Yvonne, who had followed them in, was just as baffled. Normally, Nala wouldn't care about such matters. Whether there were new suitors or someone chose to withdraw from the competition, it was all insignificant to her.But this time, she had come in person to question it, which was surprising.Ryan was equally shocked. Nala's actions seemed beneath her stature, as if implying that he, a mere suitor, were important to her."Why are you interested in knowing my reason?" he asked.George looked on with curiosity. This was unprecedented."Why? Is it wrong to be interested? Just tell me if you're willing to," Nala replied.Frowning slightly, Ryan spoke up, "There's no real reason. I'm tired, and there are plenty of people better than me. My odds were always low, so stepping aside is only natural."He didn't dare mention Felix's identity as the student of the revered medical doctor. Only a fool would miss out on that kind of detail.From the gleam in Nala's eyes, it was clear that sh
In Canraville, after four hours of refining the Dragonspine, Felix drove his Range Rover away. After only a short distance, he was blocked by a Rolls-Royce Cullinan.Two people stepped out of the car. One was Aimee, Xena's cousin, and the other was an unfamiliar but handsome young man."Felix, get out!"Aimee gestured for him to step out. Seeing that Felix was ignoring her, she walked over and knocked on the window.Knowing that Aimee wouldn't give up, Felix rolled down the window. "Are you done yet?"Aimee glanced at Felix coldly. "Felix, are you a man or not? Do your words mean nothing? You said you have nothing to do with my cousin anymore, so why did you meet her again?"Felix found it amusing. Aimee was so full of herself that she dared to interfere with the goddess of war's business."That was the last we would meet."At this moment, the young man next to her spoke up, "My name is Finnley Walsh, eldest son of the Walsh family, which is one of Aleshire's most prominent fam
Wendy felt a warm happiness in her heart. Were she and Felix a perfect match? Even outsiders seemed to notice that.But when she saw the darkened expression on the young man's face, she realized the gravity of the situation."He's not my boyfriend. If he needs anything, he'll come and look himself.""Understood, Ms. Kinsley."The young man stepped closer, looking displeased. "Boyfriend? Wendy, do you think I, Dylan Fraser, am someone to be toyed with?"Wendy frowned."Dylan, I don't know how I've offended you. Even if I do have a boyfriend, what does that have to do with you?""What?"Taking a deep breath, Dylan sneered. "Fine. It has nothing to do with me, right? From now on, business between our families is over. That's the price for lying to me."Truth be told, Dylan was quite impressive in many ways and would have been a suitable match if he was not such a playboy. He was known for being a womanizer, and he didn't bother to hide it at all.Rumor had it that he was seeing
Jack glanced at Felix with a smirk and teased jokingly, "What else can I do? You made my relationship with the general manager hit rock bottom. I might have to run away now."Vanessa was speechless. She knew Felix was extraordinary, and only Jack would dare speak to him this way."Don't forget Maddy's engagement party the day after tomorrow. She asked me to remind you.""I promised her, so I'll definitely be there."Refining the Dragonspine was a top priority, but attending an event in Yartford wouldn't be a problem, either. If he went late at 4:00 am, began the training, and returned the next day, nothing would be delayed.After going to the restroom, Felix came back to find Jack suddenly pulling Vanessa to her feet."Sorry, Felix. We've got to go. Something came up."Felix was puzzled. "Do you need my help?"They had planned to have drinks, so them leaving abruptly made Felix concerned."There's nothing you can do. We're leaving!"Vanessa looked helpless and, with her strai
Felix ultimately arrived at the Wolfie troops' base, though he was quite hesitant and didn't even know why himself.He followed Alistair down to an underground room, where Xena was already present. Sonny was confined in a cell, looking haggard and clearly having endured some tough days, though it meant little for someone like him."Sonny, I'm here. You can speak now."Xena felt complicated. She was about to hear the truth. She would finally know whether there was a hidden story or if Felix truly was a coward.Sonny grinned, stood up, and slowly approached the iron bars, looking at Felix. "You're here."Suddenly, his hysterical laughter echoed through the underground space. "You really came. This woman, Xena, must mean a lot to you! But so what? You're here, and I was just toying with you. You tricked me once, so now, we're even."Felix was emotionless. He hadn't expected that Sonny summoned him just for this.Xena shook her head and turned to leave, but Alistair became anxious
Just as Felix was about to turn away, Ernest saw him and called out, "Felix!"With no other choice, Felix braced himself and walked over.As expected, Xena frowned upon seeing him."Mr. Holt Senior, I'll take my leave for now," she said.Felix and Ernest had been neighbors back in Avesburgh. Since Xena came to know Felix's medical skills, she expected that Felix would show up at Ernest's birthday party tonight.Ernest, without thinking too much, smiled and looked at Felix. "Felix, let me introduce you. This is my son, Isaac Holt, Sherlyn's father."Isaac, in the prime of his career, had a dominant presence. He spoke respectfully to Ernest but turned his sharp gaze toward Felix."Are you interrogating a criminal?" Ernest immediately chastised him. A hint of helplessness flashed in Isaac's eyes.Felix had charmed Sherlyn completely, and as her father, Isaac couldn't even give him a stern look?"Hello, Mr. Holt," Felix said as they shook hands.Isaac nodded. "Hello. I've heard
