Chapter 152

The crowd still hadn't calmed down. Jaden walked across the bloodstained arena floor like none of it mattered, like folding a ten-palm monk into the wall was just

another Tuesday.

He was heading back toward the prep tunnel when he heard rapid footsteps.

"Boss!"

Hope.

She dashed across the arena, ignoring the guards trying to wave her back.

Her cheeks were flushed, her ponytail bouncing behind her.

“That was insane,” she said, stopping in front of him, breathless. "You completely dismantled him. He looked like a master until you turned him into practice material.”

Jaden raised an eyebrow. "Hope. Don't hype me up for that."

"What? You-"

"That wasn't a fight," he said flatly. "That was warm-up cardio. These guys keep throwing wolves in a pit, but all I see are dogs with bad tempers."

Hope blinked. Her grin faded a little. “Right. Yeah... I guess you're just on another level."

"Not guessing. I am."

Before she could reply, another voice cut through the noise.

"Jaden!"

Fate Scarface came running, high heels clicking against the stone floor, her coat flaring behind her like a cape.

She didn't stop.

She just threw her arms around him and pulled him into a hug.

"You were incredible," she said into his chest. "Thank you. For representing the Scarface name in the Bloodborne Trial."

He let the hug sit for a second before gently putting his hands on her shoulders and pushing her back just a little. He kept his voice even, almost kind.

"Fate," he said, "I don't mind. Really. But if you keep hugging me in front of this many people... they'll think something's going on between us."

She froze.

Eyes widened.

A full second passed, then she stepped back like she touched fire. Her cheeks burned red as she looked away, blinking fast.

"Right... of course. I... I shouldn't have..." She trailed off.

Jaden didn't move. Didn't mean to embarrass her, but truth was truth. She wasn't

his girl. Not now. Maybe not ever.

Fate wiped the corner of her eye and forced a smile.

"Just forget this happened."

Then she turned around and bolted. Almost like she was running from herself.

Jaden watched her go, and his jaw tightened.

"...Ouch," he muttered under his breath. "Didn't mean to hit a nerve."

Hope had seen everything.

She crossed her arms. "You let her hug you."

"Here we go," Jaden mumbled.

Hope tilted her head, faking sweetness with venom underneath. "Just saying. I've known you longer. I've stood by you longer. Never even touched you like that. But she gets the full embrace?"

Jaden rubbed his temples. "You're making this a thing now?"

Behind her, Adam had his arms folded, watching the whole show with zero patience. He groaned, then Corehead

smacked his own forehead and

shook his head.

"What do you want, Hope?” he asked dryly.

Hope didn't skip a beat. She looked Jaden dead in the eye. "I want a hug too."

Jaden stared at her. "You're actually serious?"

"Of course tam," she said. "A guy at your level? Surrounded by all these wom

And I'm not even in heel

ve? That's an insult."

top

He snorted. "You're unbelievable."

She stepped closer. “So? Come on. I need the hug. I deserve the hug."

He chuckled and pushed her back playfully. “Get outta here with that." She stuck out her tongue. "You."

Jaden didn't respond. Just smiled and turned his back to walk off.

The crowd was settling when the atmosphere shifted again.

The arena pulsed red.

A beat of silence.

Then the announcer's voice came booming across the dome.

"For the next match in the Bloodborne Trials... representing the Thornfells... Lucian Thornfell!"

The Thornfell crowd roared.

"Versus... the ruthless enforcer of the Rivers Family... Master Kingpin!"