The King Of War Returns (Jaden Rift) novel Chapter 58

“Ah! Found it!” Julie squealed, lifting a sleek, shimmering emerald dress off the rack. “This is the one I saw last week. She’ll love it!”

She picked out a few accessories and clutch bags, her eyes dancing with excitement. “Alright, all set. Let’s go pay.”

Just as they were turning toward the front counter, the man in a black vest stepped out from between the aisles, smiling a little too widely.

“Customers, right this way please. Payment is handled over here,” he said, gesturing towards a narrow hallway near the side of the boutique.

Julie squinted at him. “Wait… that’s not where the cashier is.” Her tone turned cautious. “I’ve been coming here for years. The counter’s up front.”

The man chuckled, his grin not reaching his eyes. “Ah, yes. But this is a special checkout area—for premium customers like yourselves.”

Jaden narrowed his eyes slightly, his body instinctively shifting between Julie and the man. Julie frowned but followed cautiously, still clutching the neatly wrapped package.

As they reached the small backroom, the man stepped aside and leaned against the doorframe. “Your total is five million dollars,” he said, smugness dripping from his voice.

Julie’s jaw dropped. “What?! Are you insane? This isn't even five thousand! You’re out of your mind!”

Jaden remained silent, his hands in his pockets, but there was a calm, dangerous edge to his smile.

The man smirked. “I’d suggest you pay up quickly. I don’t want any… misunderstandings.”

Julie glared and dropped the package at the man’s feet. “Keep your stupid dress. We’re not paying for this scam. Let’s go, Jaden.”

She tugged at her brother’s sleeve—but the moment they turned, they were blocked.

A group of five men stood there, big, thuggish, each with blunt weapons strapped to their backs or tucked in their belts. In front of them stood the boutique’s manager—a round-bellied man in a suit that barely fit over his gut, arms crossed, eyes full of venom.

“Well, well,” the manager sneered. “Walking out without paying? That’s theft.”

Julie stepped forward, her voice firm. “Your staff is trying to cheat us. Two dresses—two thousand total. We checked the prices before coming. And now he's telling us it's five million, that's outrageous.”

The manager raised a hand, mockingly. “Ah ah ah… store rules. Whatever you pick, you pay. And the price?” He tapped his temple. “Is what we say it is.”

He turned to the men behind him. “And if you don’t… well, let’s just say your faces will be part of our clearance sale.”

Jaden’s expression didn’t change. Calm. Cold. Dangerous.

“I was hoping to stay quiet for a little longer,” he muttered, raising his palm slowly. “But clowns like you make it hard.”

Suddenly—

BOOM!

A violent shockwave erupted from his open hand, rippling through the air like a sonic cannon. The force slammed into the manager and his thugs like a wrecking ball. Bodies flew backward, crashing into shelves, racks, and walls. Clothes, mannequins, and shattered glass rained through the boutique like a storm.

The manager let out a howl as his body smashed into a display case, his leg twisting unnaturally. The thugs groaned and writhed, some unconscious, others howling in pain with bones visibly broken.

Silence.

Julie stood frozen, blinking. Her mouth was slightly open in disbelief.

Jaden slowly lowered his hand, dusting off imaginary dirt from his sleeve.

“Next time,” he said, stepping over the writhing bodies, “don’t start a fight you’re too stupid to finish.”