The offer hung in the air.
Damian stood up without a word, his expression completely blank.
He turned and started walking toward the door.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Ashford's voice carried surprised irritation.
"We're not finished with this conversation. Sit back down."
Damian kept walking, not even glancing back.
"There is always a price to be paid for knowledge, boy. A truly smart person understands when to submit and bow their head to superior power. The Noble families have not even taken you seriously as a threat yet, or you and your family would already be dead.
You think beating a few student heirs in sanctioned matches means anything? You're an ant they haven't bothered to step on yet.
Accepting subordinate status under my family's protection is the only way you survive what's coming when they decide you've become annoying enough to deal with properly."
Damian's footsteps stopped.
