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Kirk Tsei felt a bead of sweat form on his brow. He knew that any misstep could have dire consequences. Aric, however, maintained a calm demeanor, his eyes glinting with a hint of amusement at Tyler\'s boldness.

"My apologies if my presence has caused any inconvenience," Aric said evenly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I was merely expressing concern over a situation that seemed... contentious."

Amanda observed the exchange with growing interest. Tyler\'s reaction to Aric was uncharacteristically heated, perhaps a sign of his insecurities bubbling to the surface. Elder Shawn noticed this as well, his gaze flickering between the two young men.

Kirk stepped forward, attempting to diffuse the situation. "Young Master Aric, we greatly appreciate your concern," he said with a respectful bow. "However, perhaps it would be best if we continued this discussion privately."

Aric nodded slightly. "Of course. I meant no disrespect."

Before stepping back, he added, "But if there is any assistance I can offer, I would be more than willing. Sometimes an outside perspective can be valuable."

Elder Shawn considered his words carefully. "Your offer is generous, Young Master Aric, but this is a matter between our families."

"Understood," Aric replied smoothly. "Family matters are indeed personal."

Tyler, still unsettled by Aric\'s presence, couldn\'t help but feel that the young master was overstepping. "If there\'s nothing else, perhaps we can proceed without further interruptions," he said tersely.

Aric met Tyler\'s gaze steadily, his eyes revealing nothing. "Very well," he said. "I wish you the best in resolving your affairs."

Kirk felt a surge of anxiety. The subtle tension between his son and Aric was unmistakable, and the last thing he wanted was to offend the heir of the Lei family. Summoning his courage, he called out as Aric began to turn away.

"Young Master Aric," Kirk said hastily, "if you have the time, perhaps you would honor us by staying a while longer. Your insights could be most enlightening."

Aric paused, then turned back with a gracious smile. "I would be happy to oblige."

Elder Shawn glanced at Kirk, a hint of irritation flashing in his eyes. "Lord Kirk, as we were discussing..."

"Yes, of course," Kirk acknowledged, but he couldn\'t shake the feeling that involving Aric might prevent any unintended offense.

Aric rejoined the group, positioning himself subtly beside Amanda. "Please, continue," he encouraged.

Elder Shawn resumed, "As I was saying, we believe it is in the best interest of both families to annul the engagement. Amanda\'s future prospects are exceptionally promising, and we do not wish for her to be hindered."

Tyler interjected forcefully, "But we\'ve already agreed to a three-year contract! I\'ll prove myself worthy in that time."

Aric raised an eyebrow. "A three-year contract? Did Lady Amanda agree to this arrangement?"

Tyler glared at him. "It\'s between me and Amanda. It doesn\'t concern you."

Amanda spoke up, her tone cool and composed. "I did not consent to any such agreement. Tyler, you cannot unilaterally decide these matters."

Tyler turned to her, surprise evident on his face. "But I thought--"

"You thought wrong," she interrupted gently but firmly. "While I respect your determination, my path is my own to choose."

Aric seized the moment to support Amanda. "It seems clear that Lady Amanda has her own aspirations, especially with her acceptance into the Taochi Holy Temple. It would be unreasonable to impose upon her a commitment she does not wish to uphold."

Elder Shawn nodded approvingly. "Well said, Young Master Aric. Amanda\'s future should not be constrained."

Tyler\'s frustration mounted as Aric continued to question him. "Why should she fight you?" Aric asked, his gaze steady and unyielding. "What do you offer that aligns with her goals?"

Tyler\'s jaw tightened. "That\'s none of your concern," he snapped. "Our agreement is between me and Amanda."

Aric raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "But Lady Amanda does not agree to this so-called agreement. Perhaps it\'s more of a... one-sided fantasy?"

A few of the onlookers stifled chuckles, and a faint smirk played on Amanda\'s lips. Tyler noticed, and his face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger.

"Watch your tongue," Tyler warned, his voice low and tense. "You may be the heir of the Lei family, but that doesn\'t give you the right to interfere in my affairs."

