2025-02-12 16:12:16Zach stared at the black card in his hand, the privileges Barbara had listed replaying in his mind like a dream too grand to be true.
“Unlimited access to top-tier financial management, exclusive properties, and the bank's best property for a house?” he murmured, his voice laced with disbelief. “It’s almost absurd.”
Barbara handed him her sleek business card, the gold lettering on it exuding sophistication. “Mr. Zach,” she said warmly, “if you ever need anything—anything at all—please don’t hesitate to contact me directly. I’m at your service.”
He nodded, still in awe.
“Oh, and one more thing,” she added. “We’re hosting a business banquet this afternoon. As one of our highest-level clients, you are not only invited but have influence over the bank’s major projects. I strongly encourage you to attend.”
Zach blinked. “A banquet?”
Barbara smiled. “Yes, sir. As a top-tier client, you have a say in the bank’s major investment projects happening today. Your attendance is highly valued.”
Her words brought back a memory. Zach recalled Luke at the hospital morgue, boasting about attending First Star Bank’s banquet with Maya.
Back then, I couldn’t even imagine setting foot there, he thought, amused. Now, I’m being handed an invitation on a golden platter.
“Interesting,” he mused with a faint smile. “I’ll attend.”
Barbara’s face lit up. “Wonderful! I’ll arrange a car to take you to your new home—Crest Villa—before the banquet. A sleek Bentley will be ready for you in no time.”
Zach raised a hand humbly. “Thank you, but I’ll make my own way there.”
Barbara looked surprised but quickly composed herself. “As you wish. Here’s the address. Everything has been prepared for your arrival.”
At the corner of their former street, Mary paced anxiously. When Zach arrived, her worry shifted to confusion as he beckoned her into the taxi.
“Where are we going?” she asked, glancing back at the ashes of their old home.
“You’ll see,” Zach replied with a cryptic smile.
Minutes later, they arrived at Crest Villa. The chief security guard opened the gates with a respectful bow. “Welcome, Mr. Zach, Welcome, miss.”
Mary’s jaw dropped as the villa came into view. It was massive, with pristine white walls, tall windows, and a fountain in the circular driveway. “This… this isn’t ours, is it?”
Zach grinned. “It is.”
Mary shook her head, unable to process it. “Zach, how?”
He gently nudged her toward the door. “Go inside and see for yourself.”
The interior was just as breathtaking—marble floors, a grand staircase, and chandeliers glittering like stars.
Mary stood frozen. “This is… it’s a palace!”
Zach placed a hand on her shoulder. “Feel at home, Mary. This is ours now.”
“But—”
“No buts,” he interrupted softly. “I’ll explain later. For now, settle in. I’ll be back soon.”
Before she could protest, Zach left, determined to find a simple outfit for the banquet.
The grand hall glimmered with elegance, chandeliers casting soft light over the polished floors and finely dressed guests.
Barbara led Zach inside, her calm demeanor commanding respect from everyone they passed.
“Take a seat for now,” Barbara said, gesturing toward a table near the back of the hall. “I need to handle some arrangements. I’ll join you shortly.”
Zach nodded, watching as she walked away. Left alone, he scanned the room and stopped when his eyes landed on a familiar duo—Maya and Luke.
Maya was hanging onto Luke’s arm, her laughter echoing softly. “Luke, you’re amazing,” she cooed. “You’re so connected. How do you do it?”
Luke smirked, leaning in with a conspiratorial whisper that carried just enough for Zach to hear. “Well, I’ve got Barbara Davis in my corner. She’s the one running this whole banquet. Trust me, you securing the bank’s investment project is as good as done.”
Maya’s eyes sparkled with admiration. “I knew I made the right choice with you. Zach was such a... disappointment.”
Luke laughed, his voice dripping with arrogance. “The other applicants for the investment project here? They’re just seat fillers. By the end of tonight, you’ll have what they can only dream of.”
Maya smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck. “You’re incredible, Luke. I’m so lucky to have you.” She kissed him lightly, oblivious to anyone watching.
Zach, sitting a few tables away, watched them out of the corner of his eye. His expression remained unreadable, his posture relaxed. Internally, he felt a flicker of amusement. If only they knew the truth.
He turned his attention to the program booklets on the table, feigning indifference as the two continued their public display of affection.
Zach remained seated, quietly observing the opulent surroundings, when he caught movement in his peripheral vision. Maya had spotted him. Her brows furrowed, and she leaned closer to Luke, gesturing toward Zach.
“What is he doing here?” Maya sneered, her tone dripping with disdain. “Did he follow me? How pathetic.”
Luke smirked. “Let’s see what the chicken has to say.”
The pair approached Zach, their arrogance palpable.
“Didn’t expect to see you here,” Luke began, his voice taunting. “What’s the matter, Zach? Still clinging to old dreams?”
