The Almighty Dominance novel Chapter 118

Chapter 118

“Fine. So, this is how it ends.”

+25 BONUS

Sophia’s voice wavered, fragile yet determined, but his distant, unrecognizable gaze felt like the final, unspoken goodbye.

A bittersweet ache unfurled in her chest.

He had come into her life like an uninvited storm–disrupting everything–and now, he was leaving just as unexpectedly, at the worst possible time.

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Perhaps the only choice left was to let him go, to let his memory dissolve like a fading dream at dawn.

“Sure,” Alex said, managing to keep his expression blank, though something deep inside him gave a sharp, uneasy twinge.

He told himself there was no point in chasing after a woman who continually pushed him aside.

Sophia had never truly trusted him anyway–maybe separation would be best for them both.

“Ms. Lancaster…” Jasmine’s silken voice cut through the tension as she stepped forward with a sweet–but–not–so -innocent smile.

“Your decision might’ve been a little foolish, but I have to say–thank you.”

Sophia gave her a sideways look. “And what exactly am I being thanked for?”

“Thank you for handing Alex to me on a silver platter. If you’d held on to him, I would’ve never gotten close.” Jasmine’s smile deepened, her words like honey laced with venom.

“He tried to push me away once said he was married. But.. he’s not anymore.” Her eyes gleamed with quiet triumph as she leaned in, savoring every syllable.

“So now, there’s nothing left for him to turn me down for, is there? You didn’t just lose–you handed me the treasure.”

Megan’s face twisted with a scornful smirk. “You think you’ve hit the jackpot, but all you’ve grabbed is fool’s gold. You’ll regret it!”

Sophia stepped forward, her raised hand a quiet but firm signal for Megan to stop.

She had no interest in stirring up more chaos.

The Lancasters still relied on the Kingstons‘ support, and with Jasmine at the helm–powerful enough to inflict serious damage if crossed–they couldn’t afford to provoke her.

Her gaze flitted to Alex for a second before she forced out a brittle laugh.

“Different people, different tastes. That ‘treasure‘ of yours is mediocre at best, if you ask me. You’re welcome to him. He’s a free man, after all.”

She tried to sound dismissive, but doubt wormed through her.

Why did a woman like Jasmine Kingston–who could probably have any man she wanted–act so besotted with Alex, the brash nobody who, on paper, had absolutely nothing to offer?

And why did Lyra, her own best friend, seem equally fascinated by him?

Was she missing something obvious, or was Alex simply not her fate?

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Chapter 118

“Mediocre, huh?” Jasmine lifted an eyebrow.

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“Calling Alex ‘average’my, my, Ms. Lancaster, you do have lofty standards. But that new boy toy of yours doesn’t even make the cut for me.”

Sophia’s eyes flickered with annoyance. “At least he’s better than Alex.”

“Oh?” Jasmine’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “And what makes you say that?”

“Mr. Marco Ashford runs a successful company,” Sophia said defiantly. “He’s proven himself.”

A gleam of mischief danced behind Jasmine’s eyes. “In that case, why don’t we make a little bet?”

Sophia frowned. “A bet about what?”

“Let’s see who stands on top in three months–no, let’s make it a month. The so–called ‘nobody‘ you scoff at, or your golden boy.” Jasmine’s smile curved into something sharper, almost cruel.

“What do you say… deal?”

Everyone went dead silent for a second, caught off guard by her audacity.

Then Marco snorted as though he’d just heard the dumbest thing on earth.

“Are you out of your mind? You want me to go head–to–head with that piece of trash? He couldn’t catch up to me if he had a lifetime, let alone a month.”

“Exactly!” Megan chimed in, rolling her eyes.

“Marco is the heir to the Ashford Group–he’s got a net worth in the hundreds of millions. Alex is just a big talker without two pennies to rub together.”

Sophia felt a pang of uncertainty.

She glanced at Alex.

All he had to his name was the title of king of braggarts–armed with maddening confidence and almost convincing claims of what he has.

On the other hand, Marco had everything–pedigree, ambition, connections. It wasn’t a fair fight.

“Are you sure you really want to go through with this?” she asked Jasmine softly.

But once again, the question echoed within herself. Why did two brilliant, powerful women like Jasmine–and even Lyra–believe Alex was worth the risk?

