Meanwhile, Jared followed Neville into the Nethergate Sect. Inside the main hall, Rowena and the others were still gathered there, each of them trembling in fear.
The disciples all prayed silently that nothing had happened to Jared; otherwise, Neville would not spare them. Gradually, their gazes toward Rowena grew cold.
If she had not abandoned Jared, things would not have come to this. Now they blamed her. They all knew Neville’s reputation for strict justice. What he said, he did. If anything had happened to Jared, none of them would have survived.
“Stop looking at me like that. I made this decision, and I will take responsibility alone. When Mr. Contreras returns, I’ll tell him it was entirely my choice. None of you will be involved,” Rowena said, her face pale but firm.
“Can you truly bear that?” Neville’s voice rang out through the hall.
Rowena looked up and saw Neville enter the main hall, Jared at his side. Jared’s body was covered in wounds, a clear sign of the fierce battle he had endured.
“Mr. Contreras, I…” Rowena started, but the words faltered, unable to form.
“Hmph! We’re lucky Jared is unharmed; otherwise, even if I killed you, it wouldn’t make up for the Nethergate Sect’s losses,” Neville said coldly. “Now hurry and apologize to Jared.”
“Mr. Chance… I’m sorry…” Rowena lowered her head.
Regret gnawed at her. She should have brought Jared back with her at the time, but she never expected Neville to care for him so deeply.
Jared only cast a brief glance at Rowena, saying nothing, not forgiveness, nor anger.
“I share the responsibility,” Neville said, his tone softer. “Had I personally come to fetch you, none of this would have happened.”
“No worries, Mr. Contreras. My enemies are simply too strong, which is why your disciples were afraid,” Jared said lightly, a faint smile touching his lips.
“They’re all here. You may deal with them as you see fit,” Neville added.
Rowena and the disciples all flinched at Neville’s words.
“Mr. Chance, we’re truly sorry. We were only following Rowena’s orders. We didn’t mean to disobey you!” The disciples immediately shifted the blame onto Rowena, pleading for mercy.
Rowena’s face went pale, and she looked at Jared, her eyes full of desperation. “Mr. Chance, this was entirely my decision. The others had nothing to do with it. If anyone must be punished, punish me. Whatever punishment you choose, I will accept it. Even… If you demand my body, I will comply.”
She did not want to die, so she offered herself to save her life. She hoped Jared might care more about her body than her life, so she could survive.
Jared glanced at Rowena. He liked women, but he did not take every opportunity.
At the time, he had been angry when Rowena had left with the others, and that anger had not fully faded.
Rowena had at least shown some responsibility now, and Jared did not plan to make things harder for her. If she had tried to push the blame onto others, he would not have let her walk away alive.
“Alright, you don’t need to be scared. I’m not going to do anything to you. In a dangerous situation, your choice was understandable. We’re not related, and you don’t owe me anything. There was no reason for you to take that risk for me,” Jared said calmly.
Neville nodded, satisfied. “Since Jared has forgiven you, all of you may stand. Take him to get treated!”
Rowena and the others got up quickly, and a few disciples led Jared away for treatment. Of course, all the resources needed would be covered by the Nethergate Sect.
After Jared left, Neville looked at the bowed Rowena and let out a cold laugh. “Do you think I went too far? Risking the future of the whole Nethergate Sect just because of a promise?”
