Chapter 60

"Please... please don't!"

The manager's knees buckled, hitting the cold tiled floor with a loud thud. His hands clasped together, trembling. Sweat rolled down the side of his bloated face as he lowered his head in shame.

"Alright then," the female officer said coolly, eyes narrowed like a hawk. She crossed her arms as her boots echoed with each step toward him. "You've got ten seconds to confess, or we'll check the security footage ourselves."

The manager's mouth quivered. His voice came out cracked, almost choked. He's been caught and there's no escaping this time.

"I-I lied! I made a false police report! Please, forgive me I was wrong!"

A murmur swept through the onlookers and officers around them. Cameras

clicked in the distance-someone had pulled out their phone.

Jaden slowly stepped forward, hands in his coat pockets, a calm smile dancing across his face. His presence alone made the manager flinch.

"So now you want forgiveness?" Jaden asked, tilting his head. "After dragging my name through the mud, accusing me of theft, calling the police on me..."

He paused, then added with a sly grin,

"You want to withdraw the case? Nah. I'm suing you."

The manager's eyes widened in horror.

"W-what? Suing? For what?!"

Jaden crouched down to meet him at eye level, his voice calm but sharp.

"You falsely accused me of robbing you of five million. So I'll be suing you... for ten million."

"Ten million?! You can't do that!" The manager's voice cracked. He tried to stand but stumbled backward in panic.

"I... I didn't mean any harm!"

The female officer stepped in, snapping a pair of steel cuffs from her belt with a click.

"Well, congratulations. We've reviewed the evidence, and you're not just guilty of filing a false report. You're guilty of attempted extortion, kidnapping, and obstruction of justice."

She extended the cuffs. "You're under arrest."

Two officers moved in immediately. The manager wailed as they lifted him to his feet.

"Please! Don't do this—no, no, I can explain!" he cried, thrashing as his accomplice was also restrained.

"Save it for the judge," one officer growled, dragging him toward the exit.

Once the noise died down, the female officer cleared her throat and straightened her jacket.

"Ahem. Mr. Jaden," she said, shifting her tone.

"I'd like a word with you. In private."

Jaden nodded. "Lead the way."

She guided him into a nearby office. The moment the door shut behind them, her stern expression melted into a playful grin.

"So, Boss, she said, leaning against the desk, crossing her arms with a teasing pour How was my acting? Impressed? I deserve a bonus or something, don't I?"

She gave him a wink.

Jaden chuckled. "You haven't changed at all, Hope. And no-you're not getting a

damn bonus. This was a small matter." Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on find✦novel.net

Hope pouted deeper, then stood upright with her hands on her hips.

"Cheapskate. Saving your ass and not even a coffee in return."

"Since when did you become the Chief of Police anyway?" Jaden asked, eyebrow raised.

"Well," she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, "To investigate the mission you gave me, I needed deepaccess. So fpolitely told the previous chief to step down."

"Politely?"

"Okay... I might've mentioned I was a special agent of the King of War. He nearly pissed himself. Gave me his badge without a second thought."

She smiled with pride. "Now I've got eyes and ears across the city."

Jaden nodded, slowly pacing around the room. "And the investigation? How's it going?"

Hope's expression darkened slightly.

"We're making progress. Some of

the Black Dragon squad members

are here in Ravenmoor too. They've into the shadows

blende Surveillance is tight-we're following every lead."

"Good." His tone was low. Calculated.

Hope studied his face. "Boss... I've got to ask. Why not use the court's power?

We could end this in a week."

Jaden stopped pacing and turned, his eyes now carrying a storm.

"I'm not ready to reveal myself yet. Once I do, there's no going back."

A heavy silence filled the room.

Then Jaden's voice dropped, layered with vengeance.

"But mark my words, Hope-the Thornfells will fall. Every last one of them will be erased from existence."

Hope's breath caught.

Jaden's body tensed, the air around him thickening. A faint, almost invisible aura -cold and oppressive-oozed out of him like a phantom storm.

"The ones who divided my family's estate... the ones who laughed at my mother's death..." he clenched his fists, voice now laced with venom,

"They will beg for mercy, and I will give them none. Even if they hide at the ends

of the earth... I will find them. And they. Will. Die."

Hope immediately dropped to one knee. Her voice was steady. Loyal.

"Your will is our law, my King."

She bowed her head. "No matter what, we'll carry out your orders-even if it costs

us our lives."