Secret
115 Chapter 115 – A Lord’s Scorn and a Cave’s Secret
Eamon Greene shifted uncomfortably beside me as we stood at the edge of the gathering crowd. His cane tapped nervously against the rocky ground while we watched Violet and Darwin’e from a distance.
“That’s Darwin Hebert,” Eamon whispered. “His father’s some mid–level bureaucrat who throws his weight around South City. The son is worse than the father–all bark, no bite.”
I nodded, my attention split between their conversation and the sealed entrance to the Water Dragon Cave. Even from here, I could sense the spiritual energy leaking from the ancient stone doors–a tantalizing whisper of power that most couldn’t perceive.
“Looks like they’re coming this way,” Eamon muttered.
Sure enough, Violet was steering Darwin in our direction, her face lighting up with malicious delight. I’d seen that expression before–it was the same look she wore whenever she was about to witness my humiliation at the Sterling household. “Liam,” she called out with false sweetness. “I want you to meet someone important.” Darwin sized me up with a dismissive glance, clearly unimpressed. He was dressed in an expensive suit that couldn’t quite hide his soft physique–the body of someone who had never known real struggle.
“This is Darwin Hebert, Violet said, her voice dripping with admiration. “His family is very influential in South City.”
Darwin’s chest puffed out. “The Heberts have connections throughout the region. My father sits on the Commerce Council.”
I nodded politely but said nothing.
Violet’s smile turned predatory. “Darwin, this is Liam Knight, the one I was telling you about. He was married into my sister’s family.” She paused dramatically. “As a live–in son–in–law.”
Darwin’s eyebrows shot up, and a smirk spread across his face. “A live–in son–in–law? I haven’t seen one of those in years. I thought that outdated custom died out with our
115 Chapter 115 A Lord’s Scom and a Cave’s Secret
grandparents‘ generation.”
“The Sterling family is quite traditional,” I replied evenly.
“Traditional?” Darwin snorted. “That’s a polite word for it. In my circles, we call live–in husbands something else entirely.”
Eamon stepped forward, his grip tightening on his cane. “Watch your mouth, Hebert.”
Darwin’s gaze flicked to Eamon, taking in his limp and the cane. “And who might you be?”
“Eamon Greene. I suggest you mind your manners.”
Darwin laughed, a hollow sound that grated on my nerves. “A cripple defending a kept man? Now I’ve seen everything.”
The color drained from Eamon’s face. Before he could respond, I placed a hand on his shoulder.
“It’s not worth it, Eamon.”
Darwin turned back to me, emboldened. “Listen to your friend, Knight. Though I’m surprised you need protection. Doesn’t your wife handle that for you?”
“Ex–wife,” I corrected calmly. “Seraphina and I are separated.”
This seemed to surprise Violet. “Since when?”
“Since I realized I deserved better.”
Violet’s eyes narrowed at my unexpected response. Before she could reply, Darwin continued his assault.
“I’ve heard about the Sterling family,” he sneered. “Old money, but barely hanging on. Is that why they needed to bring in someone like you? To do the dirty work while they pretend they’re still relevant?”
Eamon tensed beside me, his knuckles white around the handle of his cane. “You entitled little-
“Darwin, please,” Violet interrupted, placing a hand on his arm. “Let’s not make a scene. The Lane Family representatives are here.”
115 Chapter 115 A Lord’s Scorn and a Cave’s Secret
Darwin glanced around, noting the growing crowd. He straightened his jacket and nodded. “You’re right. Some people aren’t worth the effort.
He gave me one last contemptuous look before turning to Violet. “I’ll speak to Asher about getting us access to the Water Dragon Cave. You, me, and Selina.”
“That would be wonderful,” Violet cooed..
Darwin pointed at me and Eamon. “These two aren’t invited, of course.”
“Of course,” Violet agreed with a smirk in my direction.
As they walked away, Eamon let out a slow breath. “You should have let me knock that smug look off his face.”
