Chapter 457
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 p>
The room froze.
Beatrix’s mouth fell open. “What-what did you just say? You’re telling us you actually did it p>
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 p>
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 p>
“You weren’t even allowed past the lobby. So tell me, Sofina-what’s your little game this time p>
Beatrix slammed her hand against the table, “Miss Von Adler is one of the most powerful women in this city! Why on earth would she meet with you?” Her voice rose to a near-shout. “Do you even understand who you are p>
But Sofina didn’t flinch. Not once. She simply lifted her wrist, and with a faint tap on her bracelet, a holographic screen flickered to life.
A glowing digital document appeared in midair-the Eden Group crest gleaming in gold at the top.
“This,” she said clearly, “is the official contract. You can all check it yourselves p>
Gasps erupted as copies transferred automatically to every device in the room. Screens lit up with the same document-stamped with Eden’s seal, signed and verified.
The silence that followed was deafening. The contract hit the Wolfsbane mansion like a bomb
Shock. Panic. Disbelief.
Beatrix’s face turned red. “This-this must be fake! You forged it! There’s no way you could’ve done this p>
Annabella’s voice cut through the stunned quiet, full of venom. “Who does she think she is?” she hissed.
“Even the Krüger family couldn’t secure a deal with the Eden Group! If she could really do it—hell, I’d have done it years ago p>
Sofina’s lips curved into a cold smile. “My dear cousin, you’re mistaken. This isn’t just a collaboration. The Eden Group has already paid us a hundred million dollars as a down payment p>
Gasps filled the hall. Heads turned. Eyes widened.
She shifted her gaze toward Beatrix, her tone turning razor-sharp. “And Beatrix- don’t forget our little wager. You said if I pulled this off, you’d hand me your mansion. I’ll be expecting the keys on my desk by tomorrow morning p>
Beatrix threw back her head and laughed. “A hundred million dollars? From Eden Group? That’s the best joke I’ve heard all year. You really expect us to believe that nonsense? Anyone can fake a few documents and forge some signatures. You’re lying, Sofina—and badly p>
Annabella folded her arms and sneered. “You’re making a fool out of Grandma, and out of all of us. Have you no shame left p>
Beatrix turned sharply toward the Baroness, “Grandmother, this is ridiculous! You can’t let her insult this family like that. She’s standing here, lying to your face, humiliating all of us p>
Sofina didn’t flinch. She reached into her folder and pulled out a sleek, embossed check, holding it up for everyone to see
“This,” she said clearly, “is the down payment from the Eden Group. One hundred million dollars. You can verify it yourselves p>
Beatrix stormed across the room, snatched the check from Sofina’s hand, and tore it to pieces in front of everyone. The fragments fluttered through the air like ashes before landing at Sofina’s feet.
“You think waving a fake check will make us believe your story?” Beatrix shouted.
“You think we’re fools? Grandma, we should throw this scam artist out before she drags our family’s name through the mud p>
The room fell silent. All eyes turned toward the Baroness.
Baroness Wolfsbane sat rigid, her face tightening with barely contained fury. Her knuckles whitened against the table’s edge.
Deep down, she wanted to believe her granddaughter, but logic-and pride- refused to let her.
The Eden Group had rejected offers from families far wealthier, more powerful, more connected.
And Sofina? The family’s disappointment? She managed to do it in an hour? Impossible.
Did this girl really think she could lie to me? she thought bitterly. In my own house, in front of my entire family?
The Baroness slammed her palm onto the table, the sound echoing through the hall like a gunshot.
“Enough!” she thundered.
“Sofina Scheinwald!” Baroness Wolfsbane’s voice cracked through the hall like thunder. “You’ve crossed the line. From this moment on, you are no longer part of the Wolfsbane family. Get out p>
Sofina didn’t move. For a moment, the words hit her like a slap. But then the sting turned to fire.
She thought of Heinrich-how she’d bent herself to please his fragile ego, how she’d smiled through humiliation just to keep him satisfied.
And then she thought of Alex-steady, loyal, unshaken. Alex would’ve never bowed his head in shame before these people.
