Adrian Cole, a lowly contract worker, ranks first in company performance for eight consecutive years—yet five times Vice President Claire has stolen his chance at a permanent position. Humiliated past endurance, he resigns in fury and joins the Apex Group, prompting twenty billion in client funds to withdraw en masse and driving First Capital to the brink of collapse. Backed by Nora—his high school desk mate, now president of Vale Capital—he dismantles his enemies' chain of retaliation one by one, and ultimately rises to president of Apex's regional branch, reaping triumph in both career and love.