“And what would that accomplish?” I asked, watching as Darwin strutted toward a gathering of officials. “Besides, I have more important things to focus on.”
My gaze drifted back to the sealed entrance of the Water Dragon Cave. The ancient structure pulsed with hidden energy that sent tingles down my spine. Most people came to this area for the hot springs or the scenery, but I sensed something far more valuable within those stone walls.
“The spiritual energy here is remarkable,” I murmured, more to myself than to Eamon. “I’ll need to find a way inside when there are fewer people around.”
Eamon looked at me curiously. “You can sense that?”
Before I could answer, a commotion rippled through the crowd. People stepped back respectfully as a young man in elegant robes approached, flanked by stern–faced. guards.
“That’s Asher Lane,” Eamon whispered urgently. “The Younger Lord of the Lane Family.” Asher Lane moved with the confident grace of someone who had never questioned his place in the world. He was perhaps a few years older than me, with sharp features and calculating eyes that missed nothing. Power radiated from him–not just the social authority of his position, but the unmistakable aura of a skilled cultivator.
I watched with interest as Darwin pushed his way through the crowd toward Asher, Violet trailing eagerly behind him. Darwin’s voice carried across the clearing as he called out.
115 Chapter 115 A Lord’s Scorn and a Cavo’s Secret
“Asher! Asher Lane! It’s me, Darwin Hebert!”
Asher paused, his expression unreadable as Darwin approached with an ingratiating
smile.
“Lord Lane, what an honor to see you again,” Darwin gushed, bowing deeply. “Perhaps you remember me? My father serves on the Commerce Council.”
Asher regarded him coldly. “And you are?”
Darwin’s smile faltered slightly. “Darwin Hebert, sir. We met at the Governor’s banquet last spring.”
“Did we? I don’t recall.”
Darwin pressed on desperately. “I was hoping I might ask a small favor. My friends and I–he gestured to Violet-“were wondering if we might receive permission to tour the Water Dragon Cave. I know it’s restricted, but given my father’s position-”
The slap echoed across the clearing like a thunderclap. Darwin staggered backward, clutching his reddened cheek as Asher lowered his hand.
“Your father,” Asher said coldly, “is a nobody. A minor official who overestimates his importance. And you presume to approach me with requests? To invoke your father’s name as if it means something to the Lane Family?”
The crowd fell silent. Darwin stood frozen, shock and humiliation warring on his face. “I–I apologize, Lord Lane,” he stammered. “I meant no disrespect.”
“Yet you delivered it nonetheless.” Asher’s voice was ice. “Remove yourself from my sight.”
Darwin backed away, his earlier bravado completely shattered. Violet had already melted into the crowd, abandoning him to his public disgrace. As Darwin retreated, his eyes briefly met mine, burning with helpless rage and embarrassment.
I watched impassively. Whatever sympathy I might have felt was extinguished by the memory of his cruelty toward Eamon.
“The mighty fall quickly,” Eamon murmured beside me.
I nodded, turning
my attention back to Asher Lane. To my surprise, the young lord had
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finished dismissing Darwin and was now looking directly at me, his piercing gaze assessing. Without a word to his guards, he began walking in my direction.
Eamon tensed. “Liam, that’s Asher Lane coming towards us.”
“I can see that.”
“Do you know him?”
“No,” I replied calmly, though my with possibilities. “But it seems I’m about
to.”
mind race
Asher Lane’s purposeful stride carried him straight toward me, the crowd parting before him like water. Whatever the Younger Lord of the Lane Family wanted with me, I doubted it was social pleasantries–not after that display with Darwin.
As he drew closer, I stood my ground, meeting his gaze without flinching. Something flickered in his eyes–surprise, perhaps, at my lack of deference. Or maybe something else entirely.
Asher Lane stopped directly in front of me, close enough that I could see the intricate embroidery on his robes and the jade pendant hanging from his belt–a symbol of his status and power.
The air between us crackled with tension as the entire gathering held its breath.
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