The Almighty Dominance

Before Heinrich could reach Sofina, Eve hurled its large, egg-shaped body forward, intercepting his knife mid-swing.

"Where do you think you're pointing that weapon?" Eve snarled, its voice sharp and metallic.

In the next heartbeat, its small hand shot out like lightning. The slap cracked through the hall — a brutal, echoing strike that sent three of Heinrich's teeth skittering across the marble floor.

He dropped hard, clutching his bleeding mouth, moaning in agony.

"Sofina Scheinwald-please!" he cried, his voice cracking with panic. "I'm sorry! I never should've spread those lies about you! Please, forgive me! Help me-call off the suit, talk to the police, just save me!"

Before anyone could respond, a police drone descended from above with a mechanical hum.

"Suspect located. Engaging restraint," it announced coldly.

A sharp electrical crack filled the air as the drone's taser hit Heinrich. His body jerked violently, muscles seizing, eyes rolling back before he collapsed flat on the ground.

"Criminal secured. Nothing dangerous. Please remain calm," the drone said, its voice robotic but oddly polite.

Metal restraints snapped around Heinrich's arms and legs, and within seconds, it lifted his limp body and carried him upward through the open skylight, vanishing into the night.

Sofina frowned, still shaken. "What's wrong with him?" she murmured.

"There's something off about that man. Best not to waste your thoughts on him," Alex said, stepping up beside her. "Have you met your family yet?"

She shook her head. "Not yet. They're still not here."

Moments later, the grand doors of the hall opened, and Beatrix entered with her husband, Conrad. Walking just behind them were her sister, Annabella, and Annabella's fiancé, Nikolaus.

The moment Beatrix spotted Sofina and Alex, her expression hardened.

Anger flashed in her eyes. She looked ready to shout, to demand who had dared invite them. But then her lips curved into something colder — a calculating smile.

Her gaze shifted to a tall man standing nearby - Count Gustav Klein, a nobleman known for his long-standing admiration of Sofina.

"Count Gustav Klein," Beatrix called sweetly, gliding toward him. "Allow me to introduce you to someone very special."

She took his hand and led him toward Sofina with a flourish. "Count Gustav Klein, this is my cousin - Sofina Scheinwald," she said with false warmth. "Sofina, meet Count Gustav Klein, one of our distinguished guests tonight."

The Count's eyes had been following Sofina since he entered the hall. At Beatrix's introduction, his face lit up. He stepped forward quickly, taking Sofina's hand with practiced charm.

"Miss Sofina," he said, his voice rich and confident. "I've heard so much about you -the famed beauty of the Wolfsbane family. It's an honor at last to meet you. May I have the pleasure of your company for tonight's banquet?"

There was a flicker of irritation in Alex's eyes. He stepped forward and extended his hand toward Gustav. His tone was cold, controlled.

"Alexander Saint-Claire," he said. "Sofina's husband. She's off limits. Find someone else."

Gustav's eyes narrowed as he gave Alex a slow, mocking once-over. His lips curled with disdain. He withdrew his hand like it had touched something unworthy. "You?" Gustav scoffed. "I had no idea Sofina Scheinwald was married. What a shame a woman like her tied to someone like you."

Annabella jumped in before Alex could respond. Her voice dripped with venom.

"Gustav, don't waste your breath on that half-blood. Half Xia, half Prussian- basically half a slave. I don't know what kind of trick he used to make Sofina marry him. Maybe some dirty Xia charm or spell. You, Count Gustav, you have status, power. You'd be perfect for her."

with a sly wink. "You'll have the Wolfsbane family's full support.

He understood her meaning perfectly. His tone turned

he said. "Elegant, radiant... I'd be glad to see more of you. And if it leads to something more-well, sex, I don't

voice cut through the air, sharp as

"I only give myself to the man I love. So drop that idea right

and sure of himself.

without hesitation. "I already love one man. My husband. Please

his tone turning darker. "Then enjoy your time with him while you can," he sneered. "Because soon enough, you'll be a widow. Don't cry

snapped. Her voice trembled with anger. She grabbed Alex's hand and turned to

they could take more than a few

do you

expression stern. She caught Sofina's wrist, refusing

is still speaking

she turned toward Gustav with a practiced smile, her tone softening

"I heard you're quite taken

straightened, smiling confidently. "Yes, Madam,"

very long time. Though this is the first time

excitement lit up Elaine Ma's face. She nodded eagerly, her voice filled with

honest, an angel in human form. You should

Sofina's voice cut in sharply, her

daughter, eyes blazing. "No, Sofina! This

me. You're marrying Count Gustav.

marry him yourself? You can even have sex with him!" Sofina

voice trembled with anger, her face flushed

on her heel, ready

fell silent. A spotlight snapped on,

enough to halt every conversation in the room. Sofina froze with the rest

graciously, scanning the glittering

and gentlemen," she

the hall. "On behalf of the Wolfsbane farmly, extend my deepest gratitude to all our friends, partners, and distinguished guests for joining us

paused, then lifted a hand toward the front

welcoming the chairman of the Eden Group, Countess

erupted as the spotlight

from her seat, dressed in a sleek

fabric shimmered under the lights like liquid night. Heads turned-men couldn't help themselves. Her beauty was arresting, the kind that silenced rooms

enough to command respect.

turn of her head to the faint smile curving her lips, carried the weight of

tone now glowing with

express our sincere

with this monumental

Wolfsbane family will dedien

every

trust. We

.net

Then her expression brightened.