CHAPTER 8: A NEW PLAYER
510 Words
The next morning, the news spread across the city like wildfire.
Tran Group had officially entered the market.
And their first target was Nguyen Group.
Inside the conference room, tension filled every corner.
“We are losing contracts.”
“Several partners have withdrawn overnight.”
“No one wants to go against Tran Group.”
Voices overlapped.
Panic grew.
Khang stood at the head of the table, silent.
His expression was cold.
Unreadable.
“Enough,” he said.
The room fell quiet instantly.
“Stabilize the internal structure first.”
“Cut unnecessary losses.”
His voice was calm and controlled.
“We are not collapsing.”
Even as he said that, his eyes darkened slightly.
Because deep down, he knew this was only the beginning.
At the same time, Linh arrived at a luxury hotel in the city center.
The lobby was quiet.
Elegant.
Everything was arranged perfectly.
She walked in without hesitation.
As if she belonged there.
A man was already waiting.
Tall.
Composed.
Dressed in a dark suit.
His presence was sharp and commanding.
Minh.
One of the most powerful investors in the city.
He looked up as she approached.
“Miss Tran,” he said with a faint smile.
“You finally decided to meet me.”
Linh sat down across from him.
Her posture was relaxed.
But her eyes were steady.
“I need your cooperation.”
Minh leaned back slightly.
Studying her.
“And what do I get in return?”
His tone was calm.
But probing.
Linh did not hesitate.
“Profit.”
A short pause.
“And control over a new market.”
Minh’s gaze sharpened.
“That sounds tempting.”
“But I don’t work with just anyone.”
Linh met his eyes directly.
“I’m not just anyone.”
Silence filled the space between them.
For a moment, neither of them looked away.
Then Minh smiled slowly.
“Interesting.”
Upstairs, hidden behind a half-closed door, Lan lowered her phone.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
She had followed Khang’s instincts.
And now, she saw it with her own eyes.
Linh was not alone.
And she was not weak.
Lan’s expression changed.
A trace of unease appeared.
Then quickly turned into something colder.
“So this is your move,” she whispered.
Back at the table, Minh tapped his fingers lightly.
“You are targeting Nguyen Group.”
It was not a question.
Linh did not deny it.
“Yes.”
Minh tilted his head slightly.
“And your reason?”
Linh’s lips curved faintly.
“Personal.”
That one word was enough.
Minh did not ask further.
Instead, he leaned forward.
“Then I will help you.”
A brief pause.
“But I expect something in return later.”
Linh nodded once.
“Of course.”
Outside the hotel, the city moved as usual.
Busy.
Unaware.
But beneath that calm surface, something had already begun to shift.
A game was starting.
And this time, Linh was not a piece on the board.
She was the one making the moves.
- Writer
