The Almighty Dominance

"Jerk!" Nikolaus shouted, his voice echoing across the parking lot. "Don't mess with me, return my car!"

Alex didn't even flinch. He turned his back and started walking away, calm as a man who'd already won.

"I'm not playing with you," he said. "The system recorded our bet. It's automatic- government protocol. You lost, Nikolaus. That means your car transfers to me. I didn't have to lift a finger."

"You're half a slave," Annabella snapped, stepping forward. "You're not even allowed to own any property!"

Alex smiled. "You're right. That's why the car's under my wife's name now. Sofina."

He glanced at the luxury flying car behind him, then back at them. "You two should probably call a taxi. Or walk. And hey-thanks for the car."

Nikolaus's face flushed crimson. His day had already been hell his family collaboration got canceled, his father tore into him, and now this. Losing his car to Alex was the final nail. Fury took over reason.

"You bastard!" he roared, charging at Alex.

But Alex had already stepped back toward the glass entrance of the Eden Group tower.

Before Nikolaus could swing, the android security units moved in-fast, mechanical precision.

A sharp crack split the air.

Nikolaus jerked violently as the taser hit him. His body stiffened, then collapsed onto the marble floor. The shock made him lose control-his pants darkened wet as the crowd gasped.

Annabella screamed and rushed to him. But the androids misread her movement. Their scanners flagged her as an aggressor trying to breach restricted access.

Another jolt flashed.

She hit the floor beside him, her hair standing on end, her breath shallow.

Both of them lay there, twitching under the bright corporate lights while onlookers pulled out their phones.

They watched because they needed someone else's ruin to feel alive.

Within minutes, photos and clips flooded the city's feed-Baron Krüger's son and his fiancée, electrocuted and humiliated in front of Eden Group headquarters.

By afternoon, everyone in Winchester had seen it. Rumors spread like wildfire. No one knew the full story, but everyone agreed on one thing: the Krüger family had crossed Eden Group.

By evening, their reputation was in ashes.

Workers from the Krüger estate-men and women who'd built their lives on Eden Group contracts-were dismissed overnight. Without those connections, the family's empire collapsed like a house of cards. Within days, their wealth evaporated.

Once a proud name among Winchester's elite, the Krügers were now clinging to survival—a fallen barony buried under debt, scandal, and the ashes of its former glory.

To survive, they had no choice but to sell off their land piece by piece, just to cover what they owed the banks.

The Krügers had been kings of the city once. Now, they were ghosts walking through the ruins of their own pride.

Baroness Wolfsbane's hands trembled as she stared at the photo of Nikolaus and Annabella splashed all over the news feed.

burned hotter

to become the

secured her family's power. But now, after that disgraceful scene, even Annabella looked like she'd been blacklisted. And before the day was over,

cut off from all

Winchester like wildfire. Streets buzzed, boardrooms

Group himself had been seen at the company's Winchester

since the Eden Group first emerged, no one truly knew who

name. Just a legend a man powerful enough to build thirty branches across Prussia, to dominate the markets and bend nobles

he had

the city ablaze. Every

noble family wanted one thing to get close to this mysterious founder. And for those

shock came from Eden's official announcement-they were searching for a

lifetime. The Krügers had reached unprecedented wealth in just two

it meant: whoever filled their shoes would

before the ink

into a thin smile. She could practically hear the coins clinking already. "Finally," she whispered to

always been her religion, and Eden

more she drink,

rang the bell, summoning her staff. "Call everyone," she ordered sharply. "Family

minutes, servants rushed through the

grand villa was alive with light and movement. Every member of the Wolfsbane

to the Wolfsbane mansion that night because Baroness Wolfsbane had ordered everyone present

him and sneered.

some nerve showing up here. Where did you find the courage, parasite? Half

Beatrix. Grandma asked everyone to come. Alex is my husband. That makes him part of the

sound. "A husband? Don't make me laugh. He's nothing but a leech. A half-slave who

stepped closer and curled his lip. "You want me to

him with a look. "Do it. Grandma would thank you for clearing

as

herself like a queen- stern, commanding, and

standing around for?" she snapped. "Take your seats. We

turned to Alex. "You're lucky I'm civilized tonight. Otherwise I'd break your nose and be done with

corner seat, bodies pressed close, keeping to themselves while eyes tracked them

Wolfsbane settled into the high chair at the head of the

she spoke, voice loud

Group

place will gain enormous wealth and influence. If we can secure a partnership with Ederfandimpress the fofinder than who

the

been waiting for. A shot to push the Wolfsbanes up where we belong to the top of Winchester's social pyramid. We will find

the long table looked unimpressed, their faces flat against

Wolfsbane family had dreamed of partnering with Eden Group

years, Eden Group had ignored their

truth: there were at least