At that moment, the masculine charisma oozed in those words Felix said could make anyone fall for him.Yvonne was no different, but she didn't forget that certain things remained true."Listen to me, Felix! If you dare show up at my wedding, you will become the person I hate most for the rest of my life."With that, she left. She was overwhelmed by sadness. Who wouldn't want happiness? But not everyone was qualified to have it.Even if Felix's passionate speech was sincere, putting aside Nala, just the Walsh family in Aleshire alone was an opponent Felix couldn't fight with.Rather than embarking on a perilous journey together, she preferred the ones she loved to live a peaceful and safe life.Having said everything that needed to be said, Felix didn't chase after her. He would fulfill his promise on the wedding day.He hadn't walked far before he was blocked by Aimee and Finnley."You don't seem to take my warning seriously."Finnley's expression was cold as he fixed his gaze
"Felix, don't bother with that fool. Let's go have a couple of drinks," George suggested.Felix didn't refuse them. He had nothing else to do at the moment, so he went along for a casual chat to pass the time."I heard that Sherlyn will be performing an opening dance for Mr. Holt Senior. I wonder who her male partner is. I couldn't find out," George said offhandedly, making Ryan chuckle."I'm not sure, either, but it definitely won't be an ordinary man. With the kind of background Sherlyn has, do you think she would pick a nobody for the opening dance? I suspect it's very likely her future husband."Since the topic was brought up, Felix couldn't help but be curious. "Why have I never heard of any of you wanting to pursue Sherlyn?"Sherlyn had a prominent family background. Ernest, though retired, still wielded influence, and Isaac was a general at the peak of his career. How could no one be interested? From a certain perspective, marrying Sherlyn might even be better than marryi
Michael raised his glass and said, "George is right. Here's to you both. I hope you enjoy your time in Aleshire, and don't hesitate to ask if you need anything." He knew exactly why these two were here—they were attending his wedding tomorrow. However, given they were at The Nightowl, an upscale nightclub, he figured it was best not to bring it up.Ryan and George raised their glasses in response, but Felix remained motionless. His indifference seriously irritated Michael."I don't believe we've met. Who might you be?" Michael's youthful pride got the better of him. He could have just finished his drink and left, but he felt the need to assert himself. He could not let this slide, and he wondered who Felix thought he was to disrespect him like this. "I'm Felix Zeller. I'm no one important, but here's a word of advice—if you're planning to get married, show some respect for each other, alright?"Michael could not believe Felix was actually lecturing him. His irritat
What? Calista, who was about to tell the three hostesses to sit down, froze mid-smile. Felix's words carried an unmistakable challenge.Ryan and George exchanged knowing looks. Of all the people to clash with in Aleshire, it had to be the Walsh family. They knew Felix's true purpose here. "Do you... still want Sadie?" Chewing watermelon, Felix crossed his legs. "Yes, only Sadie. Pass a message to Mr. Walsh. If he's smart, send her over."As Calista hesitated, George's cold voice cut in, "Are you deaf or lame?" "Right away!"The manager knew her customers well. Some big shots could be managed, but others were untouchable. George and Ryan belonged to the latter category. "Do you need backup, Mr. Zeller?" George asked after Calista left, making the other girls hold their breath. In Aleshire, few dared cross the Walsh family. The girls could not believe they met people who dared to do so today."We're civilized, aren't we? But can you guess which Walsh it is?" Ryan answer
Was Yvonne really trying to send a reminder to Felix? It was unnecessary. He had not forgotten his promise to her at Ernest's birthday party. Though Felix would not dare claim Yvonne as his, they had been intimate, and her feelings were obvious. If he could not marry her, he could at least let her choose her own happiness instead of being controlled by Nala. They reached Aleshire at sunset. George led Felix to a nightclub. "Yartford is the political center of the country, so certain things have to be done discreetly there. But Aleshire's different. Tonight, you'll see real entertainment." Felix was not particularly interested, but he had time to kill. "The Nightowl is Aleshire's finest club. No one dares claim second place." Inside, hostesses with curvy legs lined the entrance. "Mr. Zimmerman! It's been too long!" A youthful-looking older woman approached. Her light makeup showed how confident she was about her appearance rather than courage. "Ah, Calista! Still stunning
