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THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 36 ~
The grand Fitzroy mansion was silent in the early morning, its lavish halls illuminated bathed in the glow of the rising sun. In the side of the vast living room, Groy Fitzroy lounged comfortably in his high-backed leather chair, a thin line of smoke curling from the pipe between his fingers. His sharp eyes flickered with quiet amusement as a petite blonde—his latest plaything—massaged his shoulders, her manicured nails digging lightly into his tense muscles. Her dress was barely decent, the plunging neckline leaving little to the imagination, her small round breasts teasingly pressed against his back.Then, the heavy doors creaked open, and a figure stumbled inside.Darius Fitzroy barely made it past the threshold before his knees threatened to buckle. His fine leather suit was in tatters, his once-sleek hair was matted with sweat and dried blood, and his face was a mess of bruises and swollen flesh. He cradled his right arm against his chest, the limb twisted at an unnatural angle,
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 37 ~
Barbara took another slow sip of her coffee, the warmth seeping into her palms. A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. “Why do I have this strange feeling that Zach did this?”Phoebe nearly choked on her drink. She leaned forward, eyes widening as she stared at the screen, where Darius Fitzroy’s battered face was plastered all over the news. His left eye was swollen shut, and his lip was split.“Hold on,” Phoebe pointed at the TV. “Isn’t that Darius? The guy who stalked you years ago?”Barbara hummed in agreement, taking another sip.Phoebe whistled. “Damn. He got beaten like a pulp.”"Too bad I didn’t get to witness it.” Barbara let out a chuckle, then Phoebe noticed the way Barbara was smiling—an amused, knowing smile.Her eyes narrowed. “Wait a minute. You know who did this?”Barbara shrugged, placing her cup down. “Could be.”“Could be?” Phoebe folded her arms, waiting for more.Barbara sighed. “I think Zach did it.”“Zach? Who’s he?”Barbara hesitated, then glanced at her frie
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 38 ~
Barbara tapped her fingers against the rim of her coffee cup, her eyes locked on her phone screen. The message from Zach was short but firm:"No need to worry about transportation. I’ve got it covered."A small smile played on her lips. He was always so swift and efficient, handling things like he had the world in his hands. She muttered under her breath, “How does he do that?”Just as she was about to leave, Phoebe suddenly grabbed her wrist. “Barbara… are you sure you want to go with him to Belmont?”Barbara sighed, freeing her hand. “Yes, Phoebe.”Phoebe hesitated. “Your father won’t like this. He wants you and Julian to meet at the competition tomorrow. That’s why he sent me to bring you home.”Barbara froze mid-step. “Julian?”Phoebe nodded. “Yes. He still wants you. Five years, and he hasn’t given up. Your father has a bigger plan for you both.”A bitter chuckle left Barbara’s lips. “I don’t care. Julian is just going to watch me and nothing else. He can’t do anything about it.
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 39 ~
In less than an hour, the private jet touched down smoothly in Belmont, its descent barely noticeable from inside the luxurious cabin. The moment they stepped out onto the airstrip, Barbara took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp, familiar air of her hometown. It had been years since she last set foot here, and though the city still held its grandeur, it also carried the weight of memories she wasn’t sure she was ready to face.Zach, standing beside her, adjusted his sleeves as he observed their surroundings with sharp eyes. The sharp reflection of the moon stretched in an endless blue, casting long shadows over the well-paved roads leading out of the airport.Barbara had already arranged for a car, one borrowed from an old friend, and as soon as they got inside, she took the wheel.“Comfortable?” she asked as she started the engine.Zach smirked, his deep voice laced with amusement. “Didn’t take you for someone who’d drive herself around.”She chuckled. “I like my freedom.”As she man
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 40 ~
Upon hearing the threat, Zach dusted his jacket off and stepped forward, his gaze steady and unwavering. "Let's see which party ends up in a pile of broken bodies," he said coolly, positioning himself slightly ahead of Barbara. His body was firm, shielding her from any potential attack.The men roared at him in response. "You're calling for your death!" one of them barked, stepping closer.Zach simply looked at them, unfazed, his expression unreadable. Five men circled them like vultures, their predatory eyes fixed on him. A silent exchange passed between them, and then, almost in perfect synchronization, they dipped their hands into their suit jackets.Barbara’s breath hitched when she saw the glint of sharp, dark steel in their hands. Her stomach twisted as her eyes landed on the star-shaped darts—sleek, with jagged edges and dipped in an oily, sickly green sheen.Her pulse quickened. She recognized them immediately. “Nightfang darts,” she whispered in horror.Julian’s men used th
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~41~
