Chapter 463
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 p>
“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 p>
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 p>
Baroness Wolfsbane slammed her cane against the marble floor. “How dare you question my honor! I intended to make you deputy, Sofina, but your behavior brought disgrace to this family. Every single member refused to accept you p>
Sofina’s voice rose. “Disgrace? What part of me lacks honor? I worked day and night to win that collaboration! And you blame me for the family’s cowardice p>
Beatrix stepped forward, smirking, her laughter slicing through the tension. “Oh, Sofina. Do you really think no one knows the filthy things you did to get that deal?” Sofina froze. “What are you talking about p>
“Come on,” Beatrix sneered. “Everyone here knows. Should I tell them? Because once I do, there’s no turning back p>
Beatrix expected Sofina to tremble-to beg. But Sofina only laughed, voice bitter.
“My life is an open book. I’ve got nothing to hide. So go ahead. Speak your poison you must p>
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Beatrix’s smile widened, cruel and triumphant. She’d waited years for this moment -to tear down the woman she’d always envied.
Sofina’s beauty, her presence, her talent-it all burned Beatrix’s pride. And now, revenge was hers.
“You sold yourself cheap,” Beatrix hissed. “You thought flashing your body and having sex with that executive would buy you respect? You used your mouth, your big tit, and open your legs-to climb higher. Tell me, Sofina, is that how you secured the deal? By selling dignity for attention p>
Sofina’s eyes darkened. “What nonsense are you spewing now p>
Beatrix laughed coldly. “Ask Heinrich. He’s told everyone. Believe me—every soul in Winchester knows what you did p>
Before Sofina could utter a word, a metallic hum split the air.
A police drone glided in through the open balcony, its blue searchlights slicing through the tension. The crowd fell silent as the machine hovered midair, sensors locking squarely onto Beatrix.
Then-crack!—a taser shot out, lightning-fast.
Beatrix’s body jerked violently, her scream cut short as she hit the floor with a heavy thud. The entire hall froze-no one dared to move.
The drone’s voice boomed, calm and mechanical.
“Beatrix Wolfsbane, you are hereby warned. You have spread false information originating from Heinrich. Heinrich has been arrested and sentenced to one hundred and twenty years in prison for fabricating evidence and defaming Sofina p>
The machine paused, its red eye flashing.
“Anyone who continues to spread this misinformation will face similar charges- no less than ten years in federal custody p>
Whispers died. Eyes snapped toward one another as the truth landed: the scandal had been a setup, and Heinrich was already behind bars.
People closed their mouths like hands over a fire.
“Baroness Wolfsbane.” Alex stepped forward. “You withdrew your promise because you thought Sofina had done something dishonorable p>
“But now you know the truth-the lies came from Heinrich, and he’s already in prison for it. So tell me, what’s stopping you from making Sofina deputy now p>
The Baroness lifted her chin, pride sharpening her tone. “I’ve already appointed Beatrix as deputy and announced it to the public. This isn’t a child’s game I can just undo. What’s done is done. Call it bad luck for Sofina p>
Alex’s eyes sharpened. “Are you really going to leave it like that? Sofina did her part. She earned that post. You can’t throw her away because of lies p>
“Shut up, you half-bred mouthpiece,” the Baroness snapped, venom in every syllable. “I know what you want. You drool for power-thinking you can leech everything from Sofina once she has rank p>
“I’m not a fool. Keep dreaming. The Eden Group chose to collaborate with the Wolfsbane family-not with some girl who doesn’t even bear the Wolfsbane name. She will never be deputy p>
Sofina’s eyes shimmered, her trust dissolving like glass under heat. She had believed in family honor, in the goodness within people’s hearts. But now she saw the truth-she had been foolish, blindly believing in promises that were never meant to be kept.
Alex placed both hands on Sofina’s shoulders, grounding her, his body a shield between her and the world. He leaned close and whispered.
“Believing in people’s goodness isn’t wrong,” he murmured. “But give that trust only to those who truly deserve it-men of honor, not snakes dressed in silk. Some people don’t earn your trust, Sofina. You’re too pure for this world… don’t let them corrupt that light. Keep your heart pure-but never again give it to the devil wearing a human disguise p>
Alex roared, eyes blazing as he stared down the Baroness. “You old tyrant. I gave you one last chance. If you don’t honor your promise and make Sofina deputy, things will get ugly for you and the entire Wolfsbane name. Mark my words: when the reckoning comes, you’ll be the one on your knees before her, begging to set it right p>
Annabella shot to her feet, fury flashing in her eyes. “Who do you think you are, Alex? You dare put yourself on the same level as us? Look around you!” She swept her arm across the glittering halb”The Wolfsbane family commands homer. Respect. Every person here has brought us lavish gifts as proof. Do you really think you and that girl belong among us p>
Her voice grew sharp louder. “You and Sofina-both of you are nothing. Ten of you together wouldn’t make a crack in the Wolfsbane name. Now get out of this banquet. You’re not welcome here p>
The hall buzzed with whispers. Then, a slow clap echoed through the air.
Alex. Alone.
He smirked. “Nice speech,” he said coolly. “Bold words, Annabella. But congratulations-you just burned your last bridge p>
He turned to Sofina and took her hand firmly. “Say what you need to say,” he whispered. “After that, I’ll light the fire myself p>
Sofina shook her head softly, eyes dim with disappointment. “There’s no point. You can’t reason with people who break their own promises. Let’s just leave p>
Alex’s voice hardened. “Yeah. This place reeks of dishonor, deceit, and greed. It deserves to burn p>
He glanced toward Countess Marlena, his eyes giving a silent signal. She caught it immediately.
“Wait-Sofina.” Countess Marlena’s voice cut through the air. Sofina stopped, surprised, as Marlena rose from her chair. Her gaze turned cold as it locked on Baroness Wolfsbane.
“Baroness,” Marlena said evenly, “I just want to make sure I understand correctly. Sofina isn’t truly part of the Wolfsbane family, is she p>
“Yes!” Beatrix jumped in, eager. “Sofina has no relation to us. Please, just ignore her p>
Countess Marlena smiled faintly. “Good. Then let me make something clear in front of everyone here.” She straightened, her tone sharp and deliberate. “The Eden Group entered into collaboration with Miss Sofina—not with the Wolfsbane family. So, Baroness… forgive us for this public clarification.” Gasps rippled through the room. Glasses froze midair. “What?” Baroness Wolfsbane’s voice cracked through the silence.
A roar of shock rippled through the banquet hall. No one had expected Countess Marlena to drop a bomb like that.
The crowd froze-stunned, confused, and caught in the storm she’d unleashed. Countess Marlena continued. “We’ve seen how the Wolfsbane family treated Miss Sofina. So let me make this perfectly clear-anyone who chooses to associate with the Wolfsbane family will never work with the Eden Group again. Not now. Not ever p>
Gasps echoed through the room. Then, without another word, Countess Marlena stepped beside Sofina, took her hand, and began walking toward the exit. Alex followed closely, his presence radiating quiet defiance.
One by one, the Eden Group executives rose from their seats and followed them. The room shifted like a tide turning loyalty moving from power to principle. Panic erupted among the guests. Families who had spent the evening currying favor with the Wolfbanes rushed forward, faces pale with regret.
They clawed back their gifts from the display tables.
“I’m sorry,” one man stammered, pulling a jeweled box from a servant’s hands. “This was never meant for you p>
Others followed, reclaiming their offerings, muttering apologies, then trailing behind Sofina and Marlena as they left the hall.
Baroness Wolfsbane’s face drained of color. Beatrix and Annabella stood frozen beside her, disbelief
twisting their expressions. They net
P.n
watched as the elite-their allies,
their patrons, the very names that, built their reputation walked out one after another, taking back their respect with their gifts.
A few even spat near their feet before turning away.
The banquet that was meant to crown the Wolfsbane legacy had just become their public downfall. Every boss, every guest of influence had been invited tonight to strengthen their standing in Winchester. Now, with Marlena’s
announcement echoing through the
hall, the Wolfsbane name was finished-mocked, discredited, ruined.
Baroness Wolfsbane lurched forward, desperation breaking through her pride.
She hurried after Marlena, voice trembling but loud enough to stop her at the
door.
“Miss von Adler, wait!” the Baroness cried, her voice cracking. “What do you mean
by this? Why the sudden decision? Did we do something wrong p>
Countess von Adler turned slightly, her expression calm but distant. “Don’t ask me,” she said. “Ask Sofina p>
“Sofina,” the Baroness called, her tone faltering.
Alex stepped forward, his voice slicing through the silence like a blade.
“Kneel,” he commanded, eyes locked on the Baroness. “Kneel when you speak to
Sofina p>
His words carried no anger-only cold authority that made the entire hall shudder. ‘Every sin carries its own punishment p>