Chapter 461
“So, you’re choosing the second option,” Alex said.
Heinrich’s lips twisted into a cruel grin. “Who the hell do you think you are, threatening me?” he barked, voice thick with arrogance and scorn.
A low, mocking laugh followed. “Do you even have the slightest idea who I am p>
He turned, spreading his arms, drawing the crowd in like a showman demanding attention.
“Look at him!” he barked, jabbing a finger at Alex. Faces turned.
“This half-breed servant has completely lost his goddamn mind!” he sneered. “This bastard thinks he can ruin me! I’m Heinrich Schiller! People beg for my time, they fight to have me on their projects!
“I’m one of Winchester’s greatest minds! And you-” he stepped closer, “-you’re nothing but a filthy street dog pretending to be a man p>
Alex didn’t flinch. He just stared back, calm and unreadable, like someone studying a corpse that hadn’t realized it was dead yet.
Alex tapped his bracelet and spoke into it. “Marlene. Heinrich Schiller is accusing Sofina Scheinwald of trading her bodies to Eden Group executives to secure deals. He’s slandering the Eden Group name. Ruin him. Two minutes p>
“You think you’re great, pretending to be someone important?” he snarled, a mocking laugh ripping out of him. “You think I can’t play this game? I can play it better than you p>
Heinrich leaned forward, every word a knife. “Loser, I’ll give you two choices. One: divorce Sofina and kneel to me or your life ends right here p>
His eyes went cold as iron. “Two: I will break you, cripple you, maybe kill you. Either way, Sofina stays with me. Decide. Now. One minute p>
Alex glanced at his watch. “You still have eighty seconds. After that, there’s no turning back. Enjoy whatever time you’ve got p>
“Fuck off!” Heinrich shouted “Think you can bluff me into regret? Forty seconds! Get on your knees now or you’ll regret it forever p>
He counted them down like a man setting a clock for dynamite. “Twenty-five… fifteen… five… Time’s up p>
Heinrich stepped forward, shoulders coiled, ready to strike.
Right then, Heinrich’s bracelet buzzed. The sound sliced through the hall.
He flinched, glanced down, and saw the caller ID- Government Office. His heart skipped. He swallowed hard and answered, voice shaky. “Yes p>
A stern face filled the holographic screen – a government officer in uniform, voice sharp and formal.
“Mr. Heinrich Schiller, we’ve received formal reports from the Eden Group executives,” the officer said, his tone clipped and official.
“You’ve been spreading false information and slandering their name. Ten executives have already filed lawsuits against you p>
“Our investigation confirms that your statements-first to the Annabella network and later across Winchester-were fabricated and intended to damage the reputation of Ms. Sofina Scheinwald and the senior leadership of the Eden Group p>
Heinrich’s face turned pale. His throat went dry. Sweat ran down his temples as he stammered, “W-what? That can’t be “
The officer’s voice cut him off, colder than stone.
“Since the individuals pressing charges include members of the nobility — a Countess and a Baroness — your pending baron title has been officially revoked.
Your academic credentials are frozen pending legal review p>
“You have been found guilty of perjury and defamation under high court jurisdiction. Current sentencing request: two hundred years in federal confinement p>
The words hit like gunfire.
Heinrich staggered back, gripping the edge of the table. Two hundred years? He couldn’t breathe.
A Countess suing him, a commoner? It was like being crushed under a mountain and told to smile through it. Every muscle in his face twitched.
“W-wait!” he shouted, desperate now. “This was a joke! Just a bit of fun! No harm meant! Even Sofina hasn’t complained-see? She’s not saying a damn thing p>
“I’m sorry, Mr. Schiller,” the government officer said coldly through the bracelet. “Police enforcement drones are already en route to your location. You are under arrest. Do not resist. Compliance will ensure a peaceful detainment. Resistance will make the situation worse p>
The line went dead.
Everyone in the hall had heard it. Murmurs spread like wildfire.
“So it’s true—he’s the liar. He’s the one spreading all the rumors p>
“Two hundred years in prison? That’s a death sentence p>
“He was just starting to make a name for himself in Winchester. What a waste p>
“The Countess sued him before he even got his noble title. He’s finished p>
“Serves him right. Arrogant bastard thought he was untouchable p>
The crowd turned on him without mercy.
Their words cut deeper than blades.
Heinrich Schiller’s legs gave out. He collapsed to his knees before Alex, trembling, drenched in cold sweat.
His voice cracked. “Who the hell are you… really? You did this, didn’t you p>
Alex leaned in close, his breath cold against Heinrich’s ear.
“I gave you a choice,” he said. “You could’ve walked away with your dignity and
your future. But you were too arrogant to listen p>
He paused, his eyes hard, voice dropping lower.
“Now look at you begging in the dirt, your name shattered, your legacy burned. Enjoy the hell you built for yourself p>
Heinrich’s face collapsed into pure despair. “I’m sorry! I’m so damn sorry! Please -please forgive me! Spare me p>
His voice cracked, breaking apart like a man drowning in his own fear. The words poured out, desperate, trembling, without pride left to hide behind.
He had just begun his rise – hailed as one of the brightest minds in Winchester. He had everything lined up: wealth, recognition, the promise of a briliant future. A wife family, a comfortable life filled with praise and luxury. Heaven on earth.
But now, with one foolish step, it was all gone.
His name, his freedom, his future — traded for a few arrogant words. And as the weight of it crushed him, Heinrich realized he would do anything to change it.
Anything.
Tears streaked his face. “Please, everything I said was a lie! I made it all up! I was wrong! Please, I beg you! Don’t let them take me p>
But Alex said nothing.
Heinrich’s forehead hit the floor. He kept his head bowed, voice scraping as he apologized.
He never imagined this half-servant could hold so much power. One phone call —
that was all it took to shred his life to pieces.
When he forced himself to look up, Alex’s face was blank as a tombstone.
That expression was worse than any devil he’d pictured.
Alex shook his head slow, as if pitying a child. “You should be
pity he said spare
grateful
family. If I hadn’t, they would already be dead because of what you did p>
Heinrich’s skin went paper-white. His body trembled like a struck reed.
Overhead, a police drone cut through the evening, its siren a keening blade. Everyone heard it and turned.
The law was coming. He was fallen
from grace and bound for a cell no trial just the iron march toward judement, Heinrich felt the world an collapse into a single dark hole.
The siren grew louder. Panic scrambled his thoughts. He had to act or everything
was finished.
He pushed himself up. His mind raced. He grabbed a short carving knife from the nearest table – the crude kind used for meat.
His fingers closed on the handle like a lifeline. He searched the crowd with frantic
eyes for one person, the only person he thought could save him.
The drone was nearly overhead now. Its shadow slid across the floor like a
verdict. Heinrich’s eyes fixed on his mark.
“Sofina!” he shouted, reckless and raw.
Before anyone could stop him, he lunged, the short knife at her throat.