Chapter 422
The shot tore through Alfred’s shoulder. He folded, a raw sound ripping from his chest.
Jessica’s scream tore through the air, raw and panicked, her eyes locked on her husband as crimson spread across his shirt like wildfire.
“How dare you shoot him? He’s Jasmine Kingston’s father-Governor of Los Angeles p>
The guard’s lip curled. He fired again into Alfred’s other shoulder without hesitation. “Tell me I don’t have the nerve,” he said.
“Say it, and I’ll keep firing until he’s dead. The only reason I haven’t killed you both is because you’re a governor’s family,” he added coldly. “Otherwise you’d already be dead p>
Jessica’s face went white with fury and shame.
“How dare you!” she spat, lunging at the guard with flailing arms.
The guard didn’t hesitate. He fired into Jessica’s arms and both thighs. She collapsed, limbs useless, a scream tearing from her throat.
“I told you don’t move p>
“You shot a woman?” Alfred gasped through the intake of pain.
“What? Not agree? Then I’ll shoot a man,” the guard said, and emptied his pistol into Alfred’s arms and both knees.
“I heard you order your general to move the troops and shoot innocent people – you should feel that pain too p>
Alfred moaned, pain ripping through him as he crumpled to the floor.
“You’ll die for this!” he roared, voice raw and broken. “I’m the governor-Los Angeles, Vancouver-who the hell do you think you are? You’ll answer for this. Mark my words: your whole family will die p>
The guard stepped close, calm as a judge. He intoned, almost chanting, “Only to the True Source do I bow. I fear neither gods nor demons p>
He slapped Alfred hard across the face.
The crack of the blow snapped something awake inside Alfred—an oath remembered from his first Kingswell initiation.
“You-” Alfred stammered, raw panic blooming. “You’re with the Kingswell p>
The guard drove a fist into Alfred’s nose. Bone splintered; blood poured down his
lip.
“The king sends a message,” the guard hissed.
“How dare you strike Jasmine until her throat nearly broke. If you kill her, the Kingston line-three generations up and down-will be erased p>
“You and your family only live because Jasmine lives,” he said, hammering Alfred’s face again.
“Who do you think you are, acting like this? If the king wants you gone, you and Logan can be killed at any moment. You’re not mighty. You’re nothing p>
The guard’s slap cracked like a board. Alfred’s front teeth shattered and rained down across his bleeding lip.
“Next time, you ungrateful bastard,” the guard spat, pressing his boot into Alfred’s face.
“Learn gratitude. Keep that arrogant face hidden. And if anything happens to Jessica again, you won’t live to regret it—you’ll be dead p>
Alfred was a wreck of pain and disbelief.
His head buzzed from the blows. Ambition and defiance-every plan to defy the king-drowned under the roar of agony and the sting of humiliation.
He’d forgotten, for a breath, the reach of the king.
The king ruled the whole country; his reach swallowed governors and courts alike. He could erase Alfred and Logan with a flick-had the means to end them a dozen times over.
Alfred had fancied himself clever enough to outmaneuver a throne. Now he felt exposed, small as a mouse beneath a boot. Mercy, he realized, had been a trap dressed as kindness.
The guard leaned close, voice low and hard as stone. “Remember to be humble if you want to survive, Alfred Kingston. You are nowhere near as big as you think when you stand before the king p>
The guard’s boot smashed Alfred’s face into the dirt with a force that could have crushed his skull.
Alfred felt the world narrow-breath shallow, pain flaring—and knew if he didn’t act now, he’d be dead.
“I… I’m sorry,” Alfred croaked at last.
The guard landed one last kick, then stepped back. “Doctor — take them to the hospital. The king has warned; let this be their final lesson. If they don’t learn, there’ll be no place left for them on this earth p>
Charles Kingston, watching not far off, felt the ground shift beneath him.
They had lost Los Angeles. Vancouver no longer held a place for them either. He had watched his father fall—watched power collapse in the span of minutes.
‘When calamity comes, it comes like thunder p>
He had to disappear before the search for the Kingstons began.
Meanwhile, across the states, Keaton Knight dropped to one knee before Alex, his face set like carved granite, every line etched with loyalty and resolve.
