As the sun slowly disappeared behind the rows of buildings, the last rays of the afternoon filtered into Yên Pha's office. Although the workload at the factory remained unfinished, she felt a sense of relief, knowing she could temporarily set everything aside. Rising from her chair, she glanced over the last of the documents and gently closed the folder on her desk.

Trí Tuấn entered, his sharp eyes immediately noticing the fading tension on Yên Pha's face.

"All done, Miss?" he asked in a calm voice, a hint of concern flickering in his eyes.

Yên Pha nodded.

"It's all done. Thank you for taking care of everything," she replied, standing up and reaching for her coat before heading outside.

Trí Tuấn walked ahead to prepare the car. Outside, the air had grown chilly, signaling the onset of night. When Yên Pha stepped out, the car was already waiting. Her personal driver, Uncle Tứ, stood by the car door. He bowed slightly as he saw her approach and opened the door. However, he couldn't help but notice her weary expression, her eyes carrying a quiet sadness that contrasted sharply with her usual confident demeanor.

Uncle Tứ asked gently, his voice filled with familial concern:

"Third Miss, you don't look well today. Should I take you to the doctor?"

Yên Pha smiled faintly, her eyes narrowing as she shook her head.

"No need, Uncle. Thank you for your concern. It's just the workload, that's all," she reassured him. "Just drive carefully. I'll be fine."

Uncle Tứ said no more, simply nodding as he closed the door behind her. Climbing into the driver's seat, he started the car, and the engine hummed softly in the quiet evening air.

Inside the car, Trí Tuấn sat across from Yên Pha, pulling out a notebook to discuss work.

"Miss, regarding this afternoon's meeting, I've confirmed with the French partners—they'll meet with us next week to finalize the distribution contract. Also, we need to prepare some documents related to silk export regulations for the Indochina markets," he reported, his focus unwavering as he jotted down notes.

Yên Pha listened in silence, her fingers idly tracing a button on her coat. Though her mind was weighed down by thoughts of family and the heavy responsibilities she bore, she missed none of the details in his report.

"Tuấn, arrange a press meeting for me before we sign the contract," she said, her voice firm yet tinged with weariness. "I want them to write some articles to kick off a strong promotional campaign for Thịnh Phát silk as it enters new markets."

"Understood. I'll handle it," Trí Tuấn replied promptly, his calm and decisive tone reflecting his dedication.

Though not a man of many words, he always understood Yên Pha's needs and responded without hesitation. His steady gaze conveyed trust and commitment, as if ready to help her achieve her goals no matter the obstacles.

Yên Pha leaned back in her seat, exhaling softly. Despite her efforts to remain strong, the fatigue creeping into every fiber of her being was undeniable. She had to maintain the image of an unyielding leader, yet few knew of the silent battles she fought behind the scenes. Each decision she made, no matter how small, carried enormous weight, impacting not only her career but also her family's future. She had grown accustomed to this burden, though she sometimes wondered if she had lost pieces of herself along the way.

"Once we're home, leave the rest of the work for tomorrow," she said softly but firmly. "I don't want to hear more tonight."

Trí Tuấn simply nodded, noting her words in his notebook without protest. The atmosphere in the car grew quiet, the hum of the engine providing a steady rhythm as the vehicle glided through the evening streets.

The car stopped in front of the grand gates of her family villa. The surrounding silence belied the storm of thoughts swirling in Yên Pha's mind. She sighed softly, gazing at the house—a place filled with memories, yet laden with heavy expectations. Tonight, another family meeting awaited—a gathering she never found comfortable. Power struggles and veiled rivalries among family members made the air stifling.

As she stepped out, Yên Pha donned a gentle smile—a perfect facade she had perfected over the years to conceal her true feelings. She masked her weariness and displeasure, for that was how she had always faced the world, especially in the tension-filled family gatherings she despised.

Entering the house, the staff greeted her politely, their murmurs quickly spreading the news of her arrival. Yên Pha acknowledged them with a brief nod, her attention already focused on the family members gathered in the living room. Her gaze swept over them but lingered on no one. She was well aware that tonight's meeting would be just another battleground in the ongoing power dynamics within the family.

