The King Of War Returns (Jaden Rift) novel Chapter 65

An hour passed. The music returned, laughter resumed, and the storm between Jaden and Stanwell has been settled at least on the surface. Guests gathered near the center of the hall, where a long table had been cleared. A single velvet chair sat at the end, reserved for Hannah.

It was time for the gifts.

One by one, the suitors came forward—clean suits, polished shoes, and eager smiles. Every man with status had brought something. Watches. Gemstones. Customized perfumes. Cars. Some gave stocks. Others offered estate papers.

Hannah smiled graciously at each one, thanking them, even if her eyes flickered with boredom now and then.

They all wanted her. Every single one of them. And why wouldn’t they?

She was Hannah Winston—beautiful, elegant, born into power, and the face of Winston Corp’s future.

“Next up,” someone called, grinning wide, “Mr. Stanwell Wood.”

A round of cheers broke out. Champagne glasses clinked. All eyes turned toward Stanwell as he stepped forward with a confident stride, carrying a long, jet-black case under his arm.

The crowd buzzed louder. Everyone knew this was the moment to beat.

Stanwell smiled wide as he set the case down in front of Hannah. “Happy birthday, Hannah,” he said. “I hope this shows you how much I value you.”

He opened the case with a flourish.

Inside was a necklace. Not just any necklace—a radiant sapphire wrapped in a platinum chain, shimmering under the crystal lights. The sapphire was deep blue, surrounded by diamond studs that sparkled like they were breathing.

Gasps filled the room.

Someone muttered, “That’s easily worth fifty million…”

“Maybe more.”

Stanwell stood tall, soaking it in. “Custom made. From the royal mines in Verona. Took me six months to get my hands on it.”

The applause was deafening. Hannah nodded politely, a practiced smile on her lips, but her eyes wandered—searching.

Then she saw him.

Jaden, still standing in the back, holding something small in his palm. No box. No show. No velvet case.

Just a simple, folded cloth in his hand.

“Jaden?” she called, her voice cutting through the noise.

Heads turned.

He walked forward slowly, quiet. No applause. No crowd leaning in. Just silence, like everyone was waiting to laugh.

He reached her and held out the cloth. “Happy birthday.”

She didn’t hesitate. She stepped down from her seat and took it from him with both hands, smiling like a child getting her favorite candy.

The guests laughed harder this time.

But Jaden didn’t flinch. He turned his eyes toward Stanwell, calm as ever, voice even.

“You’re bragging so hard,” he said, “even though your gift’s a fake.”

The laughter stopped.

Stanwell’s eyes twitched.

“What?”

Jaden nodded at the necklace. “The sapphire’s glass. And the diamonds are cubic zirconia. Impressive copy, but not the real thing.”

Gasps broke out again—this time for a different reason.

Stanwell’s chest rose. “How dare you—”

“You really came here to flex,” Jaden said, his smile never fading, “with a fifty-million-dollar fake?”

Stanwell’s voice cracked as he stepped closer, fists clenched.

“How dare you call my present worth fifty million… fake?”