The Almighty Dominance novel Chapter 213

Chapter 213

+25 BONUS

Clara stood there, frozen like a deer in headlights, absolutely blindsided by Jack’s lightning–fast move.

Before she could even blink, he’d snatched the wooden box right out of her grip and shoved it into Kelly’s hands.

“You slimy piece of trash!” Clara exploded, ripping the box back with a furious yank.

“Steal my shot at a promotion, will you? Sister Florence, would you control your idiot son before I wrap this box around his neck?”

Florence glowered at Jack, pinching his car so hard he yelped. “You little thief, when did you decide it was okay to rob your own aunt?”

Jack rolled his eyes, whining like a spoiled brat. “Mom, I was trying to turn a profit for us. Why blow money on something that won’t ever pay us back?”

“Who said I won’t pay it back?” Clara snapped, holding the Verdantheart Root’s box to her chest like it was her baby. “I’ll double the money and throw it in your face if I feel like it!”

Alex finally cleared his throat, attempting some sort of ceasefire.

“Miss, what exactly are you gonna use the Verdantheart Root for?” he asked, voice cautious.

“Not that it’s any of your business.”

Alex exhaled sharply, frustration evident. “Miss, we just need a few pieces for-”

Clara raised her voice, making sure the entire room heard every syllable.

“Let me break it down for you all: The Verdantheart Root is not for sale. Not an inch, not a crumb, not a single spec of dust. You try to get it from me, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Alex hadn’t expected her to be this stubborn–this borderline spiteful. “Miss…”

“Shut it! I said I don’t like you, and that’s all there is to it. Whether it ends up in the trash or rots in a corner, it’s never gonna be yours, got it?”

Clara snatched the bank’s card right out of Florance hand, slamming it onto the counter. “Finish the transaction, right now!”

The shop owner handled the payment, all too eager to secure the sweet five–million–dollar deal.

Florence looked like she might pass out, every bit of color draining from her face.

“Clara…five million is insane,” she whispered, legs trembling. “That’s my entire savings!”

“Sister Florence,” Clara said with a wave of her hand, acting like a big shot. “It’s just five million. Drop in the bucket. I’ll pay you back double. Don’t stress.”

Florence’s mouth fell open.

She did not buy that load of bull for one second. But maybe maybe Clara was different now.

Maybe she’d actually hold up her end of the bargain. Yeah, right.

Money exchanged, the credit slip finalized.

1/3

Chapter 213

+25 BONUS

Clara practically skipped over to Kelly and Alex, flaunting the wooden box like it was a diamond–studded trophy.

w, never seen something this precious, have you?” she teased, voice laced with mock sympathy.

“Let me do you a favor and show you a real masterpiece.”

She flipped the latch, opening the box with an exaggerated flourish.

Everyone crowded around, eyes glued to the so–called “treasure.” Inside lay the Verdantheart Root, palm–sized, looking about as majestic as a dried–up cactus on a hot day

Clara’s grin collapsed in an instant.

The root was dark gray and wrinkled, barely clinging to any semblance of life.

A piece of it crumbled off the side, turning to dust like ancient papyrus.

“What the hell?” Clara’s stomach lurched.

“Boss, are you sure this is the Verdantheart Root? Because it looks like a piece of moldy garlic someone forgot in the fridge for a decade.”

The shop owner–Mr. Walter–didn’t miss a beat. “Of course it is!” he declared with a confidence that bordered on arrogance. “Got it from the king of Mysteri Land himself Swear on my life it’s genuine.”

Clara cocked an eyebrow, her lips pulled tight in frustration. “Then why does it look dead as roadkill?”

Florence snapped out of her shock. “You gotta be kidding me! You scammed us? We’re not idiots. This can’t be real Verdantheart Root!”

Mr. Walter put up his hands, playing innocent. “Hey, hey, calm down, folks. It’s definitely the real deal. The king said it’d been passed down for generations. Maybe it’s just..uh…not as pretty as you expected.”

Sophia, who’d been quietly assessing the root, spoke up, her tone as sharp as a scalpel.

“It is a Verdantheart Root, sure. But it’s obviously been dead for decades. It’s just dried–out junk now. How dare you sell it for such a high price?”

Florence’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. “Dead for decades? Holy crap… This is worthless!”

“That’s right!” Clara hissed, snapping her gaze back to the shop owner. “You conned us, you bastard! Five million for this hunk of garbage? Refund. Now.”

Mr. Walter merely shrugged, folding his arms in disinterest “The terms were clear, ladies and gentlemen–no refunds on purchased items. You wanted them; I didn’t force you.”

Clara’s fury exploded. She grabbed him by the collar, her voice like nails on a chalkboard.

“How about I make this real simple? Give me my money back, or I’ll show you how we handle scammers in court.”

That’s when Mr. Walter snapped his fingers.

Within seconds, the floor rumbled with heavy footsteps.

His staff appeared, each one with the posture of someone who wouldn’t hesitate to bust heads,