The King Of War Returns (Jaden Rift) novel Chapter 53

Andrew Blake.

A name that made even the most hardened men pause.

The son of General Maxwell Blake—commander of Ravenmoor’s military elite and architect of countless secret wars. The Blake family was one of the Seven Pillars of the city. Arrogant. Dangerous. Feared. And Andrew? He never lost a bid. Ever.

Tonight was no different.

Hands buried casually in his pockets, Andrew smirked as he stood from his seat, eyes gleaming with triumph. “One billion,” he said coolly. “And I take her home tonight.”

The entire hall fell silent.

Mouths hung open.

“He’s serious?”

“No one’s beating that…”

“Fucking hell, it’s Blake…”

Hannah’s heart sank. Her knees wobbled. Her lips trembled as she closed her eyes. Jadden… please... where are you?

The host cleared his throat quickly, adjusting his collar as he forced a smile. “V-Very well then. Sold! One billion to Mr. Blake! She’s all yours, sir.”

Andrew walked toward the stage with a casual arrogance only a man like him could wear. He ascended slowly, like a king approaching his throne.

He crouched in front of Hannah, fingers lifting her chin roughly.

“Hmph,” he muttered, eyes sweeping over her face. “So this is the girl Derek couldn't get?” His grin widened. “Tsk. What a fool.”

His breath reeked of whiskey and smoke as he leaned in close.

“Don’t worry, darling. I’ll take care of you tonight.” He winked.

Hannah flinched, turning her face away in disgust.

Andrew chuckled, standing up as he lit a cigarette, the flame from his gold lighter flickering in his cold eyes.

“This isn’t just about you, sweetheart,” he said, exhaling smoke. “This is about Derek fucking Thornfell. That bastard’s been in my way for years. Tonight, I finally win.”

Derek and Andrew has been rivals for many years as the the sons of the wealthiest families in the city, they're always in competition.

He turned to the guards. “Untie her. Bring her to my room.”

The men moved without question, untying Hannah as she kicked and screamed.

“No—no, please! Don’t do this!”

Andrew didn’t even look back.

He took two steps—

BOOM!

The double doors exploded open.

Smoke and splinters flew into the air as the steel doors crashed against the walls. The music stopped. The lights flickered.

Every head in the room snapped toward the entrance.

A man stood in the smoke, shoulders broad, head down... dragging something behind him.

Whispers rose like wildfire.

“What the hell…?”

“Who is that?”

“The fuck just happened?!”

As the smoke cleared, the man stepped into view—his black coat billowing behind him like wings of death.

Jaden.

And in his right hand?

He dragged Rafael, the club’s boss—his face beaten into a bloody pulp, barely conscious, one eye swollen shut, mouth dripping blood. Like a ragdoll, his body scraped across the marble floor, leaving a smear of red behind.

The silence turned deadly.

Every mouth went shut.

Jaden let go of Rafael, letting the body drop with a hard thud.

Jayden didn’t even glance at him.

He was focused on one thing.

Hannah.

Two club girls in tight black dresses darted forward to block his path, heels clicking, lips curled in seductive arrogance.

“This area is restricted, baby,” one of them purred, placing a hand on Jaden’s chest.

The other licked her lips. “Why don’t you come play with us instead?”

Jaden stopped.

They smiled.

Then—

BAM!

He sent the first one flying with a backhand so fast, her body spun mid-air before she crashed into a row of seats.

CRACK!

The second girl caught a clean roundhouse to the jaw, her neck snapping sideways as she crumpled like a puppet whose strings had been cut.

Silence.

Even Andrew blinked.

Jaden stood in the center of the room, fists clenched, blood on his knuckles.

Everyone watched.

The devil had just walked in.

And he was angry.

"Who the hell are you?" Andrew asked.