In the public park, dozens of elderly people moved with graceful, flowing motions as they practiced Tai Chi a picture of serene harmony. Yet at the very back of the group, three noticeably out-of-place men were struggling to follow the movements, their motions stiff and awkward.
Ohm and Puerk, dressed in baggy tracksuits, tried their best to mimic the instructor, looking like rusty robots running out of oil.
Beside them stood Adisorn, also in a tracksuit, performing the motions with visible reluctance. He had never imagined his life would involve waving his arms around to soft, meditative music. If not for Ohm claiming he had a lead on Yong Chang, he would never have agreed to this ridiculous activity.
"Hey, Mr. Adisorn…" Ohm whispered, extending his arm forward as if they were complete strangers who just happened to be practicing next to each other. "That Yong Chang guy… he's a con artist."
Adisorn turned slowly, stretching his arm with clear annoyance, glancing at Ohm from the corner of his eye. "Everyone already knows he's not a good person."
"But it's worse than that," Ohm continued, bending his knees in a slow, sweeping motion. "He didn't go to Thailand to build partnerships like he was ordered to. He used CK Group's reputation to secretly buy up companies for himself. He even scammed several board members out of their money. Right now, there's a long line of people waiting to skin him alive."
Ohm lowered into a crouch, sweeping his hands outward like a crane spreading its wings. "You can start preparing your revenge. I bet it won't be long before he gets dragged back here."
"And how exactly did you find out that he's been using CK Group's name?" Adisorn asked, turning in sync with the rhythm.
"It was from Director Feng and Director Zhenhua," Ohm replied, winking during the "White Crane Spreads Its Wings" pose. "Those two are now completely convinced I'm a real fortune teller. They spilled everything."
Adisorn's lips curved into a faint, cold smile. "But Yong Chang is a slippery snake. He can cozy up to many sides. That's how he's been able to scam so many people… He's definitely not working alone. For him to pull off something this big, he must have powerful backing."
"I thought the same," Ohm said, raising his eyebrows as he spread his arms wide like a bird in flight.
"He must have a money laundering network," Adisorn narrowed his eyes, scanning their surroundings. "Since he's scammed so many people, I think you need to dig deeper. Find out if he has family or a wife helping him behind the scenes."
"Got it. I'll handle it," Ohm replied.
Thud! "Ouch!"
A loud crash shattered the peaceful atmosphere. The entire Tai Chi group turned in surprise to see Puerk lying flat on his back on the grass, arms and legs flailing after failing a difficult stance. The chubby man quickly waved his hands with an awkward grin.
"I'm fine! Just a little qi disruption!"
Adisorn glanced over and shook his head in disbelief. He really had to entrust his life to this group of so-called professionals?
At the same hour, Gawin stepped into his new role as Director of the Green Hydrogen Project. Tum, his trusted secretary, followed close behind with a mountain of files.
Throughout the corridors, staff bowed respectfully to the new director. Gawin acknowledged them with a polite, practiced smile before entering his spacious new office. The floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the Shanghai skyline, looking like a digital painting.
"Mr. Tum... please coordinate with the Finance Department. I need the historical audit reports for this project immediately," Gawin commanded.
"Understood, Mr. Gawin," Tum replied.
Knock, knock, knock.
A rhythmic tap on the mahogany door echoed. Tum opened it and stiffened. Standing there was Lu Rong, the CFO and financial gatekeeper of the empire, wearing a predatory smile.
In his hands was a glass display case containing a model of an ancient treasure ship, crafted from fragrant sandalwood and bearing the CK Group flag.
"A welcoming gift for the new Director," Lu Rong said, handing the box to Tum. "Tell him I welcome him to the family. I hope this ship carries him toward the wealth... he's dreamed of."
"Would you like to see Mr. Gawin now, sir?" Tum asked politely.
"No need... I was just passing by," Lu Rong replied with a glint in his eyes. "I'll see him at the official board meeting. Until then."
As the CFO walked away, Tum felt a wave of cold dread wash over him. In his vision, the aura surrounding Lu Rong wasn't the usual corporate gold; it was a vortex of deep crimson and obsidian, billowing like a toxic flame—the unmistakable sign of a man consumed by malice and a deadly hidden agenda.