The meal continued in heavy silence, but this time, it was no longer a mere sign of tension. Instead, it felt like a quiet introspection, as though each person was drawing their own conclusions. Yên Pha remained seated, calm like an observer on the sidelines, though her sharp eyes missed none of what was unfolding in the room.

As the meal neared its end, the atmosphere remained somber and subdued. The occasional clinking of chopsticks against bowls broke the oppressive quiet but failed to dispel it. Suddenly, the heavy wooden door swung open, drawing all eyes in the room toward it.

Thái Minh Tài appeared, his gait unsteady but his demeanor smug. His wrinkled clothes bore unmistakable traces of a night of indulgence.

"Ah, your precious eldest son finally decided to show up," Mr. Thái said, raising an eyebrow at the first wife, his voice cold and tinged with displeasure. "Where have you been all day? Not even bothering to come home for dinner-do you think I don't matter?"

Minh Tài smirked, unconcerned by the irritation in his father's tone. He strolled in, nonchalantly pulled out a chair, and poured himself a cup of cold tea, as though nothing was amiss.

"Father, I just went out to meet some friends. What's the big deal? No need to raise your voice," he drawled lazily, his words carrying a hint of defiance.

Mr. Thái slammed his hand on the table, the loud thud startling everyone in the room.

"Friends? Always the same excuse! Do you even know what you're doing? This entire family is counting on you, yet all you do is squander money and ignore your responsibilities. If you can't even learn from Yên Pha, at least try to keep up with Hữu Quang and Hữu Thành!"

His words were like daggers aimed straight at Minh Tài's pride. The young man's smirk vanished, replaced by a dark scowl and eyes red with anger.

"You're always like this!" Minh Tài shot to his feet, shoving his chair back. "Always comparing me to Yên Pha and those two brats. I'm the eldest son-I should be the heir, but you never respect me!"

Yên Pha sat quietly, unaffected by the escalating argument. She gently set down her chopsticks and cast a cool, unjudging glance at Minh Tài.

"Elder brother," she said softly, her tone light yet firm. "Father isn't comparing anyone. Each of us has our own responsibilities. If you feel compared, perhaps you should reflect on yourself instead of blaming others."

Her words hit like a splash of cold water, silencing Minh Tài momentarily. He spun around to face her, his fiery gaze locking onto hers.

"What do you know, Yên Pha? You're just a girl, with no real burdens to bear. That's why you can sit there and lecture me!" he snarled bitterly.

Yên Pha remained composed, her expression unflinching. She calmly picked up the tea cup in front of her, took a sip, and replied in an even tone:

"Yes, you're the eldest son, and the burden you carry is indeed heavier. But have you ever contributed anything to this family? This business won't wait for anyone, and it certainly won't stand still for someone who doesn't know how to seize opportunities."

Her words left the room in stunned silence. Minh Tài, though seething with anger, could find no retort. He stood there, fists clenched tightly, as if trying to suppress his rage.

Mr. Thái observed the scene, his gaze heavy with disappointment and weariness. His eyes didn't rest solely on Minh Tài but seemed to encompass the entire room, the fractured relationships within the family. With a deep sigh, his voice dropped, but every word he spoke carried a steely finality:

"Minh Tài, if you don't change, don't blame me. You won't get a single penny from this family."

The room froze, everyone holding their breath at the decisive tone of his declaration. Minh Tài, long accustomed to reprimands, was visibly shaken this time. His face betrayed shock before shifting to anger and unease. His fists clenched tighter, as though searching for words but unable to form them.

Madame Thiên Kim, sensing the escalating tension, hurriedly tried to appease her husband.

"Please, dear, he's still young. Making mistakes is natural. Don't say such harsh things in a moment of anger. Minh Tài is still your eldest son!"

She reached out to hold Mr. Thái's hand, her eyes pleading, but he remained unmoved. He brushed her hand away decisively, his gaze piercing as he turned back to Minh Tài one last time.

"Eldest son? That title must be earned, not handed out. Reflect on yourself."

With that, he turned and left the room, ignoring the worried calls and protests from his wife.