Zach unclenched his fist and shook off the pain creeping into his knuckles. His gaze swept over the broken men groaning on the ground, his face twisted in a grimace of disgust. “Get lost.” His voice was sharp, final.Two of the men, still trembling from the brutal display, rushed forward to their fallen leader. He was barely conscious, blood dribbling from his swollen mouth. They hoisted him up between them, his legs dragging limply against the gravel. Neither of them dared to meet Zach’s gaze. They simply threw open the car door, shoved their leader inside, and disappeared into the night, tires screeching in their desperate escape.Zach exhaled, shaking his head. "Some men never learn."When he turned, he found Barbara still staring at him, her lips slightly parted, her expression a mixture of awe and disbelief.“Your city’s really… hospitable," he quipped, raising an eyebrow. "You know, back home, we welcome guests with dinner. Here, it’s knives and poison darts.”She let out a sh
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 42 ~
The car rolled to a smooth stop in front of a grand estate, its high iron gates parting silently to reveal a long driveway lined with cherry blossom trees. The estate itself was a fortress of elegance—tall, imposing, with a blend of modern and classic architecture that hinted at old money and power. Zach turned to Barbara, noticing her stiff posture, the way her fingers clenched into fists on her lap. The confident, sharp-tongued woman from earlier had faded into something else—someone hesitant, uncertain.He stepped out and walked around to her side, opening the door for her. “You okay?”She let out a short breath. “Physically, yes. Mentally?” She shook her head. “Not so much.”He studied her, concern flashing in his eyes. “Why?”She forced a smile. “You don’t have to worry about that.”Before he could push further, she turned and led him toward the entrance. As they approached, uniformed guards at the massive doors immediately straightened and bowed at her presence. Zach took it al
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 43 ~
Barbara was short of words, her throat tightening as she tried to swallow the bitter taste of her father’s words. She couldn't say anything else. Mac, standing tall and imperious, gave his final order."Look your best tomorrow for Julian, and see to it that your guard here stays well." His voice held no room for argument. Then, turning his piercing gaze to Zach, he smirked slightly, a glint of menace in his sharp eyes."I hope you've been protecting my daughter well and not taking advantage of your proximity at times?" he sneered.Barbara's shock tightened into something colder. How could he reduce a multi-billionaire who could erase poverty from Belmont with a mere signature to nothing more than a common bodyguard?However, Zach only smiled at the misconception, amusement dancing in his eyes. Mac frowned at the reaction."Father, with all due respect, he's not my bodyguard," Barbara said firmly. "He's my friend."Mac’s face twisted in disdain. "Friend? You keep friends with ordinary
Latest Chapter
~ 90 ~
Outside the hospital, the sun cast a dull glow over the street where a line of exotic cars gleamed under the morning light. Security guards in dark suits paced near them, keeping watch. Inside the private hospital room on the top floor, the atmosphere was tense.Yvonne lay against the white pillows, her face pale but calm. Her father, Chairman Weather, stood by her bed like a storm contained in human form, his arms crossed, his brows furrowed with anger.The doctor, adjusting his glasses, bowed slightly and said with careful respect, “Sir, Miss Yvonne is stable now. She can be discharged today.”Chairman Weather gave a sharp nod, his face hardening further. His gaze then shifted to his daughter, seething.“How could you be so careless, Yvonne?” he scolded, his voice gruff. “How could you endanger yourself like this?”Without giving her a chance to answer, he spun toward Ricky, her personal guard, his glare sharpening.“And you! You are supposed to protect her with your life! Instead,
~ 89 ~
Zach stood there, hands stuffed deep in his pockets, his heart oddly restless as he watched Barbara flee through the door like a startled bird.What just happened? he wondered, frowning, his mind scrambling to process the last minute.A soft shuffle from behind him made him turn his head slightly. Mary reached downstairs, studying him with a knowing look. She feigned a little cough, a deliberate attempt to draw his attention.Zach blinked. "Uh, Mary. You're awake.""Hmm. Good morning," she replied, her voice carrying a teasing undertone as she folded her arms."Yeah, good morning," Zach muttered, scratching his head, unable to resist glancing back at the front door, half-expecting Barbara to barge back in and take back her unintended confession."Well, Barbara is gone," Mary said, struggling to suppress the mischievous smile threatening her lips.Zach nodded absentmindedly. "Yeah... she’s gone," he murmured, still lost in thought. She said "yes". Did she really mean it? His chest tigh
~88~
The hours dragged by like slow-moving clouds as Zach cultivated, seated cross-legged on the floor, palms resting on his knees, his breathing controlled and deep. Even after the poison in his system had been washed away in mere minutes, he pressed on. His body ached for restoration; his energy reserves felt hollowed out by the night's turmoil. He could feel the faint rush of new energy coursing through his veins, splashing and crashing like a roaring tide against his inner walls.When at last he opened his eyes, the dark circles beneath them had faded slightly. He heaved a breath, steady and low, before dragging himself to the bathroom. Under the steaming water of the shower, he tilted his head back, letting the rivulets wash away the weariness clinging to him like a second skin.After drying off, he made his way barefoot toward the kitchen, gulped down a glass of cold water, then turned to leave. Passing by the first room in the hallway, he noticed the door ajar. Curiosity stirred. He
~ 87 ~
