A few seconds after the hug, Richard stood still. He had not seen it coming.Michelle had a strange way of surprising him every single time. Her actions were rarely dramatic, yet they always managed to reach places inside him that most people could never touch.The warmth of Michelle Donovan’s arms around him felt genuine and it was something Richard rarely experienced in his world. For a moment he stood there, absorbing the comfort of the unexpected gesture.Then, slowly, he lifted his arms around her back and gently across her shoulders before he gave a light reassuring pat.Michelle did not say anything while she held him. She closed her eyes allowing the worry that had built up inside her all the while to fade away little by little.When she finally released him, she stepped back and her expression returned to normal. She did not question him about where he had been or the troubled look she had noticed earlier. Instead, she simply gave him a small smile.“Come,” she said.Withou

A few days had passed since the confrontation between the Washington brothers and since then, there had been tension between them. That morning, Michelle Donovan left the house earlier than usual.She passed through the gates of the mansion with the guards greeting her as usual. Michelle had been gradually returning to her normal schedule despite the recent events, and although Richard was aware of the danger surrounding her, he chose not to restrict her movements.He trusted his security measures and believed that anyone watching would think twice before making a move.But what he did not know was that Michelle was not heading to Glam that morning, instead, her car moved through the city toward a much disturbing destination.The detention facility stood tall at the edge of the district, its high walls and barbed wire creating a clear boundary between the facility and outside. Michelle sat in the back seat as the car slowed to a stop.Her eyes were glued on the building ahead and h

Richard sat behind his desk in his private office at the Apex headquarters. The room was spacious and designed with dark polished wood, floor-to-ceiling glass panels, and a large digital display one side of the wall. The city stretched beyond the glass with rays of sunshine reflecting off the surface. Before Richard, a high-level encrypted conference was ongoing.Several large screens displayed the faces of individuals from different parts of the world. Some appeared to be in luxurious offices, others in dimly lit rooms, and a few were surrounded by teams of aides who stood respectfully behind them.These were not ordinary clients, they were men and women who held influence in ways most people could not even imagine. Political figures, corporate giants, intelligence brokers, and individuals who controlled resources across continents.They were the top-tier clients of Apex and more importantly, they were among the very few who knew who Richard Carter truly was.For years, Richard ha

After the clash by the roadside, Richard had wasted no time as he walked Michelle back to his car. His grip around her wrist was firm as though he needed to reassure himself that she was safe. The entire time, he did not say a word and the silence made Michelle unsettled.Once they got into the car, Richard started the engine and drove off without another glance behind.He could not believe that Michelle had gone to see Isabella without informing him but all the same, Richard already understood why she had done it. He knew her far too well by now, and her kind heart was something she could never suppress, no matter how dangerous the situation became.Yet as much as he admired that part of her, it also made him worried because in a world like his, kindness often came at a cost. And right now, that cost might be greater than she could imagine.Inside the car, Michelle sat in the passenger seat, stealing glances at him. She had noticed the shift in his demeanor but as usual, his expressi

Denzel Washington had been in a good mood that night. He laid with a huge smile on his face as he held the lady laying naked beside him with sweat dripping from both of their bodies. The private hotel suite he occupied was one of the most expensive in the city and was meant for people with power and influence. The lightning from the chandelier filled the room, and the faint scent of expensive cologne and wine lingered in the air.For the first time in days, the irritation he felt whenever he thought about Richard Carter had eased. The idea that the man who had disrupted his affairs, humiliated his brother, and threatened his position would soon be eliminated filled him with satisfaction.He leaned back with a smug smile at the corners of his lips as he enjoyed the moment.Beside him, the woman laughed, completely unaware of the thoughts running through his mind. She had been there to entertain him, and up until that moment, everything had gone exactly as expected.But then somethin