Was she truly making the right choice by walking away? Or was she letting something slip through her fingers- something she might regret losing forever?

Sophia pressed her lips into a tight, thin line, bracing against the weight of uncertainty.

For now, she’d stick to her guns.

She just hoped her own heart wouldn’t betray her in the end.

“Of course it is. The only question is whether you have the nerve to accept.” Jasmine lifted her chin with a smug little smile.

It was the kind of look that made Sophia’s blood boil.

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Sophia narrowed her eyes. “Fine. Name your terms.”

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“Oh, it’s nothing complicated,” Jasmine said, drawing out every syllable like a cat playing with a mouse.

“I already have everything I need in life–except this man. So if you lose, you have to swear you’ll never try to take him back.”

A flicker of anger and hurt crossed Sophia’s face.

She set her jaw and bit her lip. “Deal. I have no intention of returning to Alex’s side, no matter how rich or successful he becomes.“,

She could practically feel her heart shrink at the mere mention of his name.

“Excellent. Don’t go regretting your choice later,” Jasmine purred, her mocking chuckle sending a fresh wave of resentment through Sophia.

The two women stood face–to–face–equally stunning, yet complete opposites in nature.

One was plagued by doubt, while the other radiated unshakable certainty in her desires.

In that single moment, an invisible line was drawn–rivals, plain and simple.

Sophia’s lips curled in a forced smile.

“We’ll see who regrets what,” she said, throwing Jasmine one last glare before spinning on her heel to leave, feeling every bit as furious as she was betrayed.

She didn’t notice Alex staring after her, his eyes filled with a sadness he tried–and failed–to hide.

Jasmine, on the other hand, spotted it right away.

She wanted this bet to lock Sophia out of Alex’s life for good; she’d seen the flicker of hesitation in Alex and wasn’t about to risk him going back to Sophia.

Marco and Megan, still radiating contempt, scoffed loudly. Pfft, you’re digging your own grave,” Marco taunted, his tone thick with disdain.

“Even if you offered that loser at a 100% discount, nobody would want him.”

“Agreed,” Megan chimed in as they followed Sophia inside

Left behind, Jasmine turned to Alex and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear in a way that was anything but innocent.

“Well, Mr. Alex, how’d I do?” she asked coquettishly, eyes gleaming.

Alex exhaled a quiet sigh. “You really went a little… over the top.”

Jasmine chuckled, entirely unfazed by his attempt at criticism.

“Over the top? Sweetheart, I can think of plenty more ways to go over the top–want a demonstration?” she teased, her voice low and playful as she leaned in, her breath brushing his ear.

The suggestive wink she added was the cherry on top of her brazen performance.

She might as well have pinned him against the wall right then and there.

Alex fought to maintain his composure, though the flicker of admiration in his eyes betrayed him.

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+25 BONUS

As much as he wanted to reprimand her for the theatrics, he couldn’t deny it she’d saved him from looking downright pathetic in front of Sophia.

And for that, he was secretly grateful.

A little while later, inside the bustling lobby of Vancouver Convention Centre, Megan let loose her frustrations and got close to Marco.

“Ugh! Jasmine’s gorgeous, sure, but she’s obviously blind if she’s wasting her time on that useless Alex.”

“No kidding.” Marco agreed with a theatrical sigh.

“Why is it all the prettiest fillies go runnin‘ off with them fellas who ain’t got a dime to rub together? Meanwhile, I’m rollin‘ in good looks and a pocketful of cash, yet here I sit, high and dry.

Megan fixed him with a glare, voice low and steady like a rattlesnake’s warning.

“You ornery cuss. I gave you a whole month of my time last year, and you’re still bellyachin‘ about havin‘ nothin

“?” ”

He flashed a lopsided grin and tilted his head.

“Best keep your voice down, darlin‘, unless you fancy your husband catchin‘ wind of our little… arrangement.” She bit her lip, eyes flashin‘ with a mix of want and regret. Don’t you worry, cowboy. I’ll keep my lips zipped. But if you get the itch for me again, you know where to find me.”

“Not now, sugar. I got my sights set on Sophia.”

Megan blew out a sharp breath and crossed her arms. “Lord almighty, you got another filly on the hook already?”