The Almighty Dominance

Inside the locked room, Florence paced anxiously, her mind racing faster in these past thirty minutes than it had in the last three years.

Panic gnawed at her chest as she frantically searched for a way out-for herself and her precious son.

Suddenly, the lock clicked, and the door swung open.

Florence turned sharply as Ricardo, their family lawyer, stepped inside.

"Ricardo! Thank God!" Florence rushed toward him. "You have to understand- didn't plan any of this. James didn't kill anyone! You must help us!"

Ricardo set his briefcase down on the table and sat across from them, his expression grim.

"I'm doing everything I can."

Florence grabbed the table, her knuckles white.

"Ricardo, this is a huge mistake! We shouldn't even be here!"

"Listen carefully, Mrs. Lancaster," Ricardo said calmly.

"This isn't about guilt or innocence anymore. If the authorities say James killed that girl, then in their eyes, he's guilty."

Florence stared at him in disbelief. "What are you saying? Where is the justice in that?"

Ricardo sighed deeply.

"This isn't about justice. Innocent or guilty, once the police decide, it's done. It's all part of a game, and right now, we're losing."

James slammed his fist on the table. "I didn't do it!"

"Believe me," Ricardo's voice fell to a weary whisper, "some of the men locked up are innocent. It doesn't matter. They'll still rot behind bars for decades."

Florence's face drained of color as the reality sank in.

Prison meant a lifetime behind those cold, iron bars-no escape, no hope.

"Ricardo," she pleaded desperately, eyes brimming with tears, "please, tell me you've found something. Anything!"

Ricardo hesitated briefly, then leaned forward.

"I have found one way out for both of you. But I'm not sure you'll agree to it."

Florence's eyes brightened urgently. "What is it? Tell us!"

"The officer handling your case is on Gilbert Guise's payroll. If Guise tells him you're innocent, the charges will vanish."

"Guise?" Florence frowned. "You mean Gilbert Guise, the son of Herbert Guise, the governor of Paris State?"

Ricardo nodded solemnly. "Exactly."

Florence's heart sank. "But I don't have any connection to him."

Ricardo raised an eyebrow. "Really? Because that's not what I heard."

"What did you hear?" Florence's eyes narrowed sharply.

Ricardo leaned back, studying her carefully.

"Sophia Lancaster was spotted having dinner with Gilbert Guise just last night. It's the talk of Paris."

"Rumor is, he's always had a thing for her. Apparently, he once said he wanted to marry Sophia when she was still modeling."

Florence froze, stunned.

She had spent years trying to set Sophia up with Charles Kingston, only to watch that pathetic fool lose favor with his own family.

But Gilbert Guise-he was practically royalty.

The Guise family ruled Paris, a state far richer and more powerful than Vancouver.

If Sophia married Gilbert, it would be the greatest triumph of Florence's life.

A fierce determination lit up Florence's eyes. "If that's true, then this will be easy. Sophia can fix everything."

Ricardo shrugged uncertainly.

"I don't know. I saw Sophia outside. She seemed hesitant almost unwilling-to involve him."

Florence slammed her hand on the table, making everyone flinch.

"What?! I need to talk to her now!"

Within ten minutes, Sophia stood reluctantly in front of her mother, eyes avoiding Florence's piercing stare.

"Sophia," Florence demanded sharply, wasting no time, "call Gilbert Guise immediately. He's our only hope."

Sophia shifted uneasily, looking away.

"Mom, let's leave Guise out of this. I'm working on it another way. I hired a

detective to investigate. Please, just give him a little more time."

Florence's voice rose dangerously.

"Sophia, Guise can end this nightmare right now! Why are you being so stubborn?"

Sophia shook her head firmly. "I don't want to ask him, Mom."

Florence lunged forward, grabbing Sophia's phone from her hand. "Then give me his number! I'll talk to him myself!"

Sophia recoiled, but Florence held her firmly, determination blazing in her eyes, leaving Sophia no choice but to surrender.

