Love at the Wrong Table
Finished
Chapter 2280 Rivals Clash Once More
Gwain’s expression turned cold. “Who’s the target?”
Everyone in the Lannister family knew how proud he was, always carrying himself as if he were untouchable. Still, no matter how high he held his head, he never disobeyed his father’s commands. Being a loyal son was something he took seriously.
Clive didn’t answer right away. Instead, he glanced toward Ethan, standing among the crowd.
A knot formed in Gwain’s gut.
Killing Ethan? That can’t be right.
The Lannisters have survived by staying out of politics. Keeping neutral is the only reason we’ve lasted this long. Now, he’s throwing me straight into the fire?
“You’ll wait outside the ablution hall. Strike when the moment is right. The patriarchy was clear–no one can trace this back to the Lannister family,” Clive instructed in a low voice.
A quiet exhale left Gwain’s lips. Without another word, he stood and slipped away.
Gautier and Aora also kept a close watch on Ethan from a concealed spot, staying out of sight.
As Ethan moved toward the Chapel of Oros, Gautier leaned toward Aora. “Once Ethan is gone, Catherine wins the presidency. Emmanuel loses his only protection, and his death will follow soon after.”
Aora gave a slight nod before vanishing in a blur of red.
The prayer ceremony followed strict traditions.
After meeting the gathered citizens, Ethan followed protocol and entered the ablution hall to cleanse himself before the main event.
Chester stayed close, his sharp gaze sweeping the area. Disciples from the Chapel of Oros and Zovince’s Imperial Guards were stationed at every entrance, keeping a tight watch from all angles.
No one was taking any risks.
A public assassination using conventional methods was nearly impossible. Only an elite martial artist stood a chance of getting close enough.
Ethan understood the danger. He never moved without protection but eventually dismissed his guards and entered the ablution hall alone.
From the shadows, Gwain steadied his breathing. “This is it.”
Pulling a white mask over his face, he moved precisely and slipped into the ablution hall like a ghost.
A sudden voice shattered the silence.
“Who goes there?!” Chester’s sharp command rang out.
Gwain’s pulse spiked. Have I already been seen?Ethan’s bodyguard is more perceptive than I anticipated.
1/4
12:58 Tue, 25 Mar
Chapter 2280 Rivals Clash Once More
Chester wasn’t coming for him.
His attention was on someone else.
A figure dressed in black stood across the way, gripping a long sword.
Her stance, the energy–this wasn’t a Chanacan fighter.
The instant she attacked, Gwain knew without a doubt–she was Shoiyan.
ས372%#
Finished
Chester had been the one to spot her first, but her abilities weren’t on par with Gwain’s. However, whether Chester could hold his own against her was still up in the air.
Chester’s voice rang out again. “Intruder! There’s an assassin!”
The black–clad woman spun on her heels and disappeared into the shadows.
“After her! Don’t let the assassin escape!” Chester commanded, leading his men in pursuit.
Gwain couldn’t have asked for a better dist
With all eyes on the fleeing assassin, his path was clear. He didn’t know why his father had ordered Ethan’s death, but he didn’t need to. Orders were orders.
Slipping deeper into the ablution hall, he moved quickly.
The place was larger than expected–almost like a high–end hot spring.
His gaze darted around–no sign of Ethan.
Is he hiding? Has he already picked up on the danger?
Then, a shift in the air.
Stunned, Gwain thought, What’s going on?! A presence!
Someone else was here.
A powerful fighter–someone on his level.
Chester couldn’t move like that. This speed, this aura… there’s no way that fool Chester could ever compare. Could it
be Emmanuel?
Gwain had always acted superior to Emmanuel, but past encounters had left a mark. He had lost to Emmanuel before, and the memory still stung.
Getting caught here wouldn’t just mean failure. It would mean the downfall of the Lannister family.
Without hesitation, he sank beneath the water.
At the same time, another figure–dressed in red–slipped into the ablution hall.
His sharp gaze scanned the steaming pool, but Ethan was nowhere in sight.
Meanwhile, the ripples on the surface were a dead giveaway.
12:58 Tue, 25 Mar
Chapter 2280 Rivals Clash Once More
The red–clad assassin smirked to himself. Hiding underwater? That won’t save you.
A palm strike cut through the water, aiming to kill whatever lay beneath.
However, the attack never landed.
A swift counter–kick knocked the red–clad assassin back.
72%
Finished
Is this a setup? I knew it–killing Ethan wouldn’t be that easy. Did Emmanuel secretly follow him here and lay a trap?
Doubt crept in.
Realizing the danger, the red–clad fighter tried to slip away, but Gwain couldn’t let him escape that easily.
Gwain thought to himself, Whoever this assassin is, he’s highly skilled and dangerous. I can’t afford to let him live- eliminating him is the only way to avoid any fallout. He could be one of Ethan’s secret agents; if he escapes, my cover might be blown.
Without hesitation, he gave chase.
Their fight spilled out of the water.
Neither fought at full strength.
The red–clad assassin thought he was facing Emmanuel and hesitated to use his signature moves, not wanting to expose himself.
Gwain also held back, avoiding techniques linking the attack to the Lannister family.
Neither could afford to be identified.
Then, a sudden voice shattered the standoff.
“Who’s there?!” The Zen Master’s booming voice echoed through the ablution hall.
Both fighters froze.
They knew they couldn’t be caught.
They vaulted over the wall a moment later, vanishing into the night.
When the Zen Master reached the scene, the ablution hall was silent again.
A breath of relief left his lips. “May peace be with you.”
He contemplated, That’s exactly why I’m standing guard–someone is bound to target Mr. Hale.
I can handle one assassin without issue, but two at once? That’s a whole different challenge.
Thankfully, luck is on our side. Instead of working together, they’re turning on each other.
Moments later, a hidden stone door along the pool wall slid open.
Ethan stepped out, now dressed in ceremonial robes. His expression remained calm as he turned to the Zen Master. “What happened?”
214
12:58 Tue, 25 Mar w
Chapter 2280 Rivals Clash Once More
The Zen Master lowered his gaze. “Nothing worth troubling over. Mr. Hale, the time has come. The ceremony awaits. It is time to pray for Chanaea, for prosperity and peace.”
72%
Finished
22.4K