Zach's steps faltered slightly as he entered the villa, a wave of dizziness clouding his vision. He instinctively reached out to the wall but missed. His body leaned dangerously forward—then firm hands caught him."Hey, are you okay?" a concerned voice asked.He blinked away the haze and straightened, forcing a smile as he recognized Barbara’s face. "Yeah," he said, though the faint spinning in his head said otherwise. "Wasn’t expecting to see my finance manager at my house past 11 p.m."Barbara rolled her eyes, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Well, I wasn't planning on staying either. Should’ve been gone hours ago, but your sister wouldn’t let me."He frowned. "Mary wouldn’t let you?""Yeah. I just put her to sleep."He blinked in disbelief. "What?""I brought her back like I said I would. Wanted to leave, but she begged me to stay. Said she felt uncomfortable being alone in such a big house—especially not knowing you’d be back tonight.""I see," Zach murmured, stepping past her,
~86 ~
The doctor cleared his throat, trying to regain composure. "Is that actually yours?" he asked stiffly.Zach raised an eyebrow. "You want to find out?"The nurse, still skeptical, grabbed the payment machine. "If it's counterfeit, security will be happy to deliver you to the police."The doctor leaned in, clearly expecting the worst. "Treatment bills will be approximately ten thousand dollars."Zach inserted the card with a bored expression. "Make it fifty. Get them the best."He input his pin. The transaction processed instantly.Approved.The machine chimed brightly.Silence fell.The nurses blinked at him like he'd grown wings. The doctor paled, sweat beading on his forehead."I...I apologize, sir," he stammered. "Please forgive our...mistake.""You!" he barked at the nurses. "Apologize at once!""Sorry, sir!" the nurses chorused, heads bowed.Zach barely spared them a glance."Move them to the special wards. Get them prepped now." the doctor barked, snapping his fingers at the stun
~ 85 ~
His scream snapped the others out of their daze.“Get him!” The leader yelled.Two of them lunged forward at once.Zach ducked beneath the first swing, then drove his elbow hard into the man’s ribs. The impact sent him spinning to the pavement, wheezing.The second came with a short blade.Zach seized his arm mid-strike, twisted, and with one violent jerk, flipped him over his back. As the man hit the ground, Zach snapped the joint with ruthless precision. The crunch echoed.Two more were already coming.Zach didn’t hesitate. He grabbed one by the neck mid-charge, slammed him headfirst into a nearby brick wall. The man’s body slumped as blood sprayed down the wall in a thick line.The last attacker barely had time to shout before Zach spun, gripped his throat with both hands, and squeezed.The man struggled, legs kicking, fingers clawing at Zach’s arms, but it was no use. His gasps turned to silence, and then—nothing.The leader, still on the ground, stared wide-eyed. His last man—a y
~ 84 ~
“No…” Yvonne breathed, panic crawling up her spine.She watched in frozen horror as he raised his hand to strike.“Fine!” she shouted, her voice cracking. “I’ll get it!”She rushed back to the car, her hands trembling as she reached beneath the front passenger seat — the only place she could think of hiding it earlier. Her fingers curled around the small, black flash drive. Reluctantly, she walked back toward them, raising it up.“Hand it over,” the man ordered, eyes greedy.“Not until you let him go,” she barked, refusing to be intimidated.The leader smirked, then flicked his fingers lazily. The two men shoved Ricky down and released him.Yvonne’s eyes stayed on Ricky, making sure he was breathing, before she slowly stretched the flash drive toward the leader. He snatched it and inserted it into a portable reader clipped to his belt.She crossed her arms. “You and whoever sent you — Pablo — you’re both going down. Soon.”He looked up from the device, laughter dancing in his eyes. “
~ 83 ~
Around 9:30 p.m., the night air hung thick with tension as a sleek black Aston Martin DBS Superleggera sped down a narrow, almost deserted street. Its glossy surface glinted under flickering street lights as it weaved expertly through sharp bends and broken asphalt.In the backseat, a striking young woman with waves of rich red hair sat upright, her green eyes flicking anxiously to the tinted back windscreen. Her name was Yvonne Weather, Dynasty Group’s heiress. But tonight, she wasn’t dressed in power or privilege. Tonight, she was a fugitive, holding onto something the world would kill to have.“They’re still on us,” she muttered to herself, her fingers tightening around the silver flash drive in her hand. Her other hand raked through her red hair in a restless sweep.“Hurry, Ricky!” she urged sharply.Behind the wheel, Ricky, her loyal bodyguard in a leather jacket and stone-cold stare, kept his eyes fixed on the road. “I should call for backup, Miss…”“No.” Her voice sliced throug
~ 82 ~
Zach gently pushed the hospital ward door open, careful not to disturb the quiet atmosphere Inside. As he stepped in, his eyes immediately found Daniella, propped up on a pillow, her hair a bit messy but her face glowing softly under the fluorescent light. Her mother was still seated beside her. Lou looked up and smiled faintly at him.Daniella turned as she heard the door creak. “Zach,” she called, her voice still a little weak. “Is your sister gone?”Zach nodded as he approached. “Yeah. Barbara took her home since it's getting late.” He gave her a warm smile and pulled a chair closer to her bedside.Lou looked at him with genuine gratitude. “Thank you again, Zach,” she said, voice filled with emotion. “You saved my baby… I can’t even count how many times I’ve said that, but really, thank you.”Zach chuckled softly. “That’s the umpteenth time, Mrs. Lou.”Lou wiped a small tear with the back of her hand and tried to lighten the mood. “If something had happened to Daniella… I don’t kno
