Jaden stood tall, his foot pressing down lightly on Captain Steven’s back as both Steven and Elder Hart knelt in the debris-strewn courtyard. His expression was calm, unreadable — but the faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips promised nothing good.
“Tell me…” Jaden’s voice was soft, dangerous. “How exactly should I kill you two? I like options.”
Steven's face paled, his swollen cheek still burning from earlier. “P-Please… we’re not your real enemies… The Blakes sent us… We're just pawns,” he stammered, eyes darting with fear.
“Right, pawns,” Jaden repeated, the smirk deepening. His gaze shifted to Elder Hart, whose face was bloodied, pride shattered.
The old man gulped, bowing his head lower. “I— I was blind… I swear, I’ll disappear. You’ll never see me again. Please… mercy.”
Jaden chuckled softly, as if amused by their desperation. His lips parted, ready to reply—
Slash!
A silver glint flashed behind him — silent, fast, precise — aiming for his neck.
But Jaden’s instincts were sharper.
In one fluid motion, his hand shot up, two fingers snapping shut on the blade’s tip like a steel trap.
The assassin’s eyes widened in shock.
Jaden turned his head, expression darkening as his eyes locked onto the attacker.
Vivianne Blake.
Her elegant black gown flowed behind her like a shadow. Her manicured hand trembled around the now useless blade gripped between Jaden’s fingers, her eyes burning with venomous hatred.
“What a poisonous heart,” Jaden sneered, casually snapping the knife in half like it was a twig. The shards clattered to the ground.
“Trying to stab me from behind in your own mansion?” His voice dipped, laced with disdain. “I expected more class.”
Vivianne's face twisted with rage, but her voice was icy, her words dripping with malice. “Was it you?” she hissed. “Are you the one who injured my son?”
Jaden didn’t flinch. His gaze was sharp, his tone unwavering. “Yes,” he answered coolly. “I punished him… for his crimes.”
Vivianne’s composure shattered in an instant. Her face contorted, eyes glistening with hatred as her voice broke into a snarl. “You crippled my only son and still dare walk into my house?! You must have a death wish!”
She took a step closer, voice rising, seething with fury. “I don’t care how skilled you are — I have a thousand ways to make you disappear. I’ll start with your family, your friends—”
Her threat hung in the air, venomous and raw.

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