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.

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

as the sleek doors lifted

charcoal suit, his hair slicked back with precision. The woman beside him looked like she'd

the man at her side, with that smug

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

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

what you're talking

"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

are high above the clouds. I'm just

low as me could actually knock you

face darkened. "You filthy slave," she hissed. "Watch your

contracts with Eden Group. They're indispensable to the company. And you—" she jabbed a finger at Alex,

Krüger family, but he knew Eden

— and it sure as hell won't be your stumbling block. If you fall, it'll

flared

by Baroness Wolfsbane just yesterday— still stood tall, smiling like nothing had happened, even daring to

smart woman, had chosen to marry

wipe that calm look

thought bitterly, Sofina would've been his. Who in their right mind would settle for Annabella when Sofina outshone her in

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

a job," Alex

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 important position.

you have? What

said, amused. "I don't think he'll get it. If

flared hot behind his eyes. "They wouldn't even give you the time of day, not for security,

in. Watch. I'll be the

the job."

make it interesting. If you get accepted, I

said with a smirk. "How about your flying car? Bet me that. Give me

with trash.

profit." FindNovels

Nikolaus's smirk stretched wider, the sort that believed the world

"And if they don't make

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

pride too loud to back