After settling Michelle in, Felix headed to the living room. He hesitated for a bit before calling Karina. Max's authority over Meadowspring villagers was beyond his current powerless state. But with Michelle's safety at stake, he had no choice. Soon, the call was connected. "Felix, what's wrong?" Felix felt guilty about failing his promise. "Karina, about Michelle..." After hearing the story, Karina said, "Pearly? I don't know her, but I'll look into it. Don't worry. I'll make sure she never troubles Michelle again." She added, "Don't blame yourself. I know your situation is complicated." It was complicated indeed.…Two peaceful weeks passed. Felix continued his daily ritual of cultivating Dragonspine at Yardley Dining, undisturbed by the Elders' Council or others. True to Karina's word, the threat vanished. If not, Max would not have waited this long given his menacing attitude earlier. His only frustration was Xena. Even Alistair confirmed she had been swamped since
From that observation, Felix could tell how incredibly powerful the Saphira family had to be as one of the ancient martial arts families. Once in the car, Felix paused before saying, "Was the chief pointing at me?" Ryland was too distracted, and Michelle was still unconscious, so Theodore nodded. "Yes. He meant you." Theodore was still stunned. The village chief was practically a Martial Emperor, and he actually owed Felix his life. What other secrets did Felix hold? Felix fell silent as he recalled the scene just now. Under the torchlight, he remembered the chief had tanned skin, average height, and a small goatee. "It's him!" Felix suddenly remembered who he was. When Felix had just started studying medicine with Gerald years ago, he had found the chief unconscious while gathering herbs. The man was close to dying, and Felix's limited skills could only slow the decline. It was impossible to save him. In the end, Gerald had stepped in. He cursed Felix's do-gooder nature
Ryland's face paled as his eyes widened. "She... She's alive?" Max grinned. "Watch your mouth, kid. How could my boss possibly have died? You disappointed her, and those who disappoint must pay." Pointing at Felix, he continued, "The original plan was to drug him and Michelle and film their affair to crush you emotionally before dealing with you physically. But he seemed to be a traditional medicine practitioner, so he noticed the drugs. We had no choice but to attack first." Ryland looked devastated. "No, I waited! She never appeared. I couldn't possibly wait forever. It's not my fault!" "Let's go," Felix cut in, knowing this wasn't the time. "Going somewhere?" Max threw a knife into the ground before Ryland. "Kill your girlfriend Michelle, and all is forgiven!"Ryland stood frozen, clearly shaken by the mention of that woman Pearly. "What if he refuses?" Felix asked. Max traced a circle in the air. "Then, you all die. This is Meadowspring's burial ground. Without the c
Outside the bar, members of the Earthen Hall were waiting. Vivian had returned to the headquarters of Dragon Alliance hours ago to handle urgent matters, so these guards had been reassigned from Yardley Dining.As they drove, Theodore suddenly spoke up, "Now I remember why Meadowspring sounded familiar." "What do you mean?" Felix asked. The address the brute left was called Meadowspring, an oddly named place. "It's a branch village of the Saphira family. We need to be extremely careful." His voice alone showed how wary he was of the Saphiras."Are they that dangerous?" Theodore gave Felix a strange look, wondering how someone important enough to mobilize Dragon Alliance could be so ignorant. "Eight ancient martial arts families have survived in modern Dragonia, with one in each province's capital. We have one in Canraville, which is the Saphira family." Seeing Felix's blank look, Theodore continued, "These eight families have maintained their power for thousands of years. H
Felix watched as the brute took Michelle away. He wanted to move but was paralyzed by the man's overwhelming presence. After a minute, his face darkened. "Damn it!" Even his encounter with Madam Spring had not left him feeling this powerless. If anything were to happen to Michelle, Felix wouldn't have the heart to face Karina. 30 minutes later, the bar was empty except for Felix. Andrei rushed in with a handsome young man. "Mr. Zeller." Andrei kicked the young man to the ground after speaking, trembling with rage. "Tell Mr. Zeller how you mistreated Michelle, you fool!"It was his son, Ryland. After Felix's last intervention, Andrei had warned him not to hurt Michelle or risk trouble for their entire family. Yet, here they were. Ryland looked at Felix in panic and confusion. "Dad! Mr. Zeller! I swear I didn't hurt Michelle!" Felix raised his hand to stop Andrei's beating. "Michelle was just kidnapped in front of me by a powerful martial artist. She was just a real estate a
Finnley laughed. "Hah! You're quite well-informed. You even know about my brother's wedding! But you're overestimating yourself. Did you think I'm all talk because I haven't struck you in our previous encounters?" He stepped forward with eyes full of contempt. "That's only because Xena warned me. She said she'd blame me if anything happened to you—proof or not—and never give me another chance. Otherwise, you think you'd still be standing?" Felix's eyes narrowed. He had wondered why Finnley—the Walsh family's heir—had been so restrained. So, Xena had intervened."Fine! One last chance. If you can make me kneel and apologize at my brother's wedding, it's over. Otherwise, you'll write a suicide note and end it. Deal?" Suicide? Felix chuckled. "Sure. What if I back out?" Turning away, Finnley left a final threat. "Then, everyone connected to you dies. You know I can do it." After learning Finnley's identity, Felix deduced that Yvonne's fiancé had to be his brother. There was onl