The sun rose at the entrance of the alley, the climbing roses basking in its sweet light. They seemed delighted to welcome that gentle glow. The trees in front of the gate rustled with the wind, the scenery indifferent to someone's mood at this moment. Ngan Thu was home, she hadn't slept a wink all night. She felt utterly helpless, having asked a police friend to intervene and find him. The assistant called again; she knew, but she was too tired to think about going to the company without him. A minute, then half an hour passed, and Ngan Thu finally answered. She got ready to head to that corporate battlefield.
The company looked strange today. Many eyes turned towards her. All sorts of baseless rumors were circulating, and she was trying to bear the burden. The meeting room door opened, revealing the entire board of directors already seated. They, of course, questioned her as they had Man Ky. The situation today wasn't that simple. Because she wasn't him, how could she defend against those who always wanted to overthrow him? Stress was etched on her gentle face, and Ngan Thu quietly sat down near the chairman's seat. She fully understood the disdainful glances. It was just that she had to sit there in place of her husband, the reluctance was suffocating.
"Director Ly, we expect an answer regarding the CEO's absence. Yesterday's incident has significantly impacted the company's image. We need an answer, not an excuse!"
The most obnoxious person in the company had just spoken. No stranger, he was Mi Lac's father. The assistant beside her was sweating profusely. Indeed, he didn't know what to say.
"The CEO, temporarily..."
"Is he shirking his responsibility?" Mi Lac's father brazenly interrupted Ngan Thu. He stood up, his posture challenging. The associates remained silent, hesitant in this situation.
"Director Mi, please show some respect!" The assistant, furious, growled.
Mi Lac's father frowned, his eyes like bullets. He glared at the assistant:
"Is this your place to speak?"
His face pale with anger, the assistant suppressed his rage. The old man shrugged, smiling smugly.
"Currently, I am a major shareholder. If the CEO cannot manage the company, he can resign. I have been with the chairman for a very long time, and if I withdraw my shares now, I'm afraid..."
Ngan Thu's eyes darkened. Was he threatening her? She couldn't believe this could happen. Ngan Thu gripped her knees tightly, wanting to slap him to teach him a lesson. Was the company shaking because of this man? Her reason awoke. Clearly, Man Ky's disappearance was a big problem. Why weren't they prioritizing that instead of focusing on the CEO's seat? The corporate world was so cruel, Ngan Thu was so tired.
"Are you planning to withdraw your capital, Director Mi?"
The room door suddenly opened, revealing the most powerful figure in Tin Vi Group, Vu Tin Long!
"Dad?"
Ngan Thu's face lit up with joy, and she quickly stood up and walked towards him. Everyone stopped the meeting, flustered by the return of the owner of this large house. Vu Tin Long sat down, observing Mi Lac's father's shifty expression. Looking both embarrassed and unpleasant, the old man gave a reluctant laugh.
"Chairman, you misunderstand. I was just posing a hypothesis!"
"If I hadn't come back, would that hypothesis have become a reality?" Chairman Vu said sarcastically.
Her father-in-law's timely return had visibly averted a defeat. The tense atmosphere calmed down, and the assistant secretly nodded to Ngan Thu in relief. Chairman Vu's transcontinental flight had lasted sixteen hours. He looked quite tired and needed rest. Ngan Thu quickly arranged everything. Vu Tin Long finally returned to his position.
"Dad, you came back so suddenly, I didn't have time to pick you up at the airport," she said softly as they sat in the car.
"There was an issue at the company, I had to come back. Your aunt and An Huu are waiting at home. You can come along," Chairman Vu said gently.
Ngan Thu bowed her head. It had been a long time since she had returned to the Vu family mansion. The couple had lived peacefully in their lovely house downtown. Throughout the journey, Mr. Vu didn't mention Man Ky. He fell into a state of silence. Ngan Thu became even more uneasy because of it.
The shimmering silver peak of the villa, Ngan Thu saw it as the car rounded the bridge. Her heart recalled the feeling of that year, when she first became a daughter-in-law of the Vu family. Her father-in-law had returned from abroad, suffering from jet lag, so he quickly tired. The butler quickly opened the door, welcoming the owner with the utmost formality.
Two rows of splendid wisteria from the gate to the center of the courtyard. It was breathtakingly beautiful. Everything was meticulously arranged and refined by the gardeners. Ngan Thu slowly walked, step by step, the white gravel path like something out of a fairy tale. They were perfectly uniform and vibrant under the sun. Tiny specks of light filtered through the branches and leaves. It sparkled so beautifully.
Whenever the wisteria bloomed, he eagerly drove her to see it. Even though they had wisteria at home, Man Ky loved to drive around town. The love for purple flowers, embracing the brilliant March sun. The sweet and intoxicating melody of love. Reaching out to touch the longing, why did it suddenly feel so distant? A lingering trace of love haunted her mind every day. The prestigious house before her, the shyness she couldn't shake off.
That woman sat calmly on the chair. She watched time pass through a sand timer. Still the same eyes, the same smile. Only, it was too cold to be familiar. Her action of flipping the timer was no different from before. She considered it a pastime. Ngan Thu slowly entered the mansion, and a contemptuous eyebrow raise appeared. She understood and faced it with the most respectful gesture she could.
"Hello, Auntie!"
A casual nod, and she slowly stood up and walked into the room. Absolutely, not another word was spoken. Ngan Thu felt a pang of sadness, briefly downcast by that attitude. She couldn't deny the stepmother's past reasoning: she didn't deserve to step into this house. Vu Tin Long was waiting for her in the study. He was fuming over the couple's unending issues. It seemed the chairman knew the entire problem. He immediately instructed the butler to notify their acquaintances at the police department.
"Why is everything so messed up? What did you two do while I was away?"
Ngan Thu lowered her head; she felt truly incapable of defending herself against him that day. Man Ky had disappeared, and he made her incredibly anxious. All the troubles piling up, she was tired thinking about it. Catching the gaze of that woman through the glass window, Ngan Thu suddenly trembled. She liked to hover around her life like that sand timer. A small singing voice arose, the rose bushes receiving cool water from the hose. The most peculiar stepmother she had ever met.
Tan Le Minh - the talented scholar from the Royal Academy!