Chapter 39

To Elder Long's greatest shock, the men didn't budge.

"What are you waiting for?! Are you deaf? Or dead?!" he roared, slamming his cane against the floor.

The guards remained still.

Agatha folded her arms, letting out a cold, mocking laugh as she stepped forward, her heels clicking menacingly on the polished floor.

"You really don't get it, do you?" she said, her tone calm but dripping with venom. "You've been clinging to your dead authority like an old dog chasing shadows."

Long turned, his glare narrowing.

"I respected you," Agatha continued, circling him slowly like a predator. "Not because I liked you-but because you were once the head of this family. I played my role, bit my tongue, nodded at your foolish commands."

She stopped in front of him. "But times have changed. You're no longer in charge. That title belongs to my husband now-and these men?" She gestured at the guards. "They follow me." ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ Find[ɴ]ovel.net

She turned her head slightly. "Seize him."

Without hesitation, two guards gripped Elder Long by the arms and forced him down to his knees.

"How dare you! Let me go!" Long struggled, his voice shaking with both rage and disbelief.

Agatha crouched down to his level, her face inches from his.

"You dare call me crazy?" she hissed, before striking him hard across the face. SMACK! A red print bloomed instantly.

Long growled in pain, blood trickling from his split lip.

"You call this madness? You want to talk about mistakes?" SMACK! Another slap.

"My son lost his legs. My sister's honor was torn apart. And you stand here whining about the past?!"

"You're nothing but a damn coward hiding behind your so-called wisdom!"

"You've gone mad," Long spat. "You think you'll get away with this? I'm the former head! You can't just treat me like some trash on the street-I'll kill you, you treacherous bitch!"

"Not if I kill you first," Agatha whispered.

Her hand dipped into her coat and came out gripping a sleek black pistol. She

raised it, pressing the cold muzzle against Long's forehead.

"You talk too much," she said.

Long's eyes widened. "No-no, Agatha. You wouldn't dare..."

BANG!

The room fell silent.

Blood sprayed across the marble floor. Elder Long's lifeless body slumped forward, eyes frozen in shock.

Agatha exhaled calmly and blew the smoke from the gun's barrel. "Good riddance," she muttered.

"Dispose of him," she ordered.

The guards silently dragged Long's body away, leaving a trail of blood in their wake.

She turned to another man standing nearby. "Has Shadow been released yet?" "No, ma'am. His release is scheduled for next week."

Agatha gritted her teeth. "Damn it... That means that brat has another week to breathe."

Her nails dug into her palms. "Jaden Rift... I don't care what power you've gained over the last ten years. You

came back thinking you could

challenge me?

crush you myself,

And this time-no mercy."

At Silvercreek High School

Jaden walked beside Julie, her backpack slung over one shoulder as she chatted beside him.

"You can go in now," he said with a casual smile. "If anyone bullies you, just let me know. I'll handle them."

Julie giggled. “Haha, big brother, with you around? No one would dare."

Then she gave him a sly look. "By the way... you're a man now. When are you going to introduce me to my future sister-in-law?"

Jaden reached over and pulled on her ear gently. "You're still a kid. Why do you always say nonsense?"

"Ow-ow! Okay! But sooner or later, you'll have to, you know. You can't escape it," she said as she skipped toward the school gate.

SCREECH!

Suddenly, a black Jeep swerved into view, tires screeching as it stopped just inches from the sidewalk.

The door flung open-and out stepped a tall, broad-shouldered man in a dark coat, wearing a wild grin.

"I agree with your sister," he said. "Boss, it's time for you to get married."

"Drax?" Jaden frowned. "I told you to guard the grave. What are you doing here?"

Drax scratched his head sheepishly. "Relax, Boss. The place is crawling with our men. Not even a fly can get close. Besides—" he Rashed a toothy smile prefer to stay by your side. You know, day and night."

He turned to Julie and bowed dramatically. "Little miss, I'm uncle Drax. Your

brother's loyal old subordinate."

POW!

Jaden slammed a punch into Drax's jaw. "Idiot! She's my sister! If she calls you

'uncle,' what does that make me?!"

Drax stumbled back, grabbing his face. "Agh! My jaw!"

"I-I didn't think of that. Okay! No

།

uncle! You can just call me Drax! He rubbed his swelling cheek. "I may look old, but I'm actually justo twenty-five."

Then he leaned toward Julie again. "So... do you have a boyfriend?"

BAM!

Another punch.

"You're saying nonsense again!" Jaden snapped, fists clenched. “You want me to chop off your damn head?!"

Drax collapsed to the ground, both cheeks red and puffed.

Julie burst into laughter. "Brother Drax, you're hilarious! But if you hadn't told me,

I'd swear you were forty!"

Drax groaned on the pavement. "Why does everyone keep saying that..."

Jaden cracked his knuckles. "Keep talking and I'll add another ten years to your face."