Maya crossed her arms, her lips curling in a mockery of a smile. “You’ve always been so arrogant, haven’t you, Zach? Even at the hospital, acting like you were above everything. Look at you now, still trying to cling to me.”
Zach’s expression didn’t waver. His voice was calm, cold. “You’re mistaken, Maya. We no longer have anything to do with each other. Don’t get carried away.”
Maya’s eyes narrowed, but Luke chuckled. “Oh, come on, Zach. Don’t pretend. We both know you’re just nursing a broken heart. Admit it.”
Maya smiled smugly, sliding her arm through Luke’s. “For your information, Zach, Luke and I are getting married soon. So, stop trying to bother me. It’s embarrassing.”
Luke puffed his chest arrogantly. “And once I help Maya secure the largest investment project here, my family—the Harringtons—will be untouchable. We’ll be the top family in the city, and no one, not even you, will be able to compete.”
Maya cooed at him, planting a kiss on his cheek. “You’re amazing, Luke,” she said, rubbing off invisible lipstick.
Luke smirked. “You know, honey, my father promised me something if I close this deal.”
“Oh?” Maya’s eyes sparkled. “What is it?”
“A villa,” Luke said, drawing out the words. “Just two levels below the most expensive one in the city’s most prestigious area.”
Maya gasped. “A villa? Oh my God, Luke! That’s incredible. You’re the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Luke smiled smugly, tightening his arm around her. “It’ll be our new home after the wedding.”
Maya’s gaze flickered toward Zach briefly, her triumph evident whilst her disregard for him. Zach, however, remained impassive, his thoughts unreadable.
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THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 9 ~
Laura’s response was immediate. "Right away, sir. I guess they must have offended you.""They have," Zach said, his voice tight with anger. Laura sneered. "How dare they bite the very hand that feeds them. We've given them opportunities in the past, just like First Star Bank. This is how they repay us? Nonsense.”Zach added. "I want you to also halt all business dealings with them.""I will take care of it, Master Zach," Laura confirmed. "Consider it done."Zach exhaled slowly, his grip on the phone tightening as he finished the call. He wasn’t just about to take back his dignity; he was about to make sure no one ever dared to mock him—or his family—again.He stepped back into the grand hall, the echoes of his footsteps competing with the sneers and mocking laughter that immediately greeted him. Luke, Maya, and a few others snickered, their eyes gleaming with amusement as they watched him walk in."Back so soon, Zach? Did you go to weep for a moment or call some top authority?" Maya
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 10 ~
Luke stood frozen, his cheek stinging where Laura’s hand had struck him. His body stiffened, humiliation creeping up his spine like a slow-burning fire. He could feel the weight of every gaze in the room—sharp, scrutinizing, waiting to see his reaction. His fists clenched at his sides, but the anger boiling in his chest was overshadowed by a rare sensation: shame.Laura stepped closer, the sharp tap of her heels against the marble floor slicing through the thick silence. The air around her was suffocating and commanding. When she spoke, her voice was deceptively calm, but every word was edged like a blade."You really think you can treat people however you want, Luke?" she asked, her tone a quiet storm. "You’ve crossed a line, and you will answer for it."Luke opened his mouth, but his voice faltered. He had never felt powerless before, never been put in his place like this. He stole a glance at the crowd, seeing the judgment in their eyes, the silent amusement on some faces. His arro
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 1 ~
The morgue was oppressively silent, the air heavy with the sterile sting of disinfectant. Zach’s body lay still on the cold steel table, shrouded in a white sheet that clung to the lifeless contours beneath it. “Skip the autopsy and send the body for cremation immediately,” a sharp, impatient voice echoed. Maya stood near the doorway, arms crossed, her expression devoid of grief. Instead, there was a flicker of irritation, as if Zach’s death was merely an inconvenient chore to finalize. The nurse hesitated, her brow furrowed. “Ma’am, are you certain? Protocol requires confirmation—” Before the sentence was complete, Zach’s chest heaved. A ragged gasp shattered the stillness, and his eyes flew open, darting frantically as he inhaled like a man drowning in air. The nurse screamed, staggering backward. “He’s alive!”Maya stumbled back a step, her face pale with shock before her lips curled into a sneer. “Why couldn’t he just stay dead?” she muttered under her breath, her tone laced
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~2~
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THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 3 ~
