After the confrontation with Hoai Trach, I knew I was no longer just a minor villain in his eyes. But I also understood—this change wouldn't only make him uncomfortable. It would make everyone who used to treat me like a pawn start to feel threatened.
And it had already begun.
The next day, when I walked into the Lam Corporation's subsidiary—where the original Lam Hoa Tu had held the position of director of external relations—the atmosphere instantly shifted.
Sideways glances. Whispering behind my back. A few employees looked at me like I had just stepped out of a tabloid scandal.
I kept my calm composure, walking steadily toward my office. When I pushed the door open, I saw Tham Du—my senior assistant—waiting with a tense expression.
"Miss Lam, someone from Human Resources wants to see you."
I raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
He hesitated a bit before replying softly, "There's an anonymous complaint alleging that you abused your power to force an employee to resign illegally."
I chuckled. That was fast. Just two days after the charity banquet, someone was already trying to pull me down.
"Send them in," I said, sitting down in my chair.
A middle-aged man entered. Neatly dressed, serious face. "Good morning, Miss Lam. I'm the head of HR. We received a report claiming you ordered the dismissal of an employee named Ha Ky—who has close ties to CEO Hoai Trach."
I lifted my eyes, gaze sharp. "I never issued a termination order this week. Ha Ky submitted a resignation letter voluntarily, confirmed by the administration office."
The man froze slightly. "I... see. We'll need to verify that."
"Please do so carefully before questioning me again," I said coldly. "Otherwise, I'll have to question your professional conduct."
After he left, I turned to Tham Du. "Find out who's behind the anonymous complaint."
He nodded. "Yes, Miss."
I closed my eyes for a moment. One name popped into my head—Ninh Van.
The female lead of the novel. Always appearing gentle and pure, but skillful in manipulating emotions behind the scenes.
The original Lam Hoa Tu had seen her as a thorn in the side. But she always lost to that perfect facade.
Now, I suspected... she was the one who didn't want me to escape the title of the 'vicious villainess.'
I needed proof. And I needed power.
That afternoon, I visited Lam Chan—my father, the chairman of Lam Corporation.
He looked at me with distance in his eyes. "Why are you here?"
"I want full control over the Southern Branch," I said directly. "If I succeed, give me a seat on the executive board."
Lam Chan frowned. "You think getting a little attention online entitles you to power?"
"I think it's time I proved I'm not the daughter you were once disappointed in," I replied, unwavering.
There was a long silence. Then he sighed. "Fine. I'll give you a chance. Six months. If the Southern Branch grows by at least fifteen percent, you get your seat."
I nodded. "Thank you, Father."
I knew this was a gamble. But if I stayed at headquarters—where Hoai Trach and Ninh Van had their influence—I would never be able to take control of my fate.
I had to rebuild everything from scratch. Somewhere else. On my own terms.
On the way back, my phone vibrated. A message from an unknown number:"Be careful. They won't let you off easy."
I stared at the screen, my heart turning cold.
No signature. No identity.
But I knew—The game had begun.