In another ce, Katarina sat with her father, Otto Rosenheim, inside a study.


    Otto leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled.


    "Have you sessfully taken Heinrich out of prison?" he asked calmly.


    "Yes," Katarina replied without hesitation. "If nothing goes wrong, he''ll be released in a few days."


    She paused, then added, "Father, Count Lorenz just messaged me. He has Sofina -the wife of that Alex bastard."


    Otto didn''t even blink. He gave a slow, indifferent nod.


    "Tell him to kill the woman."


    Katarina frowned slightly. "What''s your n?"


    "Katarina," Otto said coldly, "in the past, Marquis Saint-ire and his entire family were destroyed because they offended someone far more powerful than they ever should have."


    Katarina''s lips slowly curled into a knowing smile.


    "More powerful than a Marquis..." she said softly. "Then it has to be a Duke, right? One of the great Dukes who hates Alex Saint-ire."


    "You don''t need to know who," Otto said coldly. "All you need to understand is this: thest time they sent an assassin, that bastard escaped because someone was secretly protecting him. This time is different. They''ve set a trap with full backing behind it. No matter who Alexes with, no matter who tries to protect him, they will all be destroyed together. This time, nothing survives.”


    Meanwhile, at the Stahl mansion.


    Count Lorenz greeted Sofina with a practiced smile as she entered the hall. "Miss Sofina," he said pleasantly, "may I ask what brings you here today?" Sofina Scheinwald forced a timid smile, though tension tightened her shoulders. “Frankly speaking, Mr. Stahl," she said carefully, "our families have done business for decades. Suddenly demanding full repayment of all debts at once... it''s difficult for our ounting department to absorb. Please, for the sake of our long rtionship."


    Lorenz''s smile vanished. His expression hardened.


    "Not nning to pay your debt, are you?"


    He folded his arms, his voice turning cold.


    “Miss Wolfsbane, you should know mypany''s policy. We never operate on credit. No payment, no materials. That has always been the rule."


    He paused, then sneered faintly.


    "My father once had a good rtionship with Baron Wolfsbane. Because of that, he made exceptions. But the Baron is dead. My father is dead too. I am not bound by their sentiments."


    He stepped closer, his tone sharpening.


    "Now you either pay every coin you owe, or we report this to the government. I believe they''ll find a way to take the money back-by force if necessary."


    Sofina''s face paled.


    “Please don''t do that,” she said quickly, bowing her head slightly. “You know we''re currently coborating with Eden Group—thergest corporation in Winchester. They will never default on their payments. Once the project funds are settled, we will repay you immediately."


    Count Lorenz stared at her in silence, his eyes dark and calcting.


    "It''s because of that," Count Lorenz said coldly. "We heard you received a massive payment from Eden Group-nearly a hundred million dors. Yet you don''t seem eager to settle the twenty million you owe us. So tell me, Miss Wolfsbane, what''s the real problem here?"


    "But our long-standing rtionship—” Sofina began.


    "I already told you," Lorenz cut in sharply. "My father is dead. Whatever favors he gave your family died with him. I won''t extend credit. You pay first, then I''ll prepare the mineral supply for your coboration with Eden Group."


    Sofina Scheinwald pressed her lips together, disappointment shing across her face. The answer was clear. She stood slowly.


    "I''m sorry to have troubled you today, Mr. Stahl," she said quietly. "I''ll return and speak with my grandmother. We''ll see if we can settle the debt as soon as possible so our workers can continue their operations."


    She turned to leave.


    "Hey-Miss Wolfsbane," Count Lorenz said suddenly.


    She paused.


    “What''s the rush?” he added, his tone changing. “There is another way... if you want


    to keep the debt arrangement like before."


    Sofina frowned and turned back.


    "What do you mean, Mr. Stahl?"


    Lorenz narrowed his eyes, his gaze roaming over her without restraint.


    Truth be told, Sofina was breathtaking.


    So beautiful it made his breath hitch.


    "You came all this way with a request,” he said slowly. "We can talk this through. I''m not as unreasonable as you think."


    Sofina hesitated, then sat back down, hope sparking in her chest.


    "Mr. Stahl," she asked carefully, "will you continue supplying the materials?"


    "Yes," he replied with a nod. "But first- you''ve been here for quite some time, and I haven''t even offered you a drink."


    He stood and walked to the cupboard, retrieving an ornate teapot.


    "I have a very expensive tea from Xia," he said casually. "It''s said to relieve stress


    and improve the skin. Extremely rare. Only royalty used to drink it. You should try it."


    As the tea brewed, a rich, soothing aroma filled the room.


    Lorenz smiled as he set the teacup in front of Sofina.


    What he didn''t tell her was the truth: it wasn''t just tea. It wasced with a powerful aphrodisiac-one that stripped away restraint and twisted desire, forcing any woman who drank it to crave the nearest man.


    "Rx, Miss Wolfsbane," Count Lorenz said softly. "Let''s have some tea—and talk things out."


    Sofina Scheinwald was parched after all the talking. Without thinking, she lifted the teacup and drained it in one go.


    "Thank you, Count Lorenz," Sofina said, setting the cup down. "Hmm... it''s good. Very pleasant."


    Count Lorenz''s pulse spiked as he watched her empty the cup.


    It worked.


    Now he could have her first-then take photos and videos as proof that he had done his job" and send them to his superiors. With their backing, even if Sofina died in this room, no, one would dare me him


    Better yet, he could lock her away in his underground cells.


    A woman like her—kept, controlled, avable whenever he wanted. His Sex ve!


    The thought made him dizzy with excitement.


    His gaze burned as it dragged over her-long legs, narrow waist, wless curves,


    that beautiful face. Desire poured off her like heat from fire, and his heart hammered harder with every second.


    He had hit the jackpot.


    He lifted his own cup and drank as well, the tea stoking the fire in his blood, sharpening his hunger, steadying his resolve for the long night he imagined ahead.


    Just thinking about touching her made his entire body feel like it was burning alive.


    Then-


    Something went wrong.


    Sofina stiffened.


    A sudden, overwhelming heat surged through her body, rushing straight to her head. Her breath grew uneven as her eyes drifted to Count Lorenz. For a terrifying moment, he looked... attractive. Desirable.


    She bit her lip hard, trying to stay clear.


    "Count Lorenz,” she said, her voice unsteady, "something''s wrong with my body. It


    feels... hot. All of a sudden."


    “Good,” Count Lorenz replied smoothly, his smile turning sharp. “If you want your materials delivered without any problems, we can start by having sex first. What do you think?"


    “No, I must not,” Sofina said faintly, yet her hands already moving toward her


    clothes.


    The most terrible betrayal is when the body turns against the soul.


    Count Lorenz''s grin widened.


    This time, his n had truly worked.