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

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

should get that," Alex

locked onto his. "I want

be important," Alex pointed again to her buzzing

of irritation, Lyra grabbed

darkened as she listened, finally ending the

me. Looks like our

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

laughed, her eyes playful yet

fall for me, just like you fell for Sophia. I

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

confidently.

as Sophia disappeared into

Laura repeatedly but received no answer. Frowning, he checked his phone, only to freeze at

lords had been arrested by the military, accused of corruption and causing misery to

Gilbert muttered darkly, then suddenly a sinister smile spread

willingness to sacrifice yourself

swiftly opened his smartwatch, scrolling through countless pictures of Sophia since

His obsession flared dangerously.

he whispered to himself fiercely. "You'll never escape from me.

Sophia tangled in sheets,

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

all along-how

inside her, sharp and relentless. Still, she knew it wasn't

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

door, panic etched deeply

it's terrible!" Florence gasped, her

feet. "What happened? What's

last night and—and killed someone. The police

someone? He can't even slaughter a chicken!

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

shaking on the steering wheel as she drove to

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

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

fury. Without hesitation, she stormed forward and hit him

dare you get drunk, mess around with

with anxiety. "Enough, Sophia. Let him explain

happened,"

and then everything went dark When I woke up,

dripped with disgust. "Do you realize how