The weight of his newfound status within the Apex Alliance was a heavy one, and Jhon felt it the moment he stepped back into his office. His rise into the council had come with new resources, and connections, and the type of power he could have only dreamed of. But with that, the stakes had risen, and Jhon knew his moves were being scrutinized closely by both allies and those who viewed him as a threat.
Marcus stood beside him, eyes scanning over the latest reports. "The new trade network proposal is going smoothly. With the Alliance's support, it looks like we'll be able to break into those markets far ahead of schedule."
Jhon nodded, but his gaze was distant, thoughts fixed on the hidden dangers ahead. "It's not just the support I'm concerned about, Marcus. They're testing us, every single step of the way. One wrong move, and they'll pounce."
