2025-04-05 03:53:48Inside 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 caller ID flashed only one word: Sheikh. Nolan answered with a calm voice. “Your Excellency.” The deep voice of Sheikh Hamad bin Fawzi cracked through the speakers, laced with urgency and his thick Arabian accent. “Ahh, my brother Nolan... Alhamdulillah you answer quick, yes?” “I’m always available for you, Sheikh,” Nolan replied smoothly. “Listen, listen, habibi... I need those, ah... what you call... those tech drilling beasts. The—eh—what you named them again?” Nolan’s lips curved slightly. “The Rhys Drillex Titans. The most advanced oil-drilling machines in the market.” “Yes, yes! Wallahi, that's the one! I need them for my new oil well in Dahman Wadi... It’s bursting with oil, ya akhi, like river from Jannah! But I need the Titans. How many you have now? Ready to go?” Nolan glanced at the digital tablet on his lap and replied, “Only three Titans are ready for immediate shipping.” A brief silence came. Then a loud sigh. “Yaa Allah... Only three? I am needing three, ya Nolan! Not less, not more... three! Full power, yaani! I want to drill the ground like I drill my enemies, fahimt?” Nolan chuckled lightly. “And three are all we have, Sheikh. But... I can do something.” “Naam? Tell me fast, brother.” The sheikh sounded eager. “I can have three more Titans produced instantly—no delay. But for that, I’ll need to activate our emergency production channel. That will cost extra. Specialized manpower. Overnight logistics. Priority scheduling.” “Aiwa, aiwa... how much we talking about, ya Nolan? Speak to me straight. I no like the snake tongue, you know this.” Nolan’s eyes gleamed beneath the shades. “Each Titan is valued at $9.5 million USD. But for instant production, it comes with an additional $2.5 million per unit. That’s $12 million each. Three units. Total $36 million. No compromise on quality. No delay.” There was a low grunt from the other end of the line, followed by a chuckle. “La mushkila... no problem at all, akhi! I send the money today. Just make the Titans strong like lions, and fast like falcons. My ships will come for them in seven days, insha’Allah.” Nolan nodded. “You have my word. I’ll see to it personally.” “Barakallahu feek, Nolan Rhys... May Allah bless your brain. You’re not like these foolish men in suits.” The call ended. As the vehicle pulled into the underground parking of Rhys Tech Global headquarters, Nolan leaned back with a calm smile. Inside the sleek, custom black Mercedes Maybach 4MATIC, the car came to a smooth stop. Nolan Rhys, still calm and composed, adjusted his dark sunglasses as he prepared for the evening ahead. The driver, a tall, professional-looking man in a black suit, stepped out of his seat. He moved around the car, opened the back door, and held it open for Nolan. Without a word, Nolan stepped out of the vehicle, his polished shoes clicked against the asphalt as he exited. He took a brief moment to look around before his gaze settled on the man who now stood at his side. Michael Walters, Nolan’s trusted assistant, had been waiting for this very moment. With one hand, Michael held a bouquet of flowers—vibrant, beautiful blooms that spoke of elegance. In his other hand, he carefully held an expensive diamond necklace, the diamonds gleamed with a brilliance that could catch the eye of even the most discerning observer. Worth three hundred thousand dollars, it was a gift Nolan had planned for his wife. Nolan nodded at Michael. "The necklace is beautiful." He said. Michael closed the necklace case and handed it over along with the flowers with a respectful smile. Nolan accepted them, and his heart was filled with anticipation. “Thank you, Michael,” Nolan said quietly, as he walked toward the entrance of the building. Without waiting for a reply, Nolan entered the grand lobby of Rhys Tech Global, heading directly to the elevator. The building was bustling with excitement—the sounds of chatter and laughter echoed through the halls. It was the night of the Rhys Tech Ascendancy Gala, an event celebrating the company’s rise to one of the top three tech companies in Bellwick. As the elevator doors closed, Nolan’s mind was fixed on one person: his wife, Evelyn. She had inherited the company from her father after his sudden death, becoming the sole heir to a vast empire. However, Nolan was always by her side. He had worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help his wife’s business boom, especially as she struggled to balance the weight of the responsibility thrust upon her. He had been the silent force, the steady hand guiding her through the challenges that came with running such a high-profile business. Tonight, however, was more than just business—it was personal. Nolan had dedicated countless hours and energy to this moment, and now, with the gala in full swing, he couldn’t wait to share the celebration with her. More so, he couldn't wait to speak about the new deal he had struck with Sheikh Hamad bin Fawzi. His heart raced as the elevator ascended. He wanted to hold her, dance with her, kiss her and feel that spark they had once shared. Tonight, he wanted to make her feel special. He wanted their love to shine as brightly as the company’s success. The doors opened, and Nolan stepped out into the grand hall. The atmosphere was electric, filled with laughter, clinking