Chapter 15 — Wind and Snow Falling, Ancient People Return

Confrontation

Diep Khanh could not sit still and wait any longer. After two days of deliberation, despite Bach Du's advice to keep the investigation plan secret, she decided to go to the Lua La Suen Kien office herself to confront Ta Bao Tram directly. She needed to look her old friend straight in the eyes, needed to find answers from her own mouth, even though she knew that this action could put the group's plan to quietly collect evidence at risk.

Silk La Event office is located on the third floor of a newly built building near the city center, luxuriously decorated with faux marble walls and sparkling crystal chandeliers, completely different from the cozy, rustic space of Diep Suong shop. Diep Khanh walked in, her eyes glanced over the photos displaying the majestic wedding events that the company had organized, her shoulders slightly curled in a simple wool coat, suddenly finding herself lost among the abundance of marble and crystal.

"Ms. Diep Khanh, would you like to meet Ms. Tram?" A receptionist asked, his voice polite but somewhat probing.

"No appointment, but I need to see her urgently." Diep Khanh replied, her voice trying to keep calm.

After a few minutes of waiting, Diep Khanh was led into Bao Tram's private office, a spacious space with large glass doors overlooking the entire city. Bao Tram sat behind a luxurious wooden desk, looking up at Diep Khanh with a not-so-genuine surprise.

"Diep Khanh, why did you come here without warning? Is there something important?" Bao Tram's voice remained warm, but her eyes began to show caution.

"I need to ask you something." Diep Khanh walked straight to the table, without beating around the bush. "Van Hoa Cao Nguyen, do you have anything to do with that company?"

Bao Tram frowned slightly, but still maintained a surprisingly calm look. "Who is Van Hoa Cao Nguyen? Why did you suddenly ask me that question?"

"Stop pretending." Diep Khanh placed a copy of the business registration documents firmly on the table, where Bao Tram's name was clearly marked in the capital contribution history section. "I have proof that you were the main capital contributor when this company was first established, before transferring it to Cung Vinh Vuong for almost nothing."

Bao Tram's face changed color for a brief moment, but she quickly regained her composure and even laughed lightly. "So what? I have contributed capital to many different business projects, which is normal in the investment world. There is nothing wrong with transferring my shares."

"So why did that company send false invoices to my flower shop, threatening to freeze assets based on an ambiguous clause in the contract?" Diep Khanh clenched his hands so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. "Do you know about that?"

"I don't manage that company's operations anymore, how can I know their internal affairs?" Bao Tram replied, her meticulously drawn eyebrows furrowed, her voice harsh on each word. "Don't blame me for no reason just because I was once related to a company I withdrew capital from a long time ago."

"I don't think it's that long ago, Tram." Diep Khanh looked straight into her eyes, her voice became fierce. "Van Hoa Cao Nguyen's actual office is right in this building, the same building as your company. How are you going to explain that?"

This time, the calmness on Bao Tram's face really cracked. She stood up from her chair, put her hands on the glass table, her voice rose sharply, carrying a bit of panic and anger. "Are you investigating me? What right do you think you have to come here and question me like that?"

"I have the right, because the flower shop my mother left behind is in danger of being confiscated just because of a false debt made up by your company." Diep Khanh is no less harsh, the emotions that have been pent up for many days are now bursting out uncontrollably. "And I have another question, Tram. Five years ago, did you have anything to do with Mr. Du receiving a breakup text that I never sent?"

That question was like a direct blow, making Bao Tram stunned for a few seconds, her eyes flashed with real panic before she could hide it with anger. "What are you talking about? It's been five years, why are you suddenly bringing it up now?"

"Because I just found evidence that someone intentionally interfered in my relationship with Mr. Du that year." Diep Khanh said, her voice trembling with emotion and anger. "And now, the company related to you is trying to destroy my current life. Tram, tell me, was all of this arranged by you?"

Bao Tram was silent for a long time, her breathing became rapid, her face turned red with uncontrollable emotions. When she spoke again, her voice had lost its original composure, replaced by a long-held bitterness that suddenly burst out.

"You think everything comes easy to you, right? Having a mother who loves you very much, having Bach Du who loves you at first sight, having a flower shop that is passed down with affection." Bao Tram's hand clasped the edge of the table, her voice trembling from years of pent-up frustration. "What about me? I've been in love with him since freshman year of college, and have silently watched him devote all his attention to you, while I've been nothing but a kind friend who always watches from afar."

Diep Khanh was stunned by that sudden and emotional revelation, but she still realized that in her emotions, Bao Tram seemed to have accidentally revealed what she had been trying to hide for a long time.

"So that means, you admit that you interfered in my affairs with Mr. Du that year?" Diep Khanh asked, his hand suddenly raised to cover his mouth, both shocked and heartbroken.

Realizing she had just said the wrong thing, Bao Tram immediately changed her attitude, her face returned to a cold, sharp look. "I didn't say anything like that. Don't try to distort my words. What happened in the past was between you and Mr. Du, and the current contract is a normal business matter. You have no evidence to accuse me."

"But you just said..." Diep Khanh tried to ask more, but Bao Tram had completely regained her composure, even approaching the door, opening it as an invitation for her to leave the room.

"I think this conversation should end here. If you have any questions about the contract, it's best to work directly with Van Hoa Cao Nguyen through the official channel, don't come here to disrupt my business anymore." Bao Tram's voice was cold, without any trace of emotion.

Diep Khanh stood still for a moment, looking straight into his old friend's eyes, trying to find some regret or repentance, but only saw a cold, determined wall. She understood that, even though Bao Tram had accidentally revealed some of the truth in her emotions, she would never easily admit everything through a direct confrontation like this.

"Okay, I'll go." Diep Khanh said, her voice regained composure, even though her heart was still filled with emotions. "But Tram, you should know, I won't stop until I find out the whole truth, even if it's what I don't want to hear."

She left the Silk La Event office and walked down the luxurious marble stairs, her heart heavy but also more determined than ever. The confrontation just now, although it did not bring a clear confession, was enough to confirm that the suspicions in her heart were well-founded.

Arriving at the parking lot, she immediately called Bach Du, recounting the entire conversation that had just happened, her voice still shaking with emotion and anger. The other end of the line was silent for a long time before Bach Du spoke, his voice was both worried and slightly reproachful.

"Why didn't you tell me in advance that you were going to see Tram? What if something happened?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't have time to think too much, I just knew I needed to face it head-on." Diep Khanh replied, her voice still choked. "But I think, at least now we have more basis to confirm more firmly about Tram's role in both things."

"That's right, but from now on, if there are any similar actions, you must notify me in advance." Bach Du said, his voice still filled with unresolved worry. "Tram is clearly not a simple person. She can react in ways that we cannot predict."

Diep Khanh nodded even though he couldn't see, feeling the sincere concern in every word he said. Now, what she needs to do is find concrete evidence, convincing enough to reveal the entire truth before the cruel fourteen-day period passes.