Chapter 465
Beatrix’s cheek burned where the slap landed, but she kept her head down.
This wasn’t the place to explode. Not in front of the Baroness Wolfsbane. Not when her monthly payment still came from her.
Outwardly, she forced a look of remorse; inside, fury boiled like acid. For now, she swallowed her pride.
Baroness Wolfsbane turned toward Sofina Scheinwald, desperation in her voice.
“Sofina Scheinwald, please-I beg you. You’re the deputy of the Wolfsbane family now. Explain this to Miss Von Adler. If you don’t, we’re finished p>
Sofina’s eyes shifted to Beatrix. Her voice was calm, cold.
“I remember what I said, Beatrix. If you want me to reopen the deal with the Eden Group, you’ll kneel. If not, then forget it p>
Beatrix’s jaw tightened. It was one thing to endure the Baroness’s scolding
But Sofina-the woman she hated most-daring to demand her to kneel?
Never. She would rather watch the Wolfsbane legacy burn to ashes.
“Who the hell do you think you are!” Beatrix roared.
But before she could move, Baroness Wolfsbane struck from behind. A sharp kick hit Beatrix’s knees, driving her down.
The Baroness grabbed a handful of her hair and slammed her head into the marble floor.
“Kneel,” the Baroness hissed.
The crack of impact silenced the room. Sofina froze horrified. The blow had been too hard. Beatrix went limp, collapsing face-first onto the floor, unconscious.
“And Annabella,” Sofina whispered.
But Annabella had already bolted toward the door.
“Catch her!” the Baroness screamed.
Two Wolfsbane androids obeyed instantly, metal hands seizing the fleeing girl. They dragged her back, one gripping each arm.
“Kneel!” the Baroness shouted again. The command ripped through the hall like thunder.
The androids forced Annabella down. One shoved her so hard she hit the floor with a cry.
Baroness Wolfsbane stood above them both-face pale, eyes wild with greed. Her hunger for power had devoured her reason.
If this collaboration with the Eden Group falls through today, there’s no going back. Once the blacklist takes effect, the entire Wolfsbane empire will collapse overnight.
Money and dominance were always her gods, and she would sacrifice anything- her family, her dignity, even her blood-to feed them.
Sofina had always been the family’s outcast-the unwanted shadow. Everyone looked down on her.
Even though she was the king’s daughter, she refused to use his name. She wanted to stand on her own, to prove her worth without a crown or a title.
And through this collaboration, she was determined to finally earn recognition for her hard work—especially from her own family, the ones who had always treated her like a mistake.
She wanted something real. Something that was hers alone-built with her own hands, her own struggle, her own name.
But it all twisted into betrayal-filthy, cruel, and personal. And the pain of it cut deeper than anything she’d ever known.
She turned to Alex, her voice low and uncertain. “What should I do p>
Alex gave her a small grin. “Do whatever feels right. I’ll be right here-your sidekick, no matter what p>
Sofina nodded slowly, then faced Countess Marlena Von Adler. “Countess Von Adler, I truly apologize for the trouble and inconvenience. My grandmother has appointed me as deputy and given me full charge of the Eden Group collaboration. I hope you’ll consider giving us another chance p>
Marlena’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “Of course. If you’re the deputy and the one leading the project, then we can move forward. But if anyone else takes your place, the deal is off. You know,” she added with a faint chuckle, “I’d like you even more if you started your own company someday p>
Sofina bit her lower lip, torn between pride and gratitude. “Miss Von Adler… that’s a tempting offer,” she said softly. “But for now, I’ll try to make things work within my family. Thank you truly p>
Marlena nodded approvingly. “It’s your choice, and I’ll respect it. In that case, the Eden Group will proceed with the Wolfsbane collaboration as agreed p>
“Yes-thank you, thank you so much!” Baroness Wolfsbane cut in quickly, her voice trembling with relief.
“So… could you please return to the hall?” Sofina Scheinwald asked softly, her voice trembling.
Countess Marlena had stormed out earlier, disgusted by the Wolfsbane family’s behavior.
Inviting her back was humiliating-it meant forcing a Countess to lower herself at the request of a mere Baroness.
Normally, a woman of Marlena’s rank would’ve slapped the entire Wolfsbane family and walked out without looking back. But Sofina had no other choice.
Marlena looked at her for a moment, then laughed lightly. “Why not? I haven’t even had dinner yet p>
She placed a hand on Sofina’s shoulder-an open gesture of alliance-and let everyone see it.
The room stilled. That single touch spoke louder than words: the Countess stood with Sofina.
People began to approach one by one, smiling, bowing, and handing over small gifts.
“This is for the new deputy of the Wolfsbane family,” someone said.
One after another, they lined up, each eager to leave a mark, each gift a silent promise for favor in the future.
The banquet finally resumed its rhythm. Music returned. Laughter followed. And soon, all eyes turned toward the stage. Baroness Wolfsbane walked up hand in hand with Sofina Scheinwald.
