2025-04-28 19:01:58
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THE EXILED KING A KINGDOM ON SHAKY GROUND
Suddenly, the heavy doors of the boardroom swung open again.A new figure walked in—Dan Strauss, the second son of Timothy Strauss. He moved with a strong, confident air, his steps were slow but firm, as if he owned the ground he walked on. His black suit was crisp and sharp, and he carried himself with an arrogance that was hard to ignore.Behind him was his personal assistant, a slim man with quick eyes, holding a leather folder tight to his chest.A quiet tension filled the room the moment Dan appeared. Conversations died down. Heads turned. It was clear—Dan was someone to be reckoned with, someone who might just be the next CEO of Timo Fintech Enterprise if things didn't go Merrick’s way.Dan didn't even glance at Merrick as he walked toward the table. He pulled out a chair about three seats away from his older brother and sat down smoothly, placing his hands lightly on the table.As Dan settled in, his sharp eyes swept the room—and landed on Nolan.He stared.For a moment, he s
THE EXILED KING THE NECKLACE AND THE FLOWERS
Inside the back seat of a custom black Mercedes Maybach 4MATIC, Nolan Rhys sat, dressed in a sleek tailored suit, with his face half-hidden beneath dark sunglasses. The city skyline blurred behind the tinted bulletproof glass as the car cruised down the highway toward Rhys Tech Global headquarters. The luxury ride purred with a whisper, while the man inside prepared himself for the evening’s grand affair—The Rhys Tech Ascendancy Gala. The gala was less about innovation, but more about image—a glittering spectacle celebrating the company’s meteoric rise, attended by dignitaries, celebrities, and the elite of high society. Hosted under Evelyn’s dazzling banner, it was the kind of event where champagne flowed, cameras flashed, and quiet power plays unfolded behind velvet smiles. And though Nolan had overseen much of the groundwork that made the night possible, he was not its star. His wife was. Meanwhile back in the vehicle, his phone rang—it was a direct encrypted line. The calle
THE EXILED KING FLOWERS, LIES AND A SLAP
Nolan's eyes narrowed. He could see Evelyn laughing and talking with Zahir Malikyan. But it wasn’t just a polite conversation—it was different. Her body language was playful… too playful. She tilted her head, touched Zahir’s arm lightly, and even whispered something into his ear. Then, Evelyn leaned closer and smiled in a way that made Nolan’s stomach twist. It was the kind of smile she used to give him when they were in love. The kind that held a spark. But now, that spark was aimed at another man. Nolan’s hands tightened around the bouquet and the necklace case. His heart began to race, his chest was growing tighter with every passing second. And then it happened. Zahir took Evelyn’s hand. He leaned in close, whispered something to her—and she nodded. Without looking back, Zahir Malikyan gently led her away from the crowd, pulling her toward a quiet exit at the far end of the hall. Nolan froze. The lights of the gala still flashed around him. Laughter and music filled
THE EXILED KING KISSED BY STRATEGY BROKEN BY EGO
“Nolan!” Evelyn shouted as her eyes widened in horror. She rushed forward, pushing Nolan away from the Zahir Malikyan who was now crouching down, with one hand pressed tightly to his jaw. “What did you just do?” she demanded, her voice was shaking. Nolan’s chest heaved as he looked at her, still burning with fury. He didn’t answer her at first. “How dare he disrespect me like that?” Nolan said, his voice was low and cold, but filled with pride. Evelyn turned and looked at Zahir Malikyan, who was still on one knee, wincing from the slap. A storm of emotions flooded her eyes—anger, fear, shame. Nolan stood there, silent now, watching everything like a man suddenly waking up from a dark dream. Reality began to sink in. What have I done? The voice of reason whispered in his head. This man was not just anyone. He was powerful, respected, feared. Hitting him could bring serious trouble. "I should’ve stayed calm…" Nolan thought for a moment. "I should’ve handled it differently.
