The Almighty Dominance

Chapter 354

After a long, passionate night, Alex held Sophia close, her delicate fragrance intoxicating him.

The warmth of her body nestled perfectly against his chest, stirring something deep within him.

He gently kissed her forehead, and Sophia responded by pressing even closer, her breathing slow and peaceful.

"Alex," Sophia whispered softly, her voice thick with happiness and exhaustion. "You're everything to me. I've never loved anyone the way I love you."

With those words, she drifted off into a tranquil sleep, completely unaware of the turmoil stirring inside him.

Alex stared silently at Sophia's serene face, his mind racing with thoughts and emotions.

Without noticing, morning quietly crept into the room.

Rising slowly from the bed, Alex stood over Sophia, captivated by her fragile beauty as she slept.

His heart twisted painfully, and a bitter poem slipped softly from his lips.

"Meeting is hard, parting even harder — If we never met, there would be no yearning.

If we never knew each other, there'd be no thoughts.

If we were never together, there'd be no heartbreak."

Alex exhaled softly, his gaze lingering on the woman who had unraveled him.

They had met. They had known each other. They had been together.

And now, nothing could ever be the same.

He thought one final night would bring closure-that he could walk away and leave her behind.

But he was wrong.

The moment he touched her, he was undone again. Every time he saw Sophia, every breath she took near him, he lost himself.

No logic could contain it. No discipline could suppress it.

His desire for her wasn't something he could tame. It consumed him, wild and absolute.

And he knew now-this wasn't the end. It was only the beginning of something far more dangerous.

He forced himself to leave the penthouse, his resolve hardening with every step. Outside, he dialed the Paris branch of Kingswell.

His voice was sharp, dangerous. "Send me every file you have on the Guise family—especially Gilbert and Sophia. I want to know every last secret."

Never in his life had Alex mixed personal matters with his work, but Sophia changed everything.

Now every detail about her had become vital-urgent.

For Sophia, he was ready to play dirty-dangerously dirty.

***

Sophia awoke, reaching instinctively for Alex, only to find the bed cold and empty.

Panic tightened her chest, leaving her uncertain whether this emptiness was good or bad.

Last night she had poured her entire heart out to Alex, surrendering herself fully.

once again, and

she scolded herself bitterly, choking back

one night with the man you love

she slowly stepped into the shower, letting the hot water mingle

whispered, resigned to the fact that she had nothing left in this miserable

the penthouse door opening startled her. Voices echoed through the apartment, igniting a spark of hope in

even the smallest chance to stay by Alex's side a bit longer, she'd seize

gaze collided with Gilbert, his face twisted

the hotel manager, who sheepishly avoided her eyes-no doubt unable to refuse

filthy little slut!" Gilbert spat venomously,

could react, Gilbert's hand swung viciously across her face, a brutal

vision blurred as pain exploded

all night!

your legs for

roared, raising his foot and driving it mercilessly into

tearing through her body as she collapsed, clutching

pain was blinding, making it nearly impossible to breathe. She was sure something inside her had shattered, the pain slicing like

the choice she had made-staying with

built upon this mistake

erupted uncontrollably, his fists pounding

piece of trash! Worthless tramp!" Each insult was punctuated by another

torturing her with unbearable pain. Tears streamed

spirit shattered under the onslaught of

helplessly, trapped in a nightmare she

torment was her reality now, and she saw no way

only pain, regret, and the bitter realization

through the excruciating pain, hopelessness clawing at her soul.

Sophia's hair brutally, yanking her head back to reveal her bruised and

clever, don't you? Mocking me like I'm some fool!" Gilbert spat, delivering a vicious slap that echoed sharply

marriage papers now!" he

the document onto the table in front

be husband and wife, nice and legal," Gilbert

her head defiantly, eyes blazing

marry a monster

do much worse than die," Gilbert hissed darkly, pulling out his

men after every Lancaster alive-I want

desperation surging as she

sign!

with contempt as he slapped her again, harder this time. "You

into the phone again, voice dripping with

kill them. Just beat them

dread spreading through

uncontrollably as she grasped the pen,

away.

Joe, the

vef

need to understand this clearly. This contract states if either of you dies, the surviving

clause, fully aware of

position.

the Lancaster name from her grandfather, but

scandal and subsequent exile from the Montclaires, Sophia

the sole heir, poised

Montclaire elders who had already agreed but were still carefully deliberating the perfect moment to reveal it to

kept even Sophia herself