The King Of War Returns (Jaden Rift) novel Chapter 120

Moments Later

Martha’s eyes burned with rage as she snatched the mediation letter from Matthew’s hand. The paper crumpled under her fingers before she tore it into pieces like slicing through old scars.

“Enough of his hypocrisy!” she spat, voice trembling with fury. Shreds of paper rained down between them. “I want nothing to do with his filthy money!”

Matthew flinched, but quickly recovered, his face twisting into false concern. “Aunty, please… He’s not trying to hurt you. He just—he just wants to compensate you. That’s all.”

Martha’s chest heaved, her hands still shaking. The betrayal, the years of abandonment, it all clawed at her.

“Compensate?” she hissed. “Where was his ‘compensation’ when I was alone, raising his sick child? When I begged hospitals, scraping together every cent while he lived his new life? Where was he then?”

Matthew’s jaw tightened. His eyes darted to little Kelvin, frail and quiet at the corner of the room, oblivious to the storm of adult grudges.

“At least think about him,” Matthew urged, voice low, eyes softening as he pointed to Kelvin. “Isn’t he the one who needs the money the most? You don’t have to forgive my uncle… but don’t punish Kelvin because of your pride.”

The room fell heavy with tension.

But before Martha could answer, Jaden’s cold voice sliced through the air.

“Ridiculous,” Jaden muttered, arms folded over his chest, eyes narrowed to slits. “After all these years… suddenly he wants to play the good father? Why now?”

Matthew let out an awkward chuckle, trying to ease the growing hostility.

“Actually…” he began, his lips curling into a nervous grin, “It’s funny, really. My uncle heard about that little incident at the Thornfell Hotel… Your… famous battle, Jaden.”

Jaden’s eyes sharpened dangerously.

Matthew continued, chuckling weakly. “Word travels fast in Ravenmoor. My uncle realized it’s… not smart to have unfinished business with people like you. So, he sent me—to mediate.”

“Mediate, huh?” Jaden’s voice dropped, calm and cutting as ice. Slowly, he raised the unopened envelope in his hand, eyes never leaving Matthew’s twitching face.

“You want peace? Fine,” Jaden said, tossing the envelope at Matthew’s chest. “We’ll talk… but only if your uncle’s ready to pay—half the value of the shares inside that document.”

Matthew caught the envelope, frowning as he peeled it open. The color drained from his face.

“Gravesend Group…” he whispered, his eyes scanning the official seal, the signature, the numbers. “You… You hold equity in Gravesend? The biggest business syndicate in Ravenmoor?”

His voice cracked under disbelief.

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