The faint, lingering scent of Oolong tea wafted through the air, yet it did nothing to ease the suffocating tension. Adisorn sat regally on the leather sofa, his sharp gaze fixed on Zhou Mi Ling. The beautiful Chairwoman now looked as fragile as a piece of cut crystal on the verge of shattering.
"Thank you for taking the time to meet me," Adisorn said, his voice a low, velvety baritone. Yet, his eyes scrutinized every breath she took. "I know you've been under immense pressure lately... between the internal audits and the impending merger."
"What is it you need to discuss, Mr. Markrim?" Mi Ling tried to gather the remnants of her composure, sitting upright to maintain her noble facade. However, her tightly interlaced fingers betrayed the frantic nerves hidden within.
Adisorn slowly slid a thick dossier across the table toward her. "I do... and it's something rather concerning for your future."
Mi Ling opened the file. Within seconds, her face—adorned with expensive cosmetics—turned deathly pale. The financial irregularities linked to Fei Yuan Assets and the detailed evidence of embezzled funds were laid bare. He had her cornered.
"What... what do you mean by this?" her voice trembled, sounding like someone gasping for air.
Adisorn retrieved the file, handling it as delicately as if it were a priceless treasure. "It means... your entire track record over the past five years is now firmly in my hands."
Mi Ling closed her eyes, tears welling as she prepared for the blackmail that would surely destroy her. But the sentence that followed made her heart skip a beat.
"But you needn't worry... I've chosen not to report this." Adisorn leaned in closer, the cold pressure in his eyes melting into a masterfully crafted show of sympathy. "I understand you. Sometimes, circumstances force us to cross the line just to survive. You did it because of the uncertainty of the future, didn't you?"
The consoling words acted like a shield, making her heart flutter. The lethal charm of the man before her began to blur her judgment. Does he have feelings for me? Is that why he's risking everything to cover up such a severe crime?
"Mr. Markrim, I..." She became the "pitiful victim," unsure of how to handle the sudden shift. Her hand remained frozen on the table. Adisorn moved closer until she could feel his warmth and the faint, intoxicating scent of his cologne.
"I see potential in you," Adisorn said, lightly touching the back of her hand. The gentle contact sent a jolt through her. "Even if you've made mistakes..." He paused for a beat. "Mistakes massive enough to land you in a prison cell." A chilling smile flickered across his god-like features for a split second. "But if you remain a person of quality... then I believe someone like you belongs in CK Group."
He offered a poised smirk. Mi Ling looked up at him, her fear now hopelessly entangled with infatuation.
"What exactly do you want..." she asked weakly, trying to find the truth behind his eyes. Adisorn let out a satisfied hum.
"I will support your appointment as the Director of Planning and Resource Control for the Hydrogen Project."
The answer left her stunned. "Why help me this much? Or are you just keeping me as bait?"
Adisorn smiled inwardly. The woman still has a sharp edge.
"Have you ever thought... that someone like you is good enough to be the Chairperson of CK Group?"
Mi Ling froze. "What do you mean? Wen Jie is the sole heir..."
"CK is in disarray because of Gawin," Adisorn lowered his voice as if sharing a deadly secret. "Chairman Li Ming is doubting his own son and is always looking for a new option. If Gawin can be a contender, why can't a woman as talented as you? If you're strong enough... I will stand by you." He gave her a meaningful, sideways smile.
Mi Ling bit her lip, searching his gaze. She was a woman facing professional death, suddenly handed an impossible lifeline. If she didn't reach out and grab it, she would never have another chance.
"You don't want to lose to the person who is making KCC disappear, do you?" Adisorn added, pouring oil onto the dying embers of her ambition until they roared back to life.
"Do you really believe that?" she tested him. Adisorn straightened up and nodded.
"I do," he said, his gaze as steady as an oath.
"Don't you think what you're proposing is... a bit too ambitious?"
"And what do you think? Is it too ambitious... or is it an opportunity?" Adisorn's smirk grew cunning. He lowered his voice even further. "Your father once dreamed of reaching that summit... and deep down, you desire the same."
He watched her carefully as she began to succumb to his suggestions. "Think carefully... if you don't seize this now, and one day these documents end up in the hands of your enemies... what happens to you then?" He tapped the file with his finger, as if directing the flow of her fate.
"You don't have many choices. Either stop here and walk to the execution grounds... or ascend to the summit where no one dares to oppose you again."
Mi Ling clenched her fists, her ambition fully ignited by his manipulation. "Fine... I'll do as you suggest."
"Correct choice," he praised, flashing a thin smile. "I believe you'll make it to the top." The smile was dangerous, yet radiated enough warmth to keep her heart racing.
"What must I do?" she asked, her confidence wavering. Adisorn raised an eyebrow, his eyes glinting with a dark, calculated light.
"For now, do nothing but wait for my signal. But once you assume your position in the Hydrogen Project... your first task is to destroy Mr. Gawin. You must strip him of his Directorship... no matter how 'dirty' the method."
Mi Ling recoiled slightly. In that moment, she felt the raw cold-bloodedness of the man before her. However, her infatuation completely blinded her fear. She surrendered her destiny to him, unaware that the warm embrace she felt was merely the Poisoned Honey of a demon—ready to end her life the moment she outlived her usefulness.