The King Of War Returns (Jaden Rift) novel 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.

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