Chapter 447
At the top of the Eden Building, the penthouse office gleamed like a glass crown over the city.
When Alex stepped into the elevator and swiped his black access card, a soft chime echoed.
Moments later, every staff member in the penthouse office received an alert:
“The Founder is on his way to the office p>
In an instant, tension filled the air.
Secretaries straightened their desks, executives rushed to the elevator doors, and assistants smoothed their clothes like soldiers before inspection.
When the elevator opened, Alex stepped out. The entire staff bowed.
“Welcome, Young Master p>
Alex shook his head. “Next time, disable the announcement system. I don’t need the whole floor knowing where I’m going p>
“Yes, sir,” they replied in unison, scattering back to their posts.
Then she appeared.
Countess Marlena von Adler-elegant, confident, eyes glittering like a challenge.
“Founder, you’re finally here,” she said with a warm smile. “I’ve missed you p>
Marlena had the bearing of nobility, but not the fortune.
Her title came from a line of ruined aristocrats. Her father had gambled away their wealth in smoke-filled dens until the family was left with nothing but their name.
She grew up among gangsters and street hustlers, learning to survive by wit alone.
Years later, when Alex took control of the underground nightclubs, he found her.
She was the quiet mind behind one of the city’s most profitable bars-smart, calculating, ruthless when needed. She had a gift for smelling money, and everyone knew it.
Alex saw potential where others saw trouble. He pulled her out of the slums and made her the public face of his empire.
Only a noble could legally register a company of Eden’s magnitude, so on paper, Marlena von Adler became the official Chairwoman.
In truth, Alex was the real owner, the power behind the throne.
Still, Marlena had earned her place. Her cunning and composure helped turn Eden Group into a corporate fortress. But there was one flaw in her-her obsession with Alex.
She stepped closer now, her perfume rich with desperation.
“Founder,” she said softly, “how could you divorce Katarina and marry Sofina at the same time? Why not me? I’ve been waiting for you for three years p>
Her voice trembled, caught between pride and longing. “Look at me. I’m a Countess young, beautiful, noble. And you’re powerful, wealthy, untouchable. Together we’d be perfect p>
“A union of nobility and wealth,” Marlena purred. “Why can’t you see we’d be perfect together p>
Alex’s lips twisted into a sneer. “Perfect? You tried to poison me with aprodiach- twice p>
Marlena’s smile turned sly, seductive. “That’s not poison, Alex. That’s passion. Can’t you see? I’d merge my soul with yours p>
He let out a dry laugh. “You mean like a corporate merger p>
She winked. “Exactly. Equal partners p>
Alex shook his head, amused and tired all at once. “Funny. Every time you say that, the paperwork somehow ends up with you owning everything p>
“Oh, come on, Alex,” she teased, her tone dripping with honey. “I’m just trying my luck. Why not agree with me—just this once p>
He sighed, voice low and heavy. “Tell me something, Marlena… do you even know what love is p>
Marlena laughed, sharp and cynical. “Love? Don’t start with that nonsense. Emotions are unstable. They shift with moods. Contracts are better-clean, binding, predictable p>
“You treat love like a business deal,” Alex said quietly.
“Of course,” she replied, eyes gleaming. “Fewer disappointments p>
He leaned closer, studying her face. “And what’s the penalty for breach of contract p>
She smirked. “Emotional bankruptcy. Or a bullet-depends on who defaults first.” Alex sighed. “What about sex p>
She blinked, puzzled for a moment, then smirked. “Sex? It’s just a sport, right? Like a game people play when they’re in the mood to have fun with each other p>
Alex’s tone turned colder. “And how many men have you… played this game with p>
She tilted her head proudly. “About a hundred and fifty-six, give or take. Don’t worry, I’m a professional. Plenty of experience p>
Alex exhaled slowly, “And that,” he said quietly, “is exactly why we were never meant to be together p>
“Come on, Alex,” she said, rolling her eyes. “You should be logical, not emotional. You sound like one of those broken poets p>
She was stunning, almost disarmingly so. Around twenty-seven, maybe twenty- eight, with a body sculpted like temptation itself-slender, curved, elegant. Everything about her radiated allure and control.
Alex rubbed his temples. “Let’s not do this. Talking about love with you is like trying to explain color to the blind. Those without heart cannot see the sky. Those without Love cannot feel the love. Let’s get to business p>
Marlena crossed her legs, smiling smoothly. “Alright, Founder. Tell me what you need p>
“I want you to put me on the gardener position in Eden Group,” Alex said flatly.
She blinked, then laughed softly. “A gardener? As far as I know, you’re the only one who actually enjoys that damn garden p>
Before Alex could answer, the intercom on Marlena’s desk crackled to life.
