Minh had eaten his way through dish after dish. He ate with vulgar greed, tearing into that pork hock with his bare hands, chewing loudly as if he didn't care who was sitting across from him.
Valko only raised an eyebrow and sat there with his arms folded, watching. Minh's chopsticks scraped through the hotpot, plucking bits of meat, and the table around him was smeared with a greasy mix of oil and bone.
Valko felt nauseated, his face openly showing contempt. Minh didn't care. When he finished, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, then wiped his chili-oil–stained fingers across the shirt he was wearing. With an obscene smile, he picked a toothpick and started picking his teeth.
"Sorry, Mr. Valko," he said. "Like I said, I was hungry. Had to eat a little while I'm here."
Valko lifted an eyebrow. He picked up the handkerchief lying on the table and tossed it at Minh. The reporter blinked in surprise, then laughed, dabbing his mouth with what looked like an expensive cloth.
"Wow," he said. "Honestly, I was surprised when I looked into you." He folded the handkerchief and put it away.
"Your father died suddenly, left you a huge empire and a fortune. Sounds like a dream. One day he's healthy, next day it's a heart attack? Lucky you, huh."
Valko tightened his face; he looked at Minh through half-closed eyes, feeling an ugly, hard-to-describe irritation. Minh kept talking.
"And instead of going to Taiwan to claim the inheritance, you come to Vietnam as SCJ's spokesperson. Very dutiful to the in-laws, aren't you?"
Valko cut him off cold. "…If you've got something to say, say it. Don't beat around the bush."
"Hey, hey, calm down," Minh sneered, raising his hands. "You know how things work here. Talking money right away would be impolite. I have to follow protocol, right?"
Valko sighed sharply. His patience was thinning as the reporter continued to act flippant and unserious. Minh opened the battered briefcase he'd left on the table and pulled out a stack of photos. Valko snatched a few and examined them closely. Though the pictures had been taken that very night, they were painfully clear: Valko's face and Haruna's were unmistakable. There were even compromising shots of them making love on the beach…
The more Valko looked, the angrier he got — but he forced himself to keep it in, glaring at the sleazy reporter.
"You know trespassing on someone's private beach is enough to send you to jail, right?" Valko warned.
Minh's eyes bulged for a second, then he laughed like he'd heard the funniest thing.
"Jail? Me? Oh please. Sure, you could jail me — if anyone dares to arrest me."
He flashed his ridiculous TYN press badge with a proud flourish. TYN wasn't the biggest TV station, but it was a well-known multinational news channel.
"You know why guys like me survive twenty years in this job? Because we own their secrets. One call from me and… Boom! If I die, they die. Capisce?"
Minh's mocking grin made Valko's throat go cold. The man's arrogant attitude and the way he treated Valko like an amateur stoked his anger even more. But Valko couldn't show that here. In the underworld, you grease the wheels if you want things to move — everyone knew that. Valko slid two thick stacks of cash across the table. Minh glanced at them, didn't bother counting.
"This is 2 billion VND. Take it, and you sign to delete everything you have from that night," Valko said, handing a document with terms to Minh.
Minh snatched the paper, skimmed the clauses, then flicked his eyes to the cash and laughed scornfully.
"Don't act like I don't know how much SCJ pumped into covering up that incident — the one with 163 students hospitalized. They pay handsomely. They pay every reporter at least four billion each to write a positive piece. While I…" He waved the pile of photos in front of Valko.
"…get offered two billion? What a joke."
Valko let out a short, humorless laugh.
"They pay four billion because they need reporters who can keep a whole team fed. You're getting two billion and eating it all yourself. There's greed."
Minh shook his head.
"It's not the same. SCJ's embroiled in the biggest scandal in its history. The company needs to appear contrite, to accept responsibility. What happens if the public finds out Mr. Valko was fooling around with some woman on a private beach worth tens of millions while people protest day and night? What would they say?"
