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

His health is fragile, and... I don't want him to

her for a moment. "Alright. I'll keep it

she muttered, casting Alex a look heavy with unspoker

letting Megan smash the bucket of flowers and confronting him about her growing suspicion that his three-

end,

her heel

ones they love the most, because they expect them to heal the wounds they never

clutched in his hand like a peace offering he

back, once, they burned

embers remain, scattered

hummed with layered voices, and the scent of a catered feast mingled with an underlying tension unique to the Lancaster

landed on a new face-Marco Ashford-seated in what should have been his chair beside

the room, Florence Lancaster's scathing gaze

quite rude to keep your elders waiting," she snapped,

son, Jack, chipped in, brandishing a bandaged arm from their previous clash. "Careful, Mom,"

spread through the gathering, thick as fog, until Abraham Lancaster's

with a welcoming grin. "Come sit beside me, "Sure," Alex replied,

2

kid."

jealousy flaring in

grandfather's fondness for someone

Today's

Chapter 1/4

a lavishly decorated wine

out. Marco just dropped by with a Domaine de la Romanée Conti Grand Cru. We ought to

forward,

That's one of those outrageously pricey labels,

Marco said with a self-satisfied

vintage, and it set me back a cool hundred

erupted with shocked

bottle of wine was the stuff of

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

beneath her admonishing tone, she

now the suitor she had her

the concern with a dismissive

whole barrel of this at home. It's my pleasure to

family descended on him with

you're unbelievably

wonderful treat

each compliment, until Florence finally

about to miss an opportunity to take

don't you learn a thing or two from Marco, huh? Look at the fine wine he's brought. I bet whatever you have came straight from the bargain bin. Don't be such

with a swift

but forced a

he said,

a flourish, he tore open Alex's wine

would you look at that?"

he might bring something remotely decent, but no. These labels are practically prehistoric-and not in a good way. I'd wager these sad little craft brews aren't worth

the Lancasters-let

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

cheapskate!" Florence exclaimed,

these cheap wineries slap fake high-end labels on their bottles

Alex got duped into buying trash just so

up."

18

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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?"

still yapping?" Jack said with a spiteful grin. "Face it: you re

"

are, trying to

crossed. "He's nothing

spat.

to those who won't

"That's

like to try this older