Chapter 462
Before Heinrich could reach Sofina, Eve hurled its large, egg-shaped body forward, intercepting his knife mid-swing.
“Where do you think you’re pointing that weapon?” Eve snarled, its voice sharp and metallic.
In the next heartbeat, its small hand shot out like lightning. The slap cracked through the hall — a brutal, echoing strike that sent three of Heinrich’s teeth skittering across the marble floor.
He dropped hard, clutching his bleeding mouth, moaning in agony.
“Sofina Scheinwald-please!” he cried, his voice cracking with panic. “I’m sorry! I never should’ve spread those lies about you! Please, forgive me! Help me-call off the suit, talk to the police, just save me p>
Before anyone could respond, a police drone descended from above with a mechanical hum.
“Suspect located. Engaging restraint,” it announced coldly.
A sharp electrical crack filled the air as the drone’s taser hit Heinrich. His body jerked violently, muscles seizing, eyes rolling back before he collapsed flat on the ground.
“Criminal secured. Nothing dangerous. Please remain calm,” the drone said, its voice robotic but oddly polite.
Metal restraints snapped around Heinrich’s arms and legs, and within seconds, it lifted his limp body and carried him upward through the open skylight, vanishing into the night.
Sofina frowned, still shaken. “What’s wrong with him?” she murmured.
“There’s something off about that man. Best not to waste your thoughts on him,” Alex said, stepping up beside her. “Have you met your family yet p>
She shook her head. “Not yet. They’re still not here p>
Moments later, the grand doors of the hall opened, and Beatrix entered with her husband, Conrad. Walking just behind them were her sister, Annabella, and Annabella’s fiancé, Nikolaus.
The moment Beatrix spotted Sofina and Alex, her expression hardened.
Anger flashed in her eyes. She looked ready to shout, to demand who had dared invite them. But then her lips curved into something colder — a calculating smile.
Her gaze shifted to a tall man standing nearby – Count Gustav Klein, a nobleman known for his long-standing admiration of Sofina.
“Count Gustav Klein,” Beatrix called sweetly, gliding toward him. “Allow me to introduce you to someone very special p>
She took his hand and led him toward Sofina with a flourish. “Count Gustav Klein, this is my cousin – Sofina Scheinwald,” she said with false warmth. “Sofina, meet Count Gustav Klein, one of our distinguished guests tonight p>
The Count’s eyes had been following Sofina since he entered the hall. At Beatrix’s introduction, his face lit up. He stepped forward quickly, taking Sofina’s hand with practiced charm.
“Miss Sofina,” he said, his voice rich and confident. “I’ve heard so much about you -the famed beauty of the Wolfsbane family. It’s an honor at last to meet you. May I have the pleasure of your company for tonight’s banquet p>
There was a flicker of irritation in Alex’s eyes. He stepped forward and extended his hand toward Gustav. His tone was cold, controlled.
“Alexander Saint-Claire,” he said. “Sofina’s husband. She’s off limits. Find someone else p>
Gustav’s eyes narrowed as he gave Alex a slow, mocking once-over. His lips curled with disdain. He withdrew his hand like it had touched something unworthy. “You?” Gustav scoffed. “I had no idea Sofina Scheinwald was married. What a shame a woman like her tied to someone like you p>
Annabella jumped in before Alex could respond. Her voice dripped with venom.
“Gustav, don’t waste your breath on that half-blood. Half Xia, half Prussian- basically half a slave. I don’t know what kind of trick he used to make Sofina marry him. Maybe some dirty Xia charm or spell. You, Count Gustav, you have status, power. You’d be perfect for her p>
She leaned closer, lowering her voice with a sly wink. “You’ll have the Wolfsbane family’s full support. So don’t hesitate. Get close to Sofina anytime you like p>
Gustav smirked. He understood her meaning perfectly. His tone turned bold, predatory.
“Miss Sofina, you are stunning,” he said. “Elegant, radiant… I’d be glad to see more of you. And if it leads to something more-well, sex, I don’t mind that either p>
Sofina’s voice cut through the air, sharp as glass.
“Sex isn’t a game, Count,” she said, her eyes cold. “I only give myself to the man I love. So drop that idea right now p>
Gustav chuckled, arrogant and sure of himself. “Then love me,” he said, leaning closer.
“Sorry,” Sofina replied without hesitation. “I already love one man. My husband. Please respect that p>
Gustav’s grin widened, his tone turning darker. “Then enjoy your time with him while you can,” he sneered. “Because soon enough, you’ll be a widow. Don’t cry too hard when he’s gone p>
“Enough,” Sofina snapped. Her voice trembled with anger. She grabbed Alex’s hand and turned to leave.
But before they could take more than a few steps, a sharp voice cut through the hall.
“Where do you think you’re going p>
Felicia stepped in front of them, her expression stern. She caught Sofina’s wrist, refusing to let her pass.
