Chapter 411
The next day, the headlines screamed across every state:
Jericho Kane, governor of Vermont, his wife Lidia, his sister Beatrice, and five doctors-every one of them dead from poison.
The news tore through the country like wildfire.
Because the poison in their bodies was so lethal, there could be no funeral. No open caskets.
No mourning ceremonies. The bodies were cremated quickly, the ashes carried away, erased from the earth.
Out on one of the family’s massive yachts, Bella stood at the bow with Alex beside her.
The sea stretched endless and cold.
She held an urn, her father’s ashes swirling in the wind before falling into the dark waves.
Her face was dry, untouched by tears. Her lips moved softly.
“Goodbye, Father p>
Alex studied her in silence.
After a long pause, Bella turned, “You’re wondering why I don’t cry p>
“Maybe,” Alex said.
“I cried enough yesterday,” she answered flatly.
“And I remember what Father told me… If the day came that he died, he wanted me to smile. To smile at him, and tell him he had been a good father p>
Her mouth twisted into a wide, forced grin.
She raised her voice against the wind.
“Thank you for being my father! You were the greatest! Even when I went astray- when I hurt people you stood by me, cheering me on. You were insane, but you were insane with love for me p>
Her chest heaved as she spoke louder, her words thrown into the sea.
“You left me with wealth beyond imagination, with the governor’s seat that men would kill for p>
“You were the craziest father anyone could ask for, and now I’ll take it from here.” “Go on your next journey without worry-I’m strong enough to conquer this world. I’ll make a legend of my own, and when I die, I’ll tell you about it p>
“I’ll even bring you the grandchild you always wanted to see p>
Alex caught the glint of moisture in her eyes. She tried to hide it, but the sea wind betrayed her.
Bella Kane, strong and unshaken, was still her father’s daughter-and no smile could mask the storm inside her.
“Father, I promise you this-within two months I’ll take Los Angeles from Alfred Kingston’s hands. And when I do, I’ll build your statue in front of the Governor’s Office,” Bella said cutting through the sea breeze.
Alex gave her a crooked smile. “That’s one hell of a promise p>
“I’ve already started,” Bella replied without hesitation.
Alex drew in a long breath. “Tell me, Bella-do you hate the King for choosing your father as Governor? It caused his death faster p>
Bella’s lips curved into a soft smile. “The night he was sworn in, I saw his face light up like a boy again. He was genuinely happy. It was the best thing that ever happened to him p>
“Losing the governorship a year ago was his deepest regret. Even if he only held the seat for a few days, I saw it-the peak of his joy. For that, I thank the King. He gave my father his last, brightest moment before death p>
Her voice turned fierce. “My father was the kind of man who’d rather ride a rocket and die in a blaze of glory than live a long life on the ground with nothing to show for it p>
‘It is not length of life, but depth of life p>
Alex turned his gaze toward the horizon. “The Kingstons are already attacking you in the media. They’re saying you’ll never be able to govern Vermont. What do you make of that p>
Bella laughed, “I’ve been helping govern Vermont with my father since I was ten. This isn’t new-it’s like picking up my old homework again p>
“I almost forgot-you, Bella, the girl with the 250 IQ.” Alex chuckled. “But they say
with your record, you’ll destroy Vermont within a month of taking office p>
“A month?” Bella laughed. “Please. I could manage that in a week if I stopped trying p>
Alex eyes sparkled, “So tell me, Bella-will the wild Bella burn Vermont to the ground p>
Bella smiled softly. She knew her past was pure chaos-reckless, violent, and out of control.
But now… she wasn’t a child anymore. She was grown.
“Who hasn’t gone wild in their younger days?” Bella laughed.
She gazed out over the land. “This state-Vermont-was my father’s heart. He built it for decades, poured everything he had into it. This is his legacy p>
“I’ll make it stronger, better than before. So when my time comes, I can say I cherished what he cherished. And I want Alexis and Isabella to see their grandfather’s legacy with their own eyes p>
Alex’s brow furrowed. Something felt off. “Who are Alexis and Isabella p>
Bella’s hand gripped his arm, firm and sure. Her eyes locked onto his. “Our son and daughter p>
“Yes. Don’t look so shocked p>
“I’m just calculating how long I’ve been a father without knowing it p>
“Long enough to owe them college funds p>
Los Angeles. Alfred Kingston’s private study.
The air was heavy with cigar smoke and the faint crackle of the fireplace.
Alfred sat at the head of the long oak table, Charles Kingston and Kelly beside him.
“Jericho Kane is dead,” Alfred said coldly. “And I don’t believe young Bella Kane can govern Vermont. She’s reckless. Fragile p>
“I’ve already funneled money to the press and the influencers. Soon every corner of social media will turn against her. Public support will crumble p>
He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing on Kelly. “When that moment comes, Kelly, you will strike back and claim the governorship of Vermont. Do you understand p>
Kelly sat silent, her mind trapped elsewhere.
