"Ronan, how many times do I have to say this? There’s no way I, Calista Sable, will ever fall for you, let alone marry you!"At New Era City Plaza, the very heart of Thalara’s capital, a massive crowd had gathered, drawn by the spectacle.There, at its center, stood a stunning young woman, barely in her early twenties, frowning as she looked down on a man with pure disdain.Facing her was Ronan Crowne, heir to the ancient and mighty House Crowne. But at this moment, his expression was somehow distant. “I’m sick of your pathetic performances,” Calista said coldly. “Do you really think cheap gifts and empty confessions will change how I feel?”“How many times now? Two hundred and fourteen?” Her lips curved in mockery. “Are you desperate, or just addicted to humiliating yourself?”Gasps and whispers rippled through the crowd.“Oh my gosh... Calista the Beauty just crushed the Crowne heir again like he’s nothing!”“Damm… Did she just say 214 confessions?!”“Forget the confessions, look at

A ripple of shock swept through the plaza.“What the heil? She’s demanding an oath?”“Does she even realize what that means for the Sables?”If Calista didn’t ask for it, there would at least be some breathing room, other houses wouldn’t dare squeeze the Sables dry as long as House Crowne left a crack open.But forcing Ronan to swear?That sealed every exit.The Sables would be doomed.Was this beauty simply foolish, or did she actually harbor hatred toward her own family?Some spectators let out mocking chuckles, already eager to see how the Sables would survive.Meanwhile, Ronan couldn’t help but scoff inwardly.How had he ever fallen for such a woman so foolish in his previous life?Low talent, weak cultivation, and not even that bright.Yet Calista seemed completely unaware of the whispers around her.Her gaze never left Ronan.“Swear it here, in front of everyone,” she demanded coolly.“Say you’ll break this engagement, and let me be free. If you do that, I’ll finally believe you.

Calista’s eyes lowered, her lips pressed tight, as if under immense pressure, yet she said nothing.The crowd erupted with sharper whispers.“What the hell! Can someone really be this shameless? Saying she doesn’t want him, doesn’t want his family, even forcing him to swear a deathly oath… but still clutching his gifts like they’re hers?”“Ha! Clearly she wants the perks but not the responsibility, and acts like she’s the one wronged.”“What a farce. And that Cross guy… why’s he even sticking his nose into the business of an ex-fiancée? Ronan clearly couldn’t care less about him.”Their ridicule cut through Calista like a blade.Her porcelain cheeks flushed crimson.Her hands trembled.Fucking Ronan!What was wrong with her keeping those gifts?Why shouldn’t she have them?Why was everyone blaming her?She knew he was bitter because she rejected him.He just wanted her to return everything to humiliate her.How cruel!With a sharp growl, she ripped the violet-gold bracelet from her wri

Benedric Sable himself almost thought he’d misheard.No one, least of all Ronan, had ever dared speak to him in such a disrespectful tone.Rage surged through him.“How dare you!”Without warning, a violent wave of spiritual pressure burst from Benedric’s body, rolling through the hall like a tidal wave, targeting at Ronan.The marble floor cracked under the weight of his aura.Decorative banners lining the walls trembled.Several Sable disciples staggered, barely keeping their balance.Anyone weaker, less trained, would have dropped to their knees.But Ronan stood firm.His black coat flared in the storm, hair shifting slightly from the chaotic wind.But not a single tremor passed through his body.He didn’t even blink.Benedric’s eyes glowed with faint spiritual light as he glared down at him.“Did your elders never teach you how to show respect to a Grandmaster?” he asked.To Benedric, his current cultivation was enough to command respect across the capital.Martial Saints were mere

Though proud of his own strength as a peak-stage Rank 7 Grandmaster, Benedric knew he couldn’t compare to a true Rank 8 Gold Master.That was an entirely different realm.The elder didn’t answer immediately.His cold, contemptuous gaze swept over Benedric and the Sables as if they were mere insects in the mud.“You dare lay a hand on the heir of House Crowne,” he sneered. “Do you even understand the weight of your actions, worm?”Benedric froze.It finally sank in.Ronan hadn't come alone.He had brought a protector, one with power far beyond anyone in this room. Ronan’s voice was calm, almost amused.“Uncle Magnus, no need to waste words. He hasn’t even broken through to Rank 8. What would he understand?”The elder beside Ronan was none other than Magnus Crowne, Ronan’s great-uncle and assigned protector.As the Crowne heir, Ronan never moved without elite guardianship.Magnus nodded. “You’re right. The Sables are frogs in a well. Their arrogance has made them forget their place.”He