glasses, and flashes of photographers capturing every moment. The long rows of tables were covered with fine linen, each corner of the room was adorned with extravagant decorations. Guests in expensive suits and glittering dresses mingled, celebrating the rise of Rhys Tech Global. But none of that mattered. Not really. Nolan’s eyes darted through the crowd, searching for his wife. He barely noticed the others around him, too consumed by the thought of her. He longed to find her, to hold her close, and share this moment of triumph. He could almost see the look on her face when she saw him—the look that always made him feel like the luckiest man alive. His heart skipped a beat when he finally spotted her. Evelyn stood near the stage, talking to a small group of people, with her laughter ringing out like music. Nolan’s chest swelled with pride, but his footsteps faltered when he saw who was standing beside her. It was Ahmed Bin Salman Abdulkadir. The son of Sheikh Salman Abdulkadir, one of the wealthiest and most influential oil tycoons in Bellwick. The man was a familiar face, one Nolan had met at several high-profile events. But what caught Nolan off guard now was the way Ahmed had his arm around Evelyn’s waist, holding her so close. Nolan’s face reddened, his heart sinking as he watched them. Evelyn, his wife, in the arms of another man. The bouquet of flowers and diamond necklace felt heavier in his hands. What made him confused was the fact that she appeared to be so comfortable with the sheikh's grip on her waist.
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THE EXILED KING FLOWERS, LIES AND A SLAP
Nolan's eyes narrowed.He could see Evelyn laughing and talking with Sheikh Ahmed. But it wasn’t just a polite conversation—it was different. Her body language was playful… too playful. She tilted her head, touched the Sheikh’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.The Sheikh took Evelyn’s hand.He leaned in close, whispered something to her—and she nodded.Without looking back, Sheikh Ahmed 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 air
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 Sheikh 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 Sheikh Ahmed, 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."But then, another voic
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 week.”Sh
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. “Di
THE EXILED KING PERFUME PAIN AND A RED DRESS
Nolan stepped into the house, his steps were heavy with exhaustion. The day at work had been long and frustrating.He dropped his briefcase by the couch and loosened his tie.The scent of freshly cooked food welcomed him, and for a moment, it brought a small sense of comfort.He walked into the dining area, and as usual, his lunch was neatly arranged on the table—grilled steak, creamy mashed potatoes, buttered corn on the cob, and a cold glass of iced tea.Everything looked perfect—but the silence in the house was too loud to ignore. It seemed everyone else was busy with whatever they were doing.He sat down and began to eat slowly, lost in thought. Every bite tasted like ash. His mind wasn't with the food. His chest felt heavy.The picture of Evelyn smashing cake in his face at La Bella Noire about two days ago haunted him. The laughter. The mockery.The shame.After finishing the meal, he stepped out to the backyard pool area, lit a cigar, and sank into the poolside recliner.The ev
THE EXILED KING YOU WERE NEVER ENOUGH
Three Days Later...The courtroom was cold and quiet, filled with a strange tension. Nolan sat beside his lawyer, Barrister Keme, his hands were clenched tightly on his lap. He was dressed in a black suit and tie, and his eyes were dark from sleepless nights.Across the courtroom, Evelyn sat beside Sheikh Ahmed Bin Salman. She was dressed like a widow in mourning—wearing a black linen cloth over her head, and large dark shades covering her eyes. Her face was calm, like she had already moved on. Like she had buried the past and didn’t plan to ever dig it up again.Nolan’s chest burned with anger and heartbreak. He tried not to look at her, but his eyes kept going back. He remembered how hard he had fought for her—for Rhys Tech Global. He remembered working day and night, risking everything, cutting off friends just to build the company from scratch. Just to make sure her dreams and majorly that of her father's didn’t die.And now she was here, fighting to take it all away from him.S
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Nolan’s eyelids fluttered.His head felt heavy… as if he had been asleep for a hundred years.He groaned softly, blinking as a strange white light stung his eyes.He expected to see broken bricks… dirt… or even the cold, stinking walls of that trash bin where he last remembered being.But when his vision cleared, Nolan found himself staring at a clean white ceiling.It wasn’t just any ceiling—it had smooth panels, with soft lights that glowed gently. It almost felt like morning sunlight was trapped inside them.He blinked again, confused.The air was fresh—too fresh.A soft hum came from one of the machines in the corner. The sheets around him were white, and warm. He wasn’t lying on the floor anymore, but on a soft hospital bed with smooth pillows under his head.He turned his head slightly.There were no syringes, no smell of disinfectant, no nurses or doctors rushing around.Instead, the place was quiet. Peaceful. Calm.But something didn’t feel right.His body stiffened.This di
