114 Chapter 114 – The Braggart’s Bluff and the Quiet Challenger
I stood at the edge of the crowd, watching Violet Miller with her gaggle of friends. They huddled together like exotic birds, all designer clothes and practiced laughter. Even here, surrounded
create her own exclus strangers awaiting a martial arts duel, Violet managed to
social bubble,
She caught my eye and smirked, whispering something that made her friends turn and stare. I could practically read their thoughts–there stood Seraphina Sterling’s
pathetic ex–husband, the man who’d endured three years of humiliation before being tossed aside.
“Poor thing,” one of her friends stage–whispered loud enough for me to hear. “Still hanging around like a stray dog
I ignored them, focusing instead on the qi–rich environment of Water Dragon Cave. The natural energy here was fascinating, collecting in swirling pools above the hot springs. I was mentally mapping these energy currents when Violet broke away from her group and approached me.
“Liam,” she said with false sweetness, “I’ve been thinking about your… situation.”
“Have you?” I replied disinterestedly.
She nodded, her expression a perfect mask of concern. “It must be difficult for you. Living without the Sterling family’s support, I mean. Seraphina told me she kicked you out again last month.”
I almost laughed. Seraphina was still spinning tales, it seemed.
“I know a shelter that might take you in,” Violet continued, her voice dripping with fake compassion. “They help men in… unfortunate circumstances.”
A few nearby spectators glanced our way, some with pity in their eyes. This was exactly what Violet wanted–to humiliate me publicly one more time.
“I don’t need charity, Violet,” I said calmly. “Especially not yours.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Still proud, even with nothing to your name? How
114 Chapter 114–The Braggart’s Bluff and the Quiet Challenger
typically foolish.”
Before I could respond, a commotion at the edge of the gathering caught everyone’s attention. A young man in an expensive suit pushed his way through the crowd, trailing four friends who looked equally wealthy and equally entitled.
“Make way! Coming through!” he announced loudly.
Violet’s eyes lit up. “Darwin! Over here!”
The young man–Darwin–spotted us and headed in our direction, his entourage following closely. He was perhaps twenty–five, with carefully styled hair and a confident swagger that spoke of family money rather than earned success.
“Violet Miller,” he said with exaggerated charm, taking her hand and kissing it. “You look ravishing as always.”
She giggled, clearly flattered. “Everyone, this is Darwin Hebert. His family owns half the shipping industry in South City.”
Darwin beamed at the introduction. “Only a third, actually, but we’re expanding.” He glanced at me briefly but dismissed me just as quickly, turning back to Violet. “Are you here for the duel? Everyone’s talking about it.”
“Of course,” Violet replied. “Though I didn’t expect it to draw such a crowd. Is Asher Lane really that famous?”
Darwin puffed up like a peacock. “Asher and I go way back. We attended the same private academy. He actually invited me to watch from the VIP section.”
One of Violet’s friends gasped. “You know Asher Lane personally? The Younger Lord of the Lane Family?”
“We’re not close friends,” Darwin admitted, though his tone suggested otherwise. “But we move in the same circles. He’ll acknowledge me, certainly.”
Violet suddenly grabbed his arm. “Darwin, that’s perfect! Could you get us into the VIP section too? It would be so much better than watching with the common crowd.” Darwin’s smile faltered slightly. “Well… I don’t know if I can bring a whole group… “Please,” Violet pleaded, batting her eyelashes. “We’d be so grateful.”
114 Chapter 114- The Braggart’s Bluff and the Quiet Challonger
I watched the exchange with quiet amusement. It was obvious that Darwin’s connection to Asher Lane was tenuous at best, a relationship he’d exaggerated to Impress Violet and her friends.
After a few more s of theatrical hesitation, Darwin relented. “I: try. For you, Violet.”
I could
She beamed triumphantly, then seemed to remember I was still standing there. “Oh, Darwin, this is Liam Knight. He was married to my sister.”
Darwin barely glanced at me. “Knight, you say? Like that challenger everyone’s talking
about?”
“The same name,” Violet replied with a laugh. “Though obviously not the same person.” Darwin nodded knowingly. “Of course not. I actually know the real Liam Knight who’s challenging Asher.”
My eyebrows rose slightly. This was getting interesting.
“You do?” one of Violet’s friends asked.
“Certainly,” Darwin said, warming to his audience. “The Liam Knight challenging Asher comes from an influential family in Veridia City. Distant relatives of the Ashworths, from what I understand.”
Violet’s eyes widened. “Really? Then why haven’t I heard of them?”
Darwin waved dismissively. “They keep a low profile here in South City, but they’re quite powerful in Veridia. I met him at a business dinner last month. Confident fellow, though perhaps overestimating himself in challenging Asher.”
I crossed my arms, watching as Darwin’s fabrication grew more elaborate with each passing moment. It was remarkable how easily he lied, and how readily everyone believed him.
