The Almighty Dominance

Sophia stared across the road at Alex and Lyra, her heart sinking.

One was her closest friend, and the other was the man who once gave her everything.

But back then, none of that mattered.

Now, when she was finally ready to give him her heart, all that awaited her was pain.

"Well," Gilbert whispered suddenly from behind her, his voice dripping with mockery, "don't you think they make a lovely couple, Sophia?"

She sighed, exhaustion filling her voice. "Gilbert, do you really think we'd make a good couple?"

"What?" Gilbert sneered. "Are you having second thoughts after everything Laura did for you?"

Sophia bit her lip, anger and regret twisting inside her. "Maybe Alex was right. Maybe neither you nor Laura ever truly helped him. Which means I don't owe either of you anything."

"You owe me, Sophia," Gilbert growled, his voice dropping dangerously low

"Laura helped free him. Now it's your turn to repay me or trust me, you'll regret crossing me!"

Sophia steadied her breath, meeting his cold gaze head-on.

"Give me time, Gilbert. I refuse to rush into another disaster. I've learned enough from my mistakes."

"Believe me," Gilbert replied sharply, eyes narrowing, "so have I."

"Fine," Sophia said firmly.

"Give me 24 hours. If either you or Laura genuinely helped Alex, I'll marry you. But if you lied, our deal is off."

As she turned away, Gilbert snatched at her wrist, gripping it tightly.

Sophia wrenched her hand free, glaring defiantly. "Let go!" she snapped.

With tears burning in her eyes, Sophia stormed off, haunted by the thought that every choice she'd ever made in love or haste had led only to disaster.

She no longer knew what to believe or do.

Meanwhile, Alex stared at Lyra, stunned. "What was that kiss for?"

Lyra flashed him a mischievous grin, her eyes sparkling. "Well, I just saved your life. Don't you think that earns me a little reward?"

Alex chuckled softly, eyes lingering on her face. "Fair enough."

She was beautiful, no less captivating than Sophia, and he felt his pulse quicken

in her presence—perhaps from attraction, perhaps from something deeper.

stepping closer, "have you thought about my offer the

Alex could respond, Lyra's phone buzzed insistently. She glanced at

you should get that," Alex

Lyra insisted, gaze locked onto his. "I

important," Alex pointed again to her

sigh of irritation, Lyra

expression darkened as she listened, finally ending the call

me. Looks like

teasing, "That's a shame. I was just about to

weren't," Lyra laughed, her eyes

trust me, Alex-you'll fall for me, just like

nodded seriously. "You better go see what your

confidently. "Don't

as Sophia disappeared into the

but received no answer. Frowning, he checked his phone, only to freeze at the headline flashing

five Chicago lords had been arrested by the military, accused of corruption and causing

Gilbert muttered darkly, then suddenly a

me your weakness-your willingness to sacrifice yourself for those

countless pictures of Sophia since her first public

His obsession flared dangerously.

"You'll never escape from me. Tomorrow, you'll

tangled in

the other Chicago leaders' capture replaying

all along-how could she have

her, sharp and relentless. Still, she knew

make things right.

through her bedroom door,

terrible!" Florence gasped, her eyes wide with

her feet. "What happened?

for breath. "He got drunk last night and—and

can't even slaughter

her voice trembling. "We

raced to the car, her hands shaking on the steering wheel as she drove

she and Florence entered the stark interrogation room. There, sitting slumped

out, his face streaked with tears. "Thank God you're

blazed with fury. Without hesitation, she stormed forward and

How dare you get drunk, mess around with prostitutes, and commit

stepped in, her voice trembling with anxiety. "Enough, Sophia. Let him

what happened," James sobbed, desperate and

a woman approached me. We fooled around, and then everything went dark When I woke up, there

voice dripped with disgust. "Do