding a stack of documents. Her eyes were red. Seeing Co Dan Thuong, tears immediately rolled down.

“Dan Thuong…”

Her voice trembled.

“I just read the news.”

“If you hadn't asked me to go survey that day…”

“Things wouldn't have turned out like this.”

Speaking of this. She choked up and reached out to hold his arm. According to previous habits. Every time she expressed such self-pity. Co Duan Thuong will calm down and comfort. But this time. He didn't move at all. Just quietly looked at her. That look made Tan So Anh suddenly stop. First time. She felt that there was no longer any gentleness in this man's eyes. Only strangeness remains. In Co Dan Thuong's mind, the image on the video kept appearing. His mother fell down. To Kien Thanh ran around the hospital. Laughing and talking with the person in front of you on the beach. He suddenly asked.

“That survey trip…”

Tan So The photo is a bit startling.

"What's the problem?"

“Is it really so necessary that we both have to travel together for three days and three nights?”

The smile on her lips stiffened.

“Of course.”

“That project is very important.”

“You also agreed…”

Co Duan Thuong nodded slightly.

“I agree.”

He looked straight into her eyes.

“Those three days.”

“Did you ever remind me to turn on my phone?”

Tan So Anh was stunned. A moment of confusion quickly passed across his face.

“I thought you wanted to rest…”

“So I don't pay attention.”

Co Duan Thuong smiled faintly. That smile was so cold that even Tan So Anh felt strange. I remember it very clearly. He wasn't the only one who turned off the phone. She herself also said:

“I turned it off too.”

“So that no one disturbs our world.”

I used to find that saying so romantic. Now think again. Just find it extremely ironic.

“Dan Thuong…”

Tan So Anh bit his lip.

“Don't be like that.”

“I'm really sorry.”

“I haven't been able to sleep these past few days.”

Co Dan Thuong looked at her for a long time. Finally, just calmly say:

“Qin So Anh.”

“From today.”

“I'm temporarily quitting my job.”

The entire hallway immediately became quiet. Several employees standing nearby all raised their heads in surprise. Tan So Anh opened his eyes wide.

“What… what?”

“You quit your job?”

“This is your decision.”

Co Duan Thuong's voice did not carry any emotion.

“The human resources department will handle it.”

“During this time.”

“I don't need the company.”

Tan So Anh's tears immediately fell.

“Dan Thuong…”

“Are you going to push all the responsibility on me?”

“I'm just a secretary.”

“I do everything according to your wishes.”

Co Duan Thuong closed his eyes.

“I never said all the faults were yours.”

“But now.”

“I don't want to see you.”

He turned around and left. Never looked back. The sound of leather shoes gradually disappeared at the end of the hallway. The tears on Tan So Anh's face also slowly disappeared. She slowly dried the corners of her eyes. The corners of his lips curled slightly into a cold smile. The gentle and weak eyes from before had disappeared without a trace. She took out her phone. Send a message. There is only one sentence.

“Begin plan two.”

She raised her head and looked in the direction Co Dan Thuong left.

“Dan Thuong…”

“I think…”

“Just sending me away can end everything?”

"It's late."

In the long hallway. That smile was so cold it was chilling. The news that Co Dan Thuong had suspended Tan So Anh's work had just spread in less than half a day, and the whole company was in an uproar. Many people think he is looking for a "substitute". The person who decided to go survey was you. The person who took the initiative to turn off the phone was also you. Now is it fair to put all the responsibility on a secretary? Those rumors quickly spread online.