Zach stared at Laura, stunned. The words she had spoken were like pieces of a puzzle that didn’t fit together. Leader of a powerful organization? Dominion Shadows? It all sounded absurd. His heart weighed heavily, burdened by the loss of his adoptive mother and the constant worry for his sister’s safety. He didn’t have the time or energy for elaborate stories.“Look,” he said, his voice low and firm, “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I need to go somewhere urgently. If you think I’ll fall for this nonsense, you’re wasting your time.”Laura’s calm demeanor didn’t waver. Instead, she reached into her tailored blazer and pulled out a sleek black card. The card gleamed under the overhead light, its surface embossed with intricate golden patterns and the unmistakable emblem of First Star Bank—the most prestigious financial institution in the city.“This,” she said, holding it out to him, “is your supreme black card. It originally belonged to you.”Zach hesitated before taking the
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 4 ~
Zach stared at his hands, trembling with disbelief. The crumpled car hood bore the marks of his newfound strength. Since waking in the hospital, his body had felt different—stronger, sharper, as if some dormant power was clawing its way to the surface.“Zach!” Mary’s tearful voice snapped him out of his daze. She threw herself into his arms, her small frame trembling against his. Her sobs were muffled against his chest as she clung to him tightly.“You’re alive!” she cried, pulling back just enough to look at him. Her face lit up with joy, though fear lingered in her wide eyes. “I thought you—” Her voice cracked, and tears streamed down her cheeks.“I’m here, Mary,” Zach said softly, holding her close. “I’m not going anywhere.”Her relief was short-lived as her gaze darted toward the group of men watching them. “You—You should run! They’ll kill you. Please, don’t fight them!”Zach’s jaw clenched, his gaze shifting to the gang. The group of five men sneered, clearly unimpressed by his
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 5 ~
Zach stared at the broken men before him, his chest heaving. His hands trembled, not with fear, but with the sheer force of what he had just done. He didn’t recognize himself. How had he done this? The impossible strength, the quick reflexes—it all felt like someone else’s body.But he pushed the questions aside for now. He had to protect Mary.“Leave now,” Zach commanded, his voice low and unyielding. His piercing gaze swept over the gang, daring them to challenge him. “Or none of you will leave in one piece.”The leader, now visibly shaken but desperate to maintain control, snarled. “You think you’re untouchable, boy? Darius will hear about this.” He turned to his men. “Get him! All of you! Squash him like the bug he is!”Mary’s face went pale, and she tugged on Zach’s arm. “Zach, don’t! There are too many of them. You’ll get hurt!”Zach gently pushed her behind him, his tone steady. “Stay back, Mary. I won’t let them touch you.”The gang hesitated for a moment, eyeing Zach warily,
Latest Chapter
~ 10 ~
Luke stood frozen, his cheek stinging where Laura’s hand had struck him. His body stiffened, humiliation creeping up his spine like a slow-burning fire. He could feel the weight of every gaze in the room—sharp, scrutinizing, waiting to see his reaction. His fists clenched at his sides, but the anger boiling in his chest was overshadowed by a rare sensation: shame.Laura stepped closer, the sharp tap of her heels against the marble floor slicing through the thick silence. The air around her was suffocating and commanding. When she spoke, her voice was deceptively calm, but every word was edged like a blade."You really think you can treat people however you want, Luke?" she asked, her tone a quiet storm. "You’ve crossed a line, and you will answer for it."Luke opened his mouth, but his voice faltered. He had never felt powerless before, never been put in his place like this. He stole a glance at the crowd, seeing the judgment in their eyes, the silent amusement on some faces. His arro
~ 9 ~
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~ 8 ~
The air in the banquet hall shifted abruptly as Maya’s assistant, Lena, who had been trailing behind them, let out an audible gasp."Lena, what is it?" Maya turned sharply, her annoyance evident.Lena hesitated for a moment before blurting out, “The Crest Villa—the most expensive villa in the city—it’s just been assigned a new owner. The new resident is moving in today!”Maya froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. “Crest Villa? That can’t be true!”Luke frowned. “Impossible. No one’s ever been able to meet the bank’s standards for that place.”Lena held up her phone, scrolling rapidly. “It’s all over the Internet. First Star Bank announced it officially a while ago. People are speculating who the new owner could be.”Luke and Maya exchanged a stunned glance. The villa was a legendary property, owned by the bank and symbolizing ultimate power and influence.“Who could it be?” Maya murmured, her mind already racing.Luke scoffed. “Whoever it is, they must belong to a family so influenti
~ 7 ~
Zach stared at the black card in his hand, the privileges Barbara had listed replaying in his mind like a dream too grand to be true.“Unlimited access to top-tier financial management, exclusive properties, and the bank's best property for a house?” he murmured, his voice laced with disbelief. “It’s almost absurd.”Barbara handed him her sleek business card, the gold lettering on it exuding sophistication. “Mr. Zach,” she said warmly, “if you ever need anything—anything at all—please don’t hesitate to contact me directly. I’m at your service.”He nodded, still in awe.“Oh, and one more thing,” she added. “We’re hosting a business banquet this afternoon. As one of our highest-level clients, you are not only invited but have influence over the bank’s major projects. I strongly encourage you to attend.”Zach blinked. “A banquet?”Barbara smiled. “Yes, sir. As a top-tier client, you have a say in the bank’s major investment projects happening today. Your attendance is highly valued.”Her
