ALMIGHTY DOMINANCE LOST HEIR

CHAPTER 8

Max turned around and saw a striking figure approaching—a woman he instantly recognized as Emily Rose, his college classmate.

Noticing the tension between Max and the security guard, she stepped forward without hesitation, intent on helping him out.

She knew Max often took on odd jobs to make ends meet, and seeing him in such a situation here took her by surprise.

But her kind heart couldn’t bear to watch him be treated unfairly.

Emily was a regular at the venue, a VIP guest well-known to the staff.

As soon as she approached, the security guard immediately recognized her, his expression shifting from tension to a polite respect.

“Ms. Rose! Oh, my apologies! I… I didn’t know you were here,” he stammered, trying to regain composure and plastering a fake smile on his face. 

“It’s an honor to see you.”

Emily looked past him, her gaze focused on Max.

 “And why, exactly, are you stopping this gentleman from entering?”

The guard hesitated, the confident sneer fading from his face. 

“Uh, well… you see, Ms. Rose… this guy here, he looks like some… well, he looks like he doesn’t belong here. I thought he was, you know, just some beggar trying to cause trouble.”

Max clenched his fists, struggling to hold back his frustration, but Emily’s sharp glare at the guard silenced him.

“Some beggar?” she repeated coldly, raising an eyebrow.

 “Did you even ask who he was before jumping to conclusions?”

The guard’s face flushed. “I… I mean, look at him, Ms. Rose. I was just doing my job, keeping the place safe for people like you.” 

He attempted a weak smile. “Surely you wouldn’t want folks like him—”

Emily cut him off. 

“This ‘folks like him’ you’re talking about happens to be my guest today. He is my classmate, and I invited him here. You’re stopping my guest.”

The guard’s eyes widened, and his face turned pale as he stammered, “I… I had no idea! Ms. Rose, please! I didn’t realize he was… your guest!” He quickly dropped to his knees, his earlier arrogance gone in an instant. “Please forgive me, Ms. Rose! It was a mistake, I swear! I shouldn’t have offended your guest.”

Turning to Max, the guard’s expression was desperate.

 “Sir, I… I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean any harm. I’ll crawl to you and beg for forgiveness if you’d like! Just… just please don’t have me thrown out.”

Emily crossed her arms, her gaze icy. 

“And what about that promise you made? I seem to recall you saying you’d eat a toilet if Max could afford a meal here.”

The guard’s face turned a deep shade of red, and he looked at her, trembling. 

“Ms. Rose, please… it was a mistake! I didn’t mean it literally. I… I was blind! I misjudged him! Please, I beg you, have mercy!”

The guard looked mortified, dropping to his knees as he stammered out an apology. 

“Ms. Rose, please… I didn’t know he was your guest. It was a misunderstanding. I—I was just doing my job, I swear! Please, don’t hold this against me.”

Emily’s face remained impassive. 

“Doing your job by judging people on appearances? I don’t think that’s quite the job description.” She looked down at him, her voice sharp. 

“You can beg for forgiveness all you want, but I’m not interested in excuses.”

The guard’s voice shook. “Please, Ms. Rose, I’m sorry!”

With a dismissive wave, Emily turned to Max. 

“Let’s go, Max. We have better things to do.” 

Ignoring the guard’s continued pleas, she led Max through the entrance as onlookers whispered among themselves.

Max looked over at her, both impressed and curious. 

“Hi Emily… that was… amazing. Thank you. I had no idea you carried so much influence here.”

Emily shrugged with a small smile.

 “It’s nothing, really. People like him need to be reminded that respect isn’t based on someone’s clothes.”

“Well, I appreciate it,” Max replied, a touch of awe in his voice.

 “You didn’t have to go that far.”

She smiles at Max, her eyes sparkling with a mix of surprise and curiosity.

"I didn’t expect to see you here, Max," she says, her voice warm yet teasing.

"But since you're already here, why don't we catch up and take a stroll around the mall?"

Max, feeling a sense of relief after the uncomfortable encounter with the guards, can’t help but return her smile.

"I’d like that," he replies, his tone lighter than before.

"Actually, after all that commotion, I think I could use a little distraction. Maybe even pick up a few new clothes."

Emily's eyes brighten at the suggestion.

"New clothes, huh? I’d be glad to help you pick something out," she says enthusiastically.

"I think I know exactly what would suit you."

Max raises an eyebrow, intrigued.

"I’m not exactly the fashion-forward type, so I could use all the help I can get."

"Don’t worry," Emily laughs, gently nudging him. "I promise I won’t let you walk out of here looking like a disaster."

They went into a nearby luxury designer store. 

The attendants greeted her with wide smiles, clearly recognizing her.

As they entered, Max couldn’t help but admire the array of high-end suits, jackets, and designer clothes.

It was a world he had never dared to step into before.

Emily wasted no time, browsing through racks of clothing and pulling out various items.

 She handed him a smart jacket and a pair of tailored jeans.

 “Try these. They’ll bring out your confidence, and I want to see you in something that makes a statement.”

Max took the clothes, looking a bit dazed.

 “Now, go try them on.”

A few minutes later, Max emerged from the fitting room, looking transformed in the sharp jacket and well-fitted jeans. Emily smiled approvingly.

 “Much better. But we’re not done.”

For the next half hour, Emily helped Max pick out several more outfits—some casual, others more formal, all high-quality and tailored to perfection. 

Max felt a surge of gratitude and admiration as he watched Emily in action, her confidence and poise making every interaction effortless.

He glanced at her as they waited at the counter. 

“Emily, I don’t even know how to thank you. You’ve done so much for me already.”

Emily waved it off with a smile.

 “You don’t need to thank me.” She paused, her gaze softening. 

“People shouldn’t have to face what you did out there. Maybe now they’ll think twice before judging you.”

Suddenly, she felt a hard bump from behind, and her shopping bags slipped from her grasp, tumbling to the floor. 

She turned around, her expression calm but questioning.

“Oh, look at that! Are you blind or what?” sneered the man who had bumped into her. 

His voice dripped with arrogance.

Max’s eyes widened as he recognized the voice. 

Johnson. And, standing beside him, glancing at Emily with an equally disdainful expression, was none other than Amanda, his ex-girlfriend.

Emily straightened, unfazed. 

“Excuse me? You walked into me.”