Title: Shadows of Deception: A Tale of Love

Chapter 8 : Love and Peonies

In the dimly lit confines of his office, Dawn sat behind his sleek mahogany desk, papers scattered in front of him. He glanced at the clock, waiting for Saran to arrive for their usual clandestine meeting. The door opened, and Saran swept in, her demeanour as poised and regal as ever. She closed the door behind her, ensuring their privacy.
"Dawn, what's the latest?" she asked, settling into the chair opposite him.
Dawn leaned forward, a gleam of excitement in his eyes. "I've uncovered something big. Non has a secret fund—over 700 million baht—stashed away in Babe's name. The details of the document in question are well hidden."
Saran's expression shifted to one of frustration and anger. "That bastard Non! And that spoiled brat Babe! They think they're so clever, hiding money from me!"
"What do you plan to do?" Dawn asked, his tone measured.
Saran took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "First, get your shit together and get along with Babe. Make him trust you. We need to find out where those documents are hidden."
Dawn nodded, but before he could respond, Saran dropped a couple of photographs on his desk. Dawn picked them up, his eyes widening in recognition. They were Joon, the same man he had seen with Babe in the parking lot.
"Isn't that the guy you were seeing back in the US?" Saran asked, her voice dripping with disdain.
Dawn was half-shocked, half-not. He had not mistaken it. It was indeed Joon he saw with Babe in the car park. "It is," he replied, a mixture of disbelief and irritation in his voice.
"You can't even keep a man," Saran said with disgust as she stood up to leave. "Get your act together, Dawn. We need to play this right." She walked out, her façade of perfection firmly in place.
Dawn was left alone, grappling with the revelation. Why were Babe and Joon together in the first place? The question gnawed at him. He immediately picked up his phone and called Joon, but there was no answer. Frustration mounting, Dawn looked Joon up online and discovered that he would be in town for months since his competition was over and he was now on vacation.
Determined to get to the bottom of this, Dawn called his secretary, Nam. "Nam, I need you to do a quick run on Joon's location. Find out where he's staying and who he's meeting with."
Nam, efficient as always, responded promptly. "I'll get on it right away, Mr. Manaonan."
As he waited for Nam's report, Dawn's mind raced. The discovery of the secret fund was a game-changer. If they could get their hands on that money, it would solidify their power and eliminate Babe as a threat. But the involvement of Joon complicated matters. He needed to understand the nature of Joon's relationship with Babe and leverage it to their advantage.
Minutes later, Nam called back. "Mr. Manaonan, Joon is staying at the Ritz-Carlton. He has been seen frequently at a few upscale restaurants and bars around town, mostly in the company of a few close friends. No significant meetings so far."
Dawn thanked Nam and hung up, his mind already formulating a plan. He would start by confronting Joon, understanding his intentions, and using their past connection to manipulate the situation. If Joon had any leverage over Babe, Dawn would exploit it.
He leaned back in his chair, a determined smile playing on his lips. This was just the beginning. With Saran's ruthlessness and his cunning, they would uncover Non's hidden secrets and take control of the Warin empire. The stakes were higher than ever, but Dawn thrived on the challenge. He would get close to Babe, win his trust, and then strike when the time was right. The game was on, and Dawn intended to win at any cost.

On the other side of town, Billy was at the airport, eagerly awaiting the arrival of his adoptive father, Taykrit Onsa. It had been 2 years since they had seen each other, owing to Taykrit's extensive business ventures in the Arab Emirates, Nigeria, and other parts of Africa. Finally, Taykrit was back.
Not many people knew the full story behind Billy's adoption. His birth mother had been a young countryside maid working at the Onsa family's vacation house in Chiang Mai. Desperate and unable to care for her child, she had left a nearly half-dead, two-month-old Billy at the doorstep with nothing but a note of apology and a necklace bearing his birthdate. The Onsa family, known for their prestige and significant contributions to the country's economy, had taken him in. Billy became the only son and heir to Taykrit Onsa, alongside his two sisters, Lilly and Yoona. Their mother had tragically died in a helicopter crash on the way to Manila for a holiday, leaving Taykrit to raise his children alone.