The Baroness forced a sweet, composed smile.
“I must apologize for the earlier misunderstanding,” she began, her voice polished and fragile.
“Miss Sofina Scheinwald is an exceptional descendant of the Wolfsbane family. Thanks to her, we’ve secured collaboration with the Eden Group. Her hard work has brought us this incredible achievement p>
Countess Marlena, standing beside them, tilted her head slightly and cut in. Her tone was sharp, commanding.
“Let me correct that,” she said. “Miss
Sofina earned this on her own. It
was her intelligence and effort alone that brought this deal. She received the contract directly from
ve
me without any interference or backroom favoritism. And if anyone dares to spread those disgusting rumors again p>
Her gaze swept across the hall-cold, unblinking. No one dared to meet her eyes.
“Believe me, the Eden Group will make sure they rot in prison alongside Heinrich. And you-old woman,” she said coldly, glaring at Baroness Wolfsbane, “if anything happens to Sofina, this collaboration is over. Instantly p>
The words dripped with arrogance, but no one dared protest. Countess Marlena
Von Adler was the face of Eden Group-the most powerful name in the city.
She could’ve slapped the Baroness across the face right there, and no one would have lifted a finger.
Baroness Wolfsbane’s smile
trembled. “Y-yes, Miss Von Adler is
absolutely right. Sofina deserves all the credit. From this moment, she is
officially the deputy of the Wolfsbane family and will take full
charge of the Eden Group Collaboration p>
Marlena nodded, satisfied. Then she turned to Sofina and extended her hand. “I look forward to working with you,” she said, her tone firm but respectful. Sofina blinked, stunned. Her body moved before her mind caught up-she shook Marlena’s hand, her fingers trembling slightly. The hall erupted in applause. For a moment, Sofina just stood there, dazed. The sound of clapping filled her ears, echoing like thunder. Never in her life had she imagined this applause, admiration, respect
All of it for her.
For years under Heinrich, she had been told she was nothing
“Useless. Unworthy. A woman who only got lucky to be tolerated.” Those words had carved scars inside her.
But with Alex-Alex had shattered that curse. He had pushed her to stand tall, to fight, to believe she was more.
And now, standing under the lights, she finally understood. She was more. She was born for this. Born to outshine every voice that ever tried to bury her.
Sofina took the microphone, her voice steady but warm.
“Everyone,” she began, her eyes scanning the crowd. “This collaboration… the truth is, it wouldn’t have happened without someone very important to me p>
The room quieted. Every eye turned to her.
“He’s the one who believed in me when I couldn’t even believe in myself,” she said. “He’s my husband-Alex Saint-Claire. Please, give him a round of applause and welcome him to the stage p>
Everyone’s eyes snapped to the man called Alex.
Alex glanced at Sofina and shook his head-he didn’t want the attention. But Sofina bit her lower lip and begged with her eyes, silent and pleading. “Please,” she mouthed.
Alex’s heart gave in. He stood and walked toward the stage.
Sofina caught his arm and led him up. She held him there like a trophy. “Everyone this is Alex, my wonderful husband,” she announced, voice trembling with pride. The room knew Alex’s reputation.
He was Alex the dunce—a walking mistake, the legend kids whispered about. Still, Sofina’s chest swelled. She refused to let the world’s judgment steal this moment.
She turned to Baroness Wolfsbane.
“Grandmother, Sofina said steadily, “if you want this collaboration to go through without a single problem, you must approve Alex Saint-Claire as a Prussian citizen and formally accept him into the Wolfsbane family. Make him one of us p>
Alex flinched. He didn’t need any noble’s approval anymore-the count had
already granted it, though quietly, behind closed doors. But public recognition like this mattered, especially with the entire city watching.
The Baroness stared at him, the decision tearing through her like a winter wind. Accept this man into the family and risk provoking Rosenheim’s wrath, or watch the Eden Group walk away. Either choice could burn the Wolfsbane name to ash.
Before she could answer, the banquet doors burst open. Katarina Rosenheim swept in, flank of bodyguards behind her, every inch the predator.
Her voice was cold iron. “You won’t grant my dog approval, Baroness. Have you chosen to make the Rosenheim family your enemy tonight?” Katarina’s presence made the hall feel smaller, suffocating. “For the sake of your heart, old lady” she continued, sneer sharp as a dagger, “your Wolfsbane will never survive the Rosenheim’s wrath p>
Sofina stepped forward, jaw set. “Choose, Grandmother,” she said. “I will walk away with the Eden Group if you won’t approve him. Or you can give your blessing now p>
Her voice didn’t shake. It was an ultimatum dressed as resolve.
Baroness Wolfsbane pressed her lips together. Her face was a map of old battles
and new fears.
Finally, in a voice raw with weight, she answered-slow, deliberate.
“I… choose p>