The temperature in the grand ballroom seemed to drop several degrees the moment Jaden Rift opened his mouth.Carley Rajar’s painted lips twitched as rage flashed in her eyes. Every memory of that humiliating slap—the sting on her cheek, the gasps from onlookers, and the mocking whispers that followed her for weeks—came flooding back.She had sworn never to forgive him for that.Her nails dug into her palm as she glared daggers at Jaden, her voice trembling with fury.“How dare you bring that up again!” she hissed, her voice echoing off the marble walls. “No one has ever had the guts to humiliate me like you did! But it’s fine… every dog has its day. And tonight, you’ll crawl before me. You’ll beg for mercy before this crowd!”She straightened her shoulders, her crimson gown glinting beneath the chandeliers. “Now kneel, Jaden Rift. Kneel before I make you!”The crowd gasped. Guests began whispering to one another, their excitement and fear mixing in the air. Even the guards shifted une

Franklin Wilson had indeed handed over the red ruby necklace to Jaden Rift—willingly, and with both hands raised in respect.For a few heartbeats, the entire hall stood frozen.Dozens of guests stared wide-eyed, their mouths hanging open. The silence was so heavy that the faint hum of the chandeliers could be heard above their stunned breaths.None of them could quite believe what they were seeing.The mighty Major-General Franklin Wilson, a man known throughout the South for his pride and authority, had bowed his head before a young man like Jaden Rift.Whispers soon rippled through the crowd.“Did I just see that correctly?”“Major-General Wilson… bowed?”“Who is that man?”Only the Verrick family knew the full story behind the necklace.The rest of the guests merely saw a priceless ruby heirloom being returned — but to them, the real shock was Franklin’s attitude.Franklin Wilson was not the kind of man who bowed easily.Two years ago, when he had transferred from the North Army to

Carley Rajar stood in the middle of the hall, surrounded by the cold muzzles of ten submachine guns.Her subordinates were already disarmed, kneeling, their weapons scattered across the polished floor.For most, this would be the end—a moment of humiliation, fear, and surrender.But Carley Rajar wasn’t like most people.Even with her back against the wall, she still carried herself with that same arrogance that had always made her dangerous. Her eyes were sharp, calculating, studying every face before finally settling on Jaden Rift.A slow, bitter smile curved her lips.“Jaden Rift,” she said, voice cutting through the tension. “It seems I’ve underestimated you.”She let her gaze travel over him from head to toe, as if reassessing everything she thought she knew. “To think you’d have Major-General Wilson standing behind you… that’s quite a clever move.”Her words dripped with sarcasm, but there was something else behind them too—a note of caution, even respect.Jaden didn’t respond. H

“Ten years ago,” Franklin Wilson continued, his voice echoing through the silent hall, “Carley Rajar had an extramarital affair with the musician Dandizzy Vexigan. To keep the affair from going public, she ordered her men to burn down the Vexigan family home. Seven people died in that fire—Dandizzy’s parents, two siblings, and three relatives. Their deaths were ruled an accident.”A sharp gasp rippled through the soldiers standing nearby. The details were horrifying.Franklin’s expression didn’t change as he read the next entry. “Eight years ago, Carley bribed then-District Mayor Jacky Lara to assist in an illegal land acquisition. When Lara failed to deliver, she hired a contract killer to eliminate him. The case was closed as a robbery gone wrong.”Each sentence hit harder than the last. The weight of her sins filled the room like smoke.For years, these crimes had been buried—sealed away by money, power, and influence. Even her closest family members had no idea of the monster she

At the same time, inside Winter Hall, Vane Verrick and Nora sat on the couch, both admiring the red ruby necklace they had once written off as lost forever. Now that it was back in their hands, they couldn’t hide their satisfaction.“This is master craftsmanship,” Vane murmured, turning the gemstone under the light.Nora nodded. “Jaden kept his word. I thought that necklace was gone for good.”Once again, they sounded genuinely pleased with their son-in-law.Selena ended a phone call, walked toward them, and said, “A lot of our friends reached out today. Everyone wants to know if we’re safe. And I got some updates.”Jaden looked over. “What updates?”Selena crossed her arms. “Word is Carley Rajar crossed Mr. Nagger. That’s why Franklin Wilson stepped in. They’re saying she offended the wrong man and paid the price for it.”Vane and Nora exchanged a look. Their eyes widened with admiration.“So Mr. Nagger stepped in personally?” Nora asked.“That’s what everyone’s saying,” Selena repli