THE EXILED KING THE DAGGER BEHIND THE WINE
The restaurant was called La Bella Noire. It was made up of an elegant rooftop spot that kissed the clouds above the city. Its glowing chandeliers hung like stars, casting soft lights across the white marble floors. A gentle jazz melody played in the background, as waiters dressed in black tuxedos glided smoothly between tables. At a private corner by the glass window, Evelyn sat with her three closest friends—Freda, Hilda, and Clarissa. They were dressed in luxury—diamond earrings, silk dresses, high-end designer shoes. Their table was covered with golden plates, crystal glasses filled with champagne, and a spread of world-class cuisine: truffle risotto, wagyu beef steaks, lobster dipped in white wine butter. They ate slowly and with class, lifting their forks like royalty and dabbing their lips with fine linen napkins. Then Freda leaned back in her seat, gently tapping her glass with a silver spoon. “My loves,” she began boldly, “let me tell you what my husband did this we
THE EXILED KING FORGIVE ME EVELYN
Just then, Nolan stepped into La Bella Noire.He paused for a moment at the entrance, scanning the elegant rooftop like a man on a mission. His sharp brown eyes moved from table to table, slowly… carefully… as if searching for someone important.He was searching for his wife.At the far end, Hilda spotted him first.She smirked and whispered under her breath, “Well, well... the average Joe is here.”The other women turned quickly.Even Evelyn.And for the first time in her life… she felt ashamed of him.She wished she didn’t know him. She wished he would turn around and disappear.But he didn’t.Nolan’s eyes found her.And almost immediately, his face lit up with a soft smile.Without hesitation, he started walking toward their table.“Oh, the average Joe is coming,” Freda said mockingly, lifting her glass. “Everyone be on your guard.”The women laughed quietly—but then, like a strange magic passed over them, they all adjusted their posture.Their backs straightened.Their faces tigh
THE EXILED KING THE COLD REALITY
Hilda slowly shook her head.Her expression was sharp. Cold. Unforgiving.Freda and Clarissa saw it… and shook their heads in similar fashion.Their faces showed it all—they didn’t buy Nolan’s show. Not one bit.Evelyn saw their reactions.She turned back to Nolan with a strange look in her eyes. She stood up to her feet, brushed her gown lightly, and gave him a slow shake of the head.“No, Nolan,” she said coldly. “Not here. Not like this.”She walked past him.The music faded. The dancers paused. Even the jazz band started playing more slowly, unsure of what to do.Nolan gently grabbed her hand. His voice broke as he spoke.“Evelyn, please,” he said. “I didn’t plan all this just for attention or drama. I meant every single word. I’m not ashamed of you, and I’m not ashamed to show how much I love you. That’s all I wanted. That’s why I came here tonight. That's why I arranged for all this.”Evelyn turned to him slowly.She looked into his eyes. There was real pain in his eyes.Her eye
THE EXILED KING CHASING GLITTER
Meanwhile, as the four women stepped out of the restaurant, the night air was crisp and refreshing, a sharp contrast to the tension they'd just left behind. Hilda led the way, her heels clicking on the pavement as she confidently walked towards her Bugatti La Voiture Noire, the deep, glossy black surface of the car reflecting the streetlights in a way that made it look almost like it was glowing. It was a masterpiece of design—sleek, fast, and utterly commanding. The car itself seemed like a metaphor for the woman behind the wheel: powerful, elegant, and unstoppable. The doors opened, and the ladies slipped inside, settling into the luxurious leather seats. The interior was just as exquisite as the exterior, with every detail perfectly crafted for comfort and style. The soft hum of the engine as Hilda started the car only added to the sense of grandeur that filled the space. Freda, unable to hold back her amusement, turned to Evelyn, the laughter was still dancing in her eyes
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A KINGDOM ON SHAKY GROUND
