The Almighty Dominance (by Sunshine) novel Chapter 413

Last week, Samuel Prescott sat across from Jericho Kane in a private study thick with the scent of oak and old leather.

The table between them gleamed with crystal glasses and an unopened bottle of wine.

“Samuel,” Jericho said. “I don’t understand you. You want me back in the governor’s seat? You don’t have the power to make that happen.”

Jericho uncorked his finest bottle, pouring deep red into Samuel’s glass.

“I don’t,” Samuel admitted, accepting the pour. “But the king does. He could put you back.”

Jericho laughed, sharp and bitter. “You know where I stand. I am always on the old king’s side. Thee new king? He despises me. He gave Kelly Kingston the governorship just to keep me out.”

“The king sees more than you think, Kane.” Samuel swirled the wine, took a sip, and let his eyes widen. “Remarkable vintage.”

Jericho smirked faintly.

“He’s been watching you,” Samuel continued. “You’ve done nothing. You’ve stayed in the shadows. To him, that means you’re teachable—maybe even useful again.”

Jericho’s smile wavered. He sipped his wine, the weight of it heavy on his tongue, and let out a tired sigh.

“When a man has only a few years left, Samuel, he stops looking for wars. He searches for peace.”

Samuel’s eyes narrowed. “So it’s catching up to you. How long? Ten years?”

Jericho shook his head, slow and grim.

“You know the old king. His greed had no limits. My father-in-law drained forty years of my life’s core to strengthen himself. I feel it slipping from me every day. At best, I’ve got a year—maybe two.”

He set the glass down with care, voice dropping to a whisper. “For now, all I want is peace.”

“Is that truly what you want?” Samuel asked, his voice calm but cutting.

Jericho turned his gaze to the blue sky beyond the window.

“When I was young, giving up my life span for power and authority felt like a fair trade. But now? No. Time is not something you sell. It’s priceless.”

“I’d give anything to see my daughter marry, to hold a grandchild. But that’s impossible now. All I can hope for is a brighter future for Bella.”

Samuel studied him carefully. “Then will you take the king’s offer?”

Jericho leaned back, his face unreadable. “First—if it means Bella has a chance to be governor, then yes. But second—what happens to Kelly Kingston? She’s the governor now.”

“She’ll be stripped,” Samuel said flatly. “Stripped of her position and her place in the Kingswell.”

Jericho chuckled, a low, weary sound. “Fallen from the king’s grace. That’s no small punishment.”

He tilted his glass again, smiling thinly. “Fine. No problem. But tell me, Samuel—what was her mistake? What line did she cross? I want to know, so I and Bella never step on the same land mine.”

Samuel pushed back his chair and stood. “Every eye in Vermont reports to you, Kane. Tell me—did you see anything different about Kelly in her last term?”

Jericho’s face hardened. “She became obsessed with killing Sophia Lancaster. And worse—she started helping Charles Kingston plot against Alex.”

“I could see it—rage and jealousy controlled her every move. She was slipping into the dark side, and that path only leads to destruction. She was destroying herself by giving in to her own poisoned emotions.”

Samuel nodded once, lips tightening. “Good. Then don’t make the same mistakes. Keep clear of that filth, and your position will be safe.”

Jericho pushed back his chair and stood. “Tell me, Samuel—have you met the king? Is he worth loyalty?”

Samuel laughed, harsh and loud, the sound echoing off the walls as he walked toward the door.

“You’ve met him too, Kane. And your daughter—her eyes are sharper than yours. The king will never put you back in the governor’s seat unless he met you himself.”

“I have met him and My daughter sharp eyes?” Jericho muttered, his mind already turning. He was a calculating man—one hint was enough, and a name came to him.

The next night, he summoned Bella.

“Bella,” Jericho said, studying her face, “what would you think if I took the governor’s seat again?”

Bella didn’t even pause.

“Father, you work twice as hard as Kelly, earn twice the respect, and deliver better results than she ever has.”

“Compared to her inexperience, it’s only natural the king would put you back.” She popped a snack into her mouth, chewing like it was the simplest truth in the world.

Jericho leaned forward. “And how do you know the king will choose me?”

Bella smirked. “Because if he really is the king, then he must be smart. And a smart man doesn’t waste an opportunity like this. You’ve been lying low, showing no hunger for power. That makes you look safe, stable—the obvious choice. Safer than Kelly.”

Jericho’s eyes narrowed. “Why is the king losing favor with Kelly?”

He loved these talks with Bella. His daughter wasn’t just clever—she was a genius, sharper than anyone else he knew.

“She’s too emotional,” Bella continued.

“She makes reckless choices. She never should’ve gone after Sophia Lancaster. The king clearly favors Sophia, yet Kelly dared to strike at her. That wasn’t courage—that was stupidity.”

Jericho’s eyes glinted. “If Kelly falls, what happens to the Kingstons?”

Bella leaned forward. “They’ll mark you as their enemy. Alfred Kingston will believe that if you die, he can shove Kelly back into power. He won’t stop until he tries.”

Jericho’s gaze hardened. “And in your opinion?”

“If he comes after you, he’s poking a tiger. If Alfred dares lay a hand on you, give me two months—I’ll take Los Angeles for us.”

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