The Almighty Dominance

The next day, the headlines screamed across every state:

Jericho Kane, governor of Vermont, his wife Lidia, his sister Beatrice, and five doctors-every one of them dead from poison.

The news tore through the country like wildfire.

Because the poison in their bodies was so lethal, there could be no funeral. No open caskets.

No mourning ceremonies. The bodies were cremated quickly, the ashes carried away, erased from the earth.

Out on one of the family's massive yachts, Bella stood at the bow with Alex beside her.

The sea stretched endless and cold.

She held an urn, her father's ashes swirling in the wind before falling into the dark waves.

Her face was dry, untouched by tears. Her lips moved softly.

"Goodbye, Father."

Alex studied her in silence.

After a long pause, Bella turned, "You're wondering why I don't cry?"

"Maybe," Alex said.

"I cried enough yesterday," she answered flatly.

"And I remember what Father told me... If the day came that he died, he wanted me to smile. To smile at him, and tell him he had been a good father."

Her mouth twisted into a wide, forced grin.

She raised her voice against the wind.

"Thank you for being my father! You were the greatest! Even when I went astray- when I hurt people you stood by me, cheering me on. You were insane, but you were insane with love for me!"

Her chest heaved as she spoke louder, her words thrown into the sea.

"You left me with wealth beyond imagination, with the governor's seat that men would kill for."

"You were the craziest father anyone could ask for, and now I'll take it from here." "Go on your next journey without worry-I'm strong enough to conquer this world. I'll make a legend of my own, and when I die, I'll tell you about it.”

"I'll even bring you the grandchild you always wanted to see."

Alex caught the glint of moisture in her eyes. She tried to hide it, but the sea wind betrayed her.

Bella Kane, strong and unshaken, was still her father's daughter-and no smile could mask the storm inside her.

"Father, I promise you this-within two months I'll take Los Angeles from Alfred Kingston's hands. And when I do, I'll build your statue in front of the Governor's Office," Bella said cutting through the sea breeze.

Alex gave her a crooked smile. "That's one hell of a promise."

"I've already started," Bella replied without hesitation.

Alex drew in a long breath. "Tell me, Bella-do you hate the King for choosing your father as Governor? It caused his death faster."

Bella's lips curved into a soft smile. "The night he was sworn in, I saw his face light up like a boy again. He was genuinely happy. It was the best thing that ever happened to him."

"Losing the governorship a year ago was his deepest regret. Even if he only held the seat for a few days, I saw it-the peak of his joy. For that, I thank the King. He gave my father his last, brightest moment before death."

Her voice turned fierce. "My father was the kind of man who'd rather ride a rocket and die in a blaze of glory than live a long life on the ground with nothing to show for it."

'It is not length of life, but depth of life.'

Alex turned his gaze toward the horizon. "The Kingstons are already attacking you in the media. They're saying you'll never be able to govern Vermont. What do you make of that?"

govern Vermont with my father since I was ten. This isn't new-it's like picking up my old

Bella, the girl with the 250

your record, you'll destroy Vermont within a

"Please. I could manage that in a week if I

sparkled, "So tell me, Bella-will the wild Bella

past was pure

now... she wasn't a child anymore. She

hasn't gone wild in

my father's heart. He built

comes, I can say I cherished what he cherished. And I want

brow furrowed. Something felt off. "Who are Alexis and

hand gripped his arm, firm and sure. Her eyes locked onto

"...Our son and daughter?"

look

just calculating how long I've been a

enough to owe them college

Angeles. Alfred Kingston's private

with cigar smoke and

the long oak

Kane is dead," Alfred said coldly. "And I don't believe

every corner of social media will turn against

"When that moment comes, Kelly, you will strike back and claim

sat silent, her mind

in her thoughts-Bella on the yacht, scattering Jericho's

would marry, a thousand suitors from across the states

had echoed across Vermont: "I promised my father-I will only marry Alex. Or I

And Kelly remembered.

to her father-that she

whip. His frown deepened, lines of fury

even listening? If

Jericho.

།

same poison that ended Without her, you will stand as the strongest candidate

her

his feet and swung hard,

rang out like a gunshot, echoing off the

dog," he spat. "My father is speaking, and you

with pain, the sting ripping her back to

whispered, "I'm sorry. I had

Charles's hand cracked

for yourself,"

do what my father and I tell you. Never forget who raised you when you were nothing. Your

do whatever

was ice,

to Vermont Rally your friends there Build an opposition party. Hit Bella Kane from

"Yes, Father," Kelly answered.

Father. We'll take care of it

dragged her out of

outside was colder, darker, but Charles's

and clamped a hand around

mistress," he hissed. "Next time, listen when my

"Yes," Kelly gasped.

eyes gleamed with

a party tonight.

from Los Angeles and Vancouver. Line them up for me. I'll choose my wife

s

trembled. "But your allowance from Father is already gone...