The rush of memories still echoed in Ronan's mind—grief, rage, humiliation.It all clashed inside his skull like thunder, threatening to swallow him whole.And then—her voice cut through it."Ronan, are you even listening to me?" Calista cried.“Don’t stand there acting like you’re dazed. I’m talking to you.”"Don’t you dare pretend you’re lost in thought. You and I are done! I’ve told you this before—I don’t acknowledge this so-called engagement!" she snapped."Your precious House Crowne thought they could push it on me just because of your status. You think throwing your family name around makes you entitled to me? Disgusting.""You’re nothing but a shadow that keeps following me. But not anymore—this ends now.”“I agree.”Calista blinked, caught off guard. “What?”“I said… I agree,” Ronan repeated. “This engagement ends here.”For a long moment, silence reigned.Calista's lips parted, but no sound came. She can’t believe it.“This feels like a gift from the heavens,” he said softly,

“What do you mean, ‘return everything’?” Calista snapped, whirling back to face Ronan.She hugged the lacquered weapon case to her chest and slipped her left hand behind her back.That dagger was no trinket; House Sable intended to present it at the upcoming Martial Arts Guild trials. Calista herself might not need it, but Lucien certainly did.And the bracelet, artificed by a Martial Saint, could conjure a three‑minute invincible shield. Priceless, irreplaceable. The thought of surrendering either piece made her stomach knot.“Didn’t you just declare you want no ties with House Crowne?” Ronan asked.“If so, why cling to Crowne property? Cut the bond, Calista. That means returning everything that bond delivered.”She opened her mouth, but he cut her off.“You have no right to negotiate.”Calista’s retort died in her throat. The logic was iron; even the spectators murmured agreement.“She can’t have it both ways.”“Wants the perks but none of the responsibility—how convenient.”“Even a

The next morning, at exactly 9 a.m., the main hall of House Sable’s estate was filled with direct descendants of the clan.At the center was Benedric Sable—the current patriarch and Calista’s father.Everyone present instinctively lowered their heads in deference.Calista stood beside him, red-eyed and pale. Lucien Cross stood next to her.Last night, Calista had returned home radiant, proudly announcing that the engagement with Ronan Crowne was officially over.She’d expected praise, but instead, Benedric’s face turned black.Without a word, he struck his daughter across the face.Now, as he glanced at her tear-streaked face and then at Lucien, Benedric’s scowl deepened.“Who told you to act on your own?” he growled.“Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”Benedric’s head throbbed.No one understood better than he did just how fragile House Sable’s current situation was.Yet now, his daughter had forced Ronan Crowne to end the engagement.She had practically made an enemy of House Cr

With each item spoken, the tension in the room climbed.Benedric’s eye twitched.Several elders nearby exchanged wary glances.Just hearing Ronan list the first few items, they already knew the value far exceeded the total wealth House Sable had accumulated over the past century.If they really had to return all that, House Sable’s power would shrink by eighty percent or more!Even Lucien’s expression shifted slightly. The list was far more substantial than he’d expected.“What’s the matter? You sever the bond, and now hesitate to return what came with it? Or does House Sable intend to breach its honor?”The words struck like stones.But before Benedric could speak, Calista stepped forward, arms crossed.“It was a relationship, not a business contract. Don’t be ridiculous. No woman would return such gifts after ten years of engagement.”Lucien immediately followed. “Calista’s right. No real man would ask for those things back. It’s petty and disgraceful.”Just the thought of returning

But Ronan?He didn’t even blink.With a sigh, almost as if bored, he lifted his hand and casually flicked it downward.Seeing Ronan’s carelessness, Lucien’s heart soared.Just as I thought! he sneered inwardly.Ronan was nothing but an arrogant fool, pampered by family resources.A mere Rank 5 who dared to act so casually in a real fight?Ronan was asking for death!“You’re dead—!”But before Lucien could fully savor his confidence, his expression shifted violently the moment Ronan’s palm came down.Too fast, he couldn’t dodge!All his strength had been channeled into his punch at Ronan.He had no time left to redirect his energy or step away.“No way! How could you—”Lucien never finished his sentence.A monstrous force crashed into him like a volcano eruption.BOOM!Lucien didn’t just stop.He was forced to his knees by a single hand strike, the impact so fierce it cracked the marble floor beneath him.A total, crushing defeat indeed!Gasps echoed across the hall.Lucien groaned.He