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THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 16 ~
The hall roared with excitement as the massive man slammed another opponent’s arm against the table with a sickening thud. The match had barely lasted five minutes.He stood, throwing his arms in the air, his thick veins bulging under his skin. The man was enormous—easily over six and a half feet tall, with shoulders so broad they could cast a shadow. His biceps were as thick as some men’s thighs, and despite the grueling battles he had just fought, he looked unfazed, like he had merely swatted away flies.The crowd erupted in wild cheers.A man in a sharp black suit stepped onto the platform, raising his hands to quiet the audience. He was the event’s coordinator, a seasoned host of these competitions.“Ladies and gentlemen!” he called out, beaming. “Yet again, the undefeated titan, the unbreakable force of Aqua City’s arm-wrestling world—Boris ‘The Mountain’ Vasiliev!”More cheers followed as Boris lifted his chin arrogantly.“For over a decade,” the coordinator continued, “Boris ha
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 17 ~
The bell rang sharply, its echo bouncing off the grand hall’s golden pillars. A hush fell over the audience as Zach settled onto his stool.Across from him, Boris, the brute of a man who had bulldozed through his previous opponents, grinned wickedly. His thick fingers curled as he extended his hand."Hope you’re ready to have your weak finger bones snapped, boy," Boris taunted, his voice rough like gravel.Zach said nothing. He met Boris’s gaze with an unshaken calm and clasped his hand firmly. The contact was brief, yet Boris felt something strange—the man's grip was steady, unmoving, as if an unseen force lay dormant beneath the surface. It made his chest tighten.The match began.Boris smirked, pushing forward with all his might, veins bulging from his forearm. He felt Zach's fingers tremble slightly, and his smirk widened. He’s weak."You should've stayed seated, little man," Boris sneered, feeling his confidence surge.Then, in a blink, it happened.Zach’s wrist barely twisted, b
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 18 ~
The air in the arena grew thick with tension as the coordinator stepped forward, his voice echoing through the vast space."For the final showdown, we present another takeoff between this surprising young man, Zach, and our honorable Damaris!"Before the cheers could rise, Damaris raised a hand, silencing the room. His eyes gleamed with something cruel. "Not so fast," he said, his voice deep and commanding. "A simple arm-wrestling match isn’t enough. If I am to engage in a battle, it must be worth my time. I propose three rounds—a true test of endurance, strength, and willpower."The murmurs in the crowd turned to excited whispers. Boris grinned from the sidelines, his injured arm cradled against his chest."First," Damaris continued, his lips curling into a smirk, "we will test the ability to endure pain. Burning coals will be spread before us. We will stand on them, barefoot, for a full minute or more. If one of us steps off, he loses the round."Gasps rippled through the crowd, but
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 19 ~
Gasps filled the air, followed by a stunned silence. It was as though the entire arena had forgotten to breathe.Damaris… had lost?Whispers spread like wildfire."No way… that was too fast.""Did Damaris really just—lose?""Impossible. He must have held back on purpose!"Zach tilted his head, his expression calm but sharp. “You were saying?”Damaris clenched his jaw, his pride shattering like glass. His feet throbbed painfully, a cruel reminder of his failure. The humiliation burned deeper than any wound. He had stood here, full of confidence, only to be bested in front of everyone.Boris, still clutching his injured arm, gawked at him in disbelief. “M-Master…?”Damaris shot him a withering glare. “Shut up.”Boris hesitated before rushing forward to help him to his feet. The moment Damaris was up, he shoved Boris aside, feigning composure.“Don’t touch me. I’m good.” His voice was tight, his pride barely holding him together.The coordinator, though momentarily stunned, cleared his t
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 20 ~
The air was thick with tension, yet the moment the coordinator raised his voice to declare Zach the winner of the second round, the crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and gasps. Damaris, however, would not accept this humiliation in silence.“It’s enough!” he bellowed, his voice cutting through the commotion like a blade. “I just wanted him to have a taste of what winning is like.”Zach, catching his breath, tilted his head slightly, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “Wow, you’re truly benevolent to do so twice,” he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.Damaris clenched his jaw, his pride stinging. His entire body ached, but the thought of admitting weakness was more unbearable than any physical pain. He straightened his shoulders, his eyes burning with renewed determination.“Yes,” he said stiffly. “But you know the last round is arm wrestling. I’m not a child in that. I won’t go easy on you. You want to experience that? You want to embark on this final round?” His voice
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 21 ~
