Tum knew better than anyone that every second Feng and Zhen Hao remained in the spotlight at this gallery was a risk to their entire operation. Catching a glimpse of flickering shadows—mysterious followers hidden outside the alley—he decided to intervene. He stepped toward the two directors with a frantic air, his face masked with the agitation of someone who had just received dire news.
"Directors!" Tum blurted out, wedging himself into the center of their conversation.
Feng started, his brows knitting in confusion. "What is it? Why are you in such a hurry?"
"Have you forgotten tonight's urgent matter?" Tum asked, his expression stoic yet laced with a palpable sense of panicked urgency. "I've just received confirmation from the central secretariat. Dr. Li Ming requires all executive directors to be ready for a video conference... in just a few hours."
The color drained from Feng and Zhen Hao's faces. They exchanged wary glances. "What! An emergency budget meeting tonight?" Their hearts hammered. "Why so sudden? we haven't heard a word about this!"
"The Chairman intends to dive deep into the unjustifiable outstanding budgets and the cost-cutting plans that must be rushed to the main board," Tum added, his voice grim. "If you aren't prepared when he calls... I fear the situation will take a turn for the worse."
The fear of their hidden indiscretions being unearthed sent Feng into a state of near-paralysis.
"Understood, Secretary! Thank you for the warning," Feng told Tum with a faint, trembling smile. He turned to Ohm, his movements erratic. "Forgive us, Master, but we must cancel abruptly. An emergency has come up. We'll speak another time!"
The two executives hurried out, leaving the gallery to be reclaimed by a heavy silence.
Tum stood still, watching their retreating backs until they vanished. The panic that had filled his eyes a moment ago evaporated, replaced by a cold, sharp stillness. He adjusted his suit before locking eyes with Ohm for a fleeting second.
"I should head out as well..." Tum murmured, his voice distant, like that of a stranger.
He stepped out into the night, moving in the opposite direction of the directors. He utilized the shadows of the buildings to cloak his movements, ensuring the eyes stalking from the dark would never know he was watching them right back.
Li Ming sat at the head of the conference table, an 'Old Dragon' observing the shifting world through eyes that had weathered decades of storms. Beside him sat his son, Wen Jie, whose gaze was fixed intently on Gawin.
"In summary..." Gawin spoke, his voice resonant and commanding as he stood before a 3D model of a hydrogen production plant. "The goal of this project is to build a clean energy empire, known as the Hydrogen Valley, by leveraging KCC's infrastructure to cover the entire hydrogen ecosystem."
Li Ming nodded slowly, his approval evident. Gawin shifted his laser pointer to the next slide.
"If we control everything from the upstream production to the downstream distribution... CK Group will become the primary price-setter for hydrogen energy in Asia," Gawin emphasized, his sharp gaze sweeping across the board. "We can pin transportation costs at their most profitable margins while creating a massive strategic advantage for CLS Logistics."
A map of refueling station networks spanning major ASEAN routes flashed on the screen.
"Once Hydrogen Valley is realized, CK Group will profit from both the consumption and the sale of this energy in a complete cycle. We will be the model that proves to the world that clean energy isn't just a hollow ideal—it is the business that will reshape the world forever." Gawin delivered his report with unwavering confidence.
"The plan you've laid out... is remarkably airtight," Li Ming noted.
Wen Jie, listening from the side, let out a mocking smirk. He adjusted his tie to ease his rising discomfort before interjecting in a deep, heavy tone.
"However... I have more than a few doubts about this project," Wen Jie said, casting a glance toward the board. "Adding the burden of such a large-scale project while our current cash flow is struggling and investor confidence is murky... is it not too reckless to play this hand during such uncertain times?"
The room fell into a deathly silence. Li Ming narrowed his eyes at his son before shifting his gaze to Gawin to see how he would handle the impact.
"Mr. Wen Jie's concerns regarding investment capital are entirely valid," Gawin replied smoothly, yet his eyes were as sharp as a scalpel. "But to be a global leader, we shouldn't sit around waiting for rivals to build stations in front of us only for us to follow in their wake. CK Group was built to be the Dragon's Head that dictates the market's direction, not the Lion's Tail that merely swishes with someone else's wind."
Gawin knew it was time to play his final trump card.
"I understand this project has been questioned over budget overruns for years... but so that you don't have to listen to more hollow figures, I have a major update. We have received a formal expression of interest from a logistics giant in Thailand... Away Logistics. They wish to join this project as our primary 'Sandbox' partner in Southeast Asia."
At the mention of Away Logistics, Ming Zhi, sitting in the corner, went deathly pale. His hands, clasped on the table, shook so violently he had to hide them beneath the desk.
"Away Logistics will be the first in Asia to purchase energy from us, committing to a long-term fuel contract that will generate massive revenue from day one of operations."
Gawin placed the in-depth dossiers before the Chairman. Li Ming picked them up, his expression a mix of surprise and intrigue.
"Away Logistics?" Li Ming repeated in a low tone. "Why has information of this magnitude never reached my ears? Who is responsible for filtering intelligence from Thailand?"
The Chairman's piercing gaze snapped instantly to Ming Zhi.
"Uh... well... I..." Ming Zhi stammered, scrambling to gather his shattered composure. "I only received the preliminary report last night, Chairman... it was still undergoing legal verification, so I had not yet presented it to you personally..."
Ming Zhi narrowly managed an excuse, though cold sweat began to bead at his hairline. Meanwhile, Gawin offered a faint smile—the smile of a man holding all the winning cards.
"I have prepared the analysis and the draft memorandum in this file," Gawin handed another stack to Li Ming. "If the Chairman approves... I propose we begin formal negotiations within the next week."
Li Ming reviewed the documents thoroughly before erupting into a boisterous, good-natured laugh. "Excellent, Mr. Gawin... You have performed so brilliantly I can hardly believe my eyes."
Wen Jie clenched his fists, barely able to contain his boiling emotions.
"Since you are the architect of this project, I am appointing you as the head of the negotiation team with Away Logistics. I want the swiftest progress possible." The Chairman smiled broadly with satisfaction, while Gawin accepted the command with a stoic bow... a stark contrast to the eyes of Ming Zhi and Wen Jie, which burned with a resentment as volatile as a volcano on the verge of eruption.