Jaden, Vane, Selena, and Mia could not bear to see Nora so conflicted and heartbroken, so they chose to remain until the celebration ended.No one from the Maxwell family came to guide them or arrange seating. Nora had to walk around on her own before finally finding an empty corner table that looked like it had been forgotten.It was a small table, clearly added as an afterthought.When they sat down, they immediately realized there was one seat missing.Jaden stood up instinctively. “Mum, take my seat.”Nora shook her head at once. “No need. You stay seated. I’ll just bring a chair over.”She picked up a chair from a nearby table and carried it back herself. Just as she was about to sit down, a sharp voice rang out behind her.“Hey!”A housekeeper walked over with a sour expression and crossed arms.“The kitchen is swamped right now. Instead of moving chairs around, why don’t you use your eyes and help out? Don’t just stand here doing nothing.”Jaden’s expression darkened instantly.

Author’s Note: I’ve heard your complaints, and I take them seriously. To make it right, I’m dropping two free chapters — consider it compensation for your coins and your time. The moment the servant finished speaking, the entire hall erupted in chatter. Guests leaned toward one another, voices overlapping, necks craning toward the entrance as though Franklin Wilson might already be standing there. Even Brown forgot himself. He grabbed the servant by the arm, his voice jumping. “Really? That’s really Major-General Wilson? The one from last night’s broadcast?” The servant nodded eagerly. “Yes, sir! And there are military vehicles lined up outside — soldiers too. Major-General Wilson’s men are already bringing in gifts. He’s not just attending, sir, he came prepared. You’re truly impressive, Mr. Maxwell!” Brown released the servant and straightened up, his chest swelling. His mind was already racing. The Maxwell family carried weight in Arlington, no question — but Franklin Wilson ope

Franklin turned and walked out without another word. His soldiers fell into formation behind him, and the hall watched them go in stunned silence.The moment the doors closed, the room seemed to exhale. Then came the whispers.Vanessa grabbed Brown’s arm, her voice low and urgent. “I didn’t expect Major-General Wilson to have come here because of Jaden Rift. We chased them out, and now Wilson’s left furious — what do we do?”Khalid looked shaken for the first time all evening. The guests nearby had already begun murmuring among themselves, casting sideways glances at the Maxwell family.Brown stood in the middle of it all, saying nothing. He was still processing it — the fact that his own grandson-in-law, the man he’d dismissed as a worthless freeloader, commanded the personal respect of a Major-General. He felt the weight of every decision he’d made tonight settling onto his shoulders all at once.Then the disbelief curdled into anger, and he rounded on Vanessa and Khalid. “This is o

Vanessa’s eyes went wide. “What? Apologize to her?” She gestured vaguely at Nora, her voice climbing despite herself. “I may be around her age, but I’m still her stepmother. How can you ask me to apologize to her?”Khalid crossed his arms and set his jaw. “Dad, I won’t do it. I’m not apologizing to her.”Slap.Brown’s hand caught Khalid across the face before the last word had fully left his mouth. Khalid staggered. Brown stood over him, breathing hard, his voice dropping to something low and final. “Useless scum. If either of you disobeys me tonight, I will disown you both. And you know I mean it.”In a family like the Maxwells, those words weren’t an empty threat. The head of the household held absolute authority over its assets, its name, and its future. To be disowned was to be left with nothing — no inheritance, no standing, no recourse. Vanessa and Khalid both understood this perfectly well.The defiance drained out of them quickly after that.Khalid rubbed his cheek, gritted hi

Franklin hurriedly waved his hand, almost flustered.“It’s nothing, really! I may be older than Jaden… and I may hold the rank of Major-General… but in front of him—”He stopped himself before finishing the sentence.Respect shone clearly in his eyes.⸻After the celebration banquet wound down and most of the guests dispersed, Franklin requested a private word with Jaden.They stepped aside onto the balcony overlooking Arlington’s glittering skyline.Franklin’s tone turned serious.“General,” he began, lowering his voice instinctively, “when Lawson’s and Badan’s corpses were returned to Shadowmoor… Leon Nagger showed no intention of backing down.”Jaden leaned casually against the railing. “Go on.”Franklin nodded.“He even sent his son, Balo Nagger, to use his military connections to probe me.”Jaden’s lips curved faintly. “What did they want?”Franklin replied, “They claimed Kaelus mobilized a team to eliminate Lawson and Badan on your behalf. They wanted to know whether I ordered i