Chapter 449
“Jerk!” Nikolaus shouted, his voice echoing across the parking lot. “Don’t mess with me, return my car p>
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 p>
“You’re half a slave,” Annabella snapped, stepping forward. “You’re not even allowed to own any property p>
Alex smiled. “You’re right. That’s why the car’s under my wife’s name now. Sofina p>
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 p>
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.
The humiliation burned hotter than she could bear.
She had treated Nikolaus kindly-almost like her own-because he’d promised to become the bridge between the Wolfsbane family and the Eden Group.
That alliance could have elevated her status, 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, another headline struck like a lightning bolt:
The Krüger family officially cut off from all Eden Group collaborations.
The news spread through Winchester like wildfire. Streets buzzed, boardrooms erupted, and noble families whispered in panic and excitement.
Then came the second shock-rumors spread that the mysterious founder of Eden Group himself had been seen at the company’s Winchester headquarters earlier that very day.
For two years, since the Eden Group first emerged, no one truly knew who stood behind it.
No public appearances. No confirmed name. Just a legend a man powerful enough to build thirty branches across Prussia, to dominate the markets and bend nobles to his will.
Now, it seemed he had finally arrived in Winchester.
That single rumor set the city ablaze. Every wealthy and powerful household scrambled to act.
Every noble family wanted one thing to get close to this mysterious founder. And for those with eligible daughters, another ambition burned just as bright: marriage.
But the biggest shock came from Eden’s official announcement-they were searching for a new family to replace the Krügers.
It was the opportunity of a lifetime. The Krügers had reached unprecedented wealth in just two years of partnership.
Everyone knew what it meant: whoever filled their shoes would rise fast, become untouchable, rich beyond measure.
The competition began before the ink was dry.
Baroness Wolfsbane’s lips curled into a thin smile. She could practically hear the coins clinking already. “Finally,” she whispered to herself. “Our chance p>
Money and power had always been her religion, and Eden Group was the heaven she was determined to reach.
Wealth is like seawater; the more she drink, the thirstier she become.
She rang the bell, summoning her staff. “Call everyone,” she ordered sharply. “Family only. Tonight. The Wolfsbanes will secure this partnership—no excuses, no failures p>
Within minutes, servants rushed through the halls, carrying the Baroness’s command.
By nightfall, the grand villa was alive with light and movement. Every member of the Wolfsbane family gathered around the long oak table.
Alex came to the Wolfsbane mansion that night because Baroness Wolfsbane had ordered everyone present – Sofina included.
Beatrix, Sofina’s cousin, saw him and sneered. “Well, look at you,” she spat.
“You’ve got some nerve showing up here. Where did you find the courage, parasite? Half a slave – you don’t belong in this house p>
Sofina’s face hardened. “Enough, Beatrix. Grandma asked everyone to come. Alex is my husband. That makes him part of the family p>
Beatrix laughed, a cold, high sound. “A husband? Don’t make me laugh. He’s nothing but a leech. A half-slave who lives off other people p>
Conrad, Beatrix’s husband, stepped closer and curled his lip. “You want me to toss him out, love? He’s killing the mood p>
Beatrix jabbed him with a look. “Do it. Grandma would thank you for clearing away that disgusting fly p>
Conrad’s hand twitched as if ready to move.
Then suddenly, Baroness Wolfsbane entered. She carried herself like a queen- stern, commanding, and clearly in no mood for childish squabbles.
“What are you standing around for?” she snapped. “Take your seats. We don’t have time to waste p>
Conrad flattened his expression and took a step back. He turned to Alex. “You’re lucky I’m civilized tonight. Otherwise I’d break your nose and be done with it p>
Alex and Sofina slid into a corner seat, bodies pressed close, keeping to themselves while eyes tracked them like hunters.
Baroness Wolfsbane settled into the high chair at the head of the table. She rapped the wood with her knuckles until the chatter dimmed.
Then she spoke, voice loud and
hungry. “Eden Group has announced
they’re replacing the Krügers. Whoever takes that place will gain enormous wealth and influence. If we can secure a partnership with Ederfandimpress the fofinder than who controls fortunes we will be unstoppable.” s
the
She leaned forward, eyes bright. “This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. A shot to push the Wolfsbanes up where we belong to the top of Winchester’s social pyramid. We will find a way in-no matter what it takes p>
The guests around the long table looked unimpressed, their faces flat against the Baroness’s excitement.
This wasn’t the first time the Wolfsbane family had dreamed of partnering with Eden Group — and every time, that dream had gone nowhere.
For two years, Eden Group had ignored their proposals.
Everyone in the room knew the truth: there were at least twenty baron families in
Winchester more qualified than the Wolfsbanes.
And some counts and viscounts were already fighting for the same spot the
Krügers had just lost.
For the Wolfsbanes, getting chosen was nearly impossible.
Beatrix suddenly raised her hand. “Grandma, we’d love to discuss this idea — but
don’t you think these two are the stain on our name p>
All eyes turned to where she was looking.
Sofina and Alex.
A low hum of laughter and whispered insults spread through the room like a
swarm of wasps. Before the Baroness could speak, Alex stood up.
“Please allow me to say something,” he said calmly. “If the Wolfsbane family really wants to connect with Eden Group, then I believe Sofina is the ke key She She’s the smartest woman* in Winchester – smarter than anyone here and beautiful too,
more so than any woman in this room.” s
He looked around the table, unshaken. “And for your information, I’ve already been accepted to work
in Eden’s Garden division. I know important people there, I can
arrange for Sofina
Soffa to meet the
higher-ups directly. Can any of you
do that p>
s
The room went silent. They might despise Alex, but they weren’t fools – they
knew he had a point.
Conrad broke the silence with a sneer. “You think that makes you important? Don’t make me laugh. The Wolfsbane family doesn’t stand a chance with Eden Group. That’s a corporate giant we’re beneath their notice p>
Alex tilted his head slightly, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “So you’re saying it’s impossible to win a contract with Eden Group?” Conrad snorted. “Everyone here knows it’s impossible. Only a fool like you would believe otherwise p>
Alex’s eyes sharpened. “Remember this-mockery is the weapon of the weak, used against the dreams of the strong p>
Conrad let out a harsh laugh. “Whatever you say. We’re not idiots. Only a delusional man chases a useless dream p>
Alex’s smile turned cold and cutting. “Really? Then tell me, are you calling Baroness Wolfsbane an idiot-for wanting to connect with Eden Group herself p>
Conrad’s words died in his throat. The color drained from his face as the entire room went still.
At the head of the table, Baroness Wolfsbane’s expression darkened, her fury rising like a storm ready to break.