The Almighty Dominance

Lyra stood by, eyes fixed anxiously on Laura Montclair. "Calm down. He'll be here."

"Calm down? Have you seen the time? What's going to happen to my husband?" Laura's voice echoed harshly through the hospital room, desperation cracking her tone.

Lyra clenched her fists, fighting the urge to snap. "If you can't stop screaming at me, maybe you should find yourself another doctor."

Laura shot Lyra a venomous glare.

"Listen carefully. The only reason you're even here is because your father and my husband were once best friends. You should be thanking me for this opportunity."

"Remember Lyra, I could open doors you couldn't even dream of."

On the hospital bed, Rudiyard moaned loudly, gripping his head in agony.

"It feels like my head is splitting open!"

Laura rushed to his side, gently squeezing his hand. "Hang in there, honey. The best doctor is coming. He'll make this right, I promise."

No one could explain Rudiyard's sudden collapse a week earlier or the constant, relentless headaches ever since.

Test after test showed nothing unusual, but his condition worsened by the day.

Rudiyard's voice was weak, strained. "My entire body feels like it's burning, Laura. I can't stand it."

"The doctor will be here soon," Laura assured him, her voice trembling with worry.

Then, whirling around toward Lyra, she shouted, "What's the holdup? Where is this so-called specialist of yours? Get him here now!"

Lyra regretted ever agreeing to this job.

With a weary sigh, she reached for her phone, only to glance up and see Sophia and Alex walking swiftly down the corridor.

"Alex! Thank goodness!" Relief washed over Lyra as she rushed to meet them.

Alex gave her a nod. "Let's check on the patient."

"Follow me," Lyra said briskly, leading them to the room.

Laura spun around impatiently as they entered. "Lyra, where's this doctor of yours?"

Lyra gestured toward Alex. "This is him. This is Alex."

Laura's eyes narrowed skeptically. "Him? Are you serious? This kid is way too young to be a reputable doctor. Did you just drag in some scammer because he's good-looking?"

Before Lyra could reply, Laura's gaze snapped toward Sophia.

Her expression twisted with shock and hostility. "Sophia? What are you doing here?"

Sophia took a hesitant step back, visibly uncomfortable. "Aunt Laura? I had no idea you'd be here. I'm just helping Alex out, from his clinic."

Laura's lips curled in contempt. "A clinic? You brought someone from a small-time clinic?" She whipped around, her voice shaking with fury as she faced Lyra.

"You're trying to scam me, aren't you?"

Lyra sighed deeply, exhaustion and frustration boiling beneath her calm exterior.

If it weren't for her father's insistence, she'd have left long ago.

Laura turned sharply to Sophia, venom dripping from each word.

"And you, Sophia. Consider this a warning. Your grandmother's betrayal won't ever be forgiven. Don't even dream that using this so-called doctor is your way back into the Montclair family. That door is shut forever!"

Sophia exhaled slowly, struggling to remain composed.

"Aunt Laura, please, this is clearly a misunderstanding. Let's just have Alex take a look at Uncle Rudiyard. The sooner he does, the sooner we can all leave."

Laura scoffed dismissively, her gaze cold as ice.

"Look at his face. This kid has probably tricked you too. What if he makes things worse? Who'll take responsibility then?"

"Suits me fine," Alex replied calmly.

"Just so we're clear—I wasn't planning to cure him anyway. But let me give you a heads-up.”

"If that man lying there is your husband, congratulations. He's been in trouble since he first passed out a week ago. Mark my words—in a few hours, he'll start coughing blood. By tomorrow, paralysis will set in, and by the fourth day, he'll be dead."

Laura's eyes widened, fury and fear clashing across her face. "You're a damn curse! Quit spouting your nonsense!"

Lyra shook her head. "Laura, listen to him. If you refuse treatment, that's your business. Just don't come begging later."

"Begging?" Laura spat, glaring contemptuously at Alex.

"And what makes you think your little boy-toy here could treat my husband anyway? He's nothing!"

Alex sighed heavily, patience thinning. "Your husband's illness is rare. There aren't many doctors in the entire country who could save him."

Laura sneered, her voice dripping with arrogance. "Save your scams for someone else. With my connections, I can hire any specialist I want."

Lyra laughed bitterly, gripping Alex's arm as she turned to leave.

"Keep talking tough, Laura. Let's hope your pride doesn't bring you crawling back."

Sophia, quiet but observant, followed close behind as they exited.

Once outside, Alex glanced sharply at Sophia. "Do you know her?"

"Laura Montclair," Sophia replied, her voice subdued.

Recognition flickered in Alex's eyes. "Montclair? As in the Chicago Lords? Wait-if I'm not mistaken, their matriarch..."

Sophia nodded gently, a faint, bittersweet smile crossing her lips.

"My grandmother. She left the Montclairs to marry my grandfather. If she hadn't, I'd probably be next in line to inherit their empire. But what's the point? They've long since kicked her out."

Back inside, Laura's bodyguard rushed in, leading an older man who moved with the quiet confidence of someone used to being in charge.

His presence alone shifted the air. A small team of doctors followed behind him, their respectful distance making him seem even more important.

"Mrs. Montclair!" the bodyguard called out. "The expert you requested has arrived!"

Laura rushed forward eagerly. "Finally! Where is he?"

The guard stepped aside proudly, introducing the doctor.

"This is Dr. Peter, renowned professor from Vermont University. His medical skills are legendary."

Relief flooded Laura's expression. "Doctor Peter, please hurry!" she urged, leading him directly to Rudiyard's bedside.

Dr. Peter leaned in carefully, asking softly, "Where's the pain?"

"My head..... it feels like it's splitting apart," Rudiyard groaned weakly, clutching his temples.

With practiced efficiency, Dr. Peter examined him briefly with his equipment, then straightened confidently.

"Just a simple fatigue and stress, nothing serious. One injection and a week's supply of supplements, and you'll be perfectly fine."

"That's wonderful news! Thank you, Dr. Peter," Rudiyard gasped, relief washing over his tired face as the doctor administered the injection.

Laura, thrilled by this reassurance, immediately praised him lavishly.

"Truly, Dr. Peter, your reputation is unmatched! You've solved something countless others couldn't!"

Her expression darkened, her voice venomous.

"That boy Lyra dragged in here was nothing but a fraud, trying to scare us with all that nonsense about coughing blood. We should teach hi...!"noveldrama

But before Laura could finish her words, Rudiyard gasped, clutching his chest as agony overwhelmed him.

His face turned deathly pale, beads of cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

He opened his mouth and violently coughed, blood spattering onto the pristine sheets.

"Rudi! What's happening? Are you okay?" Laura cried, panic seizing her chest.

They stared in horror as Rudiyard coughed again, this time spewing something vile and fleshy amid the

crimson.

Shock and dread filled the room. Everyone froze, exchanging horrified glances.

"Doctor! What's going on? Why is he coughing up blood?" Laura's voice trembled with desperation.

Dr. Peter, alarm spreading across his lined face, quickly reexamined

Rudiyard, his brows knitted in deep concern. After a tense moment, he stepped back, his shoulders sagging.

"It's poison," the doctor said grimly.

"Your husband's been poisoned, and it's already started breaking down his internal organs. The damage is severe-and irreversible. I'm sorry, but he's terminal."

"There's nothing more we can do. Take him home... make the most of the time you have left.”