I thought I could have a few peaceful days after that meeting, but by the next morning, the name LAM HOA TU was everywhere—on forums, entertainment pages, gossip blogs.
"LAM HOA TU Gives Up Pursuing HOAI TRACH?!""LAM HOA TU Poured Wine on a Plant Instead of NINH VAN – Change of Heart or Just Acting?""LAM Family's Princess Has Finally Woken Up?"
I stared at the phone screen, half amused, half frustrated. Just yesterday they were cursing me out, and today they were praising me as the "redeemed villainess worthy of applause."
This world… you can't trust praise. One misstep and all the compliments turn into knives aimed at your back.
I turned off my phone and stepped out of the Lam family villa. Today, I had an appointment with a university friend of the original Hoa Tu—AN NHIEN. She was a small background character in the novel, but had quietly helped Hoa Tu many times without asking for anything in return.
We met in a quiet café. Sitting across from me was AN NHIEN, petite, bright-eyed, her presence warm and calming. Unlike others who only criticized the original Hoa Tu, AN NHIEN had always tried to understand—even if she couldn't always agree.
"Are you okay? I've been seeing your name all over the place," she asked, her voice full of concern.
I shook my head, sipping my latte. "I'm fine. Just… learning how to live differently."
She was silent for a few seconds, then nodded. "I don't know what happened, but if you're really trying to change, I'll stand by you."
I smiled softly. An ally, even a small one, is a treasure in a world like this.
As I left the café and headed toward my car, a luxury sedan pulled up beside me. The window rolled down, revealing a sharply dressed woman—TAN DIEP, HOAI TRACH's long-time secretary.
"Miss Lam," she said, voice polite but edged with warning. "The CEO would like to see you. Now."
I didn't get a chance to refuse. One hour later, I was back in that familiar office, facing HOAI TRACH once again.
He sat behind his desk, reading a file, not looking at me.
"I thought we made things clear," I began, trying to stay calm.
He looked up. "So did I. But whatever you're doing out there is starting to test my patience."
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
He slid the folder toward me. Inside were printed photos—me and AN NHIEN at the café. Some taken from suspicious angles, as if trying to spark a scandal.
"I don't care who you befriend," he said coldly, "but I won't have my name dragged into cheap PR games."
I let out a quiet laugh. "You think I'm creating a scandal just for attention?"
"You've done it before," he replied, no hesitation.
"I'm not your old self-destructive ex anymore, HOAI TRACH," I stood up, meeting his gaze. "I don't need your name to survive. But if you insist on dragging me down again, don't blame me for fighting back."
He stood as well, closing the distance between us. Only half a step apart now. His gaze was sharp, almost cutting through my skin.
"I don't believe you've changed."
"You don't need to," I answered quietly. "I just need time."
Silence stretched between us. Neither of us backed down.
Finally, he stepped away. "Get out. And don't make me see you again."
I turned and walked out, heart racing—but my hands steady. Behind me, the office door slammed shut like a declaration of war.
I knew I had angered HOAI TRACH.
But I wasn't afraid.
Because this time, no one would write my fate for me.