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 tears streamed quietly down

scolded herself bitterly, choking

you had this one night with the man you love most before

bed, she slowly stepped into the

you, Alex," she whispered, resigned to the fact that she had nothing left

penthouse door opening startled her. Voices echoed through the apartment, igniting a spark of hope in her chest. "Alex, is that you?" she called eagerly, hurrying from the bathroom, her

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

froze as her gaze collided with

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

Gilbert spat venomously, storming

could react, Gilbert's hand swung viciously across her face, a brutal slap knocking Sophia violently

as pain exploded in

worthless phone all night! I should've guessed

legs for

raising his foot and driving it mercilessly

through her body as she

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

knew the choice she had made-staying with Gilbert

she had built upon this mistake was

rage erupted uncontrollably, his fists pounding

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

echoed through Sophia's bones, torturing her with unbearable pain. Tears streamed uncontrollably down her swollen face

her spirit shattered

mind spun helplessly, trapped in

now, and she

and

the excruciating pain,

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

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

Bring the marriage papers now!" he barked

thrusting the document onto the table in front

and we'll be husband and wife, nice and legal,"

lifted her head defiantly, eyes blazing through tears of

marry a monster like

much worse than die," Gilbert hissed darkly,

Lancaster. Send men after every

screamed, desperation surging as

sign! Please, spare

his face twisted with contempt as he slapped her again, harder this time. "You should've thought about

into the phone again,

beat them until they're

violently, a cold dread spreading through

shook uncontrollably as she grasped the pen, prepared to sign her

away.

Lancaster," Joe, the

vef

"You need to understand this clearly. This contract states if either of you dies,

clause, fully aware

position.

Lancaster name from her grandfather, but

scandal and subsequent exile from the

the sole heir, poised

meticulously guarded by the Montclaire elders who had already agreed but were still carefully deliberating

cautious delay kept even Sophia herself