The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection

Chapter 104

"That bastard, Felix! You invited him to dinner and he's over 20 minutes late!" Belle complained angrily.

Xena, however, remained calm. "It's fine. He has his reasons for being upset. But if he can't even handle this, it only confirms what I've always thought of him-he won't achieve much."

After a pause, something seemed to cross her mind. "Have we heard anything from Joe?"

Belle shook her head. "No. We haven't been able to reach him. I don't know what's going on with him. He just disappeared without a word. It's strange."

Jordan's sudden and unexpected disappearance was weighing on Xena's mind. She knew why he had returned to Avesburgh-he was clearly trying to pursue her again. But for him to vanish just days later didn't add up. "Never mind. If we can't contact him, there's no use worrying. He might have his reasons."

At that moment, the door to the private room opened, and Felix finally walked in.

"Felix! Do you even know what time it is? Who shows up this late?" Belle shouted, her anger boiling over.

Ignoring her completely, Felix sat down and turned his attention to Xena. "I'm here to accept your gratitude, but I know that no amount of gratitude is going to change what you think of me. Besides, I've already eaten. Xena's face remained expressionless.

11

giving credit where

her

before, I wasn't joking about Ted. If you don't stop him from coming after me,

turned and walked out, leaving Belle seething, her fists clenched in

make it look like he's the

1/2

+25 BONUS

Chapter 104

upon himself. It's pure ignorance to provoke

at another upscale restaurant, Vincent and Wendy sat across from Callum, waiting

out a bitter

don't know what that kid is up to. You know how it is with young people. We old folks shouldn't get involved in their rivalry, should we?" Callum was fully aware of Felix's growing closeness to Wendy. He had no intention of allowing that to continue, so he was unwilling to give Vincent the favor he sought. He was betting on Hugo to win over Wendy, and if that happened, there would be no need for further

Vincent sighed,