Chapter 7 — When I Stop Being Invisible

A week after He Kien Quoc publicly admitted in a meeting that firing me was a mistake, a big change occurred at Hang Vien Group. Three important customers simultaneously requested to re-evaluate the cooperation relationship. The reason is very clear - recently, Hang Vien's service quality has clearly declined. The project is constantly behind schedule, errors appear in reports, and the person in charge of contact changes continuously. And the root of all these problems… all started from the chaotic time after I left. Ha Kien Quoc's headache was so bad he couldn't hide it. Taking advantage of this moment, Chu Han immediately made a new proposal. He wanted to invite a "high-level talent" to take over the entire operation - another former colleague of his, named Phuong Ngan, claimed to have held the position of COO at a listed company. As soon as Tran Loi heard the news, he immediately reported it to Vu Tieu Man. Vu Tieu Man forwarded it to me again.

"Miss To, I've looked up this guy Phuong Ngan. He really used to work at a listed company, but he was only a deputy under the Director of Operations, two levels below the COO position. This CV is a bit exaggerated."

“The person nominated by Chu Han, do you think Ha Kien Quoc will accept it?”

"It's hard to say. Currently, boss Ha's pressure is huge. If he loses these three customers, this year's revenue will evaporate by 30%. He needs someone who 'looks capable of turning the situation around'."

“Phuong Ngan is not coming to turn the situation around.”

“So what did he come for?”

“He came to strengthen Chu Han's power.”

I speak slowly.

"Chu Han knows that Ha Kien Quoc's trust in him is decreasing. He needs to install more of his own people internally. Once Phuong Ngan gets in, the operations part will be completely in his hands."

Vu Tieu Man took a deep breath.

“Sister To… how can you see through them like that?”

“Twelve years.”

That night, I did something I had never done before. I open an encrypted folder. Inside is all the core data I accumulated during my twelve years in Hengyuan. Important terms and investigation context of each supplier contract. Contact log and note special requests of each customer. Analyze the causes and handling procedures of each unusual incident in the project. And there's one more thing. A document that I have never mentioned to anyone. List of internal issues of Hang Vien Group. More than three hundred entries. From loopholes in mechanisms, human resource risks, shortcomings in processes... to the risks of legal violations. For twelve years, every time I discovered a problem, I recorded an entry. No one asked. I also never took the initiative to speak. Because I'm just an administrative specialist. But who would listen to an administrative expert? But now… Looking at that list of over three hundred items, I suddenly had the feeling — Maybe it was time… to let it be seen. The phone suddenly rang. I picked up the phone.

“Miss To Van, right?”

"I am Co Vien Chu, independent director of Hang Vien Group. I want to talk to you about something."

Co Vien Chu arranged to meet at a very quiet family restaurant. He was in his sixties, wearing a dark gray Zhongshan-style coat. He spoke slowly but every sentence carried weight.

“Miss To, first I would like to introduce myself. I am the independent director of Hang Vien, also has been an early-stage investor since Ha Kien Quoc first started his business."

I sat down.

“Mr. Co, why are you looking for me?”

“Two things. First, I looked at the operating plan that Thuy Hoa made for Hang Vien. I know it's your handwriting.”

"Very good. Extremely good. The system is more systematic and solid than many listed companies I have ever seen.”

“Thank you.”

“The second thing.” He put down the tea cup, "What kind of person is Chu Han, how much do you understand?"

I looked at him.

“Just say it straight.”

“Before Chu Han entered Hang Vien, I did a background check. The reason he left the old company, externally, was said to be 'looking for better development opportunities', but in reality —"

He hesitated for a moment.

“It's because of being involved in an internal investigation into accepting kickbacks from suppliers. There was not enough evidence, no criminal prosecution, but he was asked to quit his job."

My hand tightened slightly.

“Does Ha Kien Quoc know?”

"Don't know. Initially introduced by a headhunter, Ha Kien Quoc was too hasty and did not investigate deeply. I only got that information later.”

“So why didn't you tell boss Ha?”

Co Vien Chu looked at me.

“I need proof. It's not a rumor, it's real evidence."

I understand what he means.

“Do you think I will have evidence?”

“She was in charge of coordinating the purchasing department in Hang Vien for twelve years. It is up to you to evaluate the supplier. The context of the contract terms was also looked up by her. If Chu Han repeats similar events in Hang Vien —”

He didn't continue. I suddenly remembered something.