2025-04-02 21:49:58
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THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 49 ~
Barbara’s breath caught in her throat. Her heart pounded as she slowly turned, disbelief flooding her veins.Zach stepped forward, his expression unreadable, his posture calm but firm.The coordinator assessed Zach with a bemused expression, a chuckle escaping his lips. "You must be joking, young man," he said, shaking his head. "Challenging Julian Viking? Are you on something?"Zach's face remained impassive, his eyes locked onto Julian. "I'm dead serious," he replied firmly.Laughter erupted from the spectators, their mockery filling the hall."Is this guy for real?" one sneered."He must have a death wish," another jeered."Maybe he thinks this is some kind of joke," a third added."Didn't he see how Julian eliminated those two powerful men ?" someone else scoffed.Despite the ridicule, Zach's gaze never wavered from Julian.Julian's eyes narrowed, his pride wounded by the audacity of the challenge. He spat on the ground, his voice dripping with disdain. "Do you have a death wish,
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 50 ~
The hall buzzed with murmurs, the air thick with anticipation. Every spectator leaned forward, eager to witness a match they already assumed was decided.Julian Viking, an infamous member of one of the top 3 powerful family in Belmont, known for his ruthless dominance, against Zach—a man they considered foolish for stepping onto this stage. The fight had yet to begin, but the verdict was already cast in their eyes.They believed Julian will waste no time to finish off Zach.Julian smirked and reached into his pants pocket, retrieving a deadly weapon—brass knuckles. He slid them onto his fingers with an unsettling grace, the metallic sheen catching the light. He flexed his hand, cracking his knuckles before lifting his gaze to Zach."You're going to regret this, boy," Julian sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "I'm going to make good use of these on you."A ripple of unease spread through the spectators. Barbara, seated at the edge of her chair, felt her stomach churn. This wasn’t
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 51 ~
The realization struck the crowd like thunder.“Julian is down!”"Julian Viking just lost!"Barbara exhaled shakily, gripping her dress as a whirlwind of emotions overtook her. Disbelief. Shock. Relief.Zach stood over Julian, his gaze steady, unreadable. He wasn’t out of breath. He wasn’t sweating. He hadn’t even broken a real fight stance.He tilted his head slightly and muttered, “Want to go another round?”Julian didn’t move.For a moment, there was silence. Then—“Zach! Zach! Zach!”The hall erupted. Cheers, whistles, and shouts of triumph shook the walls. People clapped, some even stomping their feet in excitement.“That was insane!”“Julian Viking got wrecked!”“Did you see that punch? I swear, I saw his soul leave his body!”The announcer’s voice rang through the microphone. “And the winner of this match and this year's great competition… Zach!”The crowd surged in noise again as the coordinator approached, carrying a glass case. Inside was the Heart of Solis, an ancient relic
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 52 ~
There was no room for argument. The woman’s fingers loosened their grip on the boy’s wrist as if she had been burned.The child stumbled back, rubbing his wrist, eyes darting between Zach and the woman.Then, a man dressed in ragged clothes rushed out of the restaurant, his face pale with desperation.“You again?” the woman spat at him, her voice laced with disgust. “You don’t train your son, and now he thinks he can steal from me!”The man fell to his knees, hands pressed together in a plea. “Madam, I swear, my son is not a thief. We have not eaten in two days. He was only looking.”“Looking?!” she scoffed. “That’s what thieves do before they take something!” Her furious gaze shifted to Zach. “Stay out of this! This man works as a cleaner for me, and they’re homeless. That boy still steals from me!”Zach’s expression darkened. “And if he was? If he was truly a thief, what then?” He stepped forward, his voice steady. “Would you still treat him like this if he were your son?”The woman
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 53 ~
