THE RISE OF THE APEX KING

CHAPTER 4

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 and narrow waist like it had been sewn directly onto him. His hair was brushed back in a clean style that highlighted the sharpness of his jawline. The light reflected off the silver watch on his wrist, an original worth more money than half of the guests earned in a year.

Richard simply adjusted his cufflinks and began walking toward the entrance and just like that, the whispers began.

“Who is that?”

“He looks expensive.”

“Definitely billionaire energy.”

They stared on but Richard ignored all of it.

He had walked into gatherings with the most powerful men in the world. There was no one here who was half as important as the people he had dealings with on a regular basis.

But just then he saw her. Standing near the fountain and dressed in a body hug silver gown that sparkled like ice under the night lights was his ex-girlfriend, Isabella.

She froze the moment her eyes landed on him. Her jaw dropped slightly and she nudged her best friend, Mandy, whose eyes also widened in disbelief.

They stared at him like they were looking at a ghost.

Richard smiled at their gazes and Isabella reacted almost immediately. She stormed forward, her lips twisted in a sneer.

“Oh my God,” she scoffed. “So this is what you’ve turned into?”

Richard didn’t respond. He kept walking toward the entrance and she followed him.

“If you think you can impress me with a borrowed car and some rented suit, you’re deceiving yourself,” she snapped, attracting the attention of her fellow models.

“Look at you," Mandy chuckled. "Seven years in a coma and you still have nothing to offer. You really thought you could show up here and look important?”

Still, Richard didn’t spare them a glance.

He kept walking and that only made Isabella angrier.

“How dare you ignore me,” she snapped, stepping in front of him and blocking his path. “Trash like you shouldn’t be here. Who even let you in?”

He turned his head slightly.

“I don’t have time for you, Isabella.”

That sentence stung her ego harder than anything else. Guests and photographers were already watching the scene unfold.

“You want money, right?” she said suddenly, raising her voice. “That’s what this is about, isn’t it? You want compensation for taking that bullet for me seven years ago. You think you deserve a payout.”

People gasped and a lady pulled out her phone to record.

Richard sighed, but he still didn’t engage.

Isabella smirked, sensing she had regained control.

“Fine then. I’ll give you what you want.”

She snapped her fingers, and Mandy dug into her bag, bringing out a sleek black card.

Isabella grabbed it proudly and lifted it high like a trophy.

“This card has a hundred thousand dollars on it,” she announced loud enough for everyone to hear. “Enough to buy you a new life, I guess.”

The crowd murmured in disbelief.

Then Isabella did something no one expected.

She dropped the card on the floor, right in front of her feet and then she stepped back.

“Pick it up,” she said.

Richard stared at her, confused.

“Go ahead,” she repeated, her eyes fixed on him. “Pick it up with your mouth like the dog you’ve always been.”

Everyone gasped. This was beyond disrespectful. It was degrading.

A circle had formed around them now. High-ranked models, influencers and photographers. Even the security guards were watching the drama unfold.

Richard looked down at the card and then, he looked up at her.

“I don’t need your money, Isabella.”

She scoffed. “Stop pretending.”

Just then, Richard pulled a card from his pocket and the moment it caught the light, gasps echoed around them.

It was a VIP invitation card to the gala and it was reserved for only the top invited guests.

Isabella’s eyes widened.

“What… what is that? Where did you get that?”

Richard flicked it between his fingers effortlessly.

“The person who invited me gave it to me.”

She shook her head.

“No. No, that’s impossible. That card is for billionaires and top-level sponsors. You’re a nobody.”

Richard didn’t bother correcting her. He didn’t need to explain anything.

But Isabella wasn’t backing down.

“You stole it,” she snapped. “That’s it. You stole it from someone. I should have known. You've always been a thief!"

She turned abruptly to the security guards standing near the door.

“Hey!” she yelled, pointing at Richard. “Grab him! He’s not supposed to be here. He stole a VIP card!”

The security guards immediately stepped forward. They were already reaching for Richard’s arms, ready to drag him out like a criminal.

The models cheered. Mandy folded her arms with a smug smile and Isabella grinned, basking in the satisfaction of her victory.

But then, the double doors of the hall flung open.

Every head turned as Michelle walked in wearing a breathtaking emerald-green gown with a slit that showed just enough leg to command attention. Her hair was done in long waves, and her makeup was flawless. She looked like royalty and she glowed with elegance and pure confidence.

Beside her was little Marty dressed in a tiny tuxedo, holding her hand proudly.

The whispers began again.

“That’s Michelle Donovan…”

“The CEO of GLAM!”

“She looks stunning.”

Michelle’s gaze swept across the room until her eyes locked on Richard surrounded by security guards.

Her expression darkened and she stepped forward immediately.

“What the hell is going on here?”