The women didn't relent despite Zach giving them less attention. They surrounded Zach, their hands brushing against his arms, their voices a chorus of admiration. Their eyes sparkled with excitement, their bodies inching closer, eager to bask in his presence."Oh, Zach, your strength is mesmerizing," one of them purred, running her fingers over his forearm."You were incredible tonight," another cooed, her eyes lingering on his jawline.Zach, accustomed to attention but not quite this level of adoration, smirked slightly, though he felt the growing tension in the air.Then, out of nowhere, Barbara stormed forward, her face a mixture of irritation and something else—something she didn’t want to name. Her chest tightened as she saw the women flock around him, their shameless admiration gnawing at her patience."Enough," she declared, pushing her way through the crowd. Her hand gripped Zach’s wrist possessively as she shoved the women aside.Gasps filled the air, murmurs of disapproval e
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 22 ~
A While Earlier:Barbara drove through the dimly lit hotel estate, her fingers drumming lightly against the steering wheel. As she neared the exit, movement caught her eye. A group of rough-looking men stood beside a black van, their hushed voices barely carrying through the air. Instinct made her slow down."Our target will be out soon," one of them muttered."Once we're done with him, he won’t ever mess with Luke Harrington."Barbara’s breath hitched. Was it Zach?Her foot slammed the brake before she even realized it. Her heart pounded against her ribs, her mind racing. They’re waiting for Zach? She had no time to hesitate.Throwing open the door, she stepped out, her heels clicking against the pavement."Hey!" she called, making her presence known.The men turned, eyes narrowing in surprise before dark amusement crept across their faces."Well, well, what do we have here?" one of them sneered, taking a slow step forward."A lost kitten," another chuckled, licking his lips. "Or ma
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 23 ~
Zach studied her, his expression unreadable.Barbara stood so close he could feel the warmth radiating off her skin, her scent—a mixture of vanilla and something tantalizingly feminine—wrapping around him. Her eyes glowed with mischief, the corners of her lips curling into a knowing smile.Then, slowly, he leaned in. "You really want to pay with a kiss?"She tilted her head, her lashes fluttering. "Hm. Maybe more."Zach’s throat went dry as his eyes, despite his best effort, flickered down to her bosom. She was too damn tempting. The way her shirt clung to her curves, the soft swell of her cleavage visible with every subtle movement—she was a walking trap, and any man would gladly fall into it.Barbara leaned even closer, her voice dropping into a sultry whisper. "Do you mind me showing appreciation with my body?"Zach's expression shifted from surprise to something unreadable, his brows furrowing. "What?" He hadn’t expected that. She was unpredictable—dangerously so. And looking at
Latest Chapter
~ 92 ~
Zach stood at the back of his car, his fingers moving swiftly across his phone screen. After tossing Daniella’s backpack onto the back seat, he typed a message, his brow furrowed in thought.{Mary, I'll be away for today or a couple of days at most. Please take care, and whatever you need, you can ask Barbara.}He hit send, then slipped the phone into his pocket, glancing toward the porch. Daniella was stepping out with her mother, Lou.“So, so, so, you’ve been dodging your grandfather for years,” Lou teased, grinning slyly. “But because Zach wants to visit the village, you're running like a happy puppy?”“Mother…” Daniella whispered sharply, halting on the porch. “It’s not about Zach. I just want to help him. He’s done so much for us.”Lou’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “Right. And when Grandpa begged you, you suddenly had a hundred excuses.”Daniella rolled her eyes but said nothing. As they reached the car, Zach greeted them warmly, gratefulness shining in his tired eyes."Thank yo
~ 91 ~
Yvonne’s hands trembled slightly as she took the parcel from the nurse. Her father and Ricky exchanged wary glances, their bodies tense, but Yvonne barely noticed. Her mind spun wildly, heart thudding against her chest.Slowly, she peeled away the brown wrapping. Nestled inside was a small, plain flash drive. The sight made her breath hitch. Memories rushed back—how she had handed the flash drive over, how the horrible man stabbed her, how Zach had come to save her, and how he had chased after the goons only because she begged him to retrieve it.Tears burned behind her eyes.That man didn’t just save my life... he saved this too, she thought, clutching the flash drive tightly in her palm. “He’s an angel... a real one.”A small, grateful smile unknowingly curved her lips.Chairman Weather noticed. His voice cut through the room, sharp. “What’s funny?”Yvonne looked up, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, masking her emotions. “A present from an admirer.”“Really?” His tone was he
~ 90 ~
Outside the hospital, the sun cast a dull glow over the street where a line of exotic cars gleamed under the morning light. Security guards in dark suits paced near them, keeping watch. Inside the private hospital room on the top floor, the atmosphere was tense.Yvonne lay against the white pillows, her face pale but calm. Her father, Chairman Weather, stood by her bed like a storm contained in human form, his arms crossed, his brows furrowed with anger.The doctor, adjusting his glasses, bowed slightly and said with careful respect, “Sir, Miss Yvonne is stable now. She can be discharged today.”Chairman Weather gave a sharp nod, his face hardening further. His gaze then shifted to his daughter, seething.“How could you be so careless, Yvonne?” he scolded, his voice gruff. “How could you endanger yourself like this?”Without giving her a chance to answer, he spun toward Ricky, her personal guard, his glare sharpening.“And you! You are supposed to protect her with your life! Instead,
~ 89 ~
