All Chapters of THE RISE OF THE APEX KING: Chapter 71
- Chapter 80
97 chapters
CHAPTER 71
Inside the detention facility, Isabella was having a normal night just like every other day. She had gone to the restroom, to ease herself from the suffocating atmosphere of her cell. The silence there was comforting until she felt the presence of someone else in the wash room. Before she could turn around, she felt a hand clasp her neck. She began to panic as she struggled to breathe. She tried to scream, but no sound came out. Her hands found their way to her throat but no matter how much she struggled, she couldn't free the hand that was choking her. Her vision blurred as she kept on struggling. She could not see who it was nor could she understand what was happening.Her thoughts became chaotic and as images of everything she had done in the past, every wrong choice she had made, and every person she had hurt along the way flashed in her mind. She felt regret as she thought about Michelle. The hatred that had consumed her to the point of attempting to kill her was negligible
CHAPTER 72
The Apex underground unit was still lit with rows and rows of screens glowing with streams of data. Codes were imputed across multiple monitors as layers of encrypted systems were broken one after another.Richard stood before the main console, observing the data that flashed on the screens. Hours had passed since he had ordered every top hacker and coder within Apex to focus on tracing the anonymous message, and this time, they weren't going to be fooled by the illusions in the encryption. Whoever had orchestrated this had gone to great lengths to bury their identity beneath so many complex encryption patterns that would have misled even the most skilled analysts. But Richard was not just any analyst. He had built systems far more complex than this and with his level of expertise, he was beginning to understand the pattern beneath the encryption. With that discovery, they took a different approach and targeted only specific encryption. There was finally progress and after a while,
CHAPTER 73
Sun rays slipped through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the bedroom as Michelle stirred awake. For a few seconds, she remained where she was as she shook off the drowsiness in her eyes. After a while, she sat up and stared around in confusion. This was not where she remembered falling asleep.She recalled the events of the previous night when she sat in the sitting room waiting for Richard to return. She had enough time to think about Richard, and the events of the last few days that had been troubling her. Then she remembered her browsing history and her eyes widened in alarm.“Oh no,” she whispered.A blush crept onto her cheeks as she recalled what she had been searching for. Without wasting another second, she threw the blanket aside and hurried out of the bedroom. She made her way toward the living room and once she stepped in, she froze. Richard was already there, seated comfortably on the couch as he scrolled through his phone. The morning light rested on his fig
CHAPTER 74
The news of Denzel Washington’s downfall continued to spread like wildfire through every corner of the city. People were filled with shock as they struggled to process how everything had collapsed.Inside the Donovan family residence, the atmosphere was tense.Eric Donovan stood before the large television screen in his private study with his face pale as the news replayed once again. His hands rested by his sides, trembling from the fear he was feeling inside. “…former mayor Denzel Washington has been stripped of his position…”The reporter’s voice echoed through the room, but Eric barely heard the rest. His mind was already racing as he pieced together what he was seeing.Nothing about this news was normal.Denzel had been powerful and dead deeply rooted within the system. His connections ran deep and for someone like him to fall so suddenly meant one thing, someone far more powerful was behind his downfall. Eric swallowed hard as his thoughts drifted back to the envelope he ha
CHAPTER 75
The press conference hall had been filled to capacity long before Michelle arrived. Journalists were seated and dozens of cameras were positioned at different angles, each one ready to capture every word and reaction that would unfold. This conference was the official introduction of Michelle as the new Chairwoman of the Donovan Group and this news had stirred conversations in both business and social circles.Michelle sat at the center of the stage behind a long polished table, with a calm expression. The past few days had taken a toll on her, yet she remained strong as she sat before the press. She looked like the leader she had worked so hard to become and she maintained a smile as the flashes from cameras reflected on her face, To her right sat Eric Donovan, whose behavior had changed from his usual domineering attitude. He nodded to her responses, occasionally offering supportive remarks that were unlike him. Madeline and Yohan Donovan were seated nearby with confused looks
