Adisorn stood within the glass elevator as it descended with a silent, fluid motion. The reflection mirrored back the flawless image of A.P. Markrim—a mask of cold, executive perfection. With a soft ding, the doors slid open to the grand lobby.
Before he could take a single step, a lithe, commanding figure blocked his path at close range.
She was a living sculpture of elegance. Dressed in a minimalist designer ensemble that accentuated her slender frame, her porcelain skin contrasted sharply with her raven hair, pulled back into a sophisticated, tight bun. She held her head high, her eyes as calm as a frozen lake hiding a lethal storm beneath the surface.
The woman took a step closer, stopping at a distance that was intimate yet authoritative.
"I am Zhou Miling, President of KCC Group," she said in a level voice. Her piercing gaze bored into Adisorn's eyes, as if searching for a crack in the A.P. Markrim facade.
Adisorn met her gaze with a neutral expression, offering a slight, professional bow.
"A pleasure... I am A.P. Markrim, from ZX Capital."
A faint, ghost of a smile touched his lips. This encounter was no accident. It was a move predicted in a smoke-filled room twenty-four hours ago.
The memory of the secret briefing flickered back... The dim light had caught the focused faces of Gawin, Ohm, Tum, and Rosé as they dissected the CK Group's power structure.
"The key to dismantling Lu Rong lies with KCC Group," Rosé had said, pointing to a projection of a thirty-year-old chemical fertilizer plant—a subsidiary with aging technology but massive land assets.
"Zhou Miling is the President of KCC. She is the daughter of Lu Rong's mistress, but she used her father's influence to climb the ranks." Rosé pulled up a photo of the woman, her beauty so striking the room fell silent. "Despite her origins, she is the child Lu Rong is most proud of—the strategic limb that supports his shadow empire."
Gawin frowned. "So, Dr. Li Ming's order to merge KCC with CLS isn't about business growth... it's a political execution."
"Exactly," Rosé nodded. "If the merger succeeds, KCC is swallowed whole, and Miling is purged from management. It's a cold-blooded plan to amputate Lu Rong's influence." She paused for breath before adding, "Miling is vital to him because his legitimate daughter is an artist with no interest in the family business. Miling is the only one who can carry his torch; she is his front, his legacy, and his pride."
Adisorn had stared at Miling's image on the screen, his mind already spinning the web. "Then she is the only weakness Lu Rong would trade everything to protect."