The Almighty Dominance

Chapter 463

Night dropped like a curtain, and the Wolfsbane banquet hall burst to life with laughter and light.

This was their night-their triumph-one that would echo in family stories for

years.

They had spared no expense. The Wolfsbanes booked Winchester's most luxurious hotel, hired master chefs, poured the rarest wines, and brought in a singer whose voice could wash the weight off any soul.

Every detail shimmered with wealth and power.

Word had already spread through Winchester like wildfire: the Wolfsbane family had secured the Eden Group contract. Even more shocking-the chairman herself, Countess Marlena Von Adler, would attend.

The invitations became golden tickets overnight. Everyone wanted one. Few had the privilege to hold it.

Alex and Sofina walked through the hotel's marble lobby with Eve gliding at their lead — an egg-shaped robot with soft chrome curves.

Sofina's hand found Eve's smooth shell. She hugged the little machine like she'd hugged a living thing.

"Miss Sofina," Eve said sweetly, "I will be your guardian tonight. You don't need to worry. I will handle everything."

Sofina hugged Eve closer, a small smile softening her face. "With you here, I actually feel safe."

"You can count on me," Eve answered, a hint of pride rippling through her tone.

At the hotel entrance two reception androids snapped to attention. "Dear guests," one intoned, "please present your invitation cards."

Sofina froze, color draining. "They didn't give us one," she said. Her voice was small for the first time all evening. "We are family, can't we get in."

The androids stiffened, voices flat and mechanical. "Without an invitation card, entry is strictly prohibited. Please leave."

A murmur rolled through the line behind them.

"No invitation and still showing up?" someone scoffed. "How shameless."

Another voice cut in, sharper, mocking. "Pretending to be part of the family now, are they?"

A woman sneered. "No shame at all-trying to sneak into a Wolfsbane banquet. Let's see how they get thrown out. Arrogant fools think every door's open for them."

Eve's eyes blinked, then became a stream of numbers. Suddenly the two androids stepped back as if a hand had pressed against their chests.

They bowed, perfectly composed.

"My apologies for the mistake," the lead android said. "Welcome, Miss Sofina and Master Alex. You do not need invitation cards."

Sofina's eyes widened. "How-?"

my doing," Eve said, chest puffed like

curiosity. "Eve... did

her digital eyes flickering. "No. I asked

Sofina repeated, raising a

said with a smug little hum. "I told them to let us in—or I'd fry their chips and wipe their memories clean. Turns

and relieved.

a smug little tilt. "Not brilliant," she

shake his head. Eve was Bella's finest creation, and her signature was everywhere in the machine-the sharp wit, the confidence that bordered on arrogance, and the spark of pride that made her almost human. Alex let the smile crawl across his face like dusk settling over a town-slow, deliberate, dangerous. "Tell me this, Sofina-wouldn't it be cleaner to burn the whole place down?

Sofina said, a thread of hope in it. "Baroness Wolfsbane promised me the Deputy Chair if I secured the collaboration. I've

back slightly, his voice even. "You really believe

announcing the new Deputy tonight," Sofina replied.

chance-before the announcement

to tell her the truth-that the Baroness hadn't invited

bridge had already been

looked at her at the

the fire thinking it is

brushing a stray strand of hair

murmured. "But fine. Let's believe in kindness- believe in her, if that's what keeps

believe people are good,"

though the words

had been her curse-three years under Heinrich's cruelty, three years of manipulation by the Baroness, all because she still believed people could be

our own devil, and we make this world

still believes in heaven-still believes in the goodness of people. Just

the flame, mistaking

her that trusting liars was a kind

to keep believing in people who had already

toward wolves, mistaking their snarls

Sofina said, still

Alex said. "Take Eve with

turned toward the grand hall, her footsteps quiet yet

breath, "If you repay evil with virtue,

Heinrich's voice cut through the air like

did you find that counterfeit suit? You look like a stray

a gentleman." His eyes slid toward

hardened. "What's it to you? Your outfit isn't any better. You look like

smirk twitched. Being insulted by a man he considered beneath

"That's how

narrowed. "What