Aric shrugged nonchalantly. "Interfere? I\'m merely pointing out the obvious. It\'s quite entertaining, actually. A self-proclaimed heir clinging to delusions."

The crowd murmured, and Tyler felt the weight of their eyes upon him. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. "You think you\'re so superior," he growled. "But you know nothing about me!"

Aric\'s smile widened slightly. "Enlighten me, then. What grand achievements do you have to your name? Aside from losing your cultivation and attempting to bind someone to a promise they never made."

Laughter rippled through the crowd, and Tyler\'s vision blurred with rage. "You dare mock me?" he shouted. Without further warning, he lunged at Aric, his fist aimed squarely at his smug expression.

Aric sighed almost imperceptibly. With minimal effort, he sidestepped the attack, causing Tyler to stumble forward awkwardly.

"Predictable," Aric commented, shaking his head. "You should really work on controlling that temper. It\'s unbecoming."

Tyler whirled around, his face a mask of fury. "Stand still and fight me!"

Aric chuckled softly. "Fight you? That wouldn\'t be fair. You\'re hardly in any condition to challenge me."

"Enough!" Tyler roared, gathering what little spiritual energy he could muster. He launched himself at Aric again, this time with a wild flurry of strikes.

Aric\'s expression turned serious for a moment. He raised his hand, and an invisible force emanated from him. Tyler froze mid-stride, his entire body immobilized as if trapped in amber

Tyler struggled against the invisible force that held him immobilized, his eyes blazing with defiance. Aric\'s gaze remained fixed on him, a mix of annoyance and cold determination.

"Do not mistake my patience for weakness," Aric warned, his voice cutting through the tense silence. "I have no desire to harm you, but I will defend myself if necessary."

The assembled members of both the Tsei and Hanoi families watched with bated breath. The air was thick with anticipation, and whispers rippled through the crowd.

"Aric," Tyler spat, his voice strained. "You think you can humiliate me like this?"

Aric\'s expression hardened. "Humiliation is a consequence of your own actions. Attacking a guest in your own home is a grave offense."

He turned his gaze to the gathered elders of the Tsei family. "I expect an apology from your heir," he declared. "He must kneel and admit his wrongdoing. Otherwise, the consequences will be severe."

Gasps echoed among the onlookers. Kirk Tsei stepped forward hastily. "Young Master Aric, surely such measures are unnecessary," he pleaded. "Tyler is young and impetuous. Please forgive his transgression."

Aric\'s eyes remained cold. "Forgiveness is earned through contrition. If he does not apologize by kneeling before me, I will consider it a personal affront--one that reflects upon the entire Tsei family."

Tyler\'s face flushed with a mix of anger and humiliation. Kneeling before Aric, especially in front of Amanda, was unthinkable. How could he lower himself in front of the very woman whose respect he sought to regain?

"Tyler, please," Kirk urged, desperation creeping into his voice. "Think of our family."

But Tyler\'s pride held firm. "I will not kneel to him," he declared, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

"He\'s being reckless," one observer whispered.

"Does he not understand the peril he\'s placing his family in?" another remarked.

Aric\'s patience wore thin. "Very well," he said coolly. "You leave me no choice."

He raised his hand slightly, and a faint aura shimmered around him. "For every three breaths that pass without your apology, one member of the Tsei family will suffer the consequences."

A hush fell over the courtyard. The threat hung heavy in the air.

Kirk\'s eyes widened in horror. "Young Master Aric, please reconsider!"

But Aric remained resolute. "The decision lies with your son."

Tyler\'s resolve faltered slightly as he saw the fear in his father\'s eyes. Yet, his pride battled fiercely against his sense of responsibility.

Aric began to count softly. "One..."

Before he could utter the next number, one of the Tsei elders suddenly collapsed, clutching his chest. Panic erupted among the family members.

"What is happening?" a voice cried out.

"Grandfather!" a young woman screamed, rushing to the elder\'s side.

