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.

"have you thought about my offer

could respond, Lyra's phone buzzed insistently. She glanced at it, clearly annoyed, and ignored

get that,"

gaze locked onto his. "I want

important," Alex pointed again to

of irritation, Lyra grabbed the

listened, finally ending

father needs me. Looks like our

smiled faintly, teasing, "That's a shame. I was just

weren't," Lyra laughed, her eyes

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

"You better go see what your father wants. Thanks for everything,

confidently. "Don't mention

town, Gilbert watched bitterly as Sophia disappeared into the

no answer. Frowning, he checked

five Chicago lords had been arrested by the military, accused of corruption and causing misery to the city's citizens, a crackdown endorsed

save Alex," Gilbert muttered darkly, then suddenly a sinister smile spread across his

your weakness-your willingness to sacrifice yourself for those you care about. That's enough

his smartwatch, scrolling through countless pictures of Sophia since her first public

His obsession flared dangerously.

mine, Sophia," he whispered to himself fiercely. "You'll never escape from me. Tomorrow, you'll

tangled in

her, the news of Laura and the other Chicago leaders' capture replaying endlessly

had been right all along-how could she have

and relentless. Still, she knew it wasn't too

Alex and make things right. Next time, she'd think twice before jumping to

through her bedroom door, panic etched deeply into her

it's terrible!" Florence gasped, her

her feet. "What happened? What's

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

"James? Kill someone? He can't even slaughter a chicken! How

the details," Florence urged, her voice trembling. "We need to go,

on the

entered the stark interrogation room. There, sitting

out, his face streaked with

with fury. Without hesitation, she stormed forward

you get drunk, mess around with prostitutes,

stepped in, her voice trembling with anxiety.

know exactly what happened," James

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

dripped with disgust. "Do you realize how