Stanley stood there, rigid and silent, his gaze fixed on Lidran as the man slowly came to his senses.
To him, this man was part of the problem.
No—more than that.
He was the reason his plan to remain the center of attraction had been ruined.
Stanley's jaw tightened as that realization settled deeper into his chest.
Everything had been lined up perfectly. Even when Damien had acted out earlier, Stanley had still believed the