Chapter 40: Reward?

The arena still roared behind them, thousands of voices chanting Jax’s name But inside the VIP box there was complete silence.

Jax walked ahead, his academy uniform wrinkled from wearing armor underneath. Sweat clung to his skin but his steps were steady.

Confident.

Behind him, Paige followed, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Kiera walked beside her mother, arms crossed and her face was unreadable.

Security flanked them from all sides, pushing back the swarm of reporters that had tried to rush the moment they left the field.

"Jax! Jax! One question!"

"How did you predict every shot?!"

"Were you hiding your skills this whole time tell us?!"

The guards pushed them back. "No interviews! Move aside!"

Paige glanced at her son’s back. Her chest felt tight. She’d built her empire over decades—calculated risks, ruthless negotiations and crushing competitors without mercy.

But watching Jax dismantle Jennifer’s team alone with nothing but a rifle and raw skill?

’When did he become this?’ she thought. ’When did my useless son turn into... this?’

Her lips pressed into a thin line. Pride mixed with something else. Something she hadn’t felt in years.

Respect.

They reached the private conference room. The door slid open.

Inside, the atmosphere was suffocating.

A long black table was stretched across the center. Legal teams sat on both sides, tablets glowing and documents was stacked neatly. Cameras mounted on the walls blinked red recording everything for the official archive.

And at the far end of the table sat Jennifer Reed.

Her face was hollow and she was staring at nothing. Her hands rested on the table trembling slightly.

Beside her, Zinnia sat in her chair. Her pink hair fell across her face hiding her expression. She didn’t look up. Didn’t move.

Paige entered first, chin high, every step radiating authority. She took her seat across from Jennifer, her gaze cold and sharp.

Jax followed, taking the seat beside his mother. He leaned back casually, one arm draped over the chair. His smirk never faded.

Kiera sat on Paige’s other side, silent, watching everything with sharp eyes.

One of Jennifer’s lawyers—a thin man with gray hair said. "Let’s... begin the transfer proceedings."

He slid a tablet across the table toward Jennifer. The screen glowed with the first document being displayed.

"The Reed Auction House, Central Neo Veridia. Estimated value: 4.2 billion cybers. Please sign here."

Jennifer stared at the screen. Her jaw clenched. Her hand hovered over it, shaking.

She signed.

The lawyer pulled the tablet back and replaced it with another.

"Reed Pharmaceuticals, Branch Alpha. Estimated value: 6.8 billion cybers."

Another signature. Slower this time.

"Reed Game Development Studio. Estimated value: 5.1 billion cybers."

Jennifer’s breath hitched. This one hurt more. She’d built that studio herself from nothing her first stepping stone. It was her pride.

Her hand moved. Signed.

"Reed Auction House, Eastern District. Estimated value: 3.9 billion cybers."

Another signature.

"Reed Pharmaceuticals, Branch Beta. Estimated value: 7.3 billion cybers."

Her hand trembled harder. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes but she refused to let them fall.

She signed.

"Reed Estate, Lakefront Property. Estimated value: 2.4 billion cybers."

Signature.

"Reed Holdings, Luxury Mall Chain. Estimated value: 8.6 billion cybers."

Her fingers hesitated. This was the last one. The final thing she gambled.

She signed.

The lawyer pulled the tablet back and slid it across to Paige.

"Mrs. Rayne, please confirm acceptance of transferred assets."

Paige didn’t hesitate. She signed each document smoothly. Her expression never changed.

When the last signature was complete, the lawyer nodded. "Transfer complete. All assets now legally belong to House Rayne."

Paige’s empire had just doubled in size.

Silence filled the room.

Jennifer sat there, staring at her empty hands. Half of everything she’d built. Everything she’d fought for. Gone.

Paige leaned back in her chair. Her voice was calm. "You know, Jennifer, I have to thank you."

Jennifer’s head snapped up, eyes wide with shock and fury.

But Paige continued, her tone was like mocking with sincerity. "You spent weeks planning this. Rigging polls. Hiring professionals. Stacking every advantage in your favor. You thought you had me cornered."

She tilted her head slightly. "But all you did was hand me the perfect stage to showcase my son’s genius."

Jennifer’s face twisted. "Your son—"

"Is worth more than your entire team combined," Paige cut her off coldly. "You brought six of the best shooters in Neo Veridia. Military-trained. Elite. And then there was my son—alone, unarmed by your standards wiped them out in under two minutes."

Jennifer’s hands then clenched into fists on the table.

Paige leaned forward slightly, her gaze piercing. "You wanted to humiliate me. To destroy my family’s reputation. To prove that House Reed was superior."

