Chapter 188

Rage simmered beneath the surface of Vane's face. His fists were clenched at his sides, knuckles pale. Nora looked like she was holding her breath, trying not to crack. Selena kept her chin high, though her arms tightened around Mia, pulling the child closer to her chest like a shield from the stares burning holes into them.

Jaden stepped forward.

He didn't rush. He bent slowly, picked up the broken pill from the floor, and turned it over in his palm. The room fell quiet again, curious.

"This tiny thing?" Jaden said evenly, voice low but sharp enough to cut through the buzz. "One day, when your pride's been stripped and your bodies start failing you, you'll remember this moment. And you'll crawl for what you just tossed aside.”

He met Williams' eyes. “That same mouth laughing now will be the one begging next."

Elias scoffed and waved a hand. “Come off it. A shattered pill? You trying to sell snake oil now?” He laughed, loud and mocking. "We're not idiots. Keep that crap to yourself."

Laughter followed him.

Xander didn't bother looking Jaden's way. His attention moved back to the guests as if dismissing a stain on the carpet.

"There are no seats for you in the main hall," Xander said. His voice was flat, loud enough for everyone to hear. "A table's been set up for your family in the corridor. That should be more than enough."

The air shifted. Heads turned, eyes narrowed with amusement. Whispers rippled like wind in dry grass.

Selena's face turned red. Nora's lips trembled, but she didn't speak. Vane swallowed hard. Jaden's jaw tightened, but his expression didn't crack. He nodded once and turned.

The four of them walked together, silent, toward the edge of the banquet hall. The corridor's table was shoved against a wall near the washroom entrance. No tablecloth. Four mismatched chairs.

Mia squirmed in Selena's arms. "Mommy, are we being punished?"

Selena smoothed her hand over the child's hair. "No, sweetheart. We're just... sitting somewhere quiet."

hall came alive again.

The rest of the ha

Glasses clinked, laughter rose, and expensive dishes came out one one, carried by white gloved servers. Rich spices filled the air. Waiters moved gracefully between tables, attending to the elites.

At the corridor table? Nothing.

Minutes passed. Then an hour.

Jaden didn't speak, but his eyes stayed fixed on the entrance to the main hall, Selena fed Mia a granola bạr she had stashed in her bag, Nora dabbed her eyes when she thought no one was looking. Vane kept still, his shoulders hunched like he was carrying years of weight.

Then Elias strolled over, drink in hand.

"Well, well Still here?" He chuckled and waved at a passing server. "Hey. You can bring the leftovers out now. There's a dog or two out here that might be hungry." fo

The server hesitated, then nodded and disappeared into the kitchen.

That was it.

Jaden stood up, slow and deliberate. His chair scraped against the floor, loud enough to turn a few heads. Selena's eyes widened. Nora touched Vane's arm. But Vane beat Jaden to it.

He stood.

For the first time that night, he looked straight into Elias' eyes, not avoiding, not shrinking.

His voice came out cold and clear.

"We're done with the banquet. Let's go."