An Understated Dominance - Chapter 309

“Brody!” The crowd gasped in shock and anger as Maximus sent Brody flying with a punch. No one expected Maximus to be so strong after losing his core.

“How dare you hit me?” Brody spat, pressing his hand against his chest, where pain throbbed intensely. How could someone like Maximus, who had been cast out, dare to touch him?

“Who cares? You should be grateful I didn’t kill you,” Maximus replied. He walked over to Caitlyn, a lady in white, and took her hand gently. “Caitlyn, don’t worry. I won’t let anyone hurt you. I’ll protect you, even if it costs me my life!”

“Max, what are you doing?” Caitlyn’s face fell as she slowly stepped back from him.

“Caitlyn, I know you’ve been through a lot. Let’s escape together! We can leave Balerno and find a place where no one knows us. What do you think?” He gazed at her hopefully. Even though he couldn’t fight Luther, he dreamed of taking Caitlyn far away from danger.

“Max, are you out of your mind? I’m with Luther now,” Caitlyn frowned, shaking her head.

“I know you didn’t choose this. You don’t really like him, do you? Just give me a sign, and I’ll take you away!” His eyes softened as he looked at her.

“No, I won’t!” she insisted, shaking her head firmly.

“Caitlyn, are you in trouble? Don’t worry. I’ll do everything I can to help you!” Maximus said earnestly.

“Let go of me!” Caitlyn pulled her hand away and scolded him, “Max, can’t you see? I’ve never loved you! Stop dreaming!”

Maximus stared at her in shock, his eyes wide. “W-what did you say?”

“Max, I’ll be honest with you,” she took a deep breath and continued calmly, “I only…”

“I agreed to the engagement because of your status. I needed someone to protect me as a defenseless woman in the martial arts world, and you were my best choice back then,” she said.

“That’s… that’s impossible! You told me you loved me and that you’d marry me! Were you lying to me all along when you made those promises?” Max’s eyes turned red with a mix of resentment and anger.

“Max, you’re cute,” she replied, shaking her head with a scoff. “Haven’t you realized I was only interested in you because of your influence and potential? You were Maximus Kane, a skilled fighter and the best disciple of our generation. That’s why I liked you. But look at you now. You’ve been excommunicated and had your powers taken away by Luther. You’re no better than a beggar. Why do you think you’re still a match for me? Did you really think I’d put up with a life of suffering with you? Dream on!”

Her words hit Maximus hard. He felt a wave of shock wash over him at her cruel confession. He never expected such harshness from Caitlyn. He thought she was forced to be with Luther, but now he saw she had chosen to go with him.

Maximus felt like a fool. He had dedicated his life to mastering swordsmanship, ignoring other desires. The one time he fell for a woman, it ended in heartbreak. What a joke!

He sank to the floor, lost in a daze. In that moment, he felt like he had lost all hope and faith, becoming a shadow of his former self. His faith had once helped him recover quickly, and he had clung to the belief that he would rescue Caitlyn. Now, without that faith, he felt disoriented and helpless.

“How dare you hit me? I’ll…”

“Slash you!” Brody laughed as he faced the emotionless Maximus, swinging his sword at him.