Aric\'s gaze never left Tyler. "Two..."

Another elder staggered, falling to his knees as if an unseen weight bore down upon him.

"Stop this!" Kirk begged, his voice breaking. "Tyler, I implore you!"

Tyler\'s eyes darted around, witnessing the unfolding tragedy. His heart pounded in his chest.

"Three," Aric intoned.

A third elder gasped for breath, collapsing to the ground. The crowd recoiled in shock and fear.

"Tyler!" Kirk shouted, rushing to his son\'s side. He grasped Tyler\'s shoulders firmly. "You must apologize! Our family\'s survival depends on it!"

Tyler\'s facade of defiance began to crumble. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily upon him. He looked into his father\'s pleading eyes and then at the stricken elders.

"Is your pride worth the lives of your family members?" Aric asked sharply. "Make your choice."

Amanda stepped forward, her expression conflicted. "Tyler, please. This has gone too far."

He swallowed hard, his throat dry. The realization of the consequences sank in fully.

"Very well," Tyler whispered, his voice barely audible.

Kirk released a sigh of relief. "Thank you, my son."

With great reluctance, Tyler lowered himself to his knees before Aric. The murmurs among the spectators hushed as they watched the once-proud heir submit.

"I apologize," Tyler said, his eyes fixed on the ground. "I was wrong to attack you."

[Ding! Congratulations Host! You gained +2000 Villain Halo and +20,000 Villain points for humiliating the protagonist, Tyler Tsei in front of Daughter of Destiny, Amanda Hanoi]

[Ding! Congratulations Host! You gained +2000 Villain Halo and +20,000 Villain points for affecting the mentality of the protagonist, Tyler Tsei]

[Ding! Congratulations Host! You gained +2000 Villain Halo and +20,000 Villain points for angering the protagonist, Tyler Tsei]

Aric regarded him for a moment, then nodded. "Apology accepted."

He gestured subtly, and the oppressive aura dissipated. The fallen elders began to recover, aided by concerned family members.

"Let this be a lesson," Aric declared, his voice carrying authority. "Actions have consequences."

Kirk bowed deeply. "We are grateful for your mercy, Young Master Aric."

Seeing Aric\'s continued anger and the immediate threat. Kirk continued to think of ways to appease him.

"As Lady Amanda wishes to break the engagement and your son lacks the qualifications, there is no need for such a contract," Aric stated firmly.

Kirk understood that the only way to end this trouble is to break off the engagemnt. He reached into his storage ring and produced the engagement contract. With trembling hands, he tore it open and ripped it apart in front of everyone.

The crowd gasped in shock. The engagement contract, a symbol of the alliance between the Tsei and Hanoi families, was now obliterated before their eyes.

However, Tyler was the one who was most angry and humiliated. He saw his chance of getting Amanda, broken before his eyes.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You gained +10,000 Villain Halo and +100,000 Villain Points for breaking off the marriage contract and the three-year bet with protagonist Tyler Tsei by significantly changing the plot.]

Amanda stood silently, her eyes fixed on Aric. She was deeply attracted by his commanding presence and the sheer efficiency with which he handled the volatile situation. Her heart raced as she observed the way he effortlessly dismantled the engagement contract, exuding an aura of undeniable strength and authority.

There\'s something captivating about him, Amanda thought. "The way he controlled the situation with such ease--it must be the mark of someone truly powerful."

Aric approached Amanda, his demeanor softened. "Lady Amanda, worry not. If there is anything you need, you can mention it to me."

Amanda looked up, meeting Aric\'s gaze with a mix of gratitude and curiosity. "Thank you, young master Aric. Your assistance today was invaluable."

[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You gained +1000 Villain Halo and +10,000 Villain Points for increasing the favorability of the Daughter of Destiny, Amanda Hanoi,towards yourself from 0 (Strangers) - 20 (Friend).]

Aric was happy with the developments happening there. Now his goal was to discover the Goldfinger of the Tyler Tsei.