She smiled, sharp and cruel. "Instead, you proved the opposite. You showed the entire world that even with every advantage, every cheat, every trick you still couldn’t beat a single Rayne."

Jennifer’s breath was going faster.

Paige’s voice dropped lower but also colder. "And now? Half of everything you own is mine. Your auction houses. Your pharmaceuticals. Your beloved game studio. All mine."

She gestured casually. "I’ll probably sell a few of them. They’re not really my style. Maybe I’ll gift one to Jax as a reward. He deserves it, don’t you think?"

Jennifer’s lips trembled also her voice? It was broken. "You... you bitch..."

Paige’s smile widened. "Oh, Jennifer. I’ve been called worse by better people."

She stood smoothing her suit. "Enjoy what’s left of your empire. I’m sure you’ll manage... somehow."

Paige turned toward the door then paused. She glanced back over her shoulder.

"Oh, and one more thing. Thank you for betting. Watching you lose everything was far more satisfying than I expected."

Jennifer’s face crumpled. She lowered her head, shoulders shaking.

Zinnia finally looked up, her eyes filled with tears and hatred. "This isn’t over."

Jax spoke for the first time since entering. His voice was calm almost lazy. "Two days, Zinnia and umm. Miss Jennifer. I will come for my reward. Don’t forget."

Her face flushed red not from embarrassment, but from fury and humiliation.

Paige, Kiera and Jax left the room.

The hallway outside was quieter now. Most of the reporters had been cleared out by security.

Paige stopped walking. She turned to face Jax.

Kiera stood a few steps away watching silently.

For a long moment, Paige just stared at him. Her sharp, calculating eyes softened slightly.

Then without warning she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.

Jax froze, caught completely off guard.

Paige held him tightly, her voice was low and sincere. "Thank you."

Her grip tightened. "You saved everything. My everything. Our family’s reputation. Everything I’ve built over decades."

She pulled back slightly then was looking him in the eyes. "I don’t know when you became this capable. This strong. But I’m proud of you, Jax."

Her voice cracked just slightly. "I’m proud to call you my son."

Jax blinked, stunned. He’d never seen this side of her. The cold, ruthless businesswoman who used him as a tool was gone. Replaced by something genuine.

Paige released him stepping back and composing herself. Her mask slipped back into place but the warmth lingered in her eyes.

She cleared her throat. "You’ve done more than enough. I know you took leave from the academy to be here. You should head back early tomorrow Till then... Rest. You’ve earned it."

Jax nodded slowly. "Alright."

Paige glanced at Kiera. "Kiera, you should return to the academy as well. Your classes resume tomorrow."

Kiera stepped forward, her expression still cold. She looked at Jax briefly. "Thanks for the help."

Her tone was flat, dismissive. She didn’t wait for a response. She turned and walked away, heels clicking down the hallway.

Jax watched her go, smirking faintly. ’Still a tsundere. Some things never change.’

Paige placed a hand on his arm gently. "Come. Let’s head home first. I’ll arrange transport back to the academy for you in the morning."

"Sounds good."

They walked together toward the exit. The ride back to the Rayne mansion was easy the city lights blurring past the windows of the luxury car.

They reaches the mansion

They stepped inside. The familiar scent of expensive wood and fresh flowers filled the air.

Paige removed her heels at the entrance, padding barefoot across the polished floor. Jax followed hands in his pockets.

She glanced back at him, her expression softer now. "Before you leave... I want to give you your reward."

Jax raised an eyebrow. "Reward?"

She smiled faintly. "You saved my empire. That deserves more than just words."

She walked toward the staircase leading to the upper floor then paused. Her voice was quieter now like almost teasing.

"Follow me."

Jax’s pulse quickened. He followed her up the stairs, his eyes tracing the curve of her hips, the way her skirt hugged her body.

They reached her private room. Paige pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Jax entered behind her. The room was dimly lit and most importantly familiar.

Paige walked toward the bed slowly, her fingers brushing along the edge of the mattress.

Then she turned to face him.

Her eyes locked onto his, and for the first time, there was something different in her gaze.

Not the cold calculation. Not the dominance.

Something warmer. Something genuine.

She sat on the edge of the bed, crossing her legs slowly. Her hand reached down, fingers trailing along the top of her stocking.

She didn’t speak. She just looked at him, her lips made a knowing smile.

Then she gestured with raising her leg against his fac

’’Do the same as before and this time all the holes are yours.’’

Jax’s breath hitched. His cock twitched instantly, his resolve stat betraying him.

Paige leaned back slightly, her eyes never leaving his.

Jax stepped forward.