The Almighty Dominance

Chapter 166

Chapter 166

Lyra leaned back with a smirk curling her lips. "Well, Uncle Raymond, I'm not sure you resemble anything in particular... but I trust Alex's opinion on the matter."

Raymond snorted so hard it nearly rattled the phone line. "uh! I have no idea how that tiny fraud managed to brainwash you. What's his secret?"

She shrugged with practiced indifference.

"Beats me. Maybe it was just meant to be. Anyway, the clock is ticking. You've got half a day left before our bet closes. If you're still as healthy as an ox by sunset, I'll hand over the goods I promised. But I hope you've set aside your 'payment' for the cure if-and when-you need it."

Raymond's voice turned coarse. "Payment? You're not talking about those rare herbs from my vault, are you?"

Lyra's eyes rolled skyward as if she couldn't believe his stupidity.

“Don't get confused, Uncle. The bet is simple: I wager my entire herb plantation; you wager that precious stash of yours. That's separate from any cure you might suddenly find yourself begging for."

Raymond burst out laughing, the sound harsh and biting. "Oh, you think you'll make a quick buck off me? Fine, let's entertain your nonsense. If I do end up poisoned-and that's a pretty big 'if'-what's your asking price?"

Lyra's smirk grew predatory. "I hear you own Cheval Blanc, the biggest fancy hotel and restaurant in all of Vancouver. Let's have that."

Raymond scoffed, though there was a nervous edge to it. "My Cheval Blanc Hotel? Aren't you ambitious!" 1 "Go big or go home, right? Shoot for the stars, and if you fail, at least you land on the moon,” Lyra quipped. He gave an exaggerated sigh. "Sure, sure. But don't come crying to me when you lose your precious herb plantation. I'm guessing you've already prepared the contract?”

Lyra let out a quiet chuckle. "All drawn up and ready. Just waiting for your signature later today. And I hope you've done the same-wouldn't want you to keel over before you transfer Cheval Blanc to Alex, right? Could be messy finalizing that paperwork after you drop dead."

"Funny," Raymond said through clenched teeth. "Laugh all you want. In half a day, I'll prove that your little miracle worker is nothing but a worthless con artist!" He ended the call with a slam.

Still fueled by his own amusement, Raymond dialed another number right away.

"Hey, Joe Thompson, it's your old pal. Get that plantation contract ready. Because by tonight, it's going straight into my pocket."

the other end. "No worries, old friend. My daughter's got

“I don't get it, Joe. Your daughter's brilliant, but she still sticks by that puny swindler. What on earth does she

"It's called love, my

way, Joe, your daughter says she wants my hotel. You really think I'm handing that over?" "You will,"

1/3

Chapter 166

Pal Joe, ever since you got outplayed

Don't push your luck." Joe barked a short, humorless

tea-only to freeze when a stabbing jolt shot through his chest like someone driving a spike into

but the pain swelled,

face as if he'd just run a marathon in a

he croaked, calling for his

damn kid actually have been right?" Raymond seethed through gritted teeth, clutching his chest. As his vision blurred, he saw Tony rushing

as a ragged wheeze. "Hospital!

they scrambled for the helicopter, heading to the best facility

with a hundred thoughts as

would sign away my hotel

landed on the hospital's helipad, Tony practically dragged him through the doors, shouting at

of tests followed, but the conclusion was as humiliating as it was baffling: Raymond

looked at him uncertainly. "Are you sure

"You think I'm faking this? My chest is on fire! Why in hell would I

we can't find anything wrong. You might want a second

Raymond

but each time, it was the same conclusion: perfectly healthy, with no explanation for the searing

only gave him a painkiller,

be clueless?"

the relentless

on decades of healthy living, but this pain was