Chapter 203

His message was loud and clear. Selena and her family didn't need anyone to spell it out.

Jaden wasn't just handing over a pill. He was giving Vane the power to decide whether Xander lived or died.

A heavy silence followed. You could feel the shift in the room-respect, realization, even a trace of vengeance simmering just beneath the surface.

"Yeah," Nora said coldly, her arms crossed tight. "This was meant to be his birthday gift. And what did he do? He tossed it to the floor like trash. Threw a tantrum in front of everyone. Treated us like we were parasites clinging to his banquet.”

Her eyes narrowed, lips curling with contempt. "Sat us outside like dogs. Leftovers on cold plates. That's what we got for showing up."

She turned sharply to her husband. "And if you dare hand this pill back to them now, without so much as making them bleed for it, I swear to God, Vane—I will make your life hell. You won't know peace even in your dreams."

Her voice didn't waver. It cut.

Jaden stepped in, cool and composed but no less biting. "She's right, Vane. You've always been the nice guy, but being nice only gets you spat on in that family. It's time we showed some backbone."

He paused, then smirked. "And hey, since we're finally talking truth-thanks, Mom- in-law. Glad someone's finally seeing things my way."

Nora blinked at him. She normally would've snapped, told him to shut his mouth and stop calling her that. But not today. Today, she gave a slight nod, her expression softening for the first time.

Maybe Jaden wasn't so useless after all.

...

The shrill wail of the ambulance shattered the silence outside the Grand Hotel. Paramedics burst in and wheeled Xander out on a stretcher, oxygen mask strapped tight to his face, his pulse faint.

Elias stood rigid, face pale, watching his father disappear behind those ambulance doors. He gave hurried instructions to the others. "Get everyone to the hospital. Now. Don't wait for me."

His wife, kids, and the rest of the relatives left in a rush.

Elias, on the other hand, yanked Williams aside and dragged him into a quiet corner of the hotel.

His voice dropped, tight and bitter. "I called Vane. Told him to bring the Divine Pill.” Williams raised an eyebrow. "And?"

“He hung up,” Elias muttered. “Didn't say a damn word. Just cut the line."

He pulled his phone out and waved it in frustration. "And now? Switched off. Radio silence."

Williams scoffed, jaw clenched.

"Can't say I'm surprised. You think he'd just roll over after the way Dad treated them? After all the crap we put them through"

Elias dian answer. He just

answer he didnt want to fadat

the floor like it might give him the

Gontent

Williams stepped closer, voice low and biting. "He's pissed. And he's making us sweat."

Elias didn't deny it.

He let out a heavy breath. "Dad's not

ளி

a young man anymore. His body's

taken too many hits. This stroke might be the firial one." Content,

There was a pause. The air hung thick between them.

Then Williams gave a cold, lopsided smirk. “Isn't that exactly what you've been waiting for?"

Elias turned his head slowly, eyes narrowing.

"With him gone, you step in. You take the seat. You become the next patriarch."