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.

"Alex," Lyra purred, stepping closer, "have you thought about my offer the penthouse?"

Before Alex could respond, Lyra's phone buzzed insistently. She glanced at it, clearly annoyed, and ignored the call.

"Maybe you should get that," Alex suggested lightly.

"No," Lyra insisted, gaze locked onto his. "I want your answer first."

"It might be important," Alex pointed again to her buzzing phone.

With a sigh of irritation, Lyra grabbed the phone.

"Father?" Her expression darkened as she listened, finally ending the call with frustration.

"I'm sorry, Alex. My father needs me. Looks like our plans are ruined."

Alex smiled faintly, teasing, "That's a shame. I was just about to say yes."

"No, you weren't," Lyra laughed, her eyes playful yet knowing.

"Your face says otherwise. But trust me, Alex-you'll fall for me, just like you fell for Sophia. I guarantee it."

Alex nodded seriously. "You better go see what your father wants. Thanks for everything, Lyra."

She winked confidently. "Don't mention it."

Across town, Gilbert watched bitterly as Sophia disappeared into the distance.

Frustrated, he called Laura repeatedly but received no answer. Frowning, he checked his phone, only to freeze at the headline flashing across his screen.

All five Chicago lords had been arrested by the military, accused of corruption and causing misery to the city's citizens, a crackdown endorsed by the ministers and the King himself.

"So, Laura didn't actually save Alex," Gilbert muttered darkly, then suddenly a sinister smile spread across his face.

"Sophia, you just showed me your weakness-your willingness to sacrifice yourself for those you care about. That's enough ammunition for me."

He swiftly opened his smartwatch, scrolling through countless pictures of Sophia since her first public appearance.

His obsession flared dangerously.

"You're mine, Sophia," he whispered to himself fiercely. "You'll never escape from me. Tomorrow, you'll finally be mine."

The morning sun found Sophia tangled in sheets, exhausted but wide awake.

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

Alex had been right all along-how could she have doubted him?

Regret burned inside her, sharp and relentless. Still, she knew it wasn't too late.

She could still apologize to Alex and make things right. Next time, she'd think twice before jumping to conclusions.

Suddenly, Florence burst through her bedroom door, panic etched deeply into her face.

"Sophia, it's terrible!" Florence gasped, her eyes wide with fear.

Sophia jumped to her feet. "What happened? What's wrong?"

"It's James!" Florence struggled for breath. "He got drunk last night and—and killed someone. The police have arrested him!"

Sophia staggered backward, stunned. "James? Kill someone? He can't even slaughter a chicken! How is this possible?"

"I don't have the details," Florence urged, her voice trembling. "We need to go, now!"

Sophia raced to the car, her hands shaking on the steering wheel as she drove to the police station.

Her heart pounded relentlessly as she and Florence entered the stark interrogation room. There, sitting slumped and bruised, was James.

"Mom! Sophia!" James cried out, his face streaked with tears. "Thank God you're here!"

Sophia's eyes blazed with fury. Without hesitation, she stormed forward and hit him hard.

"You pathetic fool! How dare you get drunk, mess around with prostitutes, and commit murder?"

Florence quickly stepped in, her voice trembling with anxiety. "Enough, Sophia. Let him explain first."

"I—I don't know exactly what happened," James sobbed, desperate and confused.

"I was drinking with friends, then a woman approached me. We fooled around, and then everything went dark When I woke up, there was blood everywhere. She was dead!"

"You idiot!" Sophia's voice dripped with disgust. "Do you realize how serious this

is? You'll rot in jail for decades!"

James's face turned ghostly white,noveldrama

terror

Shipping him. "No! I'm too

can't survive in prison!

, help me! I swear, I never kill her!"

"You've crossed a line you can't return from," Sophia snapped bitterly.

Despite her anger, her heart shattered at the sight of her broken brother.

Suddenly, police officers stormed the room, their eyes locked on Florence. "Are you James's mother?" one officer barked.

"Yes," Florence replied weakly, confusion clouding her eyes.

“You're under arrest,” the officer said coldly, grabbing her roughly and cuffing her wrists.

"What the hell are you doing?" Sophia shouted, alarmed and bewildered.

"Stay out of it!" The officer shoved Sophia hard, sending her crashing to the floor.

"James confessed. He killed the woman because his mother told him to."

"What?" James screamed, eyes wide with disbelief.

"That's nonsense!" Florence protested fiercely. "I don't even know that woman!"

"Stop lying the officer sneered. “She

was pregnant with James's child

You didn't approve, so you ordered

him to kill her. Planned

murder-both of you will rot in prison for this."

Sophia scrambled to her feet, her world spinning violently. "That's impossible!

You've made a mistake!"

Another officer calmly spoke to his friend, "Remove this woman from the premises immediately. These two are going to jail."

Sophia fought wildly, protesting loudly as they dragged her outside.

In the harsh sunlight, another officer leaned close, his voice chilling and precise.

"If you want your mother and brother safe, call Gilbert and agree to whatever he demands."