In Lines Of Love ~ Kimchay

37. Happy fucking valentines

The decorations were all about love.

How ironic.

He sat in a high-end café, fingers loosely wrapped around the stem of a wine glass, though he hadn't taken a single sip.

He was skeptical.

The chandeliers above cast a warm golden glow, their light catching on the delicate satin lace of his carefully chosen outfit.

To use himself for something.

To become something.

To stop being a liability.

To stop being a burden.

Tonight, he was not just Porchay Kittisawasd.

Tonight, he was a chess piece in Korn Theerapanyakul’s grand game.
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"He's not coming, Anakinn. Start," Korn said, flipping through the file in front of him.

The long, polished conference table stretched across the dimly lit room, the tension in the air thick enough to choke on.

Tankhun sat at the head of the table, his fingers steepled under his chin as he observed the gathered members.

Porsche, seated beside him, leaned forward, brows furrowed. Across from them, Macau reclined lazily, the only representative from the Minor Family. As Vegas was still recovering.

The war had rewritten alliances, forcing the two families into an uneasy union under the Theerapanyakul name.

Porsche's control over the Minor Family's business had sealed the arrangement, but the road ahead was anything but smooth.

One seat remained empty.

His seat.

And then there was, Porchay sat at the back of the room, his fingers clasped tightly in his lap. He didn't belong here.

The towering shelves of legal books, the golden accents, the sheer oppressiveness of the room everything about it screamed croupted power. And him?

He felt like a mouse in a rattrap.

Kinn, sitting beside his father, tapped on his laptop. The large screen at the end of the room flickered, casting an eerie glow.

"Father, have you reviewed the report?" Kinn asked.

Korn gave a brief nod but didn't lift his gaze from the folder.

Click. The next slide appeared...a detailed graph.

"As the data shows, expanding our arms trade in China could be highly lucrative. Their buyers are willing to pay far more than our current clients."

Korn remained silent, fingers tapping lightly against the table as he digested the information.

Another click. The next slide revealed an image. A violent standoff.

Anon stood with a gun aimed at You Long Tang's younger brother, while Kai smirked, flanked by an overwhelming number of guards. The Theerapanyakuls were outnumbered.

The room tensed. Whispers broke out among the assembled ministers, CEOs, and key family members.

"What is he doing?" Khun asked, for once without his usual playful tone.

Kinn sighed. "He's blocking access to the ports. He never did this before"

A few murmurs rose. Korn finally looked up, arching an eyebrow.

"We tried negotiations out of respect for his father, Tian Hao Tang. You all know they were once allies. But You Long Tang doesn't want diplomacy. He refuses to budge."