The news reports replayed in her thoughts-Bella on the yacht, scattering Jericho’s ashes with Alex by her side.
The reporters asking Bella if she would marry, a thousand suitors from across the states clamoring for her hand.
Bella’s answer had echoed across Vermont: “I promised my father-I will only marry Alex. Or I will never marry anyone p>
And Kelly remembered.
She remembered her own promise to her father-that she would always protect Alex.
“Kelly!” Alfred’s voice snapped like a whip. His frown deepened, lines of fury etching his face.
“Are you even listening? If it comes
Jericho.
to it, we’lkill Bella Kane too. We still have the same poison that ended Without her, you will stand as the strongest candidate for governor.” s
Kelly stayed silent, her lips pressed shut.
Charles rose to his feet and swung hard, his palm crashing across her face. The
crack rang out like a gunshot, echoing off the walls.
“You dog,” he spat. “My father is speaking, and you dare ignore him p>
Kelly’s cheek flared with pain, the sting ripping her back to reality.
She lowered her eyes and whispered, “I’m sorry. I had too much on my mind p>
The answer wasn’t enough. Charles’s hand cracked across her face again.
“Don’t think for yourself,” he snarled.
“You only do what my father and I tell you. Never forget who raised you when you were nothing. Your life belongs to us. Your loyalty belongs to us. Now stay faithful p>
“Yes. I’ll do whatever Father says p>
“Good.” Alfred’s tone was ice, his eyes filled with dissatisfaction.
“Tomorrow, you’ll go with Charles to Vermont Rally your friends there Build an opposition party. Hit Bella Kane from every side-attack her weaknesses never give her peace Do it without pause.” s
“Yes, Father,” Kelly answered.
“Yes, Father. We’ll take care of it immediately,” Charles added, then seized Kelly’s
arm and dragged her out of Alfred’s study.
The hall outside was colder, darker, but Charles’s grip burned hotter than fire.
He shoved her against the wall and clamped a hand around her neck.
“You’re just my mistress,” he hissed. “Next time, listen when my father speaks. Don’t you dare shame me again. Do you understand p>
“Yes,” Kelly gasped.
Charles’s eyes gleamed with cruelty.
“I want a party tonight. Bring in ten
of the best models from Los Angeles and Vancouver. Line them up for me. I’ll choose my wife from them.” Content befongs to
s
Kelly’s voice trembled. “But your allowance from Father is already gone… you’ve
wasted it on parties every single night this month p>
Charles’s lips curled into a sneer. “Then use your money. You’re my mistress- your money is my money p>
“I heard you’ve made a fortune working with Kingswell and as governor. Where
the hell else would you spend it, if not on your husband p>
Kelly stayed silent, her face pale under the dim light of the hall.
Charles leaned in, his voice sharp as a knife. “Remember this, Kelly-everything
you have, every damn breath, was given to you by my father. You started with
nothing p>
“Don’t forget it. Just do what you’re told. Set up the party like always p>
Four hours later, the Kingston mansion roared with music.
The air throbbed with bass from the DJ booth, models draped over leather
couches, champagne spilling across marble floors.
Charles was deep in the chaos, laughing too loud, forcing himself on a woman as
if the world belonged to him.
Kelly stood in the shadows, watching, disgust burning in her chest. Then-screeching brakes. Trucks halted on the street outside. In the next second,
fire roared.
WHOOSH—THUMP. An RPG streaked through the night and slammed into the
mansion.
“Charles!” Kelly screamed. She dove for him, dragging him to the ground just as another missile hit.
Four detonations shook the estate.
Concrete cracked, glass shattered, the roof caved in. A slab of debris crashed
down onto Kelly’s leg. Bone snapped.
Blood poured, hot and fast.
The attackers’ voices thundered over the fire.
“You filthy governor! While people starve, you waste money on whores and
parties! Go back to Vancouver! Los Angeles doesn’t need a Kingston p>
Party guests, panicked and furious, shouted back.
“You rebel scum! Just wait till the police get here!” Charles staggered to his feet. His hair was dusted in ash, his shirt torn.
He looked around frantically—not for Kelly, but for the woman he had just met.
He found her crouched in a corner, blood dripping from a shallow cut on her arm.
“Honey, look!” she cried, tears streaking down her face. “I’m bleeding! What do I
do p>
Charles wrapped his arm around her. “I’ll take you to the hospital.” Then, as if suddenly remembering, he spun back to Kelly.
Her body was pinned under concrete, her right leg mangled, twisted meat and shattered bone. She reached for him, breath ragged.
Charles bent down, his face twisted with fury—and slapped her. Hard.
“Next time, you save the women with me too! Look at her hand, it’s bleeding! This
is your fault. Don’t ever fail me like this again p>
Then he left Kelly behind and took the woman to the hospital.