CHAPTER 12: CRACKS IN THE PERFECT SMILE
985 Words
The meeting ended, but the tension did not.
Nguyen Khang remained seated long after everyone had left.
The room was empty.
Silent.
Yet her words still lingered in his mind.
She never loved you.
His fingers slowly tightened against the table.
That was impossible.
Or at least, that was what he wanted to believe.
A knock broke the silence.
“President Nguyen.”
“Come in.”
The assistant stepped inside, hesitating briefly before speaking.
“Miss Lan is here.”
Khang’s expression returned to its usual cold indifference.
“Let her in.”
The door opened again.
Lan walked in with her usual elegance, her smile gentle and flawless.
“Khang, I heard about the meeting.”
She moved closer, her voice soft with concern.
“Are you alright?”
Khang looked at her carefully.
For the first time, he did not respond immediately.
Something felt different.
Subtle, but undeniable.
“I’m fine,” he said at last.
Lan reached out and held his arm lightly.
“You don’t have to face everything alone anymore.”
Her tone was warm and reassuring.
Just like always.
Yet somehow, it no longer felt the same.
Khang’s gaze lingered on her hand for a moment before he slowly pulled away.
“I can handle it.”
The movement was small.
But Lan noticed.
Her smile stiffened for a brief second, then returned.
“Of course,” she said softly. “I know you can.”
A short silence followed.
Lan studied his expression, trying to read him.
“Khang,” she said carefully, “about Linh…”
His eyes darkened slightly at the mention of that name.
“She’s going too far,” Lan continued. “You shouldn’t let her affect you.”
Khang did not respond.
Instead, he asked quietly,
“How long have you known her?”
The question caught Lan off guard, but only for a moment.
“Not long,” she replied smoothly. “We met a few times before.”
“Before our marriage?” Khang asked.
“Yes.”
Her answer came without hesitation.
Too smooth.
Khang watched her closely.
“Then you must know something about her,” he said.
Lan smiled faintly.
“There isn’t much to know. She was always quiet.”
Khang’s gaze sharpened.
Quiet.
That was the same word he had used before.
And now, it felt completely wrong.
“She doesn’t seem very quiet now,” he said coldly.
Lan let out a soft laugh.
“People change. Especially after divorce.”
Her tone was light, almost casual.
But there was something deliberate beneath it.
As if she was guiding the conversation.
Khang leaned back slightly.
“Did she ever tell you anything about her family?”
Lan shook her head.
“No.”
Then she added gently,
“And honestly, does it matter?”
Another perfect answer.
Too perfect.
Khang’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Before he could speak again, the assistant knocked and entered.
“President Nguyen, the investigation team has sent the initial report.”
He placed a file on the table.
Khang reached for it immediately.
Lan’s gaze flickered toward the document for a brief second.
But Khang noticed.
“Continue,” he said.
The assistant opened the file.
“We found irregular financial transactions over the past two years.”
Khang’s expression remained unchanged.
“Explain.”
“There were several transfers made under your authorization.”
“That is normal.”
“Yes, sir. But the recipients are connected to Miss Lan.”
The room fell silent.
Lan froze for a brief moment.
It was small, but noticeable.
Khang slowly turned his head.
His gaze landed on her, cold and sharp.
“What does that mean?”
Lan quickly composed herself.
“That must be a mistake.”
Her voice was steady, but her fingers tightened slightly.
“I’ve never handled your company’s finances.”
The assistant lowered his voice.
“The accounts are traced to a private investment firm.”
He paused before continuing.
“One that Miss Lan is secretly involved with.”
Silence pressed down on the room.
Khang’s eyes did not leave her.
“Explain.”
This time, his voice was no longer calm.
It was low and dangerous.
Lan took a slow breath and stepped forward.
Her expression turned slightly hurt.
“Khang, do you really believe this?”
She looked straight at him, as if she had been wronged.
“These are just numbers. Anyone can manipulate them.”
Her voice softened.
“You know I would never betray you.”
For a moment, everything felt familiar again.
Her tone.
Her expression.
Convincing.
Perfect.
Too perfect.
Khang said nothing.
But something inside him had already begun to shift.
“Leave us,” he said to the assistant.
“Yes, sir.”
The door closed.
Only the two of them remained.
Lan stepped closer, slower this time.
More cautious.
“Khang,” she said quietly, “you have to trust me.”
She reached for his hand.
But before she could touch him, he moved slightly.
Avoiding her.
The smallest distance, but enough.
Lan’s heart skipped a beat.
“Khang…?”
His gaze was colder than ever.
“I will find out the truth.”
Each word was clear and controlled.
“And if you’re lying…”
He did not finish the sentence.
He didn’t need to.
Lan felt it.
For the first time, a crack appeared in her perfect composure.
Small.
But real.
Meanwhile, in the Tran mansion, Linh stood by the window, holding a glass of wine.
The city lights reflected in her eyes.
Calm.
Sharp.
Unmoved.
“Miss,” Uncle Tran said, “everything is proceeding as planned.”
Linh nodded slightly.
“Good.”
She took a slow sip before speaking again.
“It’s time to move to the next step.”
Her lips curved faintly.
“This is getting interesting.”
- Writer
