Chapter 97

"You..." Williams' voice cracked, then steadied with venom. "You may be strong, but I'm warning you-if you try to disrupt the arrival of the King of War, I'll kill you myself."

The crowd murmured at the mention of that name. Even the boldest of mercenaries paled when they heard it. The King of War's name was sacred, feared across Ravenmoor like the name of a living god.

Williams exhaled, trying to keep his composure. He straightened his suit jacket and adjusted his gold cufflinks, his expression shifting from aggression to calculation.

"I don't have time to entertain you." He flicked his wrist. "Tell me... how much do you want?"

Jaden didn't respond right away. He just stared at him, eyes unreadable.

Williams clenched his teeth and thought, These damn lunatics must be in it for money. That has to be it. If this escalates, the King of War will bury me along with my entire bloodline!

The tension in the air became razor-sharp.

Jaden's lips curled into a smirk that didn't reach his eyes. "So... for the sake of your image, you're willing to bury your own son? Is that what he meant to you- nothing more than a name on a roster?"

Williams flinched, but said nothing.

Jaden stepped closer, his voice suddenly soft. "Very well, then. I'll accept... a hundred million."

The crowd gasped. Even the birds in the distance seemed to fall silent.

Williams' face contorted. "What? That's outrageous!" he barked.

Before anything else could be said, a figure shoved his way through the crowd-a middle-aged man in a flowing black robe with silver linings, the crest of the Ravenmoor Judiciary gleaming on his chest.

"You criminal scum!" the man shouted, pointing at Jaden. "I am Judge Rourke, the highest-ranking magistrate in Ravenmoor. I can't allow you to extort him in broad daylight. Kneel now and apologize to Lord Gravesend, and I may consider forgiving you!"

Jaden glanced at him, unbothered. Then he chuckled.

"Seems like your opinions aren't exactly unified," he said, shooting a look at Williams. "In that case... I'll just do whatever I feel like."

"Wait—please!” Williams suddenly raised both hands, voice cracking with desperation. "Don't cause another scene. I'll pay. I'll pay every damn cent!"

The judge opened his mouth to object again-

SMACK!

The sharp sound of flesh hitting flesh echoed through the air as Williams backhanded Judge Rourke across the face.

The crowd gasped.

"You meddling fool!" Williams growled. "Who told you to open your cursed mouth? Do you want to get me killed?!"

Blood dripped from the corner of Rourke's lip as he stared in disbelief.

Williams ignored him, slipping a hand into the inside pocket of his coat. He brought out a sleek black card and held it out toward Jaden.

"This is the Gravesend family's

voice tight with humiliation

premium black card," he said, his et

one hundred million loaded inside.

Jaden took it, admiring the matte finish for a brief moment.

"Thanks for the donation," he said casually, pocketing the card. Then he turned, already walking away with Drax beside him.

Jaden didn't look back, but his voice

cut through the air like a

razor

oke care of me

the net

next

you time I drop by, Lord Gravesend."

The taunt hung in the air like smoke from a battlefield.

Williams stood still, his fists trembling. His jaw tightened until veins bulged at his temples.

You dared humiliate me... in front of Ravenmoor's elite...?

You dared insult the Gravesend name?

He clenched his fist so hard his knuckles turned white.

After the King of War leaves... I swear. I'll cut you to pieces,

hole I make you bleed until

nothing your arrogant

of

Jaden and Drax walked away from the massive courtyard of the Gravesend

estate, leaving behind whispers, fear, and the reek of raw tension.

Drax glanced at Jaden, arms folded. "He tossed his own successor aside to avoid

punishment. That man will do anything to survive."

Jaden's expression darkened. "He reminds me of someone..."

"Your father?"

Jaden didn't answer. He simply placed both hands in his pockets, his gaze

distant. A cruel memory flashed behind his eyes.

Father... I wonder if you're still enjoying your fake peace...

Don't worry I'm coming.

And when I do, I'll break your legs and drag you to my mother's grave. You'll

kneel. You'll repent. And then... you'll die.