Chapter 35

Norman's body stiffened like he'd been struck by lightning.

"Y-Yes... Yes, I understand," he stammered, eyes wide with panic.

His legs trembled as he pushed himself to his feet, sweat running down his temples. Without another word, he turned around and marched outside, his movements stiff and robotic, like a man walking toward execution. Behind him, Bob and John stumbled, still dazed from the earlier humiliation.

The moment the heavy front door opened, a cold breeze greeted them-

but what truly hit harder was the sight of the gathering crowd.

Dozens of neighbors had already assembled outside. People peeked from balconies and windows, some with jaws dropped. Others had their phones raised, already filming.

"Get down," Norman muttered to his lackeys. His knees hit the pavement with a thud.

Bob and John followed, groaning in pain and shame. They knelt exactly where they were supposed to earlier-

out in the open, exposed, humiliated in front of the neighborhood.

Whispers spread like wildfire.

"Aren't those Mr. Norman of the Nova company?" This content belongs to finḑnovel.net

"Did they get forced to kneel?"

"Who's behind this?"

Click. Flash. More pictures. More videos. The news would spread like a virus.

The mighty had fallen.

A few hours later...

The atmosphere had shifted entirely.

Laughter filled the air as Jaden, Julie, Martha, Marvin who just arrived, and a bandaged-

up Kelvin

sat around a round wooden table in the backyard. Steam rose from plates stacked with roasted chicken, fried rice, thick grilled fish, and bowls of spicy stew. It was a feast- one well-deserved after the chaos.

Kelvin grinned weakly, his arm in a sling but spirit fully alive. "This food is better than the hospital's crap, joked, causing Julie to giggle.

Jaden stood up and placed two sleek black briefcases on the table with a solid thunk. He clicked them open.

Bundles of crisp hundred-dollar bills stared back at everyone.

}} he

"I'm dividing this ten million dollars into two," Jaden announced, his voice calm but firm. "Five million goes to Uncle Marvin. The other five to Aunt Martha."

Martha gasped. "Jaden... this is too much. I can't accept this-"

Julie quickly reached over and clasped her aunt's hands. "Aunty, please," she said gently. "This isn't just money. It's a replacement. The Gravesends took everything from you. You need this- for Kevin's treatment, for your peace."

Martha looked at her son, who was chewing slowly, clearly trying to be strong. Her throat tightened.

"You're right,” she said softly. "Thank you, Jaden. I'll make sure every penny goes into my son's recovery.'

Marvin couldn't stop smiling. "You

don't know what this means to me,

said, his voice almost

son," he said,

cracking People laughed at me

when lost everything Called me a

failure. But now... now I can start

IMS

over."

He touched Julie's shoulder. "I'm going

to build something stable. Give this brilliant girl

a good life. She deserves the world."

"I'll pay you back son, when I start making profit I promise."

"I believe in you, Uncle,” Jaden replied. "You don't need to pay me back. Take it as a thank you for always protecting Julie like your own daughter."

Suddenly, Jaden's phone buzzed.

Unknown number.

He glanced at it, frowning. A second buzz. He picked it up.

"Hello?"

"You son of a bitch!" a furious voice boomed through the phone, loud enough that even

Marvin paused mid- chew. "How dare you ruin my fun?!"

Jaden's brows knit together. "Who is this? Are you Baron Gravesend?"

"You know damn well who I am?," the voice snarled. "And you still have the guts to go against me?! do you have a death wish boy?" Jaden's jaw clenched.

So this was the infamous Baron, the heir of the Gravesend family. a menace in Ravenmoor worst than Derek Thornfell.

Baron was sprawled out by his

private pool, the sun reflecting off

his gold chain. Two naked women

fedum

fed him grapes while another massaged his shoulders His

expression twisted into a sneer as he barked into the phone.

"You humiliated my men in public. That makes you a dead man walking" he said coldly. "I'm giving you one chance hand

over of

I'll erase your entire bloodline."

Jaden's voice was like steel. "Give me a date."

“Haha... so quickly? that's a good boy" Baron laughed. "Fine. Tomorrow. 2 PM. Imperial

Club. Come with your sister, or there'll be consequences.

Jaden didn't flinch. "I'll be there."

Baron cut the call, still grinning. "Fool."

One of Baron's men stepped forward-

tall, scarred, and dressed in all black. "Boss, why waste time

meeting this rat? He's a commoner. Not worth your presence."

Baron raised an eyebrow.

The man leaned closer and whispered, “Just say the word. I'll send a team. They'll kill him quietly. Bring the girl to you unharmed. You'll have your fun tonight.” Baron chuckled and sipped his wine.

"Tempting... but no,” he said. “Let's see if this little mouse has claws. Besides, I want to look into his eyes when I crush him."

He turned toward the pool, raising his glass as his girls giggled.

"Tomorrow... the boy dies."