The King Of War Returns (Jaden Rift) novel Chapter 40

Drax and Jaden got into the black SUV and pulled off from the school parking lot, the tires rolling smooth over the sunlit asphalt.

Drax leaned back in his seat, grinning as he turned the wheel. “By the way, Boss… I got you a new place.”

Jaden turned to him, brow raised. “A place?”

“Yeah,” Drax nodded proudly. “A beachfront mansion, just outside Ravenmoor. Figured it was time you stopped jumping between hotels like some traveling assassin. You’ve got roots here now.”

Jaden scoffed lightly. “You decided that for me?”

“Well, you told me to be useful. I’m just being useful in advance,” Drax said with a wink.

Jaden smirked. “You’ll be staying with me then. I’ll need eyes I can trust.”

Drax’s grin widened. “Yes, Boss!”

---

Meanwhile, back at Silvercreek High School, Julie sat at her desk, carefully arranging her textbooks. She was humming quietly when her friend poked her head in through the door.

“Hey Julie, the English teacher asked to see you in her office.”

Julie blinked. “Ms. Winston? Alright, thanks.”

She slid out of her seat, walked across the hallway, and gently opened the office door before stepping inside.

“Ms. Winston, did you call for me?”

Hannah Winston was seated behind her desk, dressed in a sleek navy suit that fit her sharp, professional look. She had the kind of posture that said she was used to being respected—and the kind of smile that said she didn’t smile easily.

“Yes, Julie. Come in.”

Julie stepped forward, a little curious now. The door clicked softly as it closed behind her.

Hannah’s lips curled upward. “Where’s your brother, Jaden?”

Julie’s eyes narrowed slightly. “How did you know he was back?”

Hannah let out a small breath, trying to remain composed. But her cheeks betrayed her, blooming with a faint blush. “I just… want to see him. That’s all.”

Julie folded her arms, stepping closer with a teasing grin. “Ms. Hannah, are you… blushing?”

“I’m not!” Hannah straightened quickly. “Don’t tease your elders.”

“of course I'm not?” Julie tilted her head. “But I'm just saying, it's easy to fall for my brother you know?”

Harrison turned back to Hannah. “There’s a new Hollywood blockbuster this weekend—Thunderbolt. Huge release. I got us two premiere tickets.” He smiled as if that would melt her defenses. “I’ll pick you up Saturday night. My car’s just been washed.”

Hannah raised a brow. “I’m busy.”

“You’ve been rejecting me for over a year, Ms. Winston,” he said with frustration building in his voice. “This is the hundredth time. Don’t you get it? I like you. I’m not giving up.”

She folded her arms. “And that’s supposed to impress me?”

“Is it because of him?” Harrison’s tone turned bitter. “Julie Hale’s brother? That’s it, isn’t it? He shows up, and suddenly I’m invisible.”

“This has nothing to do with Jaden,” Hannah replied sharply. “I’m here to work. Not to be pursued by a desperate man with a hero complex.”

Her tone sliced deep. Harrison’s jaw tightened, his hands balling into fists at his side.

“If you have nothing else to say,” Hannah said, voice cold as ice, “get out of my office.”

Harrison turned without a word and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

In the hallway, he paced back and forth like a madman.

“That little brat Julie Hale… she ruined everything,” he hissed. “She brought her brother here, set him up with Ms. Winston—and now she’s playing matchmaker like some goddamn queen. I’ll make her regret it. I’ll make him regret it.”