Classicprincecj

At university, Chris is just another student—quiet, reserved, and seemingly ordinary. But behind the scenes, he’s the heir to a hidden fortune, a secret he guards fiercely.

Then there’s Skylar—a girl born into wealth, now watching her privileged world crumble as her family faces financial ruin. When she crosses paths with Chris, an unexpected connection sparks between them.

Skylar falls for him, believing he’s just a regular guy. But when her family pressures her to seek a richer suitor, Chris finds himself at a crossroads—should he reveal his true identity to fight for their love, or let her go to protect his secret?

In a world where love and wealth collide, can their relationship survive the truth?

Masked Affluence

Weeks had passed since the tense standoff in the White House, but the world was still adjusting to the shift in power.

True to his word, Volkov had ordered a withdrawal from the Ukrainian border. Troop movements had been tracked by intelligence agencies, confirming that Russia was stepping back—but not without resistance from within. Certain factions in Moscow weren't pleased. Some saw the retreat as weakness, others as a calculated survival move.

For Chris, it didn't matter. The game had moved forward.

Blackwood Tower – Washington, D.C.

Chris sat in his office at Blackwood Tower, his eyes scanning the latest reports.

Ethan stood nearby, arms crossed. "So far, everything's holding. Russian forces have pulled back, but there's still chatter about a power struggle in Moscow."

Chris exhaled, leaning back in his chair. "Volkov made the right choice, but his enemies won't forgive him easily."

Chris smirked. "No. We planned for this."

Ethan nodded. "And the European response?"

Chris flipped through another report. NATO had shifted its stance, now emboldened by Volkov's retreat. Eastern European leaders were openly praising Chris's intervention. The U.S. had maintained its dominance without firing a single shot.

"China has remained silent," Ethan noted. "They're watching."

A knock at the door interrupted their discussion. A security officer stepped in.

"Sir, the President is on his way. He wants a private meeting."

Chris exchanged a glance with Ethan before smirking. "Of course he does."

Ethan sighed. "Let me guess. He wants reassurances?"

Chris stood, adjusting his suit. "No, Ethan. He wants to know what comes next."

Because while the world was celebrating stability, Chris Blackwood was already setting the stage for his next move.

Chapter 173: The Aftermath