The moment Zach revealed the Supreme Black Card, a hush fell over the onlookers. Murmurs spread like wildfire.“Is that... the Supreme Black Card?” one man whispered, eyes wide.“Impossible. Only the wealthiest have that,” another replied, skepticism lacing his tone.A woman gasped, “Who is he to possess such a card?”Zach remained composed amidst the growing whispers. He met the restaurant owner's gaze and said firmly, “I’ll be purchasing the restaurant using this card. Please retrieve your point-of-sale terminal.”The woman eyed him from head to toe, then let out a derisive laugh. “You? With a Supreme Black Card? You don’t even look like someone who’d be allowed near the First Star Bank in Yorktown City. How did you come by such a card?”Zach’s voice was steady. “It’s mine.”She cackled, shaking her head. “Liar. You must’ve stolen it from one of the bank’s top clients and come all the way to Belmont to splurge before you’re caught.”The crowd’s murmurs grew louder.“He’s a fraud,”
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 54 ~
The man slowly opened the document, eyes scanning over the words. “This… this house… It belongs to Master Julian!”“Check again,” Zach replied gently. “My name’s there now.”The man’s hands trembled. “How were you able to get it?”Before Zach could answer, the little boy chimed in, “He’s a hero, Dad. I guess he beat the monster and got it.”Barbara chuckled. “Yes, kiddo. He did.”“Yay!” the boy shouted, throwing his arms in the air.Barbara laughed warmly, placing a hand on the boy’s head.Suddenly, the man dropped to his knees before Zach, tears rolling down his cheeks. “You don’t know what this means. My wife… she died of cancer. I spent everything we had on treatment. We lost everything—our home, our peace, our dignity.”His voice cracked as he continued. “You’ve…you’ve given us a second chance, sir. I promise—I’ll work day and night. I’ll give you every cent we earn from this restaurant.”Zach shook his head. “No. It’s yours. The restaurant belongs to you now. Fully.”The man gas
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 55 ~
Julian turned around, his bruised body still sore but his fury overriding the pain. His jaw clenched as he turned to Lambo, his voice low and dangerous."Where is the doctor?"Lambo bowed slightly, hesitant. “I’ll get him now, sir.”Moments later, the door creaked open as Lambo dragged in the frail man in a dirtied white coat. His eyes widened in horror at the sight of Julian. Without hesitation, he dropped to his knees, shaking.“Master Julian… you’re awake. Please… my wife. You promised—”Julian’s eyes darkened as he swung his legs off the bed. He stood, staggered slightly, then grabbed the man by the collar and yanked him up with a snarl.“She’s still in my custody. And she won’t be seeing daylight any time soon.”The man’s lips trembled. “Please, Master Julian. It’s been months. I’ve done everything you asked.”Julian growled, his grip tightening. “Everything? You call that pathetic fortification everything? I was humiliated! Beaten by a damn stranger in front of everyone!”The do
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 56 ~
Zach’s breath hitched as Barbara’s body pressed into him, soft and wet from the pool, her skin cool against his but her touch setting fire to every nerve. The moment crackled with silent tension. He swallowed hard, his throat dry despite the water around them.“Barbara…” His voice came out hoarse, strained with restraint. “Stop being so tempting.”Her breath hitched, quickening. “What?” she asked, her eyes searching his face.But he didn’t answer right away. Instead, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips—distant, knowing, as though he could feel the way his words stirred her insides.“I don’t know why,” he murmured, barely above a whisper, “but I’m not up for this… So don’t tempt me.”Barbara gave a forced, soft chuckle, the sound laced with vulnerability. “I’m not trying to tempt you,” she said, her voice cracking gently. “But…” Her eyes drifted to his lips. “I just think… you deserve this.”Before he could process her words or pull away, her lips crashed into his. Her kiss
Latest Chapter
~ 64 ~