Valko's smile died on his lips. Minh only grinned like a predator.
"Sensational headlines. Clickbait. That's our game. Oh, and even if I don't publish — what if I send them straight to... your beloved wife's?"
That hit Valko like someone pressing a finger on a fresh bruise. His eyes narrowed, and he spoke in a low, dangerous voice.
"Who gave you the right?"
Minh simply laughed.
"What? Scared now? The night you two were naked together on that private beach… With her own ~ sister. How do you think she'll react?"
Valko sprang up without warning and lunged at Minh, grabbing him by the collar. His face was a snarl of fury.
"I could crush you like a dog. You, your whole family. If you dare to contact her—"
Minh didn't look scared. If anything, he seemed pleased to have provoked Valko. He swayed in Valko's grip, tipsy, smiling with that drunk bravado.
"Oh really? So faithful to your wife, huh? Then don't cheat in the first place."
Valko suddenly went silent. His hand loosened, and he let Minh go. It was like he had nothing left to argue; Minh already knew everything. Valko turned away and pointed at the paper on the table.
"Sign. How much do you want?"
"See? Say it straight from the start — much faster." Minh smoothed his rumpled shirt, produced a pen from his pocket, and signed without hesitation.
"I want ten billion."
Valko was quiet for a moment, then nodded.
"Fine. You'll get ten billion."
After the agreement was signed, Minh stuffed the two stacks of cash back into his briefcase, pleased as a child.
"I'll take two billion now. The remaining eight in installments. I don't want the tax office sniffing around."
Valko said nothing, staring into empty space. Minh leaned forward and extended his hand as if to shake.
"Congrats on a successful deal?"
Valko didn't answer. He didn't take the hand or return the reporter's grin. Minh chuckled, closed his briefcase, and left the room. Valko was alone then, lost in some odd, brooding silence. He fished his phone out and dialed a number.
"Yeah, it's me. That asshole just left the restaurant. Follow him. Make sure he gets taught a lesson he won't forget. You know what I mean?"
He hung up, and a cruel, satisfied smile crept across his face.
"You want my ten billion? Oh bitch."
---
In Duyen and Shana's penthouse, things were taking an unexpected turn thanks to a very uninvited guest. Mina was actually staying for dinner with them? Seriously, who could've predicted that?
Duyen honestly wanted to ask how Mina had even figured out their address in the first place. But she had no proper reason—or time—to throw out such a direct question. And before she could even process what was happening, Mina had already stepped into their home.
At first, Shana was clearly not okay with this turn of events. But what could she really do? After all, Mina was technically Duyen's guest. She couldn't just kick her out without making Duyen upset.
Meanwhile, Mina suddenly transformed into the happiest person alive, eagerly jumping in to help Duyen in the kitchen like she had just won some cosmic lottery. The way she handled food prep so smoothly made even Duyen pause in surprise. Mina's skills were so natural—almost like… a perfect wife.
Perfect wife?
Duyen's cheeks heated up immediately. Why the hell was she thinking like that? It was obvious Mina had already been married, so of course cooking wouldn't be a problem for her.
Duyen's mind flashed back to that luxurious bento Mina had once made her—a flawless box that looked like it came straight from a professional chef.
Calling her "wifey material" might actually be an understatement.
Shana, standing nearby, watched the scene with eyes practically blazing. Cooking had never been her strong point. Ever since she'd been living with Duyen, it was always Duyen who stepped into the kitchen. But seeing Duyen standing beside Mina like this—so close—made something in Shana snap. She had the sudden urge to unleash all nine of her metaphorical tails and puff up like an angry fox, kicking Mina out of the house on the spot.
"Wow, you're really good at this… It's just a regular Shabu Shabu hotpot but you arranged everything so beautifully. Like a flower,"
Duyen couldn't help but praise, amazed as Mina effortlessly carved a carrot into a blossom and laid slices of beef perfectly like rose petals.
