Chapter 24

SLAP!

The sharp sound of Jaden's Updates are released by f͟i͟n͟d͟n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟.net

slap echoed through the air, leaving the thug reeling with the sting. "If you know you're wrong," Jaden growled, voice low and menacing, "what should you be doing?"

A moment of realization hit the man like a thunderstrike. His eyes widened as he stared at Marvin, his guilt settling like a heavy weight in his chest.

He scrambled to his feet, bowing low in front of Marvin. "I'm sorry, brother Marvin. It's my fault. I offended you. Please... don't take it personal.”

Bob rushed forward, his face twisted with fear, his voice trembling as he begged. "Please, elder Marvin, forgive us. I'm sorry. I'll return the protection fee —and even give you double! I'll never bother you again, I swear!"

The rest of the men-

including Kane, whose pride seemed to shrivel with each passing second-

followed suit, groveling. "Please, brother Marvin, forgive us! We've wronged you. We were stupid."

"Please... I'm sorry, brother Marvin," another man whimpered. "Don't let us die like this!"

Their words blended into a cacophony of desperate pleas, but Jaden remained silent, watching them squirm.

Kane, who had remained

kneeling the entire time, turned to Jaden. His voice broke with desperation. "Please, King, I didn't know it was you. Have mercy... Please, I beg you."

Jaden's lips curled into a dark, cruel smile. "I never said it was your fault," he responded, his tone laced with mockery.

Kane's eyes flashed with confusion, his brow furrowing. "Then

why... Why did you beat me so badly?"

Jaden's gaze hardened. "Each of

you... break either your hands or your legs. Now."

Kane's face turned pale. "W-what? King, that's too much! Please!"

Jaden's eyes never left Kane's. He didn't need to say more. His silence was more than enough.

"I'll count to three," Jaden said, voice cold. "One... two..."

Before Jaden could

finish the count, Kane made the first move. In a desperate, panicked motion, he grabbed his own leg and twisted it violently. The sickening crack Done breaking echoed through the alley. A howl of pain

escaped Kane's lips as he fell forward, his hands clutching the mangled limb.

Jaden's expression didn't change. He nodded slowly, signaling the others.

One by one, they complied.

A thug with a scarred face picked up a nearby rusted pipe. With shaking hands, he

slammed it against his own forearm, the bones snapping with a sharp crack. He screamed in agony, dropping to his knees in defeat.

Another man grabbed a broken

piece of brick, pressing it against his hand and forcing it down with all his strength. The snap of bones was sickening as he howled in pain, but* the fook of terror in his eyes told Jaden everything-there was no escape now.

A third man, not wanting to be left behind, grabbed a jagged shard of metal from the ground. He dug it into his own foot, twisting it until he heard the snap of tendons Bloods poured from the wound, and he crumpled to the ground, sobbing.

Bob, still trembling on his feet, couldn't even look at the others. He grabbed his own hand and, with a final, desperate breath, twisted it. The sickening crunch echoed in the in ar as his wrist snapped, but he didn't scream. He only looked at Jaden, eyes wide with fear. 1

"Now," Jaden said coldly, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. “Get lost, all of you."

The men, broken and defeated, limped away one by one. They left a trail of blood behind them as they staggered into their vehicles and zoomed off, leaving gust of dust behind.