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?"

"I've been helping govern Vermont with my father since I was

with the 250 IQ." Alex chuckled.

destroy Vermont within a month

month?" Bella laughed. "Please. I could manage that in a week if

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

her past was

she wasn't a child anymore. She

in their

gazed out over the land. "This state-Vermont-was my father's heart. He built it for decades, poured everything he had into it. This is his

what he cherished. And I

furrowed. Something felt off. "Who are Alexis

gripped his arm, firm and sure. Her eyes locked onto his. "Our son

"...Our son and daughter?"

Don't look

I've been a father without

enough to owe them college

Alfred

smoke and the faint crackle of

the long oak table, Charles

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

already funneled money to the press and the influencers. Soon every corner of social media will turn

that moment comes, Kelly, you will strike back

silent, her

her thoughts-Bella on the yacht, scattering Jericho's ashes with Alex

if she would marry, a thousand suitors

answer had echoed across Vermont: "I promised my father-I will only marry

And Kelly remembered.

remembered her own promise to her

like a whip. His frown deepened, lines of fury

you even listening? If

Jericho.

།

we'lkill Bella Kane too. We still have the same poison that ended Without her, you will stand as the strongest candidate

silent, her lips

rose to his feet and swung hard,

rang out like a gunshot,

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

pain, the

whispered, "I'm sorry. I had too much

hand cracked across

think for yourself," he

Never forget who raised you when you were nothing. Your life belongs to us. Your loyalty belongs to

do

was ice, his eyes filled with

friends there Build an opposition party. Hit Bella Kane from

"Yes, Father," Kelly answered.

it immediately," Charles added,

dragged her out of

hall outside was colder, darker, but Charles's grip burned hotter

and clamped

time, listen when my father speaks. Don't you

"Yes," Kelly gasped.

eyes gleamed

a party tonight. Bring in

best models from Los Angeles and Vancouver. Line them up for me.

s

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