The Almighty Dominance

Chapter 216

The night had been anything but kind to Jasmine.

By dawn, her eyes were shadowed with fatigue, and every page she turned in her endless stack of documents

felt heavier than the last.

She hadn't slept a wink. Just as she considered closing her eyes for a second, a firm rap on the door snapped her

back to reality.

"Miss," the butler called from the hall, his tone measured but urgent. "Master Charles insists on meeting with

you."

Without looking up from the paperwork, Jasmine sighed. Insists, does he? Well, he can stay outside until he

collapses, for all I care."

The butler cleared his throat gently. "He's here on official business, Miss-claims he's representing sof the

stock folders. He also said he won't leave until you agree to see him."

Jasmine's lips curled in a wry smile. "Typical Charles. Gets a shred of power and thinks he can barge anywhere."

She finally set her documents aside. "Fine. Let him in. If he causes trouble, I'm sure you'll handle it."

The butler inclined his head. "I'm at your service, Miss."

>>

Not three seconds later, Charles stormed in with a smug grin plastered across his face. He scanned the room like

he owned it, barely acknowledging the butler's presence.

"Jasmine," he drawled, his voice laced with forced civility. "Long night, | see?"

Jasmine rubbed her temples, refusing to give him the satisfaction of eye contact. "Cut the nonsense, Charles.

You've got exactly two minutes before | throw you out."

With a loud bang, he slammed a wooden box onto her desk, causing loose papers to flutter. From inside the box,

a single white pill gleamed ominously.

"Do you have any idea what this is?" he demanded, jabbing a finger at the pill as though it were a loaded

weapon.

Jasmine leaned back in her chair. "Letguess. You wantto pretend I'm impressed?"

He scoffed, crossing his arms. "So you really can't recognize the SkinDew Essence? The Kanes have managed to

manufacture it. They're about to flood the market. And | bought this one straight from them."

"Oh?" Jasmine arched an eyebrow. "So they got it out the door sooner than we expected. Letguess-you're

here to gloat?"

"Gloat? Are you deaf, or just plain reckless?" Charles snapped.

“This is a crisis for Kingston Pharmaceuticals. The Kanes' product is skyrocketing

in price-eight hundred dollars a bottle. They're practically printing money. Meanwhile, we're stuck with nothing to

rival it. Investors are furious."

She lifted her shoulders in a nonchalant shrug. "And you're tellingall this because...?"

His face reddened with frustration. "Because we either need our own SkinDew Essence ASAP o collaborate with

Jericho Kane!"

have to

1/3

Chapter 216

At that, Jasmine finally raised her eyes, her gaze as cold as an arctic wind.

"Collaborate with the man who tried to kill me? The sshake who's been stealing my research? Wow, Your

nerve is almost impressive."

Charles slammed his fist down again, rattling the pill box. You'd rather see the company collapse than play nice

for one deal? You have no idea the storm that's coming! Investors are up in arms, and they blyou for not

delivering."

"Oh, sparethe hero act," Jasmine said, voice dripping with disdain.

"I'm not signing any contracts with the Kanes, and you know it. If the board wants to blsomeone, maybe

they should look at who's been funneling inside information to Jericho in the first place."

His smug smirk faltered. "You watch yourself. If you don't pull off a miracle in the next few days, I'll make sure

everyone knows the so-called Kingston heir can't handle her responsibilities."

That made Jasmine's eyes flash with something dangerously close to fury.

She rose from her chair, leaning forward until Charles was forced to back up a step.

"Try me. The second you open your mouth to tarnish my name, | will drag you into court so fast you won't

remember what hit you."

For a moment, Charles froze. He'd never seen Jasmine's fury up close like this- nor had he expected her to

threaten legal hell so decisively.

Realizing he was out of his league, he sneered, snatched up the wooden box, and spun on his heel.

"Fine," he spat, throwing a venomous glance over his shoulder. "But don't say | didn't warn you. You've got days

before everything crumbles, and I'll be right there to watch you fall."

When he slammed the door behind him, the butler exhaled, finally stepping forward. Jasmine merely waved him

off.

"It's fine," she muttered. "I've had worse."

ork

Alex hunched over a long steel counter in a covert facility hidden beneath the streets of Vancouver.

This was Kingsley's secret base, where he usually concocted specialized pills for Kingswell.

But tonight, his focus was on the Seed of Verdantheart Root-a small, unassuming thing he'd salvaged from the

rotten husk of its adult form.

He was so immersed in his task that when a presence stirred behind him, he jumped.

"Master..." Alex's voice trembled. He straightened, turning to face the old man who had somehow appeared

without warning. The master's eyes seemed to shimmer with an ancient clarity.

"Master, how long have you been here? | didn't sense you cin."

The old master glided forward, gently placing a hand on the edge of the table. "That's not important," he replied,

his tone calm yet brimming with unspoken power.

"How are you, Alex? Have you found what you truly seek?"

2/3

Chapter 216

Alex swallowed hard, his chest tightening with old fears.

"I'm... not sure," he confessed, dropping his gaze to the glass beakers on the table. "My family's enemies are too

"powerful. | can't face them the way | am now. | need more strength.’

The master nodded, absorbing every flicker of doubt and frustration in Alex's voice. "Is that all you wish to

pursue? Just power for the sake of vengeance?"

Conflicted, Alex closed his eyes. "I'll do whatever you say, Master. Just guide me." A grave stillness filled the lab.

Then the old master spoke with a gentle insistence. "You are the chosen one, Alex. Before you were born into this

world, you made a vow. You promised the True Source that you would help destroy the Archon-the dark creature

enslaving all of humanity."

A storm of emotions flashed across Alex's face: shock, longing, a flicker of memory he couldn't quite grasp. "I've

... I've heard rumors of an Archon," he murmured. "But | never believed-"

"Believe it," the master interrupted, his voice resonating with quiet thunder. "You're chained by illusions in this

world. Break free, Alex. Remember who you really are.

You must awaken."

Chapter 217

Chapter 217