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-"

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

at Lyra, pain in his eyes. "The cage wasn't

deeply, compassion softening

Healing takes

walked away, Alex's eyes hardened, his

quickly explained Marcus's

prey than tackling the Three States

Alex agreed

call Jasmine and Kelly, get them to stop

hesitated, glancing back at the broken men

think our new king is failing? Is he too weak to control men

stopped walking, meeting his eyes

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

some governors resist him, plotting evil behind closed doors. Change

you'd make an excellent governor." She laughed softly,

learned plenty from him. But let's drop that topic if I dwell on dreams of power, I'll lose sight of

Sophia stared anxiously at Gilbert

scribbled hastily

cold ultimatum echoed mercilessly

marry Gilbert and save Alex's life, or you never see Alex again.

and maybe, just maybe, I'll set Alex

the phone, and dialed Gilbert's

Laura snatched the

Mr. Guise? This is Laura Montclaire," she purred, flashing Sophia a

always admired Sophia Lancaster,

with Montclair blood? Well, guess what I finally convinced her. Do

surprised gasp was audible through the

I've waited five long years for

your lucky day." Laura smirked triumphantly, thrusting

Sophia. Talk to your future

her voice tight. "Hello, Mr. Guise.

never thought

grip, determined to

honest, I'm not ready for marriage. Why don't we

How about you let me take you out for dinner tonight? We'll call it a

tensed immediately, her mouth