The King Of War Returns (Jaden Rift) novel Chapter 126

The room was heavy with tension, the mocking laughter from earlier replaced by a suffocating silence as Brown’s expression twisted in confusion—then fear.

His eyes locked onto Jaden, uncertainty creeping into his voice.

“Wait… are you—Jaden Rift?” Brown’s words came out in a low, shaky breath.

Though they’d never met, Brown had heard the stories—the same name whispered across Ravenmoor with dread. The man who shattered his brother Derek’s legs like twigs… the one who razed the powerful Gravesend family to ashes in a single day.

And now, that man was standing inches away, calm… composed… smiling.

Brown’s legs nearly buckled, panic flashing across his face.

But a steady hand gripped his shoulder.

“Stay calm,” Shadow—Master Kendal—said quietly, his voice low but commanding. “You’ve got nothing to fear. He won’t lay a finger on you… not while I’m here.”

Reluctantly, Brown exhaled, forcing a shaky smile.

“Thank you… Master Kendal.” Relief flooded his face, though the tremble in his voice betrayed him.

Confidence half-returned, Brown straightened his posture, glaring at Jaden with misplaced arrogance.

“Jaden Rift… get down on your knees. Now.” His voice cracked slightly, but he pushed through. “Beg for mercy. Maybe—maybe—I’ll speak on your behalf. I’ll convince my family to spare your pathetic life.”

Jaden tilted his head, amused, that same calm smile never leaving his face.

“If I get down on my knees…” His eyes narrowed, voice sharp as a blade. “…I’m afraid the foundation of this building won’t survive. It’ll crumble to dust beneath me.”

The air shifted. Murmurs rippled through the onlookers.

Brown’s face contorted with rage.

“You dare spit nonsense about the Thornfell building?” His voice thundered across the hall. “This structure’s stood for over a decade! If anyone’s going to fall, it’ll be you!”

Jaden shrugged, unbothered.

“Alright then…” He slipped a sleek black cellphone from his pocket, casually dialing a number. The line connected instantly.

A crisp voice responded.

“Boss, everything’s set. Evacuation of the surrounding area is complete. We’re ready on your order.”

The color drained from Brown’s face.

“Evacuation…? What—what did you do?” His voice cracked, panic rushing back.

“You called for backup?” Brown barked, desperately clinging to bravado.

Shadow clapped him on the back, his grin returning.

“Relax, Brother. Let them come.” His eyes glinted with arrogance. “They’ll kneel before us soon enough… Then this pretender will understand the difference between our world and his.”

BOOM!

Another figure intercepted.

Drax.

His fist collided with Shadow’s mid-air punch, the shockwave rattling the hall. In an instant, Shadow was sent flying backward, smashing through the same shattered window and crashing outside beside Brown.

Groans echoed from the pavement below.

Shadow struggled to rise, his vision spinning, chest heaving from the impact.

“So much power…” he muttered, wiping blood from his lip, realization hitting like a freight train.

His eyes locked onto Drax, now standing beside Jaden like a silent storm.

“I didn’t expect…” Shadow’s voice cracked under the weight of the moment. “This man—standing beside Jaden—isn’t just muscle. He’s… a master of core strength…”

Shock rippled across Shadow’s face as the brutal truth sank in.

“He’s… on the same level as me…”

The realization froze Shadow in place, his confidence crumbling.