Minh Tài stood frozen, his eyes bloodshot with a mix of anger and humiliation. Madame Thiên Kim, though desperate to comfort her son, found herself at a loss for words. The silence that engulfed her was an unspoken acknowledgment of helplessness.

At the corner of the table, Madame Như Khanh said nothing, but a faint glimmer of satisfaction flickered in her eyes. A subtle smile played on her lips, as though she was already envisioning a brighter future for her sons, Hữu Quang and Hữu Thành. In her mind, Minh Tài's downfall was the opportunity her children needed to rise to power.

Yên Pha, who had remained silent throughout, continued to watch with her usual calm and detached expression. She observed everything-the fury of Minh Tài, the futile pleas of Madame Thiên Kim, and the barely hidden smirk of Madame Như Khanh. Without a word, she stood, bowed politely to everyone, and left the room, leaving behind the tangled web of schemes and unresolved emotions.

The room was now steeped in a heavy silence, a grim reminder that this family, no matter how glamorous its exterior, was teetering on the brink of irreparable division.

As Yên Pha stepped out of the suffocating atmosphere of the dining room, a gentle yet commanding voice called out from behind her:

"Yên Pha."

She stopped and turned to see her mother, Madame Khanh Như. Her mother's eyes brimmed with both deep affection and a sorrow she could not fully conceal. Approaching her daughter, Madame Khanh Như softly took her thin hands in her own, as if trying to offer warmth to make up for the hardships her daughter had endured.

Madame Khanh Như still bore the graceful beauty of a woman of mixed Vietnamese and Thai heritage. Her fair, smooth skin carried a hint of golden warmth, and her deep, dark eyes exuded gentleness layered with experience. Her long black hair was neatly tied up, with a few strands left loose to frame her face in a delicate, soft touch.

She wore a pearl-colored silk áo dài that accentuated her slender figure and elegant demeanor. Her refined features-a high nose bridge and naturally rosy lips-exuded calmness and maternal love.

"You've lost weight again," she said, her voice light but tinged with a hint of emotion. Her eyes flickered with regret as she gazed at her daughter's pale face.

Yên Pha offered a faint smile, her lips curving slightly, though her exhaustion was hard to hide.

"I'm fine, Mother. Don't worry."

Madame Khanh Như sighed, her gentle but firm gaze holding her daughter's.

"Yên Pha, I won't say much, but no matter what you see in front of you or what you feel you deserve, never take anything for granted. This family, this business, all the struggles-it's not what truly matters."

Yên Pha frowned slightly but remained silent. She knew her mother's words were more than just advice; they were a heartfelt reminder born from deep concern.

"I only want you to be at peace. Whatever happens, don't let yourself get entangled in these pointless power struggles. This family has never been a haven of peace. I don't want you to lose yourself in it," Madame Khanh Như continued, her voice steady, yet filled with a quiet plea.

She paused, allowing her words to sink in. After a moment, she looked at her daughter again, her tone softening, but her sadness becoming more evident.

"You're twenty-four now, my dear. It's time to think about starting your own family. Find someone who truly loves you, leave this place, and live a stable, peaceful life. Don't let these things bind you forever."

Looking into her mother's eyes, Yên Pha felt a wave of indescribable emotion. She knew her mother was right, but her life, from childhood to now, had always been defined by responsibility and expectations. How could she break free?

"Mother, I know you're worried for me," she replied calmly, her voice carrying a quiet determination. "But I believe everyone has their own path to walk. I won't let myself get caught up in things that don't belong to me, but I also won't easily give up on what I believe is right."

A flicker of helplessness crossed Madame Khanh Như's face. She knew her daughter's personality-gentle on the surface but steadfast and unyielding beneath.

"I want nothing more than for you to be happy," she said, squeezing her daughter's hand tightly, as if afraid that one day she might lose her entirely.

Yên Pha nodded slightly, saying no more. She bowed her head respectfully to her mother before continuing on her way, leaving behind the small yet strong figure of Madame Khanh Như, a woman who had sacrificed everything for her.

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