“What’s he like?” Violet pressed. “This Liam Knight from Veridia?”
Darwin smiled as if sharing a secret. “Typical new money–flashy, trying too hard to impress. We shared a bottle of fifty–year–old whiskey while discussing investment opportunities. He mentioned challenging Asher then, though I advised against it.” One of his friends–clearly knowing better–shifted uncomfortably. “Darwin, are you
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114 Chapter 114. The rappers Tuff and the Gre
sure about this? I haven’t heard of any Knight family connected to the Ashworths
“That’s because you don’t move in the right circles; Darwin replied smoothly. “Lam Knight and I have dined together on several occasions. In fact, he specifically asked for my advice before issuing this challenge to Asher:
Something in me snapped. The audacity of this man, fabricating stories about me to impress people who had once delighted in my humiliation–it was too much to let
pass.
I stepped forward, my voice cutting through the conversation like a blade.
“If you and I have dined together so many times,” I said quietly, “then how come I don’t know you?”
The group fell silent. Darwin blinked, confusion crossing his features before realization dawned. His face paled visibly as he connected the dots.
“You’re…” he stammered. “You can’t be…”
“Liam Knight,” I supplied, offering my hand with mock politeness. “The one challenging Asher Lane today. Though I don’t recall sharing any fifty–year–old whiskey with you. nor asking for your advice.”
Violet’s jaw dropped. “Wait, you’re actually the challenger?”
I turned to her, enjoying the shock on her face. “Surprised? I thought the Sterling family kept better track of their castoffs.”
Darwin took an instinctive step back. “There must be some misunderstanding. I meant a different Liam Knight-”
“A different Liam Knight,” I cut in, “who’s also challenging Asher Lane today at Water Dragon Cave? What remarkable coincidence.”
The group around us had grown larger as nearby spectators sensed the brewing confrontation. Darwin’s friends were backing away, clearly wanting no part in his humiliation.
“I–I may have exaggerated somewhat,” Darwin admitted, sweat beading on his forehead.
“Somewhat?” I repeated, my voice dangerously soft. “You invented an entire
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relationship out of thin air to impress these people.”
Violet had recovered enough to attempt damage control. “Surely this is just at misunderstanding. Darwin probably heard about you from someone else.”
“Even now, you can’t help but lie,” I said, looking at her directly. “Old habits die hard in the Sterling circle, it seems.
Darwin’s face had shifted from embarrassment to anger. “Do you know who I am? Who my family is?”
I stepped closer to him, close enough that only he could hear my next words. “I know exactly what you are–a man who builds himself up with lies because the truth isn’t impressive enough.”
His eyes widened, and for a moment I thought he might try to strike me. Instead, he straightened his jacket with trembling hands.
“This is absurd,” he announced to anyone listening. “I’m going to find Asher. He’ll sort
this out.”
As Darwin pushed his way through the crowd, his friends hurrying after him, Violet stared at me with new eyes. Gone was the contemptuous sister–in–law who had delighted in my humiliation. In her place stood someone witnessing the emergence of a man she didn’t recognize–and couldn’t dismiss.
“You’re really fighting Asher Lane?” she asked, her voice smaller than before.
I nodded. “In about twenty minutes.”
“But why? He’s dangerous, Liam. People say he’s crippled opponents.”
“Perhaps he’s never faced the right opponent,” I replied calmly.
Whispers rippled through the gathering crowd. I could feel their eyes on me, reassessing, wondering. The man they’d pitied moments ago now stood at the center of an unfolding drama, challenging not just Asher Lane but their entire understanding of who Liam Knight was.
Violet stepped closer, lowering her voice. “What happened to you? You’re… different.”
I smiled slightly. “People change, Violet. Some evolve. Others,” I glanced in the direction Darwin had fled, “just pretend to.”
114 Chapter 114–The Braggart’s Bluff and the Quiet Challenger
The crowd parted suddenly as officials from the Lane Family began cordoning off the duel area. Through the shifting mass of spectators, I caught sight of a familiar face- Asher Lane himself, surrounded by his entourage, moving toward the prepared platform.
Our eyes met across the distance. His narrowed slightly, assessing me with cold calculation. I held his gaze steadily, allowing no emotion to show on my face.
Violet followed my line of sight and paled. “Liam, it’s not too late to withdraw. No one would blame you.”
“I’m not here for anyone’s approval,” I said, my eyes still locked with Asher’s. “I’m here to settle a debt.”
As officials began calling for spectators to take their places, I turned to Violet one last time. “You should find a good spot to watch. After all, how often do you get to see
to burn down?” someone rise from the ashes of the life your family
Without waiting for her response, I moved toward the platform where Asher Lane waited, leaving behind the whispers, the doubts, and the ghosts of my former self.
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