The morning sun ignited the glass facade of the CK Group headquarters, turning the skyscraper into a colossal, shimmering monolith that dominated the Shanghai skyline. At its base, the world moved like a feverish hive; executive sedans glided to the curb and throngs of employees marched through the revolving doors. Among them, Adisorn—now fully embodied as A.P. Markrim—stepped out of a black luxury vehicle.
He was a vision of flawless executive power. His navy-blue suit was tailored with surgical precision to his lean, athletic frame. His spine was a line of absolute confidence, and his polished black Oxfords rang out against the marble floor as he entered the lobby. The vastness of the atrium, with its soaring ceilings, usually made men feel small. Adisorn, however, seemed to command the very air within it.
As he approached the central reception desk, a ripple of silence followed him. Staff members turned in unison, stunned by a sharp, ethereal handsomeness that felt almost unreal in a corporate setting.
"I am A.P. Markrim from ZX Capital. I have a scheduled audience with Dr. Li Ming," he stated. His voice was a rich, resonant baritone that snapped the receptionist out of her trance.
"O-of course..." she stammered, her eyes wide as she reached for the internal line, unable to look away from the "god-given" features of the man before her. "Mr. A.P. Markrim has arrived," she whispered into the receiver. Hanging up, she offered a deferential smile. "Please wait a moment. Mr. Lewis will be down to escort you."
Within minutes, Lewis, the Chairman's impeccably groomed aide, appeared. He led Adisorn to the glass elevator, which shot upward like a silver bullet. The city of Shanghai shrank beneath their feet, dissolving into a sprawl of miniatures beneath a veil of morning mist. The doors slid open to the executive penthouse—the inner sanctum of the CK Group's power.
Adisorn stepped through the massive rosewood doors. The morning light flooded the room, silhouetting the man at the head of the table. Dr. Li Ming sat motionless, like an emperor on a throne of shadow. His silver hair caught the light, and his eyes—as sharp as a mountain hawk's—tracked Adisorn's every move without a single blink.
Adisorn stopped at a respectful distance, his breathing rhythmic and calm. He bowed his head slightly, the perfect blend of humility and strength.
"Good morning, Dr. Li Ming," Adisorn projected. "I am A.P. Markrim, representing ZX Capital."
Li Ming narrowed his eyes, the old lion's instinct immediately probing for a weakness.
"Sit, Mr. Markrim," he said, gesturing to the seat directly opposite him. Adisorn placed his leather briefcase down and took his seat, the vast Huangpu River serving as the dramatic backdrop to their confrontation.
"The global fund known as the 'Success Hunters' arrives at my doorstep on the very day I am surrounded by vultures," Li Ming remarked, his voice laced with a challenging edge. "I assume you've brought more than just a polite greeting."
Adisorn offered a faint, stoic smile. "ZX Capital may be hunters of success, but we are also allies who recognize the value of a fortress. Especially one standing in the eye of a gathering storm."
"Then you know the nature of the storm the CK Group is facing," the Chairman noted, leaning back into his leather chair.
"The CK Group is a titan that can weather any gale; its core potential remains immense," Adisorn replied, meeting Li Ming's gaze with unyielding focus. "Your problem isn't the business itself. It is a temporary constriction in the financial plumbing—a liquidity trap. One that we are prepared to help you bypass."
Li Ming's lips curled into a dry, mirthless smile. "And ZX Capital, masters of tearing down and rebuilding, comes to me now as a charity?"
Adisorn laced his fingers together on the table. "We are not a charity, Dr. Ming. We are investors who trade in fair exchange. Think of us as financial explorers who have discovered a stable future within the CK Group. We aren't here to exploit you; we are here to provide the armor. With ZX Capital's liquidity as your shield, your energy projects will be untouchable. They will not collapse halfway through; they will reach the finish line."
Li Ming stared deep into Adisorn's eyes, searching for the lie. Instead, he found a reflection of his own ambition.
"A stable future..." Li Ming murmured, almost to himself. "A reason worth the risk, indeed."