THE RISE OF THE APEX KING

It was a few minutes past 8 a.m. and President Andrew Garlick sat behind his polished desk, flipping through a stack of classified folders, his mind lost in the mess of national issues he needed to address before noon.He had just concluded an important meeting on national security with his Chief of Staff and he was still considering his next line of action when his private phone rang. For a minute, he stared at the number on the screen. Very few people had access to his private line. His fingers trembled slightly as he picked up the call.“This is President Garlick,” he said, “Good morning, Andrew," Richard answered. “I'm pretty sure you can remember me.”The president shot up from his chair so fast it toppled backward and crashed against the floor. His heartbeat erupted like drums inside his chest.“Richard?” his voice cracked with disbelief. “Is this really you?"“I see you haven’t changed," Richard said with a chuckle. "Still so quick to panic."President Garlick placed a hand

The night of the End-of-Year Gala arrived with the same pressure that always followed high-status events in the city. It was the kind of night where old money, new power, and hungry eyes all gathered under one roof pretending to admire art and charity while secretly studying each other’s bank accounts, outfits, and relevance.The event was being held at the Ambassador Grand Hall - white marble floors, tall glass pillars, golden chandeliers hanging across the ceiling. Richard knew the place all too well because he had been there a couple times for some events. The paparazzi were already lined up outside when a sleek black sports car rolled to a slow stop at the front entrance.A hush fell over the place and heads turned. Cameras swung instantly toward the new arrival and the next minute, Richard stepped out of the car.The flash of cameras exploded and everyone gaped at him in shock.He looked effortlessly regal in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo. The suit hugged his broad shoulders

The whole hall went silent immediately. Isabella could not believe what she was hearing. Her ears rang, her heart began to beat frantically and for several long seconds, she could do nothing but stare. Husband! The word repeated itself over and over in her brain, still refusing to make sense. Her gaze moved from Michelle to Richard and then to Marty, who stood ever so protectively in front of him.Isabella couldn’t even form a sentence. Her lips parted, but nothing came out. Her thoughts were tangled, clashing violently with one another. Richard was married to Michelle Donovan? The powerful CEO? The woman everyone feared and admired? It was absurd. It was simply impossible. It had to be some sick joke. Isabella’s nails dug into her palms as she tried to calm herself and make sense of the situation.Mandy was the first to break the silence. She frowned, her sharp eyes narrowing. “Hold on,” she said, her voice loud enough to draw attention. “This doesn’t add up at all.” She gestured

The murmurs in the hall grew louder the moment Chris finished speaking.Everyone in that room knew who Chris Washington was. He was not a man who made empty threats. When Chris Washington said he would ruin something, it usually happened within minutes. The guests exchanged uneasy glances. Some shook their heads slowly while others leaned closer, whispering about how bad the situation was for MichelleIn all their gossip, most of them were certain of one thing - Michelle Donovan would reinstate Isabella.She had to. GLAM was her life’s work. After years of building connections, nurturing talent and fighting her way to the top of the modelling industry, there was no way she would let her loyalty to one man, no matter how much she loved him, to destroy everything she had built.Isabella stood tall again, confidence returning to her posture. Her lips curved into a small, satisfied smile as she waited for Michelle to do the sensible thing.But Michelle did not seem to panic.Just then, th

Richard stood at the center of the chaos and slowly, he reached up and adjusted the collar of his jacket.Michelle stood rooted to the spot, her heart still pounding violently in her chest. Her fingers trembled around Marty’s hand, but she did not let go. She stared at Richard with wide eyes, seeing him in an entirely new light now, as though the man standing before her was both familiar and completely unknown at the same time. There was strength in him she had sensed before, but this was something else entirely.Isabella, on the other hand, looked like she had seen a ghost.Her mouth hung slightly open, her face pale beneath layers of makeup. She clutched Chris’s arm tightly, her fingers digging into his sleeve. Chris himself was still recovering from the shock of being slapped, both physically and in pride. His cheek burned, and his eyes were filled with a mixture of rage and disbeliefRichard ignored all the gazes. He slipped his hand into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and glan