Sofina drew in a slow breath, her chest tight with fury she refused to show.“I’m sorry to disappoint you,” she said evenly, her eyes sweeping across the room. “I didn’t fail. I struck a deal with Countess Marlena Von Adler of the Eden Group. The Wolfsbane Group is now officially partnered with Eden. Whether you like it or not—I succeeded.”The room froze.Beatrix’s mouth fell open. “What—what did you just say? You’re telling us you actually did it?”Annabella barked a laugh, sharp and bitter. “Oh, please. Impossible! You couldn’t even meet Countess Marlena Von Adler. Everyone saw you being thrown out of the building!”A low wave of murmurs rolled through the hall.Conrad leaned forward, his lips curling into a sneer. “You really expect us to believe that crap? Everyone knows your ex-husband threw you out of the Eden Group building himself!”“You weren’t even allowed past the lobby. So tell me, Sofina—what’s your little game this time?”Beatrix slammed her hand against the table, “Mis

Annabella’s voice came through the speaker, sharp and controlled. “Thank you for the information, Heinrich.” Then she cut the call.Baroness Wolfsbane sat still, her brow tightening as the pieces fell into place. The story fit too well—too cleanly.Sofina’s sudden rise, that hundred-million-dollar deal that had seemed almost divine—it all made sense now.“She must’ve sold herself to every high-ranking man in the Eden Group,” the Baroness thought, her lips curving faintly.But truth be told, she didn’t care. In fact, she almost admired it.If that was what it took to secure a collaboration with the Eden Group, then it was a price worth paying.A clever move. A necessary sacrifice.She wasn’t going to press charges. Still, this was not something to parade before the family. It had to stay buried.Beatrix stepped forward. “Grandmother, if you make that shameless woman director, you’ll destroy the Wolfsbane name. The whispers will never stop. People will talk.”She leaned in closer, her t

“So, you’re choosing the second option,” Alex said.Heinrich’s lips twisted into a cruel grin. “Who the hell do you think you are, threatening me?” he barked, voice thick with arrogance and scorn.A low, mocking laugh followed. “Do you even have the slightest idea who I am?”He turned, spreading his arms, drawing the crowd in like a showman demanding attention.“Look at him!” he barked, jabbing a finger at Alex. Faces turned.“This half-breed servant has completely lost his goddamn mind!” he sneered. “This bastard thinks he can ruin me! I’m Heinrich Schiller! People beg for my time, they fight to have me on their projects!“I’m one of Winchester’s greatest minds! And you—” he stepped closer, “—you’re nothing but a filthy street dog pretending to be a man.”Alex didn’t flinch. He just stared back, calm and unreadable, like someone studying a corpse that hadn’t realized it was dead yet.Alex tapped his bracelet and spoke into it. “Marlene. Heinrich Schiller is accusing Sofina Scheinwald

The hall went dead quiet. Baroness Wolfsbane stood frozen, her face pale with disbelief.Sofina—always calm, always controlled—was now blazing like a storm. Every guest turned toward her, unable to look away. The room was thick with tension, the kind of silence that loves a scandal.“You!” Beatrix shouted, her voice cracking with rage. “How dare you call your grandmother an old bastard! No wonder—marrying a lowly bastard made you one too. Even your mouth reeks of it when you speak!”“Why not?” Sofina snapped back. “She promised me the deputy seat of the Wolfsbane family if I secured the collaboration with the Eden Group. And I did—every deal, every signature. I made it happen.”Her glare shifted toward Beatrix. “But what did she do? She handed the title to you. Tell me that isn’t betrayal. Tell me that isn’t dishonor. You old liar—you’ve got no honor left in your blood.”Baroness Wolfsbane slammed her cane against the marble floor. “How dare you question my honor! I intended to make y

Beatrix’s cheek burned where the slap landed, but she kept her head down.This wasn’t the place to explode. Not in front of the Baroness Wolfsbane. Not when her monthly payment still came from her.Outwardly, she forced a look of remorse; inside, fury boiled like acid. For now, she swallowed her pride.Baroness Wolfsbane turned toward Sofina Scheinwald, desperation in her voice.“Sofina Scheinwald, please—I beg you. You’re the deputy of the Wolfsbane family now. Explain this to Miss Von Adler. If you don’t, we’re finished!”Sofina’s eyes shifted to Beatrix. Her voice was calm, cold.“I remember what I said, Beatrix. If you want me to reopen the deal with the Eden Group, you’ll kneel. If not, then forget it.”Beatrix’s jaw tightened. It was one thing to endure the Baroness’s scoldingBut Sofina—the woman she hated most—daring to demand her to kneel?Never. She would rather watch the Wolfsbane legacy burn to ashes.“Who the hell do you think you are!” Beatrix roared.But before she coul