“Lady Von Adler,” her secretary’s voice came through. “A Mr. Nikolaus Krüger and Miss Annabella Wolfsbane are here to see you p>
Marlena didn’t hesitate. “Tell them to wait another hour. I’m busy right now p>
Alex raised a brow. “Nikolaus Krüger p>
“Yes,” she replied smoothly. “Baron Krüger’s family. They’re one of our key partners. Several of their major projects in Winchester are tied to Eden. They’ve been here multiple times before p>
Alex’s tone grew analytical. “What if I told you to halt all ongoing and planned projects with the Krüger family p>
Marlena’s expression froze, the flirtation slipping away. “You’re serious p>
Alex’s eyes narrowed. “Completely. I need to know the full impact-every connection, every risk. Starting now p>
Marlena leaned back in her chair, her mind working fast. “The Krüger family joined us two years ago, back when the Eden Garden project was still new. At that time, we didn’t have much choice. But things have changed p>
She folded her arms. “Now they’re making a fortune off us. If we cut them off, there are dozens of families waiting to take their place. Honestly, the impact would
be positive. It’s time we move on and bring in better partners p>
Alex nodded slowly. “Good. Then we cut them off p>
Marlena tilted her head. “We’ll need a reason, something official. What should we tell them p>
“Tell them Nikolaus Krüger offended someone he shouldn’t have inside Eden Group,” Alex said calmly. “Will that be enough p>
Marlena smirked. “Enough? More than enough. Whether he likes it or not, he’ll accept it. We could throw them out without saying a word. Giving them an explanation is already mercy p>
Alex’s lips curved slightly. “Then add this-tell him that even if he wanted to apply
for a job here, we wouldn’t take him. Not even for janitor p>
Marlena chuckled softly. “Understood p>
Outside the office, Nikolaus Krüger and Annabella Wolfsbane sat waiting.
“Relax, Annabella,” Nikolaus said confidently, adjusting his cufflinks.
“The Krüger family has worked with Eden Group from the very start. Honestly, they owe their rise to us. Without me, there wouldn’t even be an Eden Group. They’ll listen to what I say. You’ll get your contract, I promise p>
Annabella smiled sweetly. “I knew I could rely on you, Nikolaus p>
Nikolaus leaned back with a smug grin. For years, the Krügers had been one of Eden Group’s key partners, securing deals and sharing profits.
But lately, he’d heard whispers other families circling like vultures, hoping to take their place now that Eden’s empire was soaring.
Still, he believed Eden Group would never abandon the Krüger name. They owed everything to the Krügers.
The glass doors slid open. Marlena von Adler stepped out.
She looked at Nikolaus and Annabella with a calm, icy stare that could slice through steel.
“Countess von Adler,” Nikolaus said, quickly standing and putting on his most polished smile. “How wonderful to see you. Allow me to introduce Miss Annabella Wolfsbane, of the Baron Wolfsbane family p>
“She is here to propose a new partnership with Eden Group. I can personally vouch for her—she’s competent, well-connected, and trustworthy.” Marlena didn’t answer right away. She simply studied them both, her eyes cool, assessing. Then she smiled faintly—the kind of smile that made even confident
men uneasy.
“Competent, huh?” Countess
Marlena von Adler looked at Nikolaus as if he were a crawling maggot “Starting now, we cancel every contract with the Krüger family ad you Wolfsbane coming into this building already tarnished Eden’s prestige. Don’t expect to ever set foot here again.” s
“Wait,” Nikolaus stammered, trying to buy time from disbelief. “What do you mean? You seriously intend to cancel every collaboration with the Krügers p>
“Yes.” Marlena’s answer was a flat, cold knife. “End it. You heard me p>
Heat surged through Nikolaus’s face. This couldn’t be happening. Half of the Krüger family’s money came from Eden.
If the partnership ended, their income would crash, debts would pile up, and the family fortune would disappear overnight. The truth hit him hard-everything they’d built was about to fall apart.
“You can’t do this to us,” he snarled, rage rising. “We made no mistakes. Remember when Eden was nothing? We lifted you. We built Eden Group p>
Marlena sneered. “You helped? Don’t flatter yourself. We took pity on your
dying name and pulled you out of
the gutter. Now you swagger in here like w we owe you something. You crossed a line, Nikolaus – you offended someone you should never have touched inside Eden Group.” s
“Me?” Nikolaus barked, stunned. “I never offended anyone here p>
“You did,” Marlena cut in coldly. “So you lose every contract. Everything ends. Get
out p>
Nikolaus slammed his hand on the
table, voice cracking with rage. “Are
you kidding me? We’ve been a
partner for years. You don’t just cut us off because you wake up with a grudge! Don’t test the Krugers take this to the regulators. Sue. I’ll drag Eden through the courts and watch it burn.” s