The Almighty Dominance

Chapter 134

The previous night.

A restless moon hung over Vancouver that night, casting a pale glow across the cramped apartment block where Marco Ashford arrived in a breathless rush.

His heart thudded louder than his footsteps, though he kept his face carefully composed.

Inside, Florence stood in the faint hallway light, her cheeks streaked with tears, her shoulders trembling.

"Florence, what happened?" he asked, mustering his best tone of concern.

She clutched at his arm, her grip so tight it hurt.

"Marco-oh God-my daughter! They took Sophia! You've got to help her!"

Marco forced a sympathetic frown, fighting the guilt that coiled in his stomach.

"Who took her?" he asked quietly, even though the answer was already gnawing at him.

He'd sold Sophia's address to Hans, and the shame of that betrayal pressed like a cold stone against his chest.

Florence's voice cracked, her tears renewing. "I-I don't know. It was so fast. Please, Marco-you have connections, you can do something!"

He nodded, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Take it easy," he said softly, sounding smoother than he felt. "I'll call my people. I promise they'll find Sophia. Nothing will happen to her."

Florence let out a shaky breath, clinging to his reassurance as though it were the only thing keeping her upright.

"Thank you," she whispered, eyes red and desperate. "You are the only one I believe."

Stepping aside, Marco pretended to dial a number, anxiety tightening his gut.

Returning to her, he wore the mask of a grim messenger.

"I got some news," he said heavily. "Harlan Drake is after Sophia because of Alex. He attacked Drake's prince. Jasper's in the hospital." He paused, letting the gravity of the words sink in.

"Drake's out for blood."

Florence's knees nearly gave out. "My baby... my Sophia..." The heartbreak on her face made Marco's throat close up.

"Don't worry," he lied, gentling his voice. "I've got people on it. She'll be safe, I swear." As he spoke, the hope twisted his

stomach.

Part of him silently wished the entire mess-Alex, Sophia, all of it would just vanish.

His life depended on it.

When the axe entered the forest, the trees said, "The handle is one of us.'

Elsewhere in Vancouver, the tension was a physical thing, crackling through the air like static.

At one of Harlan Drake's nightclubs, about thirty men stomped inside, assault rifles drawn and ready.

harsh scowl, confronted the two guards at the

Vancouver Security. This place is ours now," he said, voice low and menacing. "You gonna stand

exchanged uneasy

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Chapter 134.

were big men, but they weren't stupid. Most of Drake's crew

his throat. "This is Harlan Drake's territory," he said, stepping back. "You think you can

claim it?"

flickered across the intruders'

leader snarled: "Join us or die. Your

"Same salary as

"Suit up with

Drake's nightclub

Carlos and his new crew waged a swift, brutal takeover across the

office went under, then his security building, then his

toppled one after another, the guards at each location given the same three options: submit, flee, or

chose the first

this carnage and betrayal filtered back to Hugo, one of Drake's most

the Harlan's Mansion, he

muttered, slamming his fist on car door.

to stand the reports any longer, Hugo marched to Harlan's

once, twice, but

called, forcing the door open,

>>

Drake lay on the rug, eyes vacant, blood trickling from every

long moment, Hugo couldn't even breathe. He walked

though he

for a

saying the word would

Hans appeared, breathless and

cops are coming with Kingston's crew. We need to-"His

lips when he

twisted his face into

killed Harlan!" he blurted, stumbling

tore down the hall before Hugo could stop him, his

"Hugo killed the boss!"

Hans burst through the front doors, broadcasting his accusation to the crowd of three

did it!" Hans shouted, fear

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Chapter 134

reaction was immediate-a ripple of shock

mob.

taking

"The police are coming

men turned from a loyal army into a panicked swarm, eyes darting left and right for an escape route. One cry cut through the mayhem: "Who's gonna pay us now?!

That sealed it.

about to risk their lives for

a dam bursting, the

bikes, their cars,

but here.

watching as the kingdom he'd dedicated two decades to crumbled before his