Jaden stepped out of the doorway like he was taking a stroll, not walking into a pack of angry men. Lance, Phil and a whole crew of pumped-up idiots waited in the hallway, shoulders squared, eyes full of violence. The kind of guys who thought numbers made them dangerous.Jaden paused for a breath, then gave them a lazy smile. “What is this, a welcome committee? If you came to thank me for saving your asses, save it. I’m not interested.”Lance’s jaw flexed hard. He pointed at Jaden like he was trying to stab him with his finger. “You only beat that guy because I softened him up first. I need to prove myself to Ms. Verrick.”Jaden lifted an eyebrow. “Do you want a medal or a cookie?”Phil stepped forward before Lance’s brain overheated. He had the kind of confidence that came from benching more weight than he could think through. “I’m Phil Jones, Lance’s good friend. I’m an all-rounded fighter just like he is. We’re here to reclaim his glory.”Jaden blinked. “Huh?”Phil puffed out his c

Phil expected Jaden to panic. He expected fear. Maybe begging. Something that proved he had the upper hand.Instead, Jaden’s tone was flat. Almost bored. “I’ll do the calling around here.”He reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone and dialed without breaking eye contact with Phil.The call connected instantly.“Kaelus,” Jaden said. “I want Zed Walker, Xander Jones, and Franklin Wilson at my house in ten minutes.”Then he ended the call like he had just ordered takeout.The yard went silent for half a heartbeat.Then Phil and his crew exploded into laughter. The kind of laughter that came from pure disbelief and stupidity working hand in hand. Lance bent forward holding his stomach. Tears leaked down his face like his brain couldn’t handle how absurd he thought the situation was.Lance wheezed, “Phil, he is insane. He actually pretended to call somebody. Listen to that. He ordered your uncle, Colonel Jones, and Major-General Franklin Wilson to show up in ten minutes.”Phil shook

Just then, a wave of engines tore through the street. Headlights cut across the yard as a full convoy slammed to a stop. Police cruisers. Military jeeps. Doors flew open and boots hit pavement in unison.Franklin Wilson, Xander Jones, and Zed Walker had arrived.Phil’s spine stiffened like he’d just seen salvation fall out of the sky. He staggered forward, half‑limping, half‑dragged by adrenaline. His face was a swollen, lopsided mess, yet he still forced out a pitiful cry for help.“Major‑General Wilson, Dad, Uncle… this bastard, Jaden Rift… he killed someone. He injured Captain Freeman and me. You have to stand up for us!”He sounded like a child running to complain after picking a fight he couldn’t win.The words barely left his mouth before Xander Jones’ expression twisted. His jaw clenched, eyes burning with something far more violent than anger.Xander lifted his hand and cracked a slap across Phil’s face that echoed through the entire yard.Smack.Phil’s head whipped sideways.

He didn’t even make it three steps inside before his whole family surrounded him like an ambush. Selena was in front of him first, eyes wide, voice tight with panic. “Jaden, we saw everything from the window. You hit Phil so hard he spun. Then the police and military showed up. What did they want with you? What did they say? Did they threaten you?” She was almost wanting him to answer all the questions at the same time. Jaden slipped off his shoes, calm as ever. “Relax. Those weren’t random officers. They were the top brass. Exactly the kind of people you want handling matters like this. They were strict, fair, and they put Phil and Lance in their place. They apologized to me and left. That’s all.” He smiled. Selena let out a breath like she’d been underwater. “Good. I thought they were going to pull something or gang up on you.” Vane clapped Jaden’s shoulder, relieved. Nora nodded hard. “Thank God they were men with a spine. At least they know right from wrong.” Behind them,

At the noise spilling into the hallway, Jaden and the others stepped out of the private room.He moved without hesitation and planted himself in front of Selena, shielding her. One look at the scene told him everything he needed to know.His voice dropped cold. “Someone explain. Now.”The man in the floral shirt jabbed a finger at his half-drunk cousin. “I’m the boss here. Daniel. Your woman hit my cousin.”Selena fired back before Jaden even reacted. “He tried to touch me. He was being disgusting.”Daniel gave her a slow, mocking look, like she was wasting his time. “I didn’t see any of that. All I saw was you slapping him. So you are going to apologize and pay one hundred thousand for medical fees. If you don’t, I will strip you right here and show you what offensive actually means.”Jaden’s eyes narrowed into something sharp enough to cut.“A whole pack of you going after one woman. You think that makes you tough.”Daniel’s expression shifted. A colder edge slid in. He stepped clos