The Almighty Dominance

"Shoot him!" Felicia barked at the security android.

The machine's arm unfolded, coils humming to life. Blue sparks flared-then the taser fired. But instead of Alex, the bolt hit Albert square in the chest.

Albert convulsed, body jerking as the shock tore through him.

He collapsed, twitching on the marble floor. Without hesitation, the android grabbed him by the collar, dragged him out into the garden, and began to whip him.

Each crack of the whip split the morning like a pistol shot. Albert's scream tore through the air-raw, ragged, animal with pain.

Felicia went pale, then lunged out toward the garden, fury and fear in her steps.

"Stop it!" she screamed, voice wobbling with panic. "I said stop-wrong man! That's not him. Whip Alex, the loser-whip him, not Albert!"

The android didn't stop. It lashed him again and again-ten times in total-before straightening, its voice flat and calm. "Mistress, the punishment is complete. Ten lashes as ordered."

Felicia's breath hitched. "You stupid machine!" she screamed. "I told you to whip Alex, not the wrong man! Go finish your job!"

"Yes, Mistress," the android replied.

But instead of turning on Alex, the machine spun toward Felicia. Its coils recharged with a rising electric hum. Before she could move, it tasered her.

Her body seized, and she fell. The whip came down again and again until her cries faded into hoarse gasps.

Inside, Sofina came down the stairs, her hair still damp from washing. She found Alex setting plates at the table, the scent of coffee and toast filling the kitchen.

"What's that noise outside?" she asked, frowning.

Alex didn't look up. "Probably Albert and Felicia doing some morning exercise." Sofina smirked. "Perfect. Then we can eat in peace."

In the garden, Felicia and Albert lay unconscious, their clothes torn and bodies trembling.

The android stood still beside them, eyes dim and silent.

It wasn't malfunctioning-it had been hacked. Eve had reprogrammed it. Its new priority was clear: protect Sofina and Alex at all costs.

A few hours later, Alex walked toward the towering glass building of the Eden Group.

The street was nearly empty; only delivery drones hummed by overhead. In this district, people didn't walk-unless they were poor or didn't belong.

howling, aiming straight for him. Alex moved fast-instinct, sharp and sure-sidestepping just in time. The car screeched to a

froze as the sleek

stepped out. The man wore a tailored charcoal suit, his hair slicked back with precision. The woman beside him looked like she'd stepped out of a magazine-elegant, sharp,

And the man at her side, with that smug smile and gold cufflinks, was her

"I just wanted to

you half-slave- what are you doing here? Waiting to sabotage us? Let me guess-Sofina sent you, didn't she? She's

know what you're talking about," Alex

secures a deal with the Eden Group

faintly. "Miss Annabella, you and Mr. Nikolaus are high above the clouds. I'm just a lowly half-slave, remember? How could I ever interfere with people as

"You're afraid someone as low as me could actually knock you

filthy slave," she

of contracts with Eden Group. They're indispensable to the company. And you—" she jabbed a finger at Alex, "—you're nothing but dust beneath our

family, but he knew

won't be your stepping stone — and it sure as hell won't be your stumbling block. If you fall, it'll be because your own weak

eyes flared with

still stood tall, smiling like nothing had happened, even

that radiant, smart woman,

stomach twist. He wanted to wipe that calm look off Alex's face

in their right mind would settle

let out a huff, voice slick with disdain. "If you're not here to bother us, tell me—what

for a job,"

and ugly. "You? With that vacant look and your nickname-Alex the Dunce? You want a job at Eden Group? You must be joking." Alex answered. "It's an

do you have? What achievements? Look at Nikolaus -he's the kind of man Eden would hire. Not

If we both apply, I'll win. He's too arrogant-and

not for security, not for anything. Know your

turned cold. "We'll both go in. Watch. I'll be the one walking out

the job."

let's make it interesting. If you get accepted, I run naked

car? Bet

gambling with trash. We won't get anything

profit." FindNovels

me. Here's my bet: Eden Group won't make a deal with you. They won't partner with spoiled nobility like you." Nikolaus's smirk stretched wider, the sort that believed the world owed him deference. “Fine. If

into a challenge. "And if they

job instead,” he said, voice low and steady, "you

pride too