Rise of The Abandoned Husband (Liam Knight) novel Chapter 56

56 Chapter 56 – The Sting of Betrayal and a Cruel Demand

The tension in the room was palpable as Declan’s dismissal hung in the air. I kept my expression neutral, though inside I felt a familiar burn of contempt. Another powerful man showing his true colors the moment something shinier caught his attention.

leave

“I see,” I said evenly, pushing back from the table. “Then I’ll take my Declan’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Thank you for understanding. Mr. Knight. Though I must ask for the return of the ginseng I gifted you earlier. It was meant as compensation for your participation in the tournament.”

The request was as petty as it was revealing. I reached into my inner pocket and retrieved the ornate box containing the ten–year–old ginseng. Without a word, I placed it on the table and slid it toward him.

“Father, that’s not enough,” Nora interjected, her eyes narrowing at me. “He bullied me yesterday. You can’t just let him leave like nothing happened.”

Lucas Rhodes stepped forward, his posture subtly shifting to something more combative. “Is that true?” he asked, his gaze assessing me with renewed interest. “You harassed Miss Donovan?”

I didn’t bother hiding my disgust now. “Your definition of ‘bullying is interesting, Miss Donovan. As I recall, you were the one who ordered your guard to attack me when I refused your advances.”

“How dare you!” Nora gasped, her cheeks flushing. “Lucas, he’s lying!”

“Mr. Knight,” Declan’s voice hardened, “I suggest you watch your accusations carefully.”

Lucas moved closer, his tall frame blocking my path to the door. “Are you an Inner Strength expert?” he asked directly, his eyes searching for telltale signs in my physique,

“No,” I answered truthfully. I had already surpassed that realm.

A smirk tugged at his lips. “Then I suggest you apologize to Miss Donovan before this situation becomes… unpleasant.”

50 Chapter 56- The Sting of Betrayal and a Cruet Demand

I turned toward the door, refusing to engage further. “Alaric, we’re leaving”

Alaric, who had been standing silently near the wall, stepped forward with a stiff nod. His expression was unreadable, but the tight set of his jaw spoke volumes about his feelings regarding this farce.

“Alaric!” Declan barked. “Where do you think you’re going?

Alaric paused, then faced his master. “With Mr. Knight, sir.”

“Have you forgotten who took you in when you had nothing? Declan’s voice was cold. “Who trained you for the past eight years?”

I watched Alaric’s shoulders tense, a war clearly raging within him. After a moment, he straightened and met Declan’s gaze.

“I haven’t forgotten, Master Donovan,” he said, his voice steady despite the emotion I could see building behind his eyes. “Neither have I forgotten the principles you once taught me about honor and integrity.”

With deliberate movements, Alaric reached for his sleeve where the Donovan family emblem was sewn. He gripped the fabric and tore it clean off with a single, decisive

motion.

“I hereby renounce my status as your disciple,” he declared, dropping the torn emblem to the floor. “I cannot serve a master who would treat others with such dishonor.”

Gasps echoed through the room. In martial circles, such an act was the ultimate statement of severance between master and student–a public declaration that the student believed their master had failed in character and principle.

“You’ll regret this,” Declan hissed, his face flushing with anger. “No one in Havenwood will take you in after you’ve shown such ingratitude.”

Alaric bowed stiffly. “Perhaps. But I’ll face that future with my integrity intact.”

Pride swelled in my chest at Alaric’s courage. Without further words, we turned and walked toward the door, leaving shocked silence in our wake.

We had almost reached the threshold when Lucas’s voice rang out behind us.

“Stop right there.”

50 Chapter 56 The Sting of Botrayal and a Cruel Demand

I paused, not turning around. “We’re done here, Rhodes.

“Not quite,” he said, footsteps indicating he was approaching. “Nora says you humiliated her, and I can’t let that stand. As her fiancé, her honor is my responsibility

1 slowly turned to face him. “Consider it carefully before you make this your fight:

Lucas’s confident smile didn’t waver. “I’ve faced Inner Strength masters from three provinces and emerged victorious. You admitted you haven’t even reached that level. The math is simple.”

Behind him, Nora’s eyes gleamed with vindictive pleasure. “Lucas, he needs to be taught a lesson,” she urged. “Show him what happens when someone disrespects the Donovan family.”

Declan stood watching, making no move to defuse the situation. If anything, his expression suggested he was looking forward to seeing me put in my place.

“Last chance to walk away,” I warned Lucas quietly.

“You should be the one begging to leave,” he scoffed. “But that’s not happening now.”

Nora stepped forward, her face twisted with malice as she pointed directly at me. Her voice rang through the dining hall with chilling clarity.

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