Mina's knife skills were… insanely good.
Hearing Duyen compliment her so sincerely, Mina flushed slightly, her lips tugging into a shy smile.
"This stuff? It's just basic technique, really. Nothing special."
But even though she said that, pride bloomed in her chest, swelling warmly at Duyen's words.
She had been trained by the Kamakiri family since she was six years old—cooking, etiquette, all of it drilled into her nonstop. Being part of a matriarchal clan didn't mean less pressure; on the contrary, a woman's fundamental duties were enforced even more strictly. Especially for someone like Mina—someone who was never even considered an heir.
Thinking back on those years always left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Yet right now… showing these skills in front of Duyen, even just a little… felt strangely worth it.
Her hands continued to move swiftly and professionally, slicing the meat paper-thin. Meanwhile, her mind drifted off into a blissful daydream—one where she and Duyen… were a family…
Like this… maybe just like this forever…
A pointed throat-clearing yanked her from her fantasy like a slap back to reality.
Shana walked closer, watching Mina's expert knife work with narrowed eyes.
"Well, well. Pretty impressive. Guess that's expected from a married woman, huh? I bet Valko gets treated like this every day."
At that, Mina's hand froze mid-slice.
Duyen panicked immediately. "Shana," she hissed quietly, dragging her aside.
"Are you insane? Why would you bring that up right now?"
Shana blinked innocently, then burst out laughing.
"What? Did I say something wrong?"
"You're not wrong, but…" Duyen faltered, face tense.
She vaguely sensed that Mina's marriage probably wasn't all sunshine—especially considering Valko's blonde, blue-eyed mistress. That was likely why Mina avoided talking about her marriage altogether.
And Shana? She was obviously throwing shade on purpose.
But Mina didn't react harshly. She only paused for a moment, then chuckled softly and resumed slicing meat.
"Oh, that? I've been living alone for over a year now," Mina said casually. Then she turned to look at Duyen, smiling radiantly—almost too radiantly.
"Valko and I are separated. I'm pretty sure you heard it from Dao already."
"Oh… Oh yeah…"
Duyen couldn't understand how someone could talk about something like that while smiling so brightly. Mina looked stunning when she smiled, but there was something… unnerving beneath it. It sent a strange chill down Duyen's spine.
Shana rolled her eyes dramatically, then wrapped an arm firmly around Duyen, pulling her closer against her chest.
"Anyway… since you're doing so well in here, I'm guessing you don't need our help, right? Come on, Duyen—let's go pick a movie to watch before dinner."
"Wait—hold on..!" Duyen barely had time to react as Shana dragged her out to the living room.
Mina stared after them, also rolling her eyes in disbelief. She slammed the knife a little too hard into the cutting board, muttering through a crooked smile.
"Stupid slutty fox…"
A little while later, everything needed for a warm hotpot dinner on a cold night was ready. The pot in the middle of the table was steaming like crazy, surrounded by trays of neatly arranged noodles, beautifully carved vegetables, and fresh slices of beef so red and juicy they could make anyone's mouth water.
Duyen was impressed—she really was. Her stomach was already growling like an abandoned puppy. But the problem was… the two sides of her seat were currently occupied by trouble.
"Uh… ladies, could you please scoot over just a little?" Duyen mumbled weakly.
Neither Mina nor Shana budged. They had just finished a mini argument over who got to sit where. Shana had tried to plop herself right on Duyen's lap like it was the most natural thing in the world, but Mina immediately stood up to protest.
And that how Duyen ended up stuck between the two like a slice of meat sandwiched in a hotpress—completely immobilized, barely able to move her chopsticks.
Awkward tension practically crackled in the air as Mina and Shana silently glared at each other like they were about to start a war. Duyen forced an awkward chuckle.
"Sooo… aren't you guys gonna eat? I mean, you worked so hard preparing all this…"
Mina didn't even look at Duyen, still staring daggers at Shana. "I'm good. Why doesn't our dear president here go first?"
