Belinda froze when the head of Eden Group security shut her down so abruptly. For a split second, her mind went nk.


    Annoyance surged through her chest, sharp and burning. She wanted to scream. But her friends were still watching every pair of eyes fixed on her. She clenched her teeth, swallowed her anger, and forced herself to stay upright.


    She made a call again.


    This time, she dialed the vice general manager-the man who had always hovered at her father''s side like a shadow.


    Her father''s right hand.


    She remembered it clearly.


    This man was always timid in front of her father-head lowered, spine bent, nodding nonstop, agreeing to everything without a single objection.


    The call connected.


    "Hello, Mr. Jacob," Belinda said at once, her voice tight but confident. "It''s me, Belinda von Yorck. I''m having a problem here—”


    "I''m sorry," the man cut in coldly. "I don''t know you."


    Belinda stiffened.


    "What?” Her voice wavered for half a second, then turned sharp. “Mr. Jacob, don''t y games with me. My father helped your family get into the Eden Group. He even gave you a million dors. I handed that money to you myself. How dare you say you don''t know me?"


    There was a short pause.


    Then the man let out a disgusted snort.


    "Belinda von Yorck," he sneered, "don''t you know? Your father has already been fired. He''s under investigation by Eden Group."


    Belinda''s eyes widened.


    "Fired?" she shouted. "Investigated? When?!"


    "Half an hour ago."


    Her breath caught.


    Before she could say anything else, the man added sharply, "I don''t know you. I never received any money from you. You''d better shut your mouth."


    The line went dead.


    Belinda stood there, stunned.


    Across from her, the scar-faced thug watched her expression closely. His lips twitched. A slow, mocking smile spread across his face.


    "What''s wrong?" he saidzily. "Couldn''t find anyone to call my boss?"


    Belinda opened her mouth-


    Smack.


    The p came without warning.


    His hand crashed across her face with brutal force. Her head snapped sideways. She staggered backward, losing her bnce, crashing into tables and chairs as they toppled to the floor.


    It was the second p she had taken that day.


    Gasps erupted around the room. Faces turned pale. No one moved. No one dared to step forward.


    Scarface stood there calmly, watching her fall.


    Belinda clutched her cheek, her face twisted with hatred and humiliation.


    "How dare you p me!" she screamed.


    Scarface tilted his head.


    "I pped you, so what?"


    Heughed softly, a sick, wicked sound. Then he drove his boot into her face.


    Belinda copsed to the floor. Before she could even scream, he jumped on her.


    Hands grabbed her clothes, tearing fabric apart. Fists came down again and again. Blunt. Ruthless. Merciless.


    Belinda''s screams filled the room-sharp, broken, desperate.


    No one helped her.


    No one moved.


    Blood soon covered her face. Her eyes swelled shut. Her features puffed up until she barely looked human.


    The scene was grotesque.


    Terrifying.


    And no one dared to stop it.


    Belinda broke downpletely.


    She screamed through blood and tears, her voice cracking. "Please! Please! I''m sorry! I''m begging you, stop!"


    "Sorry?" Scarface snorted, his voice dripping with contempt. "What''s your apology worth?" He leaned in, eyes savage. "After the way you treated me like dirt, like I was beneath you, you think I can survive in the underworld if I don''t beat the one who dared humiliate me half to death?"


    His lips curled into a cruel grin. "Everyone here needs to see what happens when someone decides to mess with me."


    “I—I have money, a million dor.” Belinda sobbed. "I have it right now. Please, just take it and leave me alone."


    "Great," Scarfaceughed harshly. "You should''ve said that earlier."


    Belinda reached for her bracelet, fingers shaking as she tried to ess her bank ount.


    Then she froze.


    Her face drained of color.


    Her ount was frozen.


    Under investigation.


    Scarface noticed instantly. His face twisted with fury, turning red with rage. "So you


    were ying me?” he roared. "You dared to lie to me?!"


    He spun around and shouted at his men, "Damn it! Go! Beat her ass!"


    The thugs rushed forward like animals.


    Fists mmed into Belinda. Boots crashed into her ribs. Someone smashed her legs with an iron bat.


    The sound was sickening.


    People screamed. Some turned away, covering their eyes. It was too brutal to watch.


    While Belinday writhing on the floor, Scarface turned toward her ssmates. His voice cut through the chaos.


    "Since your friend was so damn arrogant," he sneered, "the price just doubled. Four million now."


    Everyone froze.


    "That''s impossible!" someone shouted in panic. "We don''t have that kind of money!"