He would’ve faced them with fire in his eyes-spitting words sharp enough to cut, mocking each of them without fear.
Maybe that was her cue. Maybe it was finally time to stop living in fear.
A quiet laugh escaped her lips-low, fearless, defiant.
‘They laugh at me because I’m different,’ she thought. ‘I laugh because they’re all the same p>
She lifted her head and met her grandmother’s glare, unshaken.
“Fine,” she said steadily. “You want me gone? I’ll go gladly. But remember this— once I walk out that door, I’m never coming back p>
Beatrix let out a short, cruel laugh. “You think your little threats scare us? You’re nothing but a joke. Just get out p>
Sofina smiled-a dangerous,
knowing smile. “When the day
comes that you realize your mistake. If you want me back, you’ll have to kneel and kiss the floor three times before I even consider returning p>
“Keep dreaming,” Beatrix snapped.
Sofina turned toward the door, her heels clicking against the marble floor. She didn’t rush. Every step was deliberate, defiant.
‘See who endures fire becomes light p>
“Don’t bother coming back,” Annabella called after her. “No one here wants you p>
Sofina stopped and glanced over her shoulder, eyes glinting. “You’ll be the second to kneel,” she said coldly, and walked on.
Before the tension could break, a sudden tone chimed through the Baroness’s bracelet—an incoming call.
She frowned and accepted it. A man’s face appeared in the air above her wrist, smiling politely.
“Baroness Wolfsbane,” the man said.
“Allow me to congratulate you on your new collaboration with the
supplier
Eden Group. Ive been e
the Kruger family in our past dealings with Eden, and I’d be honored to offer my services to you next p>
Baroness Wolfsbane blinked, confusion and disbelief twisting across her face.
“What are you talking about? Are you mocking us p>
The man looked puzzled. “Mocking?
Not at all. Haven’t you received the official announcement? The Eden Group has publicly confirmed your partnership, even heard they transferred a hundred million dollars to your account as the starting down payment p>
The room froze again-this time in complete, stunned silence.
Baroness Wolfsbane’s heart pounded hard in her chest. “It’s real?” she
whispered, her voice trembling.
The man on the call nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I just checked the Eden Group’s official information page. It’s confirmed-approved directly by Countess Marlena Von Adler herself p>
Before anyone could react, a voice shouted from across the room.
“Damn it! Eden Group just posted it on their official account! The Wolfsbane family
is listed as their new partner! And it says they already transferred a hundred
million dollars as the down payment p>
The entire hall erupted. Chairs scraped.
Voices collided. Everyone grabbed their bracelets, scanning frantically through holographic screens. And there it was-clear as daylight.
The official, verified account of Eden Group had released the announcement only seconds ago. The Wolfsbane family’s name glowed in gold letters across the feed.
A shockwave hit the room like a bomb. The truth was undeniable.
Sofina Scheinwald had done it.
In just one hour.
It was impossible—and yet it happened.
Beatrix froze in disbelief, her face drained of color. “Wait she muttered, her
voice shaking. “Did I just tear up a real check p>
Every head turned toward her. No one said a word.
It felt like a slap-loud, humiliating, and inescapable.
At that moment, Sofina had already walked out of the hall. The heavy doors had
closed behind her.
“Someone call her back!” Baroness Wolfsbane barked, her voice trembling with
panic.
But no one moved.
They all knew what Sofina had said before leaving-about the kneeling. About kissing the floor twice before she’d even consider coming back.
The Baroness slammed her hand against the table. “I said call her back p>
Still, no one budged. The air was thick with fear and pride.
Finally, Beatrix spoke. “Grandmother, even without Sofina, the collaboration
already belongs to the Wolfsbane family. Eden Group signed it with our name, not hers. We don’t need her anymore p>
Annabella nodded quickly. “She’s right. The deal’s done. Why should we beg
Sofina for anything p>
Conrad chimed in, puffing his chest. “Exactly. We already have what we wanted.
Sofina’s not important now p>
But as their voices filled the room, Baroness Wolfsbane stayed silent for a moment—then a slow, satisfied smile curved on her lips.
“Maybe,” she said, her tone calm but pleased, “this is for the best after all p>