Shana smirked, unfazed. "Nah. You're the guest. You go first. I'll just wait for my precious Duyen to feed me.~"
Mina's blood pressure visibly spiked. "You have hands, don't you? Feed yourself."
Shana tilted her head and casually rested it on Duyen's shoulder. "But I don't want to. ~"
Mina looked like she was two seconds away from flipping the table. She knew Duyen and Shana had been living together for a while. She didn't know exactly how close they were… but seeing scenes like this right in front of her face made something hot, ugly twist in her chest.
Feeling danger approaching, Duyen tried to change the subject.
"Oh hey, the meat's done! I love beef the most, let's see—"
But the moment she lifted her chopsticks, both Mina and Shana immediately held out their bowls under her hand as if waiting to be fed.
Duyen froze. They… wanted her to feed them? As if it was some kind of test to see who she would choose first.
Not wanting to spark a war, she panicked—and stuffed the piece of beef straight into her own mouth.
"Mmm! So good! You two should totally try it—"
SLAM.
Shana slammed her bowl on the table, making Duyen jump.
"I can't take this anymore! Tonight was supposed to be a romantic dinner for just the two of us! Why is she even here?!"
She pointed accusingly at Mina, who gave a fake wounded look. "It wasn't my fault. The entire building where my apartment is went out of power…"
"You're lying!" Shana snapped, getting up.
"Okay okay, calm down," Duyen pleaded, trying to hold Shana back. Mina smirked victoriously and lazily pulled out her phone.
"Would you like me to call the building manager to prove it?"
Shana hesitated, confused. Duyen glanced at her uncertainly.
A few seconds later, Mina was already on the phone. A male voice picked up.
"Yes, Miss Kamakiri, our building is currently experiencing a sudden power failure. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience—"
Mina hung up, still smiling triumphantly. Shana scoffed under her breath.
"Unbelievable. You just never run out of tricks, do you?"
"Guys, please calm down!" Duyen raised both hands like a desperate referee.
"We're supposed to be eating dinner, remember? Can we just… sit and eat properly? Please?"
"You're right. We shouldn't make things difficult for Duyen," Mina said, though her eyes remained dangerously sharp.
"…However, I do have one question." Mina pointed at Shana, face full of open disgust.
"Why is she naked?"
Her question hit like a bomb. Duyen immediately wished she could disappear from existence.
Shana simply sat there confidently, crossing her legs like she owned the world—completely nude except for her smugness.
"Oh, you didn't know? That's the house rule here. Anyone who steps inside must strip."
"E-Excuse me?" Mina blinked, stunned. She turned to Duyen for confirmation—only to see Duyen avoiding eye contact like her life depended on it.
"Ah, well, that's…"
"Oh, and as for Duyen…" Shana smirked wickedly.
"We're naked every single day."
"…Huh?" Mina completely froze. She looked at Shana, then at Duyen, eyes wide in disbelief. Duyen's guilty, fidgety behavior was not helping.
Could it be… was it true? Had the two of them actually…?
Mina's cheeks burned bright red. Her hands clenched tightly on her lap. Like a time bomb ready to explode.
"Mina, wait! It's not what you think!" Duyen panicked.
But suddenly, Mina shouted—and yanked her shirt off, revealing her black bra underneath.
"MINA! WHAT ARE YOU—?!"
Duyen shrieked, face flaming as she tried to stop her.
Mina's eyes were teary as she looked at Duyen, she trembled with shame.
"Is this what you like? Girls who have no shame and walk around naked? If that's the case, then I'll—"
"STOP! MINA, TAKE A DEEP BREATH—DON'T TAKE ANY MORE OFF!"
"I'M BEGGING YOU TWO—JUST LET ME EAT IN PEACE!"
Duyen's desperate scream echoed throughout the entire penthouse.