Chapter 33

John staggered backward, eyes wide, hands trembling. He raised a finger and pointed straight at Greg.

"I-It was him! He threw the brick! I swear-I had nothing to do with this!"

"I—

I was just "Greg stammered, but before he could finish, Jaden stepped forward and delivered a brutal hammer punch that slammed into Greg's mouth with a sickening crack. Teeth scattered across the paveme Greg tried

to scramble away on all fours, blood dribbling down his chin, but Jaden grabbed the back of his shirt and yanked him up effortlessly. He rammed another punch into his face, splitting his brow wide open.

Crack!

Greg's scream echoed through the alley as Jaden twisted and snapped his arm like a twig.

"AHHHH!!"

"I told you..." Jaden said coldly, his voice void of emotion, "You won't be leaving here conscious. Without hesitation, he slammed his boot down on Greg's shin, nanother bone snapped.

Greg's shriek was cut off as he passed out from the pain, blood pooling around his limp body.

Jaden turned sharply to John, whose knees buckled at the intensity of his gaze.

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"You still want me to kneel?" Jaden asked, stepping forward slowly. "Go ahead... repeat what you said earlier. I dare you.

John's face turned pale. He took a step back. Then

another. Sweat poured down his temple as a dark patch grew across the

front of his pants.

"N-No! That's not what I meant! I was just-"

Suddenly, his phone rang.

He snatched it from his pocket, grateful

for the distraction, and answered with a trembling voice. "H-Hello?"

"John," the voice on the other end barked. "Is everything ready? We're almost there."

"A-

Actually, boss... there's been a bit of an obstacle. Some guy showed up, beat all my men. He's... he's dangerous."

There was a pause. Then the voice on the other end exploded.

"What?! Who the hell?! I'm on my way. I'll deal with him myself.”

The call ended.

John lowered the phone slowly, staring at the ground for a moment. Then, puffing out his chest with false bravado, he turned to Jaden. His voice was steadier now, but only slightly. "You're dead. My boss-Mr. Norman-

is the manager of Nova Company. He's coming to see the King himself, and when he gets here, you'll regret everything."

He reached out and placed a hand on Jaden's shoulder.

"Look, I'll give you a chance. Work under me. We can forget everything that happened today

Boom!

Jaden's fist slammed into his chest

like a cannonball. The sound of

cracking ribs was loud and clear.

John's body lifted off the ground and crashed into the wall behind him before

Collapsing in a heap

coughing up a thick mouthful of

blood.

"When your boss arrives," Jaden said calmly, "tell him to kneel... and apologize."

John groaned, spitting more blood onto the concrete. "You bastard! You think you're tough? My boss will cut you to pieces! You'll wish you were

Jaden didn't even glance at him. He turned and walked back up the stairs like it was just another stroll in the park.

Upstairs, chaos had taken over.

"Oh my God..." Martha clutched her chest. "He beat them all. All of them..."

Mathew looked like he'd seen a ghost. He stepped back from the window, his face drained of color.

"You don't realize what you've just done, kid," he said, pacing nervously. "Mr. Norman... he's the manager of Nova Company, the Nova company is one of the many companies owned by the Gravesends You've just declared war on the Gravesend family." Follow current novᴇls on

He paused dramatically.

"You know what that means? Messing with Mr. Norman is like throwing hands with the Baron's personal guards. You're in deep."

ever born!"

Martha looked panicked. "Mathew! Don't you work with the Thornfells? Aren't they close to the Gravesends? Can't you do something? Say something for us?"

Mathew straightened his jacket, nodded. "For you, Aunty... I'll see what I can do."

He stepped aside and whipped out his phone, pacing as he made calls. He spoke in hushed, urgent tones, waiting anxiously for responses. After several tense minutes, he returned, puffing up his chest proudly.

"You're lucky," he said. "One of my

seniors agreed to speak on your behalf. He's got ties to the Gravesends. But there's a

condition you have to apo net

John. To Mr. Norman. That's the

only way they'll consider letting this slide."

He folded his arms like he expected praise.

"I did my part. Now go downstairs and apologize before things get worse."

Jaden said nothing. Instead, he casually walked over, picked up a glass of juice, poured it, and handed it to Martha.

"Drink," he said quietly.

Mathew's face twisted in disbelief. "Are you even listening?! You still have time to save yourself, idiot!"

Jaden finally looked at him, eyes dead calm.

"I told John already," he said flatly. "Tell whoever it is

that's coming... to kneel. And apologize."

"You what?!" Mathew exploded, voice rising. "Are you insane?!"