“Count Gustav is still speaking to you,” she said coldly.
Then she turned toward Gustav with a practiced smile, her tone softening instantly.
“Count Gustav,” Felicia said, “I heard you’re quite taken with my daughter p>
Gustav straightened, smiling confidently. “Yes, Madam,” he said. “I’ve admired her
for a very long time. Though this is the first time we’ve properly met p>
Joy and excitement lit up Elaine Ma’s face. She nodded eagerly, her voice filled with unrestrained pride.
“Count Gustav, my Sofina Scheinwald isn’t just beautiful-she’s pure, honest, an angel in human form. You should take her as your wife p>
“Mom!” Sofina’s voice cut in sharply, her patience breaking.
Felicia turned to her daughter, eyes blazing. “No, Sofina! This time you will listen
to me. You’re marrying Count Gustav. That’s final p>
“Then why don’t you marry him yourself? You can even have sex with him!” Sofina snapped, yanking her hand free from Felicia’s grip.
Her voice trembled with anger, her face flushed with humiliation.
She turned on her heel, ready to storm out-
—but suddenly the hall fell silent. A spotlight snapped on, illuminating the stage.
Baroness Wolfsbane stood beneath it, regal and commanding, her presence enough to halt every conversation in the room. Sofina froze with the rest of the crowd, all eyes drawn toward the stage.
The Baroness smiled graciously, scanning the glittering audience before speaking into the microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” she began
warmly, her voice carrying through the hall. “On behalf of the Wolfsbane farmly, extend my deepest gratitude to all our friends, partners, and distinguished guests for joining us tonight p>
She paused, then lifted a hand toward the front of the room.
“Now, please join me in welcoming the chairman of the Eden Group, Countess Marlena von Adler p>
Applause erupted as the spotlight shifted.
Countess Marlena rose gracefully from her seat, dressed in a sleek black evening gown that traced every elegant curve of her figure.
The fabric shimmered under the lights like liquid night. Heads turned-men couldn’t help themselves. Her beauty was arresting, the kind that silenced rooms and burned itself into memory.
The title alone-Chairman of Eden Group-was enough to command respect. But her presence? It was magnetic.
Every movement of hers, from the slight turn of her head to the faint smile curving her lips, carried the weight of power.
The Baroness continued, her tone now glowing with pride.
“First, let me express our sincere gratitude to Eden Group for
entrusting us with this monumental collaboration,” she said. “The
Wolfsbane family will dedien
every
effort to honor this trust. We will not disappoint p>
Then her expression brightened.
“And now,” she added, “it’s my great pleasure to introduce an exceptional young
member of our family-the future Baroness and Deputy Chair of the Wolfsbane
Estate p>
Sofina’s eyes shone – this felt like her moment.
Beatrix brushed past her, shoulder forcing the space, voice cold. “Don’t fool yourself. You’ll never reach that place p>
Sofina snapped back, heat rising. “You’re just jealous because I won the Eden Group collaboration p>
“Jealous?” Beatrix laughed, sharp and cruel. She stepped forward, close enough to smell cheap perfume. “Don’t come crying when you fall p>
Even though Sofina had braced herself to go onstage, her hands trembled.
Baroness Wolfsbane surveyed the hall from the dais, smiled like a queen, then spoke again into the microphone.
“If not for her leadership,” the Baroness announced, “we wouldn’t have secured this partnership with Eden Group. After careful deliberation, the family has decided to appoint our new Baroness-Designate and Deputy Chair of the Wolfsbane Estate who will take sole responsibility for the Eden collaboration p>
A drum of polite applause, then a crisp introduction. “Please welcome the new
director of Wolfsbane Group: Beatrix Wolfsbane p>
Sofina froze, the world narrowing to a slow, sickening spin. She stared in disbelief
as Beatrix glided up the steps, that cocky smile carved on her face.
Cold settled under Alex Saint-Claire’s eyes like ice. They’d crossed the bridge,
taken what they needed from her — and then, without a second thought, burned it
down.
The Wolfsbane family had used Sofina, then tossed her aside.
Her chest tightened. Tears blurred her vision. She stood, every instinct screaming
to run out the nearest door and never look back.
Alex grabbed her hand and held it tight. His voice was low, dangerous.
“Sofina — you remember the gasoline in the match? You pour it, I’ll strike the flame. We light this whole place up p>
Sofina bit her lip until it hurt, the words clawing out of her. With Alex at her side she nodded once. “Let’s do it, Alex. But after this… maybe we go straight to hell p>
Alex let out a humorless breath. “Don’t worry. Hell’s empty – the devils are all sitting right here p>
Sofina turned, stared dead at Baroness Wolfsbane, and unleashed a roar that shattered the stiff air: “Hey — you old bastard p>
The word struck the hall like a pistol shot. Conversations died. Even Felicia and
the Baroness froze — none of them had ever heard Sofina speak so raw, so
fierce.