Zach stood there, hands stuffed deep in his pockets, his heart oddly restless as he watched Barbara flee through the door like a startled bird.What just happened? he wondered, frowning, his mind scrambling to process the last minute.A soft shuffle from behind him made him turn his head slightly. Mary reached downstairs, studying him with a knowing look. She feigned a little cough, a deliberate attempt to draw his attention.Zach blinked. "Uh, Mary. You're awake.""Hmm. Good morning," she replied, her voice carrying a teasing undertone as she folded her arms."Yeah, good morning," Zach muttered, scratching his head, unable to resist glancing back at the front door, half-expecting Barbara to barge back in and take back her unintended confession."Well, Barbara is gone," Mary said, struggling to suppress the mischievous smile threatening her lips.Zach nodded absentmindedly. "Yeah... she’s gone," he murmured, still lost in thought. She said "yes". Did she really mean it? His chest tigh
~88~
The hours dragged by like slow-moving clouds as Zach cultivated, seated cross-legged on the floor, palms resting on his knees, his breathing controlled and deep. Even after the poison in his system had been washed away in mere minutes, he pressed on. His body ached for restoration; his energy reserves felt hollowed out by the night's turmoil. He could feel the faint rush of new energy coursing through his veins, splashing and crashing like a roaring tide against his inner walls.When at last he opened his eyes, the dark circles beneath them had faded slightly. He heaved a breath, steady and low, before dragging himself to the bathroom. Under the steaming water of the shower, he tilted his head back, letting the rivulets wash away the weariness clinging to him like a second skin.After drying off, he made his way barefoot toward the kitchen, gulped down a glass of cold water, then turned to leave. Passing by the first room in the hallway, he noticed the door ajar. Curiosity stirred. He
~ 87 ~
Zach's steps faltered slightly as he entered the villa, a wave of dizziness clouding his vision. He instinctively reached out to the wall but missed. His body leaned dangerously forward—then firm hands caught him."Hey, are you okay?" a concerned voice asked.He blinked away the haze and straightened, forcing a smile as he recognized Barbara’s face. "Yeah," he said, though the faint spinning in his head said otherwise. "Wasn’t expecting to see my finance manager at my house past 11 p.m."Barbara rolled her eyes, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Well, I wasn't planning on staying either. Should’ve been gone hours ago, but your sister wouldn’t let me."He frowned. "Mary wouldn’t let you?""Yeah. I just put her to sleep."He blinked in disbelief. "What?""I brought her back like I said I would. Wanted to leave, but she begged me to stay. Said she felt uncomfortable being alone in such a big house—especially not knowing you’d be back tonight.""I see," Zach murmured, stepping past her,
~86 ~
The doctor cleared his throat, trying to regain composure. "Is that actually yours?" he asked stiffly.Zach raised an eyebrow. "You want to find out?"The nurse, still skeptical, grabbed the payment machine. "If it's counterfeit, security will be happy to deliver you to the police."The doctor leaned in, clearly expecting the worst. "Treatment bills will be approximately ten thousand dollars."Zach inserted the card with a bored expression. "Make it fifty. Get them the best."He input his pin. The transaction processed instantly.Approved.The machine chimed brightly.Silence fell.The nurses blinked at him like he'd grown wings. The doctor paled, sweat beading on his forehead."I...I apologize, sir," he stammered. "Please forgive our...mistake.""You!" he barked at the nurses. "Apologize at once!""Sorry, sir!" the nurses chorused, heads bowed.Zach barely spared them a glance."Move them to the special wards. Get them prepped now." the doctor barked, snapping his fingers at the stun
~ 85 ~
His scream snapped the others out of their daze.“Get him!” The leader yelled.Two of them lunged forward at once.Zach ducked beneath the first swing, then drove his elbow hard into the man’s ribs. The impact sent him spinning to the pavement, wheezing.The second came with a short blade.Zach seized his arm mid-strike, twisted, and with one violent jerk, flipped him over his back. As the man hit the ground, Zach snapped the joint with ruthless precision. The crunch echoed.Two more were already coming.Zach didn’t hesitate. He grabbed one by the neck mid-charge, slammed him headfirst into a nearby brick wall. The man’s body slumped as blood sprayed down the wall in a thick line.The last attacker barely had time to shout before Zach spun, gripped his throat with both hands, and squeezed.The man struggled, legs kicking, fingers clawing at Zach’s arms, but it was no use. His gasps turned to silence, and then—nothing.The leader, still on the ground, stared wide-eyed. His last man—a y
~ 84 ~
“No…” Yvonne breathed, panic crawling up her spine.She watched in frozen horror as he raised his hand to strike.“Fine!” she shouted, her voice cracking. “I’ll get it!”She rushed back to the car, her hands trembling as she reached beneath the front passenger seat — the only place she could think of hiding it earlier. Her fingers curled around the small, black flash drive. Reluctantly, she walked back toward them, raising it up.“Hand it over,” the man ordered, eyes greedy.“Not until you let him go,” she barked, refusing to be intimidated.The leader smirked, then flicked his fingers lazily. The two men shoved Ricky down and released him.Yvonne’s eyes stayed on Ricky, making sure he was breathing, before she slowly stretched the flash drive toward the leader. He snatched it and inserted it into a portable reader clipped to his belt.She crossed her arms. “You and whoever sent you — Pablo — you’re both going down. Soon.”He looked up from the device, laughter dancing in his eyes. “
