Chapter 144

"You bastard!" Alex roared, his face contorting with rage. "Do you have any idea who you're opposing?! Even this luxurious yacht you're standing on this entire

goddamn ship-belongs to my family!"

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"He's finished now..."

"That's Alex Rivers-he practically owns Ravenmoor's nightlife!"

"Someone better put that guy in his place before he burns the whole ship down!"

Someone from the crowd added fuel to the fire. "Mr. Alex, he's mocking you! Make him swim home!"

Alex pointed a trembling finger at Jaden, his lips twitching with fury. "Get off my ship right now! That's an order!"

Jaden didn't flinch. He didn't speak.

Instead, he walked toward Alex with the calm of a man who had already won.

The room watched in stunned silence.

Jaden stopped just inches away... then slowly raised his wine glass.

Splash.

The crimson liquid spilled onto Alex's perfectly styled hair and tailored designer suit.

The stain spread like a wound across his chest.

A hush fell over the room. Eyes widened. Hands flew to mouths.

Alex stood frozen, drenched, humiliated.

Then came the voice-calm, low, and terrifying.

"Speak one more word of bullshit..." Jaden said, his tone cold as steel, "...and I'll kill you. You want to test me?"

"Wha-what?!"

"You hear that?!"

"Did he just threaten Alex Rivers?!"

"Has this guy gone completely insane?!"

The crowd nearly imploded with shock. Some backed away, others reached for their phones, unsure whether to record or run.

Alex's face burned. For the first time in years, he didn't know what to say.

Then, a soft voice cut through the tension.

“Jaden, that's enough,” Fate said, clutching his arm. Her hand trembled, not out of fear of him, but fear for him. "Don't be impulsive."

He looked at her briefly... and relented. For now.

Meanwhile, on the upper deck...

Captain Kelvin walked side by side with an older man whose presence demanded respect with every step he took. Victor Rivers the true master of the Rivers family -radiated power in silence.

"I heard the 'King of War' is attending your banquet," Victor said, adjusting the diamond pin on his silk lapel. "I'd very much like to meet him."

Kelvin smirked. “He's not just a guest. He's the kind of man who ended 'Shadow' with a single strike."

Victor raised an eyebrow. "Shadow? That Shadow?"

“I've seen many fighters, but Jaden... he's not human,” Kelvin said. “He's a storm wrapped in flesh."

Victor nodded slowly. "Good. That's exactly the kind of man I need to

meet. Don't worry I won't cause

trouble. I only want your help getting I

truction."

Kelvin smiled. "Then follow me, Master Rivers."

The moment the doors to the banquet hall opened and Victor Rivers stepped in, a

hush fell across the room.

Whispers surged like waves.

"That's... that's Master Rivers."

“The patriarch of the Rivers family..."

"I've only seen him in magazines!"

Even Alex, still drenched, straightened his back the moment he saw his father enter.

Victor's sharp gaze scanned the room until it landed on one man-Jaden.

He walked forward confidently, his presence like a sledgehammer wrapped in velvet.

"It's truly an honor to meet the 'King of War' in person," Victor said warmly, extending his hand.

But Jaden didn't even look at it.

He simply stood there.

Unmoved.

The handshake hung in the air, unanswered.

Victor's smile twitched... but he didn't pull back.

The entire room was dead silent.

Alex's confusion grew. "What the hell is going on? My father called this guy the King of War?" he thought That doesn't make sense. This guy's a lunatic, not a legend."

Captain Kelvin stepped in to clarify, his voice full of weight.

“My King,” he said respectfully, “this is Victor Rivers—the man behind Ravenmoor's entire entertainment industry."

Victor laughed nervously. "I wouldn't

dare call myself big in front of you, Master Jaden. Please... just caftr call me Victor Cantert

That name-Jaden-suddenly echoed in Alex's head.

His lips parted slightly. "Dad..." he called, confusion laced with unease.

Victor turned to his son, grabbing his wrist with a smile.

"This is my son,” Victor said, leading Alex forward. "Young master of the Rivers

family."

Then, looking back at Jaden, his eyes gleaming—

"Alex, why don't you greet your Uncle Jaden?"

"What!!!"