The King Of War Returns (Jaden Rift) novel Chapter 67

The silence had barely settled before someone in the back muttered, “So what if it’s fake?”

Another voice chimed in, louder, “Yeah… I mean, it looks expensive. He still spent fifty million on it.”

“Must’ve been scammed,” someone else added with a sympathetic shrug. “Poor guy.”

“It’s not even his fault,” a lady in a red dress said.

“Even a fake that realistic would cost a fortune. That’s effort.”

"It's still better than bringing a trash wrapped in a rag"

A small wave of agreement passed through the crowd. Heads began nodding. Whispers shifted again — this time leaning back toward Stanwell.

Sensing it, Stanwell straightened, brushing invisible dust from his sleeve and flashing his smile once more.

“I may have been misled, but at least I brought something worthy,” he said, loudly. “Unlike some people who show up with rags from a thrift store.”

The guests laughed again, rallying behind him like sheep behind a shepherd.

Stanwell turned toward Jaden, his smugness fully restored. “Well then,” he sneered, “since we’re playing judge and jury tonight… why don’t you show us what’s inside that precious piece of cloth you brought?”

A few guests started chanting.

“Yeah, show us!”

“Let’s see it!”

“What’s inside the rag, mystery man?”

“Wait— That’s… That’s a Verdant Emblem,” he whispered.

Someone turned to him. “A what?”

Donald stepped forward slowly, eyes locked on the figurine. “There are only seven of them known in the world. All were thought to be locked in private collections, gifted between kings, or held by ancient noble lines. They’re… priceless.”

He looked up at Jaden in awe. “Where did you even—?”

Jaden said nothing. He just slipped his hands into his pockets, calm.

The crowd now stood motionless, eyes wide, trying to grasp what they were seeing.

Hannah’s lips parted in shock. Even she hadn’t expected this.