The Almighty Dominance

Inside his office.

Bernard slouched in his plush leather chair, puffing cigar smoke toward the ceiling like he owned the entire damn city-which, if you asked him, he practically did.

"Hey, Mr. Bernard," Viper began, voice laut. "Any chance that scrawny Kid confessed yet?"

Bernard snorted, a cruel grin twisting his jowls.

"Confess, not confess-doesn't make a damn bit of difference. That clueless little runt'll talk soon enough. They all break under pressure in the end."

Viper rubbed a hand over his mouth, "You sure? If I were you, I'd handle him quick. Things can get... unpredictable."

Bernard slammed his meaty fist on the desk, the thud echoing off the walls.

"You telling me how to run my station? My station. My rules. I call the shots here, and don't you dare forget it."

Viper raised both palms in surrender.

"Easy, Mr. Bernard, easy. I know you're the king around these parts. I just fear the Kid has someone big in his corner. Powerful folks poking their noses in your business can turn everything upside down."

Bernard let out a barking laugh that did nothing to soften his glare.

"They can line up and kiss my boots, for all I care. I've seen plenty of folks claiming they'd take me down- haven't seen a single hero yet. You ever see a hero, Viper?"

Before the Viper could respond, a squad leader burst through the door, nearly cracking the wood with his knuckles.

"What's so urgent you gotta break my damn door?" Bernard growled, cigar clenched between yellowed teeth.

"Sir, the Lancaster family wants Sophia Lancaster's bail set at two million," the officer reported, swallowing hard.

Bernard made a noise somewhere between a bull snort and a laugh.

"Two million? Is that a joke? Raymond's offering ten, and I'm not in the habit of trading gold bars for pocket change. Tell 'em to shove it unless they come back with something better."

sir." The officer retreated, but moments later returned, face pale. He hovered at the threshold like

"The hell do you want

the man began carefully, "we just got a call from Ms. Jasmine Kingston. She says we nabbed

sneer vanished, replaced by a flicker

moment, he said

turned his gaze to Viper, beads of sweat

Kingston being involved? She's a certified nightmare. That woman's a walking nuke-money, power, the works. Christ,

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Chapter 195

denial. "Don't pin this on me! I

but he

deal with it. If she's sniffing around, I'll deny we ever booked the Kid. See

the squad leader to deliver his lie-tell Jasmine

the second the guy left, Bernard's phone started

caller ID. "Alfred Kingston,"

unease.

the entire Kingston clan's

the phone to his ear. "Mr. Alfred! Long time, no talk.

11

the formalities, Bernard," Alfred hissed. "I'm only calling for one reason. Did you arrest a young man named

that came out strangled. "Alex? No, why would

Release him immediately, or I swear, I'll cut you off for good. Your name will be trash

free hand clenched into a fist, nails digging into his palm. But he forced his tone

If some incompetent rookie happened to nab a random kid, I'll sort it out, no

hair on his head is harmed, I'll see to it you and your entire miserable bloodline

came the dial

stared at his phone, heart slamming against his rib

breathing down my neck, all for that stupid Kid. Didn't you say

sweat pooling at his temples. "There was no hint- I swear, no one mentioned anything about the