Inside the office, the only sound was the rhythmic ticking of a clock. Amber light from the desk lamp cast long, distorted shadows across walls lined with ancient artifacts and leather-bound books. Ming Zhi stood motionless by the floor-to-ceiling window, his gaze fixed on the Shanghai skyline as the dusk bled into shades of bruised crimson.
A sharp, staccato knock broke the silence. A young secretary stepped in, his footsteps phantom-quiet. "An update, sir..."
"Speak," Ming Zhi said, his voice flat, not even bothering to turn around.
"Reports indicate AP Markrim was ambushed in his suite by a professional hit squad... but he survived."
Ming Zhi let out a low, dry chuckle, a mocking smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "An assassination attempt? Hmph... it seems someone else wants his head as much as we do."
He lowered his arms and turned, his eyes locking onto the report. "And what about Gawin?"
"Intel shows he is the CEO of Wonder Package a man who climbed to the top through sheer merit alone. No blood relation or personal history with Markrim whatsoever. But Gawin is a documented ally of ZX Capital."
Ming Zhi's brow furrowed into deep lines. "So Gawin is backed by ZX Capital and likely supported by Away Logistics as well."
"As for AP Markrim's history..." the secretary continued, opening a file. "He's Thai-Singaporean. His record prior to joining ZX was unremarkable. He only began to glow once he entered the firm, rising to Senior Manager with frightening speed. His internal power base is rock-solid near impossible to sabotage from within."
Ming Zhi narrowed his eyes at Markrim's photo. "A record that clean is a record that's been manufactured. This might not even be his real identity."
"There is one more anomaly, sir." The secretary adjusted his glasses. "That old hole-in-the-wall restaurant the secretary team visited with the other committee members it was ransacked by thugs the exact same night Markrim was attacked."
Ming Zhi froze. Same night? His mind raced through the connections. "Too coincidental. Find out what secret is buried between that place and Markrim. The relationships that don't make sense are always the most dangerous."
"Understood, sir." The secretary hesitated before delivering the next blow. "As for Thailand... Yong Chang has gone dark."
"What is that viper planning?" Ming Zhi slammed his hand onto the desk. Bang! "Weren't his accounts frozen?"
"He reportedly sought help from a major construction tycoon, then vanished into thin air."
"Stepping on two boats..." Ming Zhi hissed through gritted teeth. "He's looking for a new branch to perch on. Tell Committee Member Chen handle it. Silence him permanently. No loose ends."
"Yes, sir." The secretary turned to leave, then paused. "One more critical matter: Gawin just nominated an accountant as Mi Ling's personal secretary."
Ming Zhi's head snapped up. "Who?"
"Rong Ru. A protégé from Committee Member Chen's department."
"Chen's?" Ming Zhi's paranoia flared, the air in the room turning suffocating. "Gawin is playing a game. Why plant Chen's person right next to Mi Ling?"
He crossed his arms, the complexity of the board pressing down on him. "Summon Committee Member Chen. Now."
"Yes, sir."
Once the door closed, Ming Zhi returned to the window, murmuring into the gathering dark.
"A third party gunning for Markrim's head… or are Gawin and Markrim just bait to force my hand? Who's really holding the strings in this game…?"
Mi Ling exhaled a long, blissful breath. Slender fingers traced the edge of the expensive mahogany desk in her sprawling new office. The afternoon sun flooded the modern suite, and the panoramic view of Shanghai's skyscrapers made her feel like she'd reclaimed the pyramid's peak KCC's ruins forgotten, now Director of Planning and Resource Control for the mega hydrogen project.
Knock. Knock.
A young woman entered and bowed politely clean features, sharp intelligence in her eyes.
"Good day, Director Mi Ling. I am Rong Ru, your new personal secretary."
Mi Ling gave her a fleeting, arrogant glance. "Glad to know you. Work hard and most importantly, learn to anticipate my every need. Clear?"
"Understood, ma'am." Rong Ru bowed, a faint smile masking the tremor of disbelief beneath.
One hour earlier…
A lightning transfer order had struck the accounting department, sending shockwaves through the office. Rong Ru the overlooked nobody had been handpicked as secretary for a ten-billion-dollar project. Even Committee Member Chen, her former patron, sat stunned. The directive bore Chairman Li Ming's personal signature.
Heart pounding, Rong Ru rushed to Gawin's office suite. "Did you help me?" she asked Tarm, who sat at the outer desk, eyes shining.
Tarm looked up from his files with a warm smile before standing. "Congratulations on a position that finally matches your talent."
"I can't believe it... thank you so much, Tarm."
"It wasn't me." Tarm lowered his voice, glancing toward the inner door. "Director Gawin pushed for this personally."
"Director Gawin?" Rong Ru's eyes widened.
"Yes. I once told him how hardworking and talented you are a rare grasp of accounting. He said someone like you shouldn't be pickled in the back office for the rest of your life."
Tears welled in Rong Ru's eyes. She bowed repeatedly. "Thank you... truly..." Then she met his gaze steadily. "If there's ever anything I can do if you need intel from the planning department just say the word."
Tarm regarded her gently, shaking his head with a soft smile.
"No need. Neither Gawin nor I want to use you as a tool. Seeing someone as capable as you become a key gear in this project that's reward enough."
The selfless words struck deep. Rong Ru smiled wide, vowing silently: Even if they never ask she would use this position to protect and watch over the man who gave her a new life. She would guard Gawin until the very end.
After she left, Gawin's door eased open. The young Director poked his head out, dimples flashing in a knowing grin, and winked at Tarm.
Tarm nodded back subtly, quietly.
The first small piece placed on the board. Seemingly insignificant. But when the storm finally came, that pawn would become the shield that no one saw coming.