The King Of War Returns (Jaden Rift) novel Chapter 42

“Fatima, there’s so many of you just against one person. Why can’t you just leave Julie alone?” Selena stepped forward, her voice shaking but her eyes locked on Fatima.

Fatima turned slowly, lips curling into a wicked smile. “You little brat…” She raised a finger and pointed at Selena’s face. “Shut the hell up before I rip your mouth off!”

Julie shoved Selena slightly behind her. “Don’t involve Selena in this,” she snapped. “This is between us. Face me if you have the guts.”

Fatima threw her head back and laughed. Her posse followed suit, their mocking echo filling the air.

“Well, well, looks like the little kitten’s grown some claws.” Fatima stepped closer, nose inches from Julie’s. “Too bad claws won’t save a poor, defenseless girl like you. Remind me, how’s your father doing? Still selling rotting meat in that dirty shop?”

Laughter roared again.

Julie didn’t flinch. Her voice was low, steady. “Keep my family out of your mouth.”

“You’re lucky I’m not the one handling you today,” Fatima sneered. “My cousin is.”

Before Julie could respond, a rough hand clamped over her mouth from behind. She struggled, eyes wide with panic.

“Let me go! Get your filthy—!” Her scream was cut short as a black sack was pulled over her head and tightened.

“JULIE!!” Selena shouted, lunging forward, but one of the guys shoved her to the ground. She scrambled up, heart racing, and bolted straight for the reception building.

Inside the reception...

Bob leaned back lazily in his chair, toothpick between his lips, while Norman scrolled through his phone. School staff bustled around nervously, offering drinks, snacks, anything to stay in their good books.

“Dismissal bell just rang,” Bob muttered. “She should be out any second.”

“Good,” Norman replied. “We can’t mess this up. If we do, Jaden will—”

“Don’t even say it,” Bob interrupted. “My arm still twitches when I remember what he did last time.”

The door slammed open.

“TEACHER HARRISON!” Selena burst in, panting and frantic. “Teacher Harrison!!”

Harrison turned, irritated. “What the hell’s wrong with you, girl? Don’t you see we have VIP guests here? You wanna get expelled for screaming like a banshee?”

“Julie’s been kidnapped!” she gasped. “They took her, right outside the school gate!”

Harrison blinked, scoffed. “What kind of joke is that? This isn’t the time for stupid stories.”

“I SAW IT! She was dragged away in a sack!”

“I said get out. I don’t care about petty student drama right now. I’m handling more important matters.” He turned to go back inside.

But Selena wasn’t done. She shoved the door open again and shouted, “PLEASE! If no one helps, they’ll kill her!”

Norman’s gaze zeroed in on Fatima like a hawk. He didn’t hesitate.

“You little bitch,” he said darkly. “Where’s Julie?”

Fatima turned, scoffing. “Who the hell do you think you’re talking to—?”

Her sentence cut off with a loud SLAP that echoed across the yard. Norman’s hand had struck like lightning. Fatima hit the ground, stunned.

“Do you think I’m here to play games with you?” he snarled.

“You... you slapped me?!” Fatima stammered, holding her cheek. “You’re dead. Do you know who I am? Boys, get him!”

But the boys didn’t move. They were frozen, wide-eyed. They all know who Norman and Bob were, but it looks like Fatima has no idea what dangerous men are standing before her.

One of them leaned toward her and whispered quickly.

Fatima’s expression went pale. “W-What?”

She turned to look at Norman again. This time, with dread.

“Oh no…” she whimpered. “Please, I’m sorry. I didn’t know... I didn’t know it was you…”

She dropped to her knees and kowtowed at Norman’s feet. “Forgive me, master. I had no idea. Please spare me.”