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.

shattered the silence. A sleek luxury hovercar came tearing down the avenue, engines howling, aiming straight for him. Alex moved fast-instinct, sharp and sure-sidestepping just in time. The car screeched to a halt inches from his legs,

froze as the sleek doors

suit, his hair slicked back with precision.

Wolfsbane- Sofina's cousin. And the man at her side, with that smug

"I just wanted to crush a bug," he said. "Guess

contempt. "Hey, you half-slave- what are you doing here? Waiting to sabotage us?

know what you're talking

out a cold laugh. "Oh, please. Don't play dumb with me. Sofina's crawling back to the Wolfsbane business, and Grandma made it clear-whoever secures a deal with the Eden Group will lead the family into the next generation. And look at that—you

just

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

slave," she

hold dozens of contracts with Eden Group. They're indispensable to the company. And you—" she jabbed a finger

he knew Eden Group had thousands of partners

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

eyes flared with

yesterday— still stood tall, smiling like nothing had

that radiant, smart woman, had chosen to marry

to wipe that calm look off Alex's face more

had never existed, Nikolaus thought bitterly, Sofina would've been his. Who in their right mind would settle for Annabella

you're not

a job,"

ugly. "You? With that vacant look and your nickname-Alex the Dunce? You want a job at

rolled her eyes and spat the words. "Important? Come on. Listen to yourself. What qualifications do you have? What achievements? Look at Nikolaus -he's the

he'll get it. If

time of day, not for security, not for anything. Know your place. You're better off

smile turned cold. "We'll both go in. Watch.

the job."

laugh. "Then let's make it interesting. If you get accepted, I run naked through

flying car? Bet me that. Give me

it, Nikolaus No point gambling with trash.

profit." FindNovels

in, smile slow and cold. "Fine by 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 I land the Eden

"And if

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

too loud to back