CHAPTER 76
The bright light reflected off the blade as it drove forward, aimed straight at Michelle’s abdomen.Just before the knife could touch her, Richard intervened. One moment he had been standing at a distance, watching from the edge of the hall with vigilance, and the next he was right in front of Michelle, intercepting the attack.His hand shot forward and caught the attacker’s wrist mid-motion and the force of the impact halted the blade completely, leaving it suspended just inches away from Michelle. The sudden interruption sent a visible shock through the attacker’s arm, and the confidence he had carried just seconds ago wavered under the strength of Richard’s grip.The hall erupted in noise. Screams broke out as people scrambled to their feet, some retreating while others froze in place, unsure of what to do. Yet, in the midst of the chaos, the sound of camera shutters never stopped for a second. Reporters leaned forward instead of stepping back, their excitement overtaking their fe
CHAPTER 77
The atmosphere inside the Donovan Group’s executive office was calm compared to the chaos that had unfolded at the press conference earlier that day. The room had been carefully arranged to maintain order, with only a limited number of individuals present to witness the final transfer of authority. A single camera crew had been permitted inside and was positioned at a respectful distance as they documented the moment for official records.Michelle stood at the head of the long conference table, looking composed though the incident of earlier still troubled her deep down. The documents before her represented her years of struggle, sacrifice, and persistence. They were proof that she had finally reclaimed what had once been taken from her.Across from her, Eric Donovan held the final file in his hands.His expression was calm with a smile that barely concealed the tension beneath it. His fingers held the edge of the document for a fraction longer than necessary before he extended it
CHAPTER 78
Michelle leaned back in her seat, her gaze distant as she processed everything that had happened.Richard’s phone rang and he answered it without hesitation. “Boss, we got him to talk," Rico’s voice came through.Richard’s expression remained unchanged as his grip on the steering wheel tightened.“And?” he asked.There was a pause before Rico continued.“He confirmed it. He was sent by Jonas.”Richard’s suspicion had been correct.A dangerous glint formed in his eyes. “I see,” he said. He ended the call shortly after and returned his attention back on the road. Beside him, Michelle remained quiet as she looked out the window.She had not heard the full conversation, but she had heard enough. The attack earlier was planned. She also realized something and it was that she was being used to get to Richard. Her fingers curled into a fist on her lap as the thought settled in.She could have been seriously hurt yet her concern wasn't on herself, It remained on him.Her gaze shifted tow
CHAPTER 79
The moment Michelle stepped fully into the living room, Richard’s gaze found hers and a smile appeared on his face. His eyes briefly dropped to Marty, and the warmth in his expression deepened before he looked back at her.“You’re back,” he said in a calm tone as he walked toward them.Michelle nodded, but her attention had already shifted past him toward the woman seated on the couch. Beside her sat a young girl, no older than Marty, her small hands resting on her lap as she looked around with curious eyes.She had noticed the unfamiliar car on the driveway earlier but didn't think too much about it as Daniel's earlier scene kept her tense. Her steps slowed and her grip around Marty’s hand tightened without her realizing it. The woman carried herself with elegance and was dressed in a luxurious outfit. For a moment, Michelle’s thoughts ran wild in directions she did not want to entertain. She began to feel sad and found herself studying the child’s face, then the woman’s, then bac
CHAPTER 80
Later that night, Michelle couldn't sleep with a lot of thoughts racing through her mind. She knew enough about Richard by now to understand what that Private Mission truly meant even if he did not explain it in detail. It was not something ordinary, and it was definitely not something safe. The calm way he had said it only made it more serious yet she couldn't do anything about it. She could neither stop him, nor help keep him safe. Her only reassurance right now was that Richard would not be alone, Rico would be with him.That eased her worry, even if only slightly. She had seen Rico’s capability, his loyalty, and the understanding he shared with Richard. If there was anyone she could trust to stand beside him in danger, it was Rico.Still, the unease remained. Richard turned a bit on the bed, his arms still wrapped around Michelle, but his thoughts drifted elsewhere. He remembered the earlier conversation he had with Rico. He had intended to go alone. That had always been his way