Originally translated from the Thai language.
Realizing that leaving things as they were would end in disaster, Tum turned to catch Feng and Zhenhao's eyes. He forced an anxious, pale expression onto his face, acting as though he had just received catastrophic news.
"Directors!" Tum blurted out, swiftly cutting into the center of their conversation.
Feng froze, his brows knitting together in confusion. "What is it, Secretary? Why do you look in such a frantic rush?"
"Have you forgotten the urgent matter scheduled for tonight?" Tum asked, holding their gaze with deep insinuation. "I just received an alert from the central secretariat. Dr. Li Ming requires all executive directors to be on standby for an emergency video conference... happening in just a few hours."
Feng and Zhenhao exchanged stunned, wide-eyed glances. "What?! An emergency meeting tonight? Why so sudden? We received absolutely no prior notice about this!"
"I am not entirely sure, sir," Tum supplemented with an impeccably manufactured look of worry. "But rumor has it that it concerns unjustifiable outstanding budgets and the cost-reduction blueprints that must be presented to the grand board tomorrow morning. If you are unprepared when the Chairman calls on you... I fear the repercussions will be severe."
Panic seized Director Feng so intensely he could barely keep his footing.
"Right! Okay, Secretary. Thank you so much for rushing over to warn us," Feng told Tum, offering a weak, trembling smile before turning frantically to Ohm. "I am terribly sorry, Master Ohm, but we must cancel our appointment immediately. A true corporate emergency has arisen. Let us catch up another day!"
The two executives practically sprinted out of the restaurant, leaving an abrupt, heavy silence in their wake.
Tum stood motionless, tracking their retreating figures until they vanished completely. He then turned his gaze back to Ohm.
"I must take my leave as well..." Tum muttered softly, his tone dropping into a distant, detached cadence—as though they were mere strangers.
With that, Tum walked out of the establishment in the exact opposite direction of the two directors, while the shadowy figure tailing them slipped out from their hiding spot to follow.
{"hr":true}
In a smaller executive briefing room, Li Ming reviewed the latest progress reports for the Hydrogen Project. Gawin led the presentation, while Wenjie and several high-ranking board members sat in attendance.
"And this is the project we will utilize for our grand launch: Hydrogen Valley," Gawin announced, projecting a dynamic 3D digital model of a prototype energy empire onto the screen, mapped directly over KCC’s territory.
"By modifying and capitalizing on KCC’s existing infrastructure adjacent to the shipping port, we gain unparalleled access to water resources and maritime logistics. We will convert this site into an electrolysis plant to produce hydrogen from renewable energy, leveraging the pipeline networks and docks to pilot our logistics framework. If we control everything from the production process straight down to fuel distribution... CK Group will dictate hydrogen pricing in the market. This will lock in our transportation costs while cementing a massive strategic advantage for all subsidiaries under our umbrella."
A blueprint mapping the refueling station network along ASEAN's primary trade arteries illuminated the screen.
"Once the Hydrogen Valley prototype achieves success, we will use this exact blueprint to deploy our hydrogen empire across the Xiongan New Area," Gawin reported.
Li Ming studied the digital blueprint with immense satisfaction. "Hmm, remarkable. If this proceeds according to plan matching both the budget and timeline this project will undoubtedly become a dark horse in the stock market." The Chairman began to applaud Gawin, prompting others to follow.
However, Wenjie’s lips curled into a disdainful sneer. He locked eyes with Fan Mingzhi, who offered a subtle nod of consensus. Wenjie immediately interjected in a heavy, commanding tone.
"An industrial project on this scale... will it not severely jeopardize our cash flow? You are well aware that our project's current liquidity status is far from ideal." Several board members nodded in unison.
Gawin met the challenge with a calm, practiced smile. "You are entirely correct, sir. The project currently faces liquidity constraints. However, do not forget that a mega-project of this magnitude possesses the gravity to pull in massive institutional investors. Over the past five years, global capital flowing into ESG and Green Funds has broken past exponential thresholds skyrocketing from $500 billion to a staggering $3 trillion USD this year. The faster we launch the Hydrogen Valley blueprint, the faster that global capital floods into our reserves." Gawin displayed a comparative growth chart that made the data blindingly obvious.
Wenjie crossed his arms in frustrated silence, utterly lacking the counter-data required to challenge Gawin’s defense.
"Furthermore, a prominent logistics corporation in Thailand recognized this monumental opportunity and has submitted an official expression of interest through our project, requesting to establish a Southeast Asian Hydrogen Energy Sandbox. That company is Away Logistics."
Mingzhi, sitting silently in the corner of the room, instantly widened his eyes. A look of sheer shock flashed across his face as he stared at Gawin. For months, Mingzhi had actively suppressed and delayed any energy collaboration proposals from this specific Thai corporation. Yet here was Gawin, bypassing him entirely to pitch it directly to the Chairman without warning.
"Away Logistics will be the first pioneer in Asia to purchase hydrogen fuel from us, and they are prepared to lock into a long-term fuel consumption covenant," Gawin stated, placing the hard-data dossiers directly in front of the Chairman. Mingzhi clenched his fists into white knuckles, watching Li Ming flip through the report he could no longer intercept.
"Away Logistics actually attempted to contact our regional representatives regarding this sandbox scheme on multiple occasions prior to this," Gawin added smoothly. "However, CK Group never offered a single response."
Li Ming’s brows knitted tightly. He whipped his gaze toward the directors in the room. "Is this true? How has a matter of such strategic importance never reached my desk? Who is responsible for managing our interests in Thailand?"
The Chairman’s razor-sharp gaze pierced through everyone in the room. Mingzhi stammered, scrambling to maintain a serene facade before Li Ming’s scrutiny.
"I... I have only just received the report regarding this matter from our Thai operatives a few moments ago, Chairman," Mingzhi claimed, his voice tight. "The regional team reported that the proposal was still undergoing rigorous legal compliance verification. Therefore, I had not yet escalated it to your attention..."
"And yet, Away Logistics explicitly confirmed... that they submitted these documents months ago through your Thai representative, Yongchang, alongside sending multiple duplicate copies directly here to our Shanghai headquarters," Gawin countered cleanly.
Li Ming’s eyes snapped toward Mingzhi, his jaw clenching with absolute fury.
"How could an administrative failure of this magnitude occur under your watch?!" Li Ming bellowed, his voice booming through the room.
Mingzhi’s face drained of color, turning as white as a sheet of paper. "I... I will personally audit the document trail immediately, sir, and demand an official explanation from our Thai operatives," the old strategist replied weakly, cold sweat visibly breaking out along his hairline.
Meanwhile, Gawin maintained a polite, subtle smile as he laid another comprehensive file before the Chairman.
"And here is the initial analytical framework and draft agreement that Away Logistics has provided for your consideration, Chairman. Should you grant your approval... I propose we schedule a formal negotiation with Away Logistics by next week."
Li Ming closed the file and nodded decisively. "Agreed. I approve. Secure the appointment with Away Logistics immediately so we can evaluate their operational framework and proposals. I’m leaving this entirely in your hands, Gawin."
The Chairman offered a wide, thoroughly satisfied smile, while the Thai CEO offered a respectful, humble bow. "Understood, sir."
Mingzhi’s fists trembled with unadulterated rage as he stared a hole through Gawin. He had used Yongchang to stall Away Logistics for months, only for Gawin to utterly dismantle his chess board in a single move. It was clear that this Thai CEO would remain a constant, fatal thorn in his side. If left unchecked, Gawin would eventually bring about his total annihilation.
The time has come,
Mingzhi thought, a dark, murderous intent settling over his features.
This man must be permanently eliminated.