Chapter 15

Jaden had finally discovered Julie's whereabouts.

He stepped into his sleek black Range Rover, his expression unreadable as he gripped the wheel and pulled out of the estate.

It had been years since he left Ravenmoor. Back then, Julie was only ten. His aunt, unable to keep up with the crumbling state of her finances, eventually gave the child away to a couple who had struggled with over a decade. The Hales weren't rich, but they were good people-

and they raised Julie well.

The GPS led Jaden to Silvercreek High School.

He pulled into a spot just across from the school gates. It was a prestigious institution-

one that only admitted the best students from the top-

performing middle schools across the region. Julie had apparently crushed every test, emerging as her class valedictorian. Typical of her.

"They're probably still in class," Jaden murmured, glancing at the time. He leaned back in his seat. "I'll wait."

Meanwhile close to the packing lot, three figures emerged.

They weren't students. They looked older. Rougher. All three of them were dressed like street thugs-

greasy tank tops, sagged jeans, tattoos crawling up their necks. Their eyes scanned the school like wolves near a pasture. Discover more novels at fındnovel.net

"Damn, that girl is fine," one of them muttered. "Soft as silk, I bet."

Their leader, a muscular man in a sleeveless black shirt, chuckled. "Baron's gonna love this. Word is she's still pure. Man's been waiting for a new plaything."

The third man, grinning like a hyena, added, "Think we could get a taste before handing her over?" 1

Bob, the leader, turned to him sharply.

SMACK!

The backhand echoed loud and vicious. "You dumb piece of shit," Bob snapped. "You wanna die? That girl's the Baron's favorite. We touch her, and we're dead. Got it?"

The slapped man winced, cradling his cheek. "Alright, alright... I was just kidding..."

"Stick to the plan," Bob growled. "She walks out, we grab her and shove her into the van-

clean and quick. No scenes. No bruises. We'll take her to the warehouse outside town."

Jaden, still parked across the street, narrowed his eyes. He had been listening the whole time without them noticing.

So they were here for a student. how shameless.

The thought made his blood boil. But he remained still, watching-waiting.

"Yo, what's that car doing over

there?" one of the thugs asked, pointing at Jaden's Range Rover. "It's too close to the gate. We can't have people sticking their nose where it doesn't belong."

"Yeah. Go handle it," Bob said, nodding.

The man marched across the street and banged loudly on the driver's side window.

"Hey! Move your damn car! We got business here. Don't make me repeat myself."

Jaden didn't turn his head. He

simply said, calm as ever. "Go

me a

Wovenet

cup of tea. I'm thirsty

The thug blinked, stunned. "What?"

"I said," Jaden repeated, "tea. With honey."

"Are you nuts?" The man clenched his fists. "Do you even know who you're talking to?!"

He slammed the side mirror harder,

but laden still didn't react His hands stayed on the wheel. Eyes

ford

Bob and the others walked over.

"What's going on?" Bob asked, already annoyed.

"This punk is acting like royalty, sitting there asking for tea while I'm telling him to move."

Jaden's voice floated from the window.

"I am royalty. The King, in fact."

The men exchanged confused looks.

The thug who had knocked stepped forward with a snarl. "You arrogant son of a-"

"Wait," Bob said, holding up a hand. "Let me deal with him."

He approached Jaden's door, tapping the window with a mocking

na king. Your thirsty? I'll get

you something warm."

He unbuckled his belt, pulled down his pants, and began urinating right on Jaden's side mirror.

"There you go," he sneered. "Still warm. Just the way you like it."

Laughter exploded behind him.

Jaden slowly turned his head to look at him for the first time.