~ 6 ~
A while later, Zach stood before the Five Star Bank, his clothes a patchwork of soot and grim of sorts thanks to the fire from the burnt house, his face smeared with exhaustion and faint hope. The murmurs of people passing by stung like needles, their eyes scanning him with disdain. Even the guards exchanged glances but made no move. This was a prestigious bank, often housing low-profile billionaires. The guards wouldn’t risk making a mistake by ejecting someone who might secretly own half the city.Zach walked to an ATM machine, clutching the black card tightly. He inserted it, his fingers trembling slightly. His real birthday—27-09-1998—replayed in his mind. He took a deep breath and entered the pin, hitting the button to check the balance.The screen blinked once, twice, and then froze entirely. The green interface flickered and vanished, replaced by a cryptic message. A loud beep echoed through the hall, turning every head towards him.“What’s going on?” murmured a customer.“Mus
~ 5 ~
Zach stared at the broken men before him, his chest heaving. His hands trembled, not with fear, but with the sheer force of what he had just done. He didn’t recognize himself. How had he done this? The impossible strength, the quick reflexes—it all felt like someone else’s body.But he pushed the questions aside for now. He had to protect Mary.“Leave now,” Zach commanded, his voice low and unyielding. His piercing gaze swept over the gang, daring them to challenge him. “Or none of you will leave in one piece.”The leader, now visibly shaken but desperate to maintain control, snarled. “You think you’re untouchable, boy? Darius will hear about this.” He turned to his men. “Get him! All of you! Squash him like the bug he is!”Mary’s face went pale, and she tugged on Zach’s arm. “Zach, don’t! There are too many of them. You’ll get hurt!”Zach gently pushed her behind him, his tone steady. “Stay back, Mary. I won’t let them touch you.”The gang hesitated for a moment, eyeing Zach warily,
~ 4 ~
Zach stared at his hands, trembling with disbelief. The crumpled car hood bore the marks of his newfound strength. Since waking in the hospital, his body had felt different—stronger, sharper, as if some dormant power was clawing its way to the surface.“Zach!” Mary’s tearful voice snapped him out of his daze. She threw herself into his arms, her small frame trembling against his. Her sobs were muffled against his chest as she clung to him tightly.“You’re alive!” she cried, pulling back just enough to look at him. Her face lit up with joy, though fear lingered in her wide eyes. “I thought you—” Her voice cracked, and tears streamed down her cheeks.“I’m here, Mary,” Zach said softly, holding her close. “I’m not going anywhere.”Her relief was short-lived as her gaze darted toward the group of men watching them. “You—You should run! They’ll kill you. Please, don’t fight them!”Zach’s jaw clenched, his gaze shifting to the gang. The group of five men sneered, clearly unimpressed by his
~ 3 ~
Zach stared at Laura, stunned. The words she had spoken were like pieces of a puzzle that didn’t fit together. Leader of a powerful organization? Dominion Shadows? It all sounded absurd. His heart weighed heavily, burdened by the loss of his adoptive mother and the constant worry for his sister’s safety. He didn’t have the time or energy for elaborate stories.“Look,” he said, his voice low and firm, “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I need to go somewhere urgently. If you think I’ll fall for this nonsense, you’re wasting your time.”Laura’s calm demeanor didn’t waver. Instead, she reached into her tailored blazer and pulled out a sleek black card. The card gleamed under the overhead light, its surface embossed with intricate golden patterns and the unmistakable emblem of First Star Bank—the most prestigious financial institution in the city.“This,” she said, holding it out to him, “is your supreme black card. It originally belonged to you.”Zach hesitated before taking the
~2~
Luke's sheer arrogance made Zach want to puke at his face while he gnashed his teeth. Although he was deeply worried about his sister, he refused to give them the satisfaction by going on his knees. He wouldn't ruin his dignity in such a way.Luke’s smug grin widened as Zach stood motionless, gripping the edge of the steel table. “What’s the matter, pauper? Cat got your tongue?” Luke sneered, his voice dripping with mockery.But Zach didn’t kneel. Instead, he straightened his spine, his gaze sharp and unwavering as it locked onto Luke. His lips pressed into a thin line, trembling slightly with the effort of containing his fury.“I’m not kneeling,” Zach said, his voice low but steady.Luke’s smile faltered for a moment before twisting into a smirk. “Oh? Do you think defiance makes you a hero? Let me remind you—your sister’s life is hanging by a thread, and all it takes is one phone call from me to cut it.”Zach’s fists clenched, the veins in his arms taut as a surge of anger coursed th
