The King Of War Returns (Jaden Rift) novel Chapter 186

The following day.

Selena adjusted her earrings in front of the mirror, trying not to let the nerves show on her face. Today was the day. Xander Verrick’s seventieth birthday banquet. The one event in high society that could make or break reputations overnight.

For Selena and her family, it was a high-stakes performance—especially after what had happened recently.

Everyone was dressed to impress. Her father had pulled out his only designer suit. Her mother kept adjusting the sleeves of her rented evening gown. Even her younger brother had shaved for the first time in weeks.

But just as they were about to step out the front door, Selena froze.

“The gift,” she said, her voice sharp with panic. “Jaden—did you bring the gift?”

She turned around so fast her earring almost flew off. Her mother gasped. Her father cursed under his breath.

A beat passed.

Then Jaden reached calmly into his inner coat pocket and pulled out a small, worn-out box.

“Right here,” he said with a quiet smile.

Selena blinked at it.

Her mother frowned.

Her father tilted his head, skeptical.

That box looked like it had been through war. The edges were frayed, the corners crushed. It didn’t have a brand name, a ribbon, or even a seal. Just a simple black lid with a faint scratch on top.

Selena took one look at it and her heart sank.

“This is it?” she whispered. “This is the gift for Xander Verrick?”

Jaden opened the box, revealing a small pill inside, sealed tightly in a sterile plastic pouch. It was marble-sized, dark red, and shimmered faintly in the light.

Selena’s jaw clenched. “Are you serious right now?”

Her voice cracked as anxiety finally broke through. “Jaden, this man is turning seventy. There will be senators, moguls, the elite of the elite! They’ll be bringing custom watches, diamond pens, limited-edition wine. And you’re giving him… a pill?”

Her mother stepped forward, voice low and frantic. “Are you trying to embarrass us? You’re already on thin ice with the family, and now you want to hand over medicine like some door-to-door herbalist?”

Her father didn’t speak. He just shook his head, disappointed.

But Jaden stayed composed, as always.

Selena finally let out a breath. “We can’t afford anything else anyway. The money’s gone. Time’s gone. And if this doesn’t work…”

She didn’t finish the sentence.

Her father looked down at the box again.

“So this is it,” he muttered. “We’re going to walk into that banquet with a damn pill and hope it’s enough.”

Selena turned to Jaden, gripping his sleeve. “Are you sure, Jaden? Really sure this isn’t going to backfire?”

Jaden met her gaze. “I’d bet my life on it.”

That stopped her cold.

And that was enough.

She looked at her parents, nodded once, and they all silently agreed.

With a deep breath, Jaden cradled Mia in his arms, straightened his jacket, and led the way out the door.