“Young master,” he said. “I apologize for my daughter’s actions. My line has served the Majestic for generations. We honor that oath. We will not betray it p>
“Don’t worry, Mr. Knight,” Alex said. “Kelly is like a sister to me. She’s free to act, and I won’t hold a grudge p>
“Thank you, young master,” Keaton answered, relief barely under the surface.
Alex let out a long breath. “My mother and father are still missing. The Kingswell operatives in the neighboring countries are digging for answers. I need someone I trust to hold this country steady-use it as a base to reach others. Can you do that p>
“Sir, your will is my command,” Keaton said, rising.
“Then take Los Angeles,” Alex ordered. “Raise it. Keep the peace. I’ll move to the level I need to cross into other countries soon p>
Keaton bowed low.
Alex turned, shoulders squared, and launched into the night.
He left behind the smoke and blood of Los Angeles, cutting through the darkness toward Vancouver, back to his small clinic-alone beneath vast, indifferent sky.
belongs to s
Alex landed bit far away outside the clinic, his boots crunching softly against the
gravel.
He didn’t go in right away. His mind was racing. If he truly meant to leave the country, to step into the wider world, then someone had to stay behind.
Someone had to watch over it all.
With a kind and steady queen at his side, and men like Samuel and Keaton the strongest in the land after him-his country could stand firma unshaken, and stride toward a better and stronger future.
belongs to s
It was also the right time to think of children-an heir to carry the line when he
was gone.
And if he ever found his mother and father, he wanted to face them with pride, knowing their bloodline would not end with him.
Out of all the women he’d known, only one came to mind. Josephine.
She was simple, joyful, and radiant even in the darkest hours. She had been his light when he felt lost.
He believed with every fiber of his being she’d make a good wife, a kind mother, a woman born of love and warmth.
And for the people of this country, she was the best choice-her kindness had no limits. She was perfect.
Alex pulled out an emerald ring, the most precious he had ever acquired. He held it in his palm, eyes steady With this, propose to Josephine-make her my wife, the her of my child, and the queen of the people.” s
He believed happiness could be waiting just beyond the door.
When Alex reached the clinic steps, he froze.
Josephine was already there, sitting on the chair out front. The moment she saw
him, her face lit up like dawn breaking.
She is bright as the clear moon.
“Alex! Where have you been? I’ve been waiting for you forever,” she said, eyes
sparkling.
“Sorry,” Alex answered with a soft smile, reaching out to take her arm. “I had something to do p>
The moment their hands touched, he felt it—something stronger than friendship.
Love threading itself between them.
“I have something to tell you,” they both blurted at the same time.
Then stopped, surprised, staring at each other.
“Really?” Josephine laughed, her eyes shining.
“Yes,” Alex grinned. “But I’m not in a hurry. You should speak first p>
Josephine’s face glowed with excitement. “Alex, have I ever told you about my
first love from childhood p>
“Yes,” Alex nodded. He knew exactly who she was talking about.
It was him.
Her voice trembled with happiness. “I finally know who it is p>
Her whole body seemed alive with joy, like she was holding back a laugh of pure
relief.
“Really? Congratulations,” Alex said warmly, though his heart pounded.
This was the moment. If Josephine finally realized her childhood love had been
him, then everything would fall into place.
He could ask her to stand at his side forever.
Josephine leaned closer, her eyes locking on his. For a heartbeat, the world was
perfect.
“Alex,” she whispered, her tone thick with meaning.
“Yes,” he answered, bracing himself.
“Don’t be shocked, okay p>
“Yes. Tell me,” Alex said, smiling through nerves.
Josephine’s lips curved into a bright, trembling smile. “Let me introduce you… to
my boyfriend p>
She turned, and a figure stepped from the shadows behind her.
“Charles Kingston p>
Alex’s heart stopped. His world buckled.
“What?” His voice cracked, disbelief flooding him.
Charles walked up with smug ease, sliding an arm around Josephine and pulling
her close.
She blushed, her face red as she leaned against him, smiling like a girl swept into
a dream.
“Hello, Alex,” Charles said, his tone smooth, cutting.
“We meet again. Who would’ve thought? My girlfriend Josephine has been
working with you all along p>
The words hit Alex like a knife in the chest.