Chapter 157 Absolute Domination

Chapter 157 Absolute Domination

Everyone remembered Oliver's sordid affairs and couldn't help but chuckle.

Tony's smug grin instantly froze at her retort.

He intended to humiliate Sophia, but didn't expect her to effortlessly redirect the mockery back at Oliver with just a few words, leaving him momentarily at a loss.

Seething with embarrassment, Tony glanced at Sophia's elegant trailing dress, a malicious glint flashing in his eyes. While no one was paying attention, he pretended to lose his footing, deliberately stumbling toward Sophia's dress hem, planning to make her look foolish in front of everyone.

But Tony's malicious foot never even reached Sophia's expensive gown. He had barely begun his staged stumble when a dull impact echoed through the air, followed by Tony's sharp cry of pain.

His entire body lurched forward as if struck by a tremendous force to his shin, completely out of control.

He crashed onto the polished marble floor in the most undignified manner possible, his chin making intimate contact with the ground with a teeth-grinding crack.

Henry had moved so quickly it was almost imperceptible, gracefully withdrawing his leg while maintaining perfect composure.

Only his eyes, now fixed on Tony with icy fury, radiated an unmistakable killing intent.

"What exactly did you think you were doing?" Henry's voice remained low, yet carried an invisible, crushing pressure that settled over Tony and everyone nearby.

He hadn't even raised his voice, but the cold malice in his gaze made the groaning Tony feel like he'd been plunged into an arctic wasteland, his entire body trembling uncontrollably as even his cries caught in his throat.

"I wasn't... I didn't mean..."

Tony stammered, his face ashen with terror. Under the dual assault of searing shin pain and Henry's terrifying presence, he couldn't even form complete sentences.

Who was this guy? How could he project such overwhelming authority?

The commotion immediately drew more attention.

Seeing his friend attacked, although Oliver privately cursed Tony's stupidity, he felt compelled to step forward under the watchful eyes of the crowd, his expression grim as he faced Henry.

"Mr. Windsor, what's the meaning of this? Even if Tony made a mistake, you can't just assault people in public."

Henry didn't even spare Oliver a glance. His gaze remained locked on the trembling Tony sprawled on the floor, his voice cutting like ice, dripping with absolute disdain.

"Keep your pathetic hangers-on under control. Next time anyone dares lay a finger on what's mine, it won't be just one kick."

Though ostensibly directed at Tony, every word struck Oliver like a slap to the face.

Only then did Henry slowly turn his attention to Oliver, looking at him like discarded trash, his expression filled with undisguised mockery.

"If I were you, I'd be focusing every brain cell on salvaging your crumbling company, rather than enabling these losers to play their juvenile games and add another layer of disgrace to your already tarnished reputation."

Oliver's expressions changed as his chest heaved violently, but he couldn't manage a single word of protest.

Henry's words had struck directly at his most vulnerable points and deepest insecurities.

Faced with such an absolute gap in power and status, all his rage and indignation seemed pathetically meaningless.

Henry didn't waste another second on them, as if lingering would contaminate his vision.

He carefully wrapped his arm around Sophia's shoulders, his tone instantly softening, "The atmosphere here has turned unpleasant. Let's find somewhere more suitable."

With that, he guided Sophia away toward the other side of the ballroom, where several distinguished figures, clearly the real power brokers, were gathered in conversation.

Watching their retreating figures, seeing Henry's absolute protectiveness as he shielded Sophia at his side, Oliver clenched his fists so tightly his nails drew blood from his palms. Yet the sharp physical pain paled compared to the humiliation and regret consuming him.

He had been utterly defeated, not just professionally, but humiliated before the woman who had once been his.

Meanwhile, Tony remained on the ground until Henry was well out of sight before daring to whimper. Several equally shocked friends helped him limp to a corner, where he cowered, not daring to glance in that direction again.

Clara stood beside Oliver, watching him stare at Sophia's retreating form with that mixture of obsession and anguish in his eyes. Jealousy and hatred burned through her like toxic flames, threatening to consume what remained of her sanity.

Henry escorted Sophia to a quieter section of the ballroom, where several middle-aged men were engaged in conversation. Upon seeing Henry approach, they paused their discussion, genuine smiles of warmth spreading across their faces.

"Mr. Windsor, this must be Ms. Brown. She's even more impressive than her reputation suggested—truly a pleasure to meet you in person."

A distinguished, scholarly-looking man stepped forward first. He was Parker Jimenez, a titan in the tech industry.

Henry made the introductions for Sophia.

"You're too kind, Mr. Jimenez," Sophia responded with gracious composure, neither obsequious nor aloof.

Henry naturally introduced the next gentleman, "Sophia, this is Mr. Barnett from Horizon Ventures, and this is Mr. Diaz from Ascend Global Holdings."

Each of these men wielded enough influence that their decisions could shake the entire business landscape—a stark contrast to Oliver's circle of idle party companions.

They treated Sophia with genuine respect, their gazes warm and professional, their conversation reflecting both deference to Henry and genuine appreciation for Sophia's own presence and capabilities, without a trace of condescension or intrusive curiosity.

"Ms. Brown, you're remarkably accomplished for someone so young. I hear you've been making impressive strides in renewable energy projects. The future belongs to visionaries like you." Parker raised his glass in a toast.

"You're too generous, Mr. Jimenez. I'm simply doing what needs to be done."

Sophia handled the conversation effortlessly, her bearing reflecting excellent breeding and professional competence. She engaged with these industry leaders without the slightest intimidation, even offering insightful perspectives on various business matters that earned approving nods from the group.

Henry stood beside her, watching her confident, radiant presence with eyes full of pride and tenderness.

He occasionally contributed to the conversation, but mostly he simply admired her brilliance.

From his corner of the ballroom, Oliver's gaze remained fixed, as if magnetized, unable to look away from the figure who continued to shine even among this elite circle.

He watched her engage in animated conversation with people he could only dream of approaching as equals, watched her stand beside Henry in such perfect, harmonious partnership.

Bitterness flooded through him like the strongest liquor, searing his very soul.

What he had once discarded like trash had always been someone else's most precious treasure.

And he had permanently forfeited any right to possess such a gem.