The Almighty Dominance

Chapter 87

At one of Vancouver's most renowned salons, Cathy Black reclined beneath

gentle hands, savoring the soothing rhythm of a facial massage.

The air was sweet with lavender and rosewater, calming her senses, until her smartwatch buzzed insistently, yanking her from blissful repose.

She opened her eyes, annoyance already sparking beneath her lids.

"Yes?" she snapped, answering the call.

"Madame Black, it's Jacqueline, Mr. Charles's secretary," came the crisp voice on the other end.

Cathy exhaled, impatience bleeding into every word. "Well?"

"Mr. Charles has invited Sophia Lancaster to his office and ordered me away from my desk," Jacqueline said.

Cathy's face went cold at the mention of that name.

"Sophia Lancaster," she repeated, as if testing the flavor of it on her tongue.

The esthetician, still smoothing delicate creams over Cathy's face, tried to soften the moment.

"She's the most celebrated beauty in Vancouver," she offered quietly.

"A famous model, back in the day."

Cathy's body tensed as if struck by a live wire.

In a sudden rage, she bolted upright, knocking the esthetician off balance.

Her open palm connected sharply with the woman's cheek, sending the poor girl sprawling onto the floor.

A collective gasp choked the air.

The manager hurried forward, bowing deeply.

"Please, Madame Black," he pleaded, voice trembling.

"She meant no harm."

"Just clean my face," Cathy ordered coldly.

Then, turning her attention to the bodyguard stationed in the corner, she barked, "Bernard, ready the car. We're going to my husband's office immediately-no excuses, no delays."

Bernard inclined his head and reached for his phone.

"Yes, madame."

receiver, "The

***

Inside Charles Cole's office.

desk, heart hammering in his chest, perspiration coating his

he'd been a charming young man who

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Chapter 87

met Cathy Black. Everything changed the day he crossed

woman; she was the younger sister of Bruno Black, who ran the fearsome

her fingertips, Cathy served as the family's

Cathy into channeling millions from the syndicate's coffers

demanded marriage, he tried to refuse. She

upside down over a river, with Bernard holding the

voice devoid of emotion. "Marry

life was no

beyond measure, yet

Cathy was

dared protest, he ended up with

old saying haunted him like a cruel

he muttered under his

Cole?" Sophia asked, startled by his

quick smile, shaking

said too fast. "Just

across from him

legendary and

Sophia closely, noting the subtle signs that the sleeping drug

hold.

pupils would soon grow heavy, her voice would

gripped the edge of his desk, reminding himself

marriage to Cathy Black had turned him into a trapped animal, pacing a cage built from fear and

divorce-neither word

even be near another woman without

him, pressed into a dark corner where the only solace he found was in his own

woman he had once admired from afar- admired so intensely had used her image

he had her here, in

Chapter 87

I've only ever dared to imagine.' Sophia's voice, still steady, pulled him

by Chris Roland. My company is liable. Now that we've partnered with Kingston, we'd like to adjust the payment schedule

Charles nodded too eagerly.

he

her face as she rose to

Cole," she said, warmth and

she took