The Almighty Dominance (by Sunshine) novel Chapter 339

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.

“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, terror gripping him. “No! I’m too young—I can’t survive in prison! Please, 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.”