The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection
Billionaire With Husband 417

Chapter 417

Felix's face darkened with concern. He pressed, "Ryan, are you sure you want to take responsibility for what you said?" After a pause on the other end, Ryan replied, "Nothing happened, so what do you want me to say? This is ridiculous!" Then, the line went dead, prompting Xena to let out a cold laugh.

"Can't even find someone to back you up. Felix, I finally understand everything now. You're a failure as a person, but at least you can brag about fooling the Warlady once, Xena said before walking away.

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Her understanding of "everything" meant she believed Felix's rescue of those dozen kids was just an act to impress her. None of this would have happened if she had not been so moved by that moment. 1 Especially since Felix admitted that saving those children would not have cost him his life

he would only lose his fighting abilities. Then again, none of that mattered.

Any fool would know it was worth trading combat skills for Xena's affection. After all, being known as the Warlady's husband would command more respect than any martial arts skill ever could. Sitting on his couch, Felix was not dwelling on who set him up anymore but rather on Ryan's attitude.

One thing was clear-Ryan knew Felix was Gerald's apprentice, and that title alone should have been enough to prevent the former from lying, unless he wanted serious retaliation.

Just then, the doorbell rang. When Felix opened it, he found Ryan standing there.

As Ryan entered Felix's home, he looked uneasy, with traces of guilt and helplessness in his eyes.

"You'd better have a good explanation for this," Felix said, his tone sharp.

Ryan swallowed hard before sitting across from Felix. "Mr. Zeller, please understand. Yes, you're Gerald's student, and I can't afford to cross you, but there are others I can't afford to cross, either!" Felix frowned. "Keep talking, and make sure you explain everything clearly."

Sensing Felix's relatively calm mood, Ryan decided to lay it all out. At this point, there was no use wasting time on small talk.

"It was the Elders' Council! They didn't even approach me directly, but they went straight to my grandfather with serious threats.

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Chapter 412

"I don't know what they said or whose name they dropped, but my grandfather only told me one thing: the Elders' Council could make our entire Gibson family disappear overnight.

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Felix studied him carefully. "Your family must be powerful enough for you to court Lady Nala. The Elders' Council would have to pay a price to eliminate the Gibsons. Why go to such lengths just to make you you lie?"

Ryan gave a bitter laugh and nodded. "Exactly! That's what puzzles me, too. They went as far as involving my grandfather, yet all they wanted was for me to lie about not being with you at Eastern Mountain last night."

Felix could sense Ryan was telling the truth, which meant Sonny must have been working for the Elders' Council, too. Their elaborate plan to distract the Wolfie troops and stage that scene had one ultimate goal-to keep Xena and him apart.

Felix understood one thing clearly: they did not want him with Xena because they feared future complications. Once Xena became Warlady and they married, Felix would gain a new identity as the Warlady's husband.

The government had its boundaries, especially regarding warlords and warladies who were government-appointed. Crossing them meant opposing the state itself, and no one would dare risk that.

This also explained why Sonny had released Curtis unharmed after capturing him.