Chapter 25

Jaden dusted his clothes off with calm precision, as though nothing had happened. His knuckles were still red, but his face betrayed no emotion.

Julie rushed forward, wrapping her arms tightly around him. "Big brother, you're amazing," she whispered, her voice trembling not out of fear- but relief. "It's over now. Let's go home."

But just as they were about to leave, Ms. Clara stepped forward, her heels clicking against the pavement. "Wait," she said sharply. "I want to talk to your brother."

Jaden turned his head slightly. Clara marched over and grabbed his wrist, pulling him aside. They stopped near a rusted dumpster, where shadows stretched long across the alleyway.

She crossed her arms and stared at him sternly. "Since you're Julie's brother, I'll be blunt. Maybe you've made a name for yourself in whatever hellhole you disappeared into all these years. But that doesn't give Jaden remained quiet, his eyes steady.

"You think you've done something heroic?" she went on, jabbing a finger into his chest. "All you've done is piss off the Gravesend family- and probably even the Thornfells. You may not understand how things work now, but this is Ravenmoor. Things changed while you were gone."

She took a step closer, lowering her voice. "This city is held together by a fragile balance of power. You just upset that balance. The elites don't forget... and they never forgive."

Jaden's

gaze

didn't flicker.

"And even if you can handle yourself," Clara continued, her voice shaking slightly now, "what about Julie? Did you think about her? She still goes to school. What if they retaliate? What if they come after her inst She paused, breathing hard, her arms trembling as she planted her hands on her hips. "So tell me, Jaden... is your return a blessing-

or a curse?" 1

Jaden tilted his head slightly, then smiled-slow and confident.

"I appreciate your concern, Clara," he said calmly. "But I'm more powerful than you can imagine." Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing behind him. Clara stood there, stunned, watching his back disappear into the shadows.

"Arrogant prick!" she muttered under her breath, fuming. Discover more novels at find✦novel.net

Inside, Marvin pushed the creaky door open, leading the way. Julie and Jaden followed.

As they stepped in, Jaden froze.

The house was barely more than a concrete shell. The walls were bare. No paint. No warmth. The floor was cracked in several places. No heating. No proper furniture. Just a thin mattress pushed against one w His jaw tightened. This is where my sister's been living all these years?

The air was damp, and a cold draft rolled in from a broken window that hadn't been repaired in years.

"I can't believe the sister of the God of War would be living

in such a place," he thought, fists clenched. I'll end this. Starting today, she'll live like royalty.

Marvin seemed to notice the look on Jaden's face. He approached slowly.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I tried... but this is all I could manage. I couldn't give Julie the life she deserved."

Jaden turned to him and gripped his shoulders firmly. "Elder Marvin... if it weren't for you, she wouldn't even be alive right now. I owe you more than I can ever repay."

Marvin gave a weak smile, patting Jaden on the shoulder.

Just then, Julie appeared from the small adjoining kitchen, carrying two chipped cups with steam rising from them.

"All right," she smiled. "Let's sit. Brother, I heard you like tea... so I made you some."

She handed one cup to Marvin and one to Jaden.

"Thank you," Jaden said, taking a sip.

After a few quiet moments, Marvin stood. "You two haven't

seen each other in years,” he said. "I should give you space to catch up."

He turned to leave, but Jaden reached into his coat and pulled out a small black jar.

"Brother Marvin," he said, stopping him. "You're still hurt. Take this."

Marvin looked down at the jar in surprise.

"it's an ointment, apply it to your wounds it'll help it heal quickly." Jaden said.

This was no ordinary ointment. It was made by the man who raised Jaden. it has saved his life countless times after sustaining severe injuries from battle.

Marvin took it with both hands, nodding. "Thank

you... son." And with that, he left the room.

Jaden sat down across from Julie, taking another sip of tea. His tone softened.

"Julie... where's Marvin's wife? I haven't seen her."

Julie's eyes dropped to the floor. Her hands gripped the edge of her dress.

"Well..." she whispered. "Mom died... seven years ago. Illness. She suffered a lot. Dad's been the only one taking care of me since then."

Jaden closed his eyes for a moment, breathing in deeply.

"I'm sorry, Julie."

She nodded slowly, blinking back tears. "He did everything he could for me."

Jaden reached across the table and gently took her hand. "I'm here now," he said. "I won't let anyone hurt you again. Anyone who even tries I'll kill them.

His voice was calm. Deadly calm.

Gravesend Family... I hope your power is enough to withstand my wrath, he thought. You threatened that I'll wipe your

my sister.face

uneage off the face of this city.

And to the man who abandoned his family... I'm coming for you too.