With that, Jaden leapt out the shattered window, glass fragments raining around him as he landed hard on the cracked pavement below. His coat flared as he stood upright, completely unbothered by the fall.Greg flinched. “Tch! Still acting tough? You really think you’re untouchable, huh? You’re gonna die today!” He spat, backing up slightly.He gestured toward a thick-necked, scar-faced brute standing at the center of the mob, shirtless beneath a torn combat vest, arms bulging with muscle and covered in ink. “Brother John! That’s him! The little punk stirring trouble on your turf!”John stepped forward slowly, cracking his knuckles like stone grinding against stone. His voice was low and cruel. “So, this is the bastard who made you cry, Greg?”Greg snarled. “He embarrassed me in front of everyone! Get your ass over here and show some respect, you worthless dog. You’ve been acting all bold—let’s see how bold you are when you’re crawling!”John didn’t flinch. “Get him on his knees. I don

“This is insane. It’s hopeless now,” Mathew muttered, throwing his hands in the air, clearly irritated. He turned toward Martha, his face twisted with frustration. “Aunty, as you can see, I did my best. I called everyone I could. But this guy—” he jabbed a finger at Jaden “—he’s just too arrogant. He doesn’t deserve to be saved.”He stepped closer to her, lowering his voice as if Jaden wasn’t in the room. “It’s bad luck to have a nephew like him around. Trust me. He’ll bring nothing but trouble.”Before Martha could respond—BANG!The front door burst open, almost unhinged by the force of the kick. Dust flew off the hinges. A booming voice echoed through the room.“WHICH ONE OF YOU HAD THE GUTS TO TELL ME TO KNEEL DOWN OUTSIDE AND APOLOGIZE!?”Everyone turned sharply toward the door.Mr. Norman stormed in like a thundercloud. Behind him followed Bob, John, his face still bruised—and another large, heavily-built man wearing shades and a gold chain. The tension in the air was like thick

Back at Martha's house Everyone was mid-bite when a loud voice rang from outside."House owner! Come down and collect your paycheck!"Martha blinked, then slapped her forehead. “Oh! I almost forgot—today’s pay day.” She stood and wiped her hands on her apron. “Just a minute, everyone. I’ll be back soon.”She walked outside and spotted two people standing near the gate—Mr. Fredrick, a pudgy, cigarette-smoking supervisor with a round belly and arrogant glare, and a slim, sharp-mouthed woman from HR named Leslie.“Here,” Fredrick said, handing her a brown envelope while puffing out smoke from the side of his mouth. “Take your check and don’t waste our time.”Martha took the envelope and opened it without delay. Her brows furrowed the moment she counted the cash. “There’s a mistake,” she said, raising her eyes. “It’s supposed to be three thousand dollars, but there’s only two thousand here. A whole thousand is missing.”Fredrick didn’t flinch. He flicked his cigarette ash to the ground wi

"What? Of course not!" Hannah said, her cheeks burning red as she quickly looked away, trying to hide her embarrassment.Donald chuckled deeply, not hiding his amusement. "It’s alright, sweetheart. You don’t need to lie to me. Besides, you’re now a teacher at Silvercreek High, right? Isn’t that where Julie Hale studies? You could have her link you up with her brother... you know." He gave her a playful wink."Dad!" Hannah whined, standing up abruptly. "You're being ridiculous. I’m leaving." She turned away, grabbing her bag with haste."Just saying," Donald grinned. "Wouldn't be bad having a Rift in the family—assuming he forgives us."Hannah marched out, muttering under her breath as she shut the door behind her. Once outside, her expression turned serious. "But... Dad's not wrong. Julie could be the bridge I need. Getting close to her might be the only way to reach Jaden now."---At the Thornfell EstateA cold wind blew past the window panes of the Thornfell mansion. Inside one of

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?