The Almighty Dominance

Chapter 336

Lyra had never allowed herself the luxury of dreaming about becoming governor -not when every step toward that ambition required the king's blessing.

"General Marcus," she warned, her voice tight with urgency, "you'd better move quickly against the Chicago lords. If they even catch a hint that you're plotting against them, your head will roll before you know what hit you."

Marcus threw back his head with a contemptuous laugh.

"You're damn right about one thing-gold rules everything around here. Alex is already being set loose; I've made sure of it. Let the games begin."

"Good," Lyra nodded sharply. "Now get moving."

She pivoted swiftly, making her way toward Alex.

Behind her, Marcus barked orders, his voice like a whip cracking in the tense air.

"Get your asses in gear! The faster we strike, the easier this war becomes!"

Lyra had sized Marcus up long ago—a coward beneath all the bravado, obsessed with his wealth and self-preservation.

Yet, beneath that veneer lay something more dangerous: he was a cunning fox, armed to the teeth with clever tricks.

Strike down five Chicago lords, and none of them would stand a chance against his deceitful games.

Inside the military compound, Lyra found Alex standing silently in front of a massive iron cage, its door hanging wide open.

The prisoners, however, stood rooted in place, fear etched into their faces.

"Alex!" Lyra rushed to him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "Are you alright?"

Alex exhaled softly, turning his eyes toward her. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"What are you staring at?"

"Them," Alex gestured bitterly toward the caged men, their hollow eyes filled with dread. "The cage is open. I told them to run, but none of them will budge."

An elderly prisoner, his voice brittle with despair, spoke up.

"It's not that we don't crave freedom, son. But if we run while soldiers are occupied, we might escape for now-but later, they'll hunt us down like dogs and shoot us dead."

Another prisoner chimed in, his voice shaking, "You don't know the terror we've seen. They'll rip off your arms, your legs... Look at him-"

toward a man slumped in agony, "he tried escaping, now

"The cage wasn't

compassion softening

Alex. Healing takes time. Let's get out of

hardened, his

explained Marcus's

easier prey than

yes," Alex

Jasmine and Kelly, get them to stop the

hesitated, glancing back at the

he too weak to

stopped walking, meeting his

yet. He's young and new to power. He overthrew a tyrant; since then, things have

some governors resist him, plotting evil behind closed doors.

"You know, Lyra, you'd make an excellent governor." She

drop that topic if I dwell on dreams of power, I'll lose sight

of town, Sophia stared

hastily

cold ultimatum echoed mercilessly in

life, or you never see

happy, and maybe, just

and dialed Gilbert's number. Her

Laura snatched

is Laura Montclaire," she purred, flashing Sophia

you've always admired Sophia

finally convinced her. Do you

gasp was audible

I've waited five

smirked triumphantly, thrusting

Sophia. Talk to your

her voice tight. "Hello,

Gilbert's voice turned syrupy, almost disbelieving. "I never thought I'd actually hear you say yes.

tightened her grip, determined to

I'm not ready for marriage.

How about you let me take you out

tensed immediately, her mouth