Florence quickly grabbed her phone and dialed Guise's number, her hands trembling slightly.

"Hello, Gilbert? This is Florence Lancaster-Sophia's mother. Listen, my son James-Sophia's brother-is in serious trouble."

"Could you please pull some strings and help us out?"

Gilbert's voice came back cool and composed, tinged with irritation.

"Sophia's mother, huh? You know, Florence, I'd love to help, but your daughter ran

out on me last night. I'm still pretty unhappy about it."

"What?" Florence's body stiffened, and she shot a furious glance at Sophia.

She couldn't fathom the absurdity—her daughter had run away from Gilbert Guise, the prince of Paris.

When countless women would kill to share his bed, her foolish daughter had fled.

"Mr. Guise, Sophia deeply regrets what happened," Florence rushed to say, forcing calm into her voice.

"How about you two have another date tonight? I'll personally make sure everything goes smoothly this time."

Gilbert chuckled softly, clearly amused.

"Well, Mrs Lancaster, if that's a promise, maybe I'll consider helping your son. But make sure Sophia herself calls me-I certainly won't be dating you."

"Of course, of course," Florence agreed quickly, her mind racing.

"By the way, Mr. Guise, didn't you once say you wanted to marry Sophia? Do you

still feel that way?"

Gilbert's voice softened with smug satisfaction.

"Absolutely. Everyone knows I'd love nothing more than to marry her."

Florence seized the opportunity immediately. "Wonderful! Don't worry, she'll marry you-l guarantee it."

Gilbert laughed, his tone both confident and sinister.

"If that's true, I'll start preparing the wedding this month."

Florence pressed further, desperate to lock down the deal. "Why wait a month?

Let's do it this week-the sooner, the better."

"Fine," Gilbert agreed decisively. "You handle your side, and I'll take care of mine." "Perfect. We'll meet tonight with Sophia," Florence concluded breathlessly. Gilbert's voice hardened slightly.

"One thing though, Mrs. Lancaster-I don't like being pushed around." "Sophia needs to call me herself and arrange tonight's date. Only then will I trust your word."

"She'll call you right away," Florence promised hastily and hung up.

Turning sharply to Sophia, her eyes burned with urgency.

"I'll never marry him!" Sophia blurted out immediately, her face pale and defiant.

"Sophia, what's wrong with you?" Florence snapped, her voice trembling with frustration.

"Gilbert Guise is powerful and incredibly rich. His father is the governor of Paris-

he'll inherit all of it, and you'd be his wife!"

"Marrying him will save your brother and me. We'll never struggle again!"

Sophia shook her head stubbornly. "Mom, I don't even like him!"

"You'll learn to love him," Florence insisted desperately. "Do you really want to seenoveldrama

your own mother and brother thrown into prison?"

James, panic twisting his face, joined the plea. "Come on, Sophia! Just marry

Guise!"

Sophia's eyes filled with despair. "Have either of you even thought about me—my future, my happiness?"

"Of course I have!" Florence cried. "Marrying Guise is the best thing that could ever happen to you. You'll have everything, and our family will finally have power. What's not to like?"

James's voice cracked, his eyes wild and desperate. "Sophia, please! I'm your brother-do you want me rotting in jail? Is that what you want?"

Sophia squeezed her eyes shut, overwhelmed by the impossible pressure.

"Just let me think. There... there must be another way."

"Another way?" James exploded, fear driving his anger. "We don't have time to

wait around for your ideas!"

"He's right," Florence sobbed, collapsing dramatically onto her knees. "Sophia, I'm begging you please help your brother!"

"Mom, stop it!" Sophia gasped, horrified, rushing to help her mother stand. "Get

up, please!"

But Florence refused, her eyes wet with tears yet filled with unshakable determination.

"I won't move an inch until you agree!"

Sophia froze helplessly, staring at her mother's pleading eyes and her brother's

terrified face.

Everything felt impossibly heavy, and for the first time, Sophia realized how

trapped she truly was.