Later in the evening air was cool against Zach's skin as he stood on the balcony of the guest room. The city of Belmont sprawled beneath him, its twinkling lights reflecting the fading warmth of the sunset. He held the Heart of Solis gently in his hands, the weight of it familiar, like an old companion. The ancient antique glowed faintly in his grip, a soft light that seemed to pulse with its own rhythm. Zach closed his eyes, the rhythmic beat of his pulse syncing with the gentle hum from it. He let the stillness wash over him, his mind clear as he focused on drawing strength which laid in-depth in the antique. The memory of Julian's men, the violence of the day, still lingered in his muscles, but the antique soothed the weariness. It renewed him, restoring the energy he had expended in the brutal fight. As he meditated, he felt the power flow through him, like a current of energy he could command at will.A soft knock on the door interrupted his concentration. Zach's eyes fluttered
~ 63 ~
Zach gently helped Barbara into the backseat of the car, his gaze never straying far from her pale face. Her breathing was steady, but the ordeal she'd just survived left traces of exhaustion on her features. He couldn't ignore the way her lips trembled ever so slightly, nor the way her eyes fluttered in her sleep, haunted by things he couldn’t yet understand.He gave a small nod to Mac, who had been standing nearby, still in shock from the day's events. Zach didn’t speak, but his actions said enough. He would protect Barbara, no matter what. He wouldn’t let her suffer any more.As the car started, Mac looked over at Zach, his voice filled with concern. “I can’t believe all of this… after what happened to Barbara… is she going to be okay?” His brow furrowed as he thought of his daughter.Zach glanced at him, his eyes hard but steady. “You shouldn't worry about that.”Mac seemed to relax, but the worry still lingered in his eyes. “I’m still scared, though,” he confessed softly. “This c
~ 62~
Zach stood, his muscles taut, his fists clenched so tight that his knuckles turned white. His eyes narrowed as he looked at Julian, whose monstrous form now loomed over him. His body rippled with power, veins bulging, skin slick and dark like tar, and his eyes—those glowing red eyes—burned with an infernal fire.But Zach wasn’t fazed.He wasn’t scared.He wasn’t intimidated.His voice was as cold as steel, every word cutting through the tense air. “You’ve gone too far, Julian. You used dark powers to grow this strong, didn’t you?”Julian’s lips curled into a twisted grin, his mouth stretched unnaturally wide. “Smart boy,” he growled, his voice deeper, rougher. “You’re right. I used the darkest of magics to get this power. Do you really think you can take me down now?” He raised a massive fist into the air, flames licking at his fingertips.Zach didn’t flinch. “You’re nothing, Julian Vikings. Power means nothing to me. It’s the fight inside that matters.” His voice was steady, calm, an
~ 61 ~
They charged.Zach didn’t wait. His body moved like a bolt of thunder—fluid and fierce. He dodged the first punch, ducked the second, then spun low, sweeping a thug off his feet and slamming his elbow into another’s ribs. Bones cracked.Another came with a blade. Zach twisted his body, grabbed the man’s wrist, and redirected the knife straight into his own thigh. The man screamed.Julian stood back, watching the scene with lips curling into a sick grin. He muttered under his breath, teeth clenched in hunger. “I must get your head today, Zach. I must…”“Don’t go easy on him!” he suddenly shouted. “Break his—”He froze.His eyes widened.One of his best fighters had gone down—hard. Zach had flung him against a rusted metal beam like he weighed nothing.Another thug lunged from behind, but Zach twisted, his fist shooting backward into the man’s gut before flipping him over his shoulder.“What…?” Julian whispered.This wasn’t just Zach fighting.This was something more.He wasn’t just fas
~ 60 ~
Julian's smirk faltered for just a second as the dust cleared. His gaze sharpened as he took in Zach's figure —tall, broad-shouldered, every inch radiating dark fury.Julian's lips twisted, masking his disbelief. How? How had Zach found this place? This abandoned and forgotten corner of the dock was known only to his most loyal men. Yet here he was, storming in like a force of nature.Still, Julian didn’t flinch. He straightened, and as if to assert control, whistled lightly before walking away from Barbara’s crumpled body, sprawled helplessly on the cold cement.Zach's eyes scanned the scene quickly. He noticed Mac—Barbara’s father—dangling above the water like discarded meat, his wrists tied, legs weakly kicking. Then, his eyes landed on Barbara. His heart clenched. She looked half-conscious, her face pale and bruised, her body shivering even under the weight of her own despair.A cold rage lit Zach's features.“You. Piece. Of. Trash,” he growled, every word a thunderclap in the air
