Ravenmoor's Eastern Border HighwayThe main highway leading into Ravenmoor was unrecognizable.A long stretch of it had been shut down and cleared for what looked like a military-grade ceremony. Black limousines, armored sedans, and luxury convoys lined either side of the road. The breeze fluttered through banners held by gold-plated poles, each representing one of Ravenmoor’s oldest and wealthiest families. Armed escorts stood in perfect formation, faces stern, uniforms crisp.The city’s elite had all gathered here today.At the center of it stood Williams Gravesend—draped in a custom-tailored obsidian trench coat, embroidered with silver phoenix threads, his silver hair slicked back like a blade drawn for war. His piercing eyes scanned the sky with a glint of both awe and calculation.Behind him stood several prominent figures: patriarchs, heirs, and matriarchs of the wealthiest clans in Ravenmoor. Their expressions ranged from anxious to exhilarated.“All the great families are he

“Yes, Master Williams—we saw him with our own eyes,” the bruised guard stammered, blood trickling from the corner of his lip. “He’s here… he brought your young master Peter.” Williams' jaw clenched so tightly, his teeth audibly ground together. His face twisted. “He’s inside my building?” “Oh no...” Cooper gasped, a cold sweat forming at his temples. “What if—what if they cross paths with the King of War?” The thought landed like a punch to the gut. “We’d be finished,” Cooper whispered. “Dead. All of us.” Williams snapped out of it, suddenly furious. “Then what are you standing around for?! Arrest that bastard! Don’t let him take one more step!” Cooper stepped forward, smoothing his suit, then raising both hands in a calming gesture. “Master Williams, allow me,” he said confidently. “Go outside. Greet the King of War personally. Make a strong impression. I’ll handle this matter inside. You have my word.” Williams paused, uncertainty flickering behind his eyes. “You’re sure abo

“Mr. Williams... you look tense,” Anthony said, flashing a grin that didn’t reach his eyes. “If you’ve got something more pressing, feel free to leave. I can handle the welcome.”Williams didn’t look at him. “Hmph. What could be more important than greeting the King of War?”His voice was smooth, polite even—but the ice underneath was impossible to miss. Both men smiled. Both hated each other’s guts. That was business.Anthony adjusted his cuffs. “Of course. It’s your company after all.”“Correct,” Williams said, turning slightly to face him. “The Gravesend Group belongs to the Gravesend family. So naturally, it falls on me to show proper respect to someone of his... caliber.”The jab landed.Anthony’s jaw twitched. He held the smile, but his silence spoke volumes.“Liar. You’re sweating because you’re about to kill someone. And I know it.”Neither man said another word.The tension between them could’ve cut glass.---Seventy-nine floors above, in the executive suite of the Gravesend

“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…