Suddenly, the heavy doors of the boardroom swung open again.A new figure walked in—Dan Strauss, the second son of Timothy Strauss. He moved with a strong, confident air, his steps were slow but firm, as if he owned the ground he walked on. His black suit was crisp and sharp, and he carried himself with an arrogance that was hard to ignore.Behind him was his personal assistant, a slim man with quick eyes, holding a leather folder tight to his chest.A quiet tension filled the room the moment Dan appeared. Conversations died down. Heads turned. It was clear—Dan was someone to be reckoned with, someone who might just be the next CEO of Timo Fintech Enterprise if things didn't go Merrick’s way.Dan didn't even glance at Merrick as he walked toward the table. He pulled out a chair about three seats away from his older brother and sat down smoothly, placing his hands lightly on the table.As Dan settled in, his sharp eyes swept the room—and landed on Nolan.He stared.For a moment, he s
BONEHEADS AND BOARDROOMS
Five minutes passed before the elevator doors slid open once more. About five minutes before that time, inside the elevator, Merrick Strauss and his entourage had already entered, their conversation was casual and confident. The six men were scattered inside, engaged in low discussions, oblivious to their surroundings.Nolan’s gaze flicked to the group of men once again. He noticed one man in particular—a tall figure with sharp features, wearing an ash-gray suit. His demeanor was different from the others—cold, calculating. This man didn’t have the look of someone who had earned his position; he looked as though he was simply waiting for what was rightfully his.“That one,” Carter said, his voice was a soft whisper, barely audible over the hum of the elevator. He gestured subtly toward the man in the gray suit. “That’s Merrick Strauss. Mr. Timothy Strauss’s first son.”Nolan frowned, his eyes narrowing. “Merrick Strauss?” he repeated. “The first son?”Carter nodded. “He’s the percei
THE TOWER OF TIMO FINTECH
The limousine drove through the city, smooth and silent. Nolan stared out of the window, his eyes turned wide as the tall buildings passed by. The sun was high in the sky, casting silver light on the glass windows of towers. But nothing caught his attention like the one ahead.As they approached, Nolan sat up straight.The building of Timo Fintech Enterprise rose into the sky like a monument from the future.It wasn’t just tall—it was majestic.The front was covered in pure, reflective glass, so clear it looked like the clouds had landed on earth. The entire structure twisted upward in a spiral form, like strands of DNA. Along its sides were glowing panels—lines of digital light ran up and down like a slow-moving code. A giant silver emblem spun gently at the top, shaped like a cube wrapped in a circuit.It looked more like a monument to science fiction than a regular company.Nolan couldn’t believe his eyes.“This is… unreal,” he whispered.The limousine turned into the driveway
BURIED IN VELVET DOUBT
The silence after Nolan’s outburst hung heavy in the air.Then, without a word, the fashionistas moved again. No one looked offended or shocked anymore. They had expected resistance.One of the assistants walked forward and gently lifted the assistant Nolan had pushed down. The man nodded calmly, dusting himself as if nothing had happened.Jean-Maurice raised one hand, giving a small signal.From behind the line of fashion experts, a young man in black gloves rolled a wheelchair into the room.It was sleek—dark leather with chrome linings and smooth tires that didn’t make a sound.Jean-Maurice turned to Nolan and said gently, “It’s time to move, Mr. Nolan.”Nolan didn’t move at first. He stared at the wheelchair as if it were something out of a dream—or a trap.Then two of the assistants stepped forward again. This time, Nolan didn’t fight.He allowed them to guide him. One of them held his arm gently while the other supported his back. Even though his body ached, they moved with su
INVOLUNTARY GROOMING
Nolan sat up slowly on the hospital bed, wincing at the pull of pain in his side.In his hand was a small mirror. He raised it to his face.What stared back at him was the grotesque shape of his battered face.His skin was covered with brownish iodine stains. Cotton wool pads pressed gently against bruised cheekbones, held in place by white plasters. A long cut across his forehead had been stitched. One of his eyes was swollen. His lips, cracked and dry. His face… it looked like a map of pain.He looked at himself in silence, his eyes slowly filling with something deeper than pain—shame… anger… and loss.A soft knock came at the door, followed by a gentle push.A tall man in a white coat stepped in. It was Dr. Emerson—the physician in charge of his care all this while.“Mr. Rhys,” the doctor said gently. “I won’t lie to you. The injuries to your face were severe. But tomorrow, we’re going to do something about it. A cosmetic surgery. You need it… not just for how you look, but to hel
THE WEIGHT OF BETRAYAL
Nolan didn’t speak right away.He turned his face slightly, avoiding Mr. Strauss’s eyes.Then, quietly, he asked, “Why… why do you want to know me? Is it that necessary?”Mr. Strauss leaned in a little closer, his voice was calm and sincere. “Come on, Nolan. Is there anything wrong with knowing the man who just saved my company from going bankrupt?”There was a long silence.Then Nolan sighed—a deep, tired sigh.“My name is Nolan Rhys,” he said slowly. “That is all.”Mr. Strauss raised his eyebrows. “That is all?”He looked truly surprised.Something in Nolan’s voice, something in his eyes… it made it clear that there was more. A secret. A truth Nolan didn’t want to share.Strauss tilted his head, studying him carefully.“Nolan,” he began again, his voice was a bit softer now. “I noticed the belt. That Hermès Mini Athena Belt. That’s no cheap item.”He paused.“And the way you spoke. The way you handled the system. You weren’t fumbling. You knew what you were doing. Like someone who’
WHO ARE YOU REALLY?
The next day. The system was holding steady, but the damage had already been done.In the main recovery room of Timothy Strauss mansion, Nolan lay on the white hospital bed, his left hand was connected to a drip. The IV fluid bag hung above him, slowly feeding his exhausted body. Not to mention that his face had been swollen all this while. He was now receiving another round of medical treatment—fresh medication to ease the pain and speed up his healing.Cotton wool pressed into the deep cuts on his temple and chin. His right cheek had a fresh plaster on it—pink and puffy. Ever since he was picked up close to the trash bin, he looked like someone who had walked through hell and barely made it out alive.But the real scars weren’t the ones the eye could see.As Nolan stared at the ceiling, the world around him felt distant—muted. The faint beeping of the heart monitor beside him, the soft hiss of the oxygen tube near his nose, the gentle rhythm of the drip—all of it felt like backgr
FIREWALLS AND FISTS
Nolan nodded.“Yes. It’s risky. It might not work. But… it might buy us time. It might give us one more chance.”Strauss took a step closer.His expression changed.From calm…To curious.To hopeful.He looked Nolan straight in the eye.“We’re being drained again! There is another breach on Wallet Node C!”Gasps filled the air.A flurry of keystrokes followed. The screens lit up with red alerts. One of the analysts shoved his chair back and sprinted to another console.“They’ve bypassed the second firewall!”“No, no, no! How is that even possible?!”“We need to shut it all down! Now! Before they drain the reserve pool too!”Timothy Strauss’s calm cracked ever so slightly—his jaw tightened. But he didn’t move.Nolan gripped the flash drive tighter. Every instinct in him screamed run. Hide. Protect what's yours. He had fought too hard, suffered too long. That flash drive held his redemption.But then his eyes fell on the youngest techie—barely out of college maybe—who had frozen at his
TEARS AND TERMINAL CODES
Inside the room, chaos continued.The six men at the laptops were now speaking over each other.“We should freeze all trading pairs until we stabilize the token!” one man shouted.“No! That’ll make things worse. People will panic more if they can’t withdraw!”“We need to contact the cold wallet custodian. Tell him to move everything to multisig.”“I already tried—he’s not answering!”“Call Jonah! He knows the fallback code for the vault system!”“I did! His number isn’t going through!”Another man cursed loudly and slammed his palm on the desk. “We’re running out of time! We need help!”One of them picked up his phone and dialed fast. He waited, pacing back and forth.“Come on, answer... please answer,” he muttered.Another man had both hands pressed against his forehead. His eyes were red, his voice weak. “My wife just sent a message. She saw the crash on the news. She’s asking if we’ll be okay…”The pressure was heavy. Too heavy.Everyone was talking, trying, shouting, hoping.But n
