The Almighty Dominance

Chapter 140

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"Why?"

*1 Just wondered because Kelly's been gone too," she said, her ton clipped.

An uneasy silence hung between them. Then she continued, "Anyway, Kelly just updated me about the Charles problem-my brother."

"And?" Alex prompted.

"I need to handle this on my own--no help from my father. It's a kingston family issue, and if I don't confront him directly, Charles will never respect me. Think of it as my final test before I can truly step into my role in Vancouver. Just promise you won't say anything to my father."

"Are you sure?" he asked, eyeing the empty shoreline where the helicopter had departed.

"I have to be. Besides, I know you're close to my father, but let him stay out of it. If I fail, Lfail on my own terms."

Alex exhaled. "Fine. I won't tell him."

Jasmilte hesitated. "I may still need your help. Can I call if things get rough?"

"I'll help if I can," he said, though his thoughts wandered to the chaos that could erupt if the new king used Kingswell's resources to quash any opposition.

With the country already teetering, they couldn't risk a civil war.

His watch buzzed again-Sophia calling. He clenched his jaw, muttering, "No rest for the wicked."

"Where the hell have you been?" Sophia's voice snapped through the speaker.

"You vanish for three days, phone off, no explanation. Were you off with some woman?"

He stifled an exasperated groan.

'How is it that women always seem to activate their psychic senses at the worst moments?'

"What do you want?" he asked, his tone sharper than intended.

She paused, clearly still fuming. "It's my grandfather's birthday celebration today. Are you coming or not? We've been waiting. And do you even have money for a gift? If not, say the word-I'll send you some."

Alex glanced around his private villa, his gaze settling on an exquisite bottle of vintage wine-a costly token he'd once received from a grateful patient.

"I have something suitable," he replied.

"Don't show up with some cheap knockoff," Sophia bit out, then hung up without waiting for a response.

Before he could catch his breath, his watch lit up again: Lyra Thompson.

"Where have you been these past three days? You're not answering your phone." "What do you want?" he said, annoyance flaring.

"I'm out of miracle pills," Lyra explained calmly. "Do you have more? My clients are asking."

"Yeah, I can get some to you," Alex agreed. The need for money was growing urgent he had too many goals to reach, and fast.

There was a pause before Lyra asked, "Alex?"

"Yes?"

"Did you sleep with any girls in the last three days?"

Alex sighed deeply, muttering under his breath, "Not again..."

That evening, Alex made his way to the Emerald Villa-a sprawling estate hidden

behind ivy-covered walls and manicured grounds.

He found Sophia at the entrance, tapping her foot impatiently.

"We need to talk," she said curtly.

He braced himself. "So talk."

She lowered her voice, refusing to meet his gaze. "I haven't told Granddad about

divorce. His health is fragile, and... I don't

her for a moment. "Alright.

it," she muttered, casting Alex a look heavy

and confronting him about her growing suspicion that his three- day disappearance might have involved

end, instinct trumped

her

the most, because they expect

bottle of wine clutched in his hand like

Sophia's back, once, they

remain,

the scent of a catered feast mingled with an underlying

on a new face-Marco Ashford-seated in what should have

Florence Lancaster's scathing

elders waiting," she snapped, each word dripping

brandishing a bandaged arm from their previous clash. "Careful, Mom," he

spread through the gathering, thick as fog, until Abraham Lancaster's booming voice cut through with a

grin. "Come sit beside me, "Sure," Alex replied, managing a polite smile as he helped the old man

2

kid."

glowered, jealousy flaring in his

grandfather's fondness for someone outside the

Today's

Chapter 1/4

wine box for all

Domaine de la Romanée Conti Grand Cru. We ought to crack

leaned forward, eyebrows

one of those outrageously pricey labels,

bet," Marco said with a

baby's a 2005 vintage, and it set me

room erupted with

for the Lancaster clan, a $100,000 bottle

eyed Marco with a mix of surprise and pride. "Good heavens,

admonishing

was now the suitor she had her

waved off the concern with a

I've got another whole barrel of this

on him

you're

wonderful treat for

compliment, until Florence

wasn't about to miss an opportunity to take a jab and make him

boy, why don't you learn a thing or two from Marco, huh? Look at the fine wine he's brought. I bet

her mockery with a swift

but forced a

Alex brought," he said, voice dripping with

a flourish, he tore open Alex's wine box, revealing

you look at

practically prehistoric-and not in a good way. I'd wager these sad little craft brews aren't worth more than a couple hundred

the

Those lost whatever value they once had. We wouldn't foist

a cheapskate!" Florence exclaimed, her lip curling in

fake high-end labels on their bottles to

duped into buying trash just so he could pretend to

up."

18

*

or take when you've never even tasted them?" Jack rolled his eyes and scoffed, "You're not seriously comparing your penny ante plonk to Marco's six-figure wine, are you?" "Sometimes price isn't everything," Alex answered. "And you have no chte what

spiteful grin. "Face it: you re too broke

"

here you are, trying

arms crossed. "He's nothing

spat.

sighed. "No point explaining good wine to

hand for silence. "That's enough. What matters is

to