Within the velvet-lined walls of the private dining suite, the crystal chandeliers cast a fractured brilliance across the cut glassware, illuminating an atmosphere of absolute opulence. Every detail—from the weight of the silver to the silk wallpaper—screamed exclusivity. Gawin and Tum entered with a measured, executive stride, and the moment the doors opened, Adisorn rose to greet them with a perfectly tailored smile.
Their eyes met for a fleeting second. The warmth of their true friendship was instantly replaced by a seamless curtain of professional formality. Adisorn, clad in a charcoal-grey suit that radiated the high-stakes authority of ZX Capital, looked every bit the elite financier.
"I am A.P. Markrim from ZX Capital. It is a distinct honor to meet you, Mr. Gawin," Adisorn said, his voice dropping into a resonant baritone as he extended his hand for a firm, international greeting.
"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Markrim," Gawin replied with a polished smile. "Your reputation as the premier negotiator for ZX Capital precedes you. I truly admire how a leader of your generation has climbed to such heights through sheer merit."
Tum, playing the role of the stoic secretary, bowed slightly. His eyes didn't linger on the delicacies being prepared; instead, they performed a tactical sweep of the room. His gaze locked onto a waiter standing motionless in the corner. An amber-red aura pulsed from the man—the color of predatory curiosity. This "rat" was waiting for them to slip up.
"You are far too humble, Mr. Gawin," Adisorn said, reclining with an air of relaxed elegance. "The growth rate of Wonder Package under your leadership is precisely what investors across Asia are watching with bated breath."
Gawin leaned in slightly, lowering his voice just enough to pull the room into a conspiratorial huddle. "Mr. Markrim... as you are aware, tomorrow marks the historic signing between Wonder Package and the CK Group." He locked eyes with Adisorn, his gaze heavy with intent. "I believe it would be beneficial for all parties if ZX Capital joined this alliance as a core partner."
Adisorn nodded slowly, a subtle smirk playing on his lips. "An intriguing proposal... but it is quite a coincidence. I happen to have a private audience scheduled with Dr. Li Ming tomorrow as well."
Gawin raised an eyebrow in a perfectly timed display of surprise. "Oh? Then perhaps in the near future, we will see a grand tri-party venture with ZX Capital providing the backbone." He flashed a cunning smile, catching the waiter's reflection as the man pretended to pour wine with agonizing slowness. Gawin decided it was time to drop the "bomb."
"Then I assume you are already aware of the situation between VCC and the CK Group...?"
Adisorn gave a slow, deliberate nod. "The whispers suggest that CK Group is facing a lethal cash flow crisis," A.P. Markrim replied, his eyes flickering toward the corner of the room. Gawin's smile widened as he lowered his voice to a whisper.
"Wouldn't it be a grand gesture... if ZX Capital offered a debt-clearing term for the CK Group? I'm certain Dr. Li Ming would never refuse such a hand of friendship from ZX."
As the final word left Gawin's lips, the waiter finished pouring. He bowed with feigned humility and retreated from the room. The moment the door shielded him, his hand dived under his service tray, retrieving a miniature smartphone. The encrypted video file of the conversation was already uploading to the cloud—sent directly to the private server of Lu Rong.