~ 59 ~
Back in the seaport warehouse, the cold wind whistled through cracks in the wooden panels, echoing the tension that hung heavy in the air. Barbara sat slumped on the hard floor, blood crusted at the corner of her mouth, her body aching and weak. But her eyes… her eyes still burned with defiance.Julian, still crouching before her, his shadow looming, eyes feasting on her with a dangerous hunger. He reached out and gently touched her bruised face, tracing her cheek like she belonged to him.She slapped his hand away with the little strength she could summon, her breath ragged. “Let my father go, Julian,” she hissed.He chuckled softly, shaking his head, amusement laced with venom. “You’re still demanding, even now? Despite being in no position to save yourself, my love?”Barbara scoffed, biting down the sharp pain in her ribs. “You're disgusting.”His expression shifted, darkening. “I might consider your request for two reasons,” he began calmly. “One—because frankly, I don’t care ab
~ 58 ~
Julian chuckled. “Glad you recognize my voice. I've got your father captive.”“No… Julian, don’t do this.”“If you know what’s good for you, come to the location I’ll send. Now.”“You bastard!” she shouted, slamming her palm against the steering wheel.Julian’s dark laugh crackled through. “You’ve got ten minutes, Barbara. Don’t show up, and I’ll send your father’s head to you.”Tears welled up, but her jaw tightened. “If you harm him, I swear—”“Tick-tock, darling,” he cut in and ended the call.As Barbara sat behind the wheel, her phone pinged with a message. Her heart pounded when she read the text.“Come to this address with your bodyguard and tiny savior, Zach.”Her eyes darkened.Julian… he still wants Zach.Though Zach had managed to defeat Julian before, it was now clear — his enemy wasn’t done. Julian wasn’t just after her father; he wanted revenge. Cold and merciless.She stared blankly at the address. A seaport near the outskirts of Belmont. He’s going to kill Zach and that
~ 57 ~
The room was cloaked in a low, reddish glow—like embers from a dying fire, flickering against the wet stone walls. Mist swirled above a pool of sizzling water that bubbled softly, releasing faint trails of steam into the air. The sharp scent of burning herbs and incense hung heavy, weaving through the silence like a slow-moving serpent.Julian sat in the middle of the heated pool, his muscular torso exposed, glistening with sweat and droplets from the steam. Scars—old and new—marked his chest like forgotten maps of battles past. His dark dreads clung to his forehead, and his eyes, as sharp as razors, locked on the figure kneeling beside the pool.The doctor—looking terrified now dressed in ceremonial black—held out both hands, palms glowing faintly with a strange silver light. His mouth moved in quick rhythm, chanting in an ancient tongue that seemed to vibrate against the walls."Ilumare koten... sa jorah! Rise the blood... claim the power… Kharum set alai!"His voice rose with each
~ 56 ~
Zach’s breath hitched as Barbara’s body pressed into him, soft and wet from the pool, her skin cool against his but her touch setting fire to every nerve. The moment crackled with silent tension. He swallowed hard, his throat dry despite the water around them.“Barbara…” His voice came out hoarse, strained with restraint. “Stop being so tempting.”Her breath hitched, quickening. “What?” she asked, her eyes searching his face.But he didn’t answer right away. Instead, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips—distant, knowing, as though he could feel the way his words stirred her insides.“I don’t know why,” he murmured, barely above a whisper, “but I’m not up for this… So don’t tempt me.”Barbara gave a forced, soft chuckle, the sound laced with vulnerability. “I’m not trying to tempt you,” she said, her voice cracking gently. “But…” Her eyes drifted to his lips. “I just think… you deserve this.”Before he could process her words or pull away, her lips crashed into his. Her kiss
