Chapter 469
Alex Saint-Claire stared at Baron Rainer with a cold, hollow expression.
“When the Saint-Claire’s family was ambushed that night,” Alex said quietly, “the nobles came at us like wolves. They tore through everyone. My entire family died… except my father. Everything we owned was stolen, taken by whoever arrived fastest in the chaos p>
“But the law is clear. No matter who looted what, every business tied to the Saint- Claire line still belongs to the Saint-Claire blood. If the family has no heir, only then can the name change—and even that takes a hundred years p>
Alex stepped closer, “So yes, Baron Rainer-you’ve been allowed to use it. But that ends today p>
“I, Alexander Saint-Claire, rightful heir, reclaim this property now. The Royal Prussia Fine Jewels belongs to the Marquis Saint-Claire. It always has p>
A sudden pulse of blue light flickered from Alex’s bracelet. A three-dimensional document unfolded in midair, and the same holographic file materialized in front of Baron Rainer. The words were unmistakable:
“Baron Rainer is required to return the Royal Prussia Fine Jewels to Alexander Saint-Claire p>
Baron Rainer’s face twisted in panic.
“No… no, please,” he begged. “I take care of this store for two decades. I can’t just hand it over p>
Countess Marlene stepped in, “You must return it, Baron Rainer p>
Two bodyguards approached, placing firm hands on Rainer’s shoulders as one of them pointed to the floating document.
“You’d better choose to surrender now,” he warned. “If you resist, we’ll kill you— and the store will automatically revert to the Marquis Saint-Claire p>
Rainer swallowed hard. He knew these weren’t ordinary guards-they came from the underground, the kind who killed without hesitation.
“Marquis Saint-Claire,” Baron Rainer stammered, “please-believe me. I’m not your enemy. The ones who murdered your family… they are your true enemies p>
“I worked for your house. I only took this store so it wouldn’t fall into their hands. I’ve always been loyal to the Saint-Claire name.
“I’ll let you walk away,” Alex said quietly. “I’ll even let you keep this place. But you’re going to tell me who killed my family p>
Rainer shook his head slowly, fear and pity mixing in his eyes.
“I can’t tell you. They’re not people someone like you can handle. If they want you dead, no one in Prussia can stop them. Please… just leave. Let me keep the store. I’ll give you fifty percent of the profit p>
Alex didn’t blink. “I don’t want your money. I want their names. Tell me who they are, and the store is yours p>
Baron Rainer looked torn, desperate, almost starving for the deal Alex had offered.
“You promise me… right?” he whispered, trembling.
“Yes,” Alex said. “I really promise you. So tell me who they are. Or who he is p>
Losing this store was like losing his entire life, and this moment was his last chance to save himself. His voice shook as he finally gave in.
“They are “
Baron Rainer suddenly jerked as if struck by an invisible bolt.
His entire body went rigid. His eyes rolled back, turning pitch-black.
The words caught in his throat and died there, strangled mid-syllable.
Alex lunged forward and caught him before he hit the floor. Blood leaked from every opening-nose, ears, eyes, mouth. A horrifying, silent collapse.
Countess Marlene knelt beside them, her face grim. “His brain is destroyed,” she said.
Alex’s voice tightened. “You’re sure p>
“Yes.” Marlene examined the body, her tone clinical, professional. “Everyone who swears loyalty to certain underground factions has a micro-bomb planted in their brain. If they ever try to betray their oath, the device detonates instantly p>
She looked at the corpse, troubled. “Whoever your family’s enemy is… they’re not ordinary. They’re extremely dangerous p>
A cold chime echoed from Alex’s bracelet.
“Congratulations, Sire Alexander Saint-Claire. The Royal Prussia Fine Jewels has now returned to the Saint-Claire estate p>
The confirmation meant the matter was closed. Legally. Formally. Completely.
Alex stood, walked to the counter, and addressed the terrified staff.
“Give me that emerald ring p>
The staff rushed to obey, hands shaking, and placed the ring in Alex’s palm.
He turned to Countess Marlene.
“Open the business as usual. You’re in charge of running it p>
Then he walked out alone.
As he stepped onto the street, Alex glanced at the emerald ring. He thought of Sofina―of her sharp eyes, her calm smile, the way she filled a room without trying.
Maybe giving the ring wasn’t enough. Maybe he should make it special. A proper dinner. Something romantic. Something worthy of her.
“Well… why not?” he muttered to himself.
He happened to be walking past Winchester’s most famous restaurant.
