Chapter 1 — Your Biggest Mistake Is Looking Down On Me

My patent helped my husband's company earn 800 million yuan (~2,800 billion VND). During the celebration party, he publicly donated 220 million yuan (~770 billion VND) of shares to the female secretary.

“Reward her for always being there for me, unlike some people… who only have money on their minds.”

The female secretary obediently leaned on his lap. And I, the inventor of that patent, became the laughing stock of the entire hall. The next day, he threw the contract extension at me, his tone as arrogant as giving alms:

“Sign, and at the end of the year, give me 1 million yuan (~3.5 billion VND).”

I laughed coldly, tearing up the contract right in front of him. Just one sentence. His face immediately turned pale as if he had just fallen from a peak into an abyss. As I rushed to Hoa Thinh's celebration party, the crystal chandelier on the ceiling was scattering a dazzling, luxurious light. The air was mixed with the smell of expensive perfume, champagne bubbles and excited whispers. I'm still wearing a white lab shirt and simple jeans. The bridge of her nose is covered with gold-rimmed glasses, her hair is only loosely tied with a pen. Such a me, standing in the middle of this glorious place of fame and fortune, was so lost that I was like a drop of clear water, accidentally falling into a pan of boiling oil. As soon as I entered the door, I saw Co Trach Xuyen, my husband. He stood in the center of the crowd, his high-class suit accentuating his handsome appearance. He also saw me. His eyes brightened for a moment, but were immediately replaced by an annoyed frown and undisguised dislike. He strode forward, pulled me into a deserted corner, his voice low, but full of reprimand.

“Tham Tinh Nhuoc, look again, what are you wearing?”

“You came here on purpose to make me lose face, right?”

I lowered my head to look at myself. There were still stains of culture solution on my sleeve that hadn't been washed off yet.

"I just finished a series of important data comparisons. When I received your call, I rushed over without having time to change clothes."

He chuckled, a laugh full of contempt.

"Data data... is there anything else in your mind besides those? Don't you know what occasion today is?"

"This is Hoa Thinh's celebration party! It's to celebrate the great success of the 'New Born Number One' project! It's my shining moment, Co Trach Xuyen!"

I quietly looked at him through the glass.

“New Student Number One”… such a beautiful name.

But its original name, the code I had called thousands of times in the lab — “SR-3”. SR, Tinh Nhuoc. That was the result of three years of pouring my heart and soul, what I wrested from countless failed cell culture attempts, saving every bit like a miracle. Yet now, it became his glory alone. My silence seemed to make him even more frustrated. He gently pulled his tie, his voice softened a bit, but it carried an irresistible command.

“Forget it, since it's here, just stand next to me later, talk less, smile more, don't cause me trouble.”

Having finished speaking, he turned and left, as if he had just thrown away something dirty, hastily returning to the glory that belonged to him. I stood still, looking at that back, feeling my heart being drained little by little. The climax of the party quickly came. Co Trach Xuyen walked onto the stage full of spirit and took the microphone.

“Thank you, guests Dear colleagues, thank you for your efforts for Hoa Thinh!”

Applause echoed throughout the auditorium. His eyes scanned the entire hall, finally stopping next to female secretary Khuong Mieu. That look… was a gentleness I had never seen before.

"Today, Hoa Thinh, thanks to the project 'Tan Sinh Number One', successfully raised capital of 800 million yuan (~2,800 billion VND), the company value has tripled!"

The cheers rose again like a big wave. I stood at the edge of the crowd, like an outsider, looking at the tree I planted with my own hands, but the sweet fruit was picked by someone else. Co Trach Xuyen paused for a moment, picked up a file, his smile deepened.

“Here, I want to thank one person in particular.”

My heart suddenly skipped a beat. I unconsciously raised my head to look at him on stage. He… will thank me? Even just one sentence is fine.

“That person, when I had the most difficulty when starting my business, was always by my side. When I socialized late into the night, she prepared stomach medicine. When I was driven crazy by the experimental data, she gently encouraged me.”

The blood in my body gradually turned cold. He is talking about Khuong Mieu. Those sleepless nights with him reading data, analyzing every possibility... that's me. Stomach medicine... I ran everywhere, asked experts to find the most suitable one for him. But now, all the credit... belongs to another woman.

“So, I decided…”

Co Trach Xuyen held up the documents, his voice echoed throughout the auditorium.

“Give 5% of the Hoa Thinh shares I hold, worth 220 million yuan, to my close secretary — Ms. Khuong Mieu!”

The entire hall exploded in the blink of an eye. Surprised sounds, whistles, and dark teasing mixed together, weaving into a giant net that tightened around me. I saw Khuong Mieu cover her mouth, her eyes immediately turned red, looking both surprised and emotional. She leaned softly into Co Trach Xuyen's arms, her voice trembling as if she was about to cry:

"Boss, this gift... is too precious, I can't accept it..."

Co Trach Xuyen patted her back affectionately. The microphone had not yet been turned off, his voice clearly echoed throughout the hall, each word was like a knife stabbing straight into my heart.

“You deserve it. This is my reward for always being by my side, unlike some people…”

He glanced at me, his intentions clear.

"The only thing I know when I open my mouth is money. I can't stand it anymore."

Boom. The whole hall burst into laughter. Everyone's eyes were like headlights, shining straight at me. There is pity. There is ridicule. There is also gloating when watching plays. I became the biggest joke tonight. An old wife who only knew money and did not understand love was abandoned by her husband right in front of everyone. Khuong Mieu left his arms, raised her head to look at me, her eyes were sparkling with tears, but the corners of her lips hid a smile of victory.

“Ms. Tham, thank you for your research results.”

She stopped for a moment, her voice wasn't loud, but each word seemed to pierce her heart.

“You and Mr. Co... will manage the company well for me.”

In that moment, I felt like the whole world was muted. Only her innocent face remained, but underneath it was full of boastfulness and provocation. I looked at them, at the two people holding each other tightly under the bright lights, feeling the last bit of warmth inside The body was also stripped clean. I don't cry. Also don't cause trouble. Just quietly turned around, step by step, leaving the hall that took my breath away. No one chased. Co Ze Xuyen did not. The phone vibrates. It's his message.

“Stop making trouble, go home and talk.”

Ha… let's go home and talk. I turned off the phone, raised my head and looked at the night sky dyed by neon lights into a strange purple color. It's funny. I used to think I would marry love. Finally understood, I was just a tool in his business map. Can be replaced at any time. Even... can be humiliated.