    Scarface frowned, then waved his hand impatiently. "Fine. If you can''te up with it, I''ll take everything you have right now." He pointed at them. Line up. Show me your bracelets Open your bank ounts I want it all."  s?novels


    Then he paused.


    "And if you don''t want to cooperate—”


    He pulled out a knife.


    The de shed under the lights. Sharp. Bright. Deadly.


    Screams broke out. Several women cried out in terror.


    "Now line up!" Scarface yelled.


    Shaking, people began to form a line.


    Scarface moved slowly down it.


    When he was about to reach Sofina, a calm voice cut through the fear.


    "Wait a minute."


    Scarface turned sharply, already furious. "Who the fuck wants to die this time?"


    His eyesnded on Alex.


    At first, he frowned, confused.


    Then his face changedpletely.


    Recognition hit him like a hammer.


    This man.


    He knew him.


    This was the man who had stormed his former boss''s headquarters, ughtered everyone inside, and left him with the scar carved into his face.


    Alex stepped forward and pulled Sofina to his side, cing her directly in front of


    Scarface.


    "This woman," Alex said evenly, his voice cold and steady, "I believe you know her. Her name is Sofina Scheinwald."


    He tightened his grip on her hand.


    "My wife."


    Scarface''s face drained of color.


    The knife slipped from his hand and ttered onto the floor. In the next second, he


    dropped to his knees with a heavy thud.


    Before anyone could even react, he began pping himself-hard, again and again-his voice breaking as he


    cried out,


    Mrs Sofina. Im sorry I''m so sorry! I didn''t know you were here! I truly didn''t know!"


    The sudden reversal stunned everyone.


    One of the thugs whispered hoarsely, watching Scarface kneel.


    "Boss... you''re really apologizing?"


    Scarface pped himself again. "Shut up."


    The thug swallowed. "She doesn''t look scary."


    Scarface hissed, teeth clenched, “Neither does a guillotine until it drops.”


    Sofina froze, startled. "You... know me?"


    Scarface nodded violently, sweat pouring down his face. “Yes! Mrs. Scheinwald. Of course I know you. Your reputation speaks for itself. It''s—it''s an honor to meet you."


    The words sounded unreal.


    An honor?


    Sofina Scheinwald?


    The room went dead silent.


    A ssmate leaned toward another, voice shaking.


    “Did he just say it''s an honor to meet her?"


    The other nodded stiffly. "Yeah."


    "That guy beat Ragnar son of Duke half to death."


    "Then imagine what he thinks she could do."


    They both fell silent. “Right. Honor makes sense now."


    No one could process what they were hearing. It felt surreal-almost absurd.


    Alex''s voice cut through the shock, calm but sharp. “Since you know who Sofina is," he said, “don''t you think it''s time to let her ssmates go?”


    Scarface didn''t hesitate. He spun around, bowing repeatedly to everyone in the


    room. “Of course! Since you''re all friends of Mrs. Scheinwald, there will be no charges. Not a single cent."


    The room erupted in stunned gasps.


    The same thugs who had humiliated Ragnar and beaten Belinda without mercy


    were now backing down-without conditions.


    Who was Sofina Scheinwald?


    In that moment, the answer was clear.


    She was their savior.


    People rushed toward Sofina, gripping her hands, voices trembling with gratitude.


    "Sofina... thank you. Thank you so much."


    Sofina stood there, confused and overwhelmed. She had never had any dealings


    with the underworld. None at all.


    She could only smile softly. "You''re wee. I just... helped a friend." Scarface nced at Ragnar and Belinda, still unconscious on the floor, bodies


    battered and bloodied. His voice lowered, uneasy. "Mr. Scheinwald... I''m sorry for beating your friends."


    Before Sofina could respond, Alex spoke without hesitation. "It''s fine. They''re not my wife''s friends. They even threatened her. Send them to the hospital and don''t let this incident disrupt the party here."


    Scarface nodded immediately. “Understood." He bowed again. “Mrs. Scheinwald, please enjoy the rest of the party. Excuse us."


    He barked orders to his men. They lifted Ragnar and Belinda, dragged them out


    swiftly, and disappeared through the door.


    Silence returned.


    All eyes turned to Sofina―full of awe, admiration, and disbelief. People crowded


    around her, praising her, thanking her, clinging to her presence.


    Only Renata stayed back.


    She wasn''t looking at Sofina.


    She was staring at Alex.


    Her brows knit slightly as a single thought crossed her mind.


    Who the hell are you, Alex?


    Sofina walked up to Alex, her voice low and confused. "Alex... what''s going on?”


    Alex gave a faint, calm smile. "Well," he said quietly, "someone finally understands how terrifying a wife can be."