Chapter 5: Darion Group, Melina Shadboult

Words : 1806 Updated : Dec 17th, 2025

After hanging up, Jaden Waller took a cab to Darion Group. He arrived at the base of the building. "They probably haven't gotten off work yet," he murmured, then headed straight inside. "Sorry, sir, you can't just walk in. Who are you here to see?" the receptionist called. Jaden glanced back at her. "Melina Shadboult." "You're looking for Director Shadboult?" "Yes." "Let me call to confirm. What's your name, sir?" She turned to pick up the phone. By the time she looked up, Jaden was gone. "Huh? Where did he go?" She frowned. "He was just here. Did he leave?" Meanwhile, Jaden had already slipped inside. From the entrance, he spotted a stylish silhouette through a glass door, busy at her desk. The words on the glass read Melina's Office. He started toward it, but Melina suddenly stood, pushed the door open, and hurried out with an armful of files. "Hello, do you need something, sir? Do you need help?" someone walked up to ask him. "No," Jaden said casually-and vanished again. "Where did he go? Damn, did we just see a ghost in broad daylight?" By then, Jaden had stepped into Melina's office. He picked up a photo frame from the desk and glanced at it. Inside was an old picture-of himself. Not the man he was now, but himself from five years ago, still green, still a little naive. He stared for a moment, then a quiet smile tugged at his lips. "I didn't think you'd kept this photo," he murmured. A burst of shouting came from the next room. "Mr. Duffus, show some respect!" "Director Shadboult, I really like you. I really, really like you!" "I fell for you the moment you joined the company!" "You're so beautiful-there isn't a more beautiful woman in all Jenos. Be with me, and I'll make you the president's wife!" "I don't like you." "Mr. Duffus, mind your hands." "If you keep this up, I'll call someone," Melina said coldly. "Hahaha! Go on, scream. See if ripping your throat out helps. This is my turf! Whoever dares butt in, I'll have them out the door in minutes!" "Ah! You-how dare you grab me!" "Melina Shadboult, don't think that just because you're the Shadboult family's eldest daughter I won't touch you. You've already fallen out with the Shadboult family!" "You're smart. You know how the workplace works. If you want to climb, you need backing! Why do you think Lina in Marketing became a vice president in just six months, while you work yourself to the bone and you're still only a director? Because you refuse to take shortcuts. All you need to do is spread your legs and throw yourself into my arms, and I'll rocket you straight to the top!" "Enough." "You're disgusting," Melina said, face like ice. "Don't think I don't know you still pine for that kid named Waller. The Waller family disappeared five years ago! Who knows if that boy is even alive?" "Is it worth waiting five years for someone whose life or death is unknown?" "As long as you choose me today, I'll sign this contract on the spot. The commission on this one deal is half a million." "That apartment you're renting isn't cheap!" "No need," Melina said, reaching for the door. "If you walk out that door today, there will be someone in your seat tomorrow." Crash! The door exploded. Jaden stepped through the curtain of glass, crunching shards underfoot as he moved in, colder than a man risen out of hell. In a heartbeat, he stood before the president of Darion Group. "Who let you in here? Get out. Now!" Eugene Duffus barked, thinking Jaden was an employee. Whoosh! A second later, Eugene shot out of the office and slammed onto a desk outside. Gasps went up; the entire floor fell dead silent. "What happened?" "W-what was that?" "How did Mr. Duffus just fly out?" "There's so much blood. Should we call an ambulance?" "Who is that guy?" "He doesn't look like one of ours." "When did he get in?" "Call security! Where's security?" Inside, Melina stared at Jaden's back, dazed. That silhouette felt too familiar. Even after five years, it was exactly as she remembered-only taller now, broader in the shoulders. "Is… is that you?" Her lips trembled as she fought back tears. "It is," Jaden said without turning. He didn't dare face her. He was afraid he wouldn't be able to hold it together. The master of Longevity Hall couldn't break down in front of people. If word spread, wouldn't that be a joke? "Please… turn around. Let me see you." "Let me deal with this piece of trash first," Jaden said, and walked out toward Eugene. Eugene watched him come, terror crawling over his face. "D-d-don't come any closer!" Jaden kept advancing as if he hadn't heard. "Stop him! Stop him! Don't let him get here!" Eugene shouted. "Whoever stops him gets three months of bonus!" No one moved. Everyone preferred to keep their heads down. "Stop. What you're doing is illegal!" A young man stepped out of the crowd and leveled a righteous stare at Jaden. He looked like a hero-but he was really angling for the director's chair. "Illegal? Then call someone to arrest me," Jaden said with a cold smile. "The funniest thing in this world is the law. If there had been a law back then, my father wouldn't have been dragged away for no reason, and my mother wouldn't have hanged herself." Smack! Jaden sent the young man sprawling with a single slap, then kept striding toward Eugene. "Who are you? How did I offend you?" Eugene stammered. He had never met Jaden before-this was their first encounter. "Which hand did you use to touch her?" Jaden asked, expression blank. Eugene said nothing. He didn't even understand the question. "No answer? Then it was your right hand." Crack! Jaden wrenched off Eugene's right arm and tossed it to the floor. Blood sprayed. The sight was brutal. "Ah! My arm!" Eugene screamed, his face carved with fear. "Scarlett said the best way to deal with scum like you is physical castration." Jaden drove his foot into Eugene's crotch, again and again, more than ten kicks. Pop! His balls burst. His manhood was finished. "Aaaah!!!" A pig-squeal howl tore through the entire tower. Around them, employees felt their scalps crawl and a cold shiver stab straight down below.

Chapter 5: Darion Group, Melina Shadboult

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