COMPASSION OR CAUTION
The urchins didn’t wait any longer.With angry cries, three of them rushed at the hefty man at once—fists tight, and eyes that were filled with rage.The first one, the tallest among them, charged with a wooden stick he had picked up. He swung it high, aiming straight for the man’s head.But the hefty man moved fast—too fast.WHAM!He punched the urchin right in the stomach.The stick dropped from his hand as he bent over, choking on his breath.CRACK!A strong knee hit the guy's face. He dropped to the ground like a sack, groaning, with blood running from his nose.The second urchin tried to grab the hefty man from behind, hoping to pull him down.But the man turned quickly, grabbed his wrist, and twisted it hard.SNAP!The sound echoed through the alley. The guy screamed, falling on the ground while holding his arm tight.“Please! My hand! I give up!” he cried, rolling on the dirt in pain.The third one paused for a second, fear starting to show. But pride pushed him forward.He ran
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Two of the urchins reached forward to grab the belt from Nolan’s waist. He knew the value of that belt—it was worth more than anything he had left. With what little strength he had, he fought back. His body screamed in pain, but he didn’t care.One of the urchins grabbed the belt, and Nolan’s hand shot out, clutching the dirty fabric tightly.The other urchin moved in to help, but Nolan reacted quickly. He kicked him hard in the groin.“AHHH!” the urchin screamed, stumbling backward, with his hands clutching his pain.The second urchin, still holding onto the belt, froze for a moment, scared. He stepped back, looking at Nolan with fear in his eyes.“Let me go, please,” Nolan whispered weakly, his chest heaving with every breath. “If you're not here to help me, then just leave me be. Please.”The first urchin, who was still clutching his groin, laughed loudly. Then, the second one laughed. Soon, all four of them were laughing, making fun of Nolan’s pain and suffering.“You’re begging
NOT YET DEAD
Not knowing how much time had passed by, a low buzzing sound filled Nolan’s ears. His eyes blinked open slowly—heavy, tired, swollen. The first thing he saw was the face of a dead monkey. Its skin was peeling, eyes gone, and its teeth stuck out like a horror movie creature. Flies danced all over it. Nolan gasped. The stench hit him hard. He turned his head slowly. Pain shot through his neck. All around him, he saw used baby diapers, blood-stained tissue, leftover food, broken bottles, and bags of rotting vegetables. He was inside a trash bin. A big, green trash bin. The kind that stood at the back of restaurants and dirty streets. The walls were high, stained with old grease and dried blood. The heat made the air thick. Maggots crawled everywhere. His body screamed to move. To get out. But nothing moved. His hands were heavy. His arms felt like they were chained down. When he tried to raise his head, pain exploded in his skull. One of his eyes was swollen shut. The other co
YOU WERE NEVER ENOUGH
Three Days Later...The courtroom was cold and quiet, filled with a strange tension. Nolan sat beside his lawyer, Barrister Keme, his hands were clenched tightly on his lap. He was dressed in a black suit and tie, and his eyes were dark from sleepless nights.Across the courtroom, Evelyn sat beside Sheikh Ahmed Bin Salman. She was dressed like a widow in mourning—wearing a black linen cloth over her head, and large dark shades covering her eyes. Her face was calm, like she had already moved on. Like she had buried the past and didn’t plan to ever dig it up again.Nolan’s chest burned with anger and heartbreak. He tried not to look at her, but his eyes kept going back. He remembered how hard he had fought for her—for Rhys Tech Global. He remembered working day and night, risking everything, cutting off friends just to build the company from scratch. Just to make sure her dreams and majorly that of her father's didn’t die.And now she was here, fighting to take it all away from him.S
PERFUME PAIN AND A RED DRESS
Nolan stepped into the house, his steps were heavy with exhaustion. The day at work had been long and frustrating.He dropped his briefcase by the couch and loosened his tie.The scent of freshly cooked food welcomed him, and for a moment, it brought a small sense of comfort.He walked into the dining area, and as usual, his lunch was neatly arranged on the table—grilled steak, creamy mashed potatoes, buttered corn on the cob, and a cold glass of iced tea.Everything looked perfect—but the silence in the house was too loud to ignore. It seemed everyone else was busy with whatever they were doing.He sat down and began to eat slowly, lost in thought. Every bite tasted like ash. His mind wasn't with the food. His chest felt heavy.The picture of Evelyn smashing cake in his face at La Bella Noire about two days ago haunted him. The laughter. The mockery.The shame.After finishing the meal, he stepped out to the backyard pool area, lit a cigar, and sank into the poolside recliner.The ev
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. “Di
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
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