As soon as Yên Pha stepped into the room, she felt the cold stares from the family members, especially from the first wife, who always sought ways to discredit her. The first wife sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm:

"Well, look who's finally here—our one and only precious daughter."

The second wife, who habitually sided with the first, seized the opportunity to mock her as well:

"Must be very busy, huh? Keeping the whole family waiting for just one girl."

Yên Pha simply smirked, accustomed to such attacks. She paid them no mind, letting their words roll off her. Instead, she maintained her calm demeanor, her voice light but sharp:

"I apologize for keeping everyone waiting. Work has been demanding; I do wish I had the leisure time of my elder brother and younger siblings."

She delivered the statement with unwavering eye contact directed at the first and second wives, unflinching. Though her hand tightened slightly, veins becoming visible, her face remained composed, betraying no exhaustion or irritation. She saw no need to defend herself because her every action and word spoke volumes about her place in the family.

Her response was more than a retort; it was a declaration of unshakable confidence. While she understood the burdens of work and family weighed heavily on her, she refused to allow anyone to look down on her simply for being a woman. Her gaze was piercing but resolute, silently asserting that she would not be the weak link in this battle for family power.

Her reply landed like a slap in the faces of the first and second wives, leaving their expressions frozen, unable to respond immediately. Their anger and humiliation simmered, especially as Yên Pha subtly pointed out that their sons—once the family's pride—could not compare to her. The second wife fumed internally, thinking, How could my son lose to her? Rage began to build within the two women.

Unable to contain her resentment, the first wife snapped:

"Your tongue gets sharper by the day. Like mother, like daughter!"

Her tone was cutting, dripping with jealousy and bitterness. It was evident that her anger stemmed not only from Yên Pha's success and authority but also from the enduring love and respect that her husband, Thái Thịnh Phát, reserved for the third wife—Yên Pha's mother—over herself.

The atmosphere grew tense. Yên Pha recognized the hostility but refused to let it unsettle her. She smiled faintly and responded in a calm but pointed tone:

"Thank you for the compliment, First Mother. I'm just doing what I must."

Her words, though soft, carried a weight that left the first and second wives momentarily stunned, unable to counter. Despite enduring constant turmoil within the family, Yên Pha never let it dampen her resolve. In their eyes, she might be a fragile daughter, but in her own, she was the only one capable of steering the family through its disarray.

At that moment, the third wife and Thái Thịnh Phát descended the stairs hand in hand, their closeness serving as a stark reminder of their bond. The sight only intensified the tension in the room. The two other wives clenched their fists, their faces flushing with anger. Every look and word from them brimmed with jealousy and frustration.

The first wife, unable to bear the affectionate display between her husband and the third wife, felt increasingly sidelined. The second wife fared no better, infuriated by the favoritism shown to Yên Pha and her mother, even though she had failed to produce a male heir—a longstanding expectation of the family.

Thái Thịnh Phát, noticing the simmering tension as he descended, cast a sharp glance at his wives, his voice breaking through the charged silence:

"What's all this commotion? Does this house have no order?"

Sensing that things could escalate into a heated argument, Yên Pha took the initiative to defuse the situation. She smiled gently and spoke with a soothing tone:

"It's nothing, Father. First and Second Mother were just asking about me."

Her voice was calm but firm, a subtle way of ending the confrontation without further explanation. Her words acted like a cool breeze, slightly easing the tense atmosphere.

Thái Thịnh Phát, scanning the room, noted the storm brewing in his wives' expressions. His gaze hardened, a silent warning to them. Then, he spoke, his tone steady but commanding:

"Good. Now let's all sit down for dinner. It seems everyone is hungry."

His words, though simple, carried authority, leaving no room for further disputes. He looked again at his wives, a subtle reminder that harmony and respect were essential during family gatherings.

Yên Pha, undeterred by the earlier conflict, smiled lightly and moved toward the dining table. The first and second wives, though still seething, refrained from speaking further and followed suit. The family gathered at the table, each harboring their own thoughts and emotions. Yên Pha, however, remained steadfast, fully aware that every meal, every family meeting, was an unspoken battlefield she had to navigate with unwavering determination.

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