Katarina and her noble friends loved to eat here, but every time they visited, Alex -poor, unrecognized Alex-had always waited outside like a shadow. Today might be different.
He approached the entrance, but before he could step inside, a staff member blocked him, looking him up and down.
“Sir, excuse me,” the man said politely but firmly. “Are you a noble? Only nobles are allowed to enter this establishment p>
Alex lifted his chin. “Yes. I am a marquis p>
The staff didn’t even blink. “Then please show us your membership card, sir p>
Alex’s clothes were plain, simple, nowhere near the polished elegance of the nobles entering the restaurant. He looked out of place, and the staff clearly saw it. “I’m not here to eat,” Alex said quickly. “I just want to ask about booking a table for dinner p>
The man’s face stayed cold. “I’m sorry, sir. You cannot make any reservation without a membership card p>
Alex tried again. “Then… can I apply for membership now p>
The staff shook his head, unbothered. “You need a referral to apply. Without one,
it’s not possible p>
Alex felt irritation rise in his chest. Why is this restaurant such a headache?
Then a cheerful voice cut through the tension.
“Hey! Look who’s here p>
Alex turned. A woman stepped out from the restaurant-Katarina’s friend, someone he had met once in her social circle.
She was one of the rare nobles who had ever shown him any kindness. She even once told him that if he ever reclaimed the Saint-Claire title, she’d treat him to a meal here.
A rare kindness in Prussia.
The moment she approached, the staff straightened immediately. He bowed
deeply.
“Manager Treuburg p>
Alex blinked in surprise.
“Miss Alrun… it’s been a while. You’re a manager here now? At the Imperial
Amber House? That’s incredible p>
Alrun smiled modestly. “Mister Saint-Claire, you’re exaggerating. I’m only a mid- level manager. Nothing special p>
“No,” Alex said sincerely. “It is impressive. I heard the Imperial Amber House has the highest- standards for their management. You must’ve worked hard to get
there. You’re amazing.” Conten
Alrun laughed-sharp, bright, and vicious. Then her smile vanished. She turned to
the guards, her voice dropping to ice.
“Was it you who blocked Marquise Saint-Claire at the entrance?” she asked. “You refused to let him in p>
The guards stiffened. One stepped forward, bowing quickly.
“We were following protocol, Miss Treuburg,” he stammered.
Alrun clicked her tongue. “Protocol?” she repeated, her voice razor-thin. “You’re
really lecturing me about procedure? Right in front of my face p>
Alex stepped in. “Alrun, don’t be too harsh. They were just doing their p>
She turned to him slowly, a smile stretching across her face.
“Oh Alex… sweet Alex p>
He hesitated. “What p>
“You actually thought I was mad because of you p>
Alex frowned. “I mean… that’s what it looked like “
“No, darling.” Her smile sharpened. “I’m mad because they let you talk for too
long p>
Alex’s expression hardened. “What are you talking about p>
“What am talking about?” She scoffed, stepping closer. “Alex, are you blind or just stupid? You really think a pathetic loser like you belongs in the Imperial Amber House? Don’t make me laugh p>
Her voice dropped, venom thick in every word.
“You’re not Katarina Rosenheim’s husband anymore. Without her shadow… who the hell are you p>
“Without Katarina’s shadow,” she repeated harshly, “you’re nothing p>
Alex clenched his jaw. “I’m still a marquis p>
“A marquis?” She burst into laughter. “Of what? The alley behind your old house p>
“That title is real,” he snapped.
“Of course.” She flipped her hair dismissively. “My cat has a title too—Duchess of
the Sofa. Doesn’t make either of you impressive p>
Alex’s fists trembled, fury boiling in his chest. “What the hell do you mean by
that p>
“I’m teasing you, obviously.” Her smile stretched into something feral. “I despised
you even when you were married to Katarina p>
Alex stepped closer. “Say that again p>
“Oh gladly,” she hissed. “A half-slave standing beside a Rosenheim? It was
comedy gold p>
“One more insult,” Alex growled, “and p>
She leaned forward. “And what? You’ll glare at me? Oh no. Someone call security
his self-esteem is rising p>
“Guards,” she ordered, her voice
dripping with contempt, “remove him This idiot actually tried to walk into the Impêtial Amber House without a membership. And he still doesn’t understand how theworld works p>
Her eyes glittered with cruelty.
“The Rosenheim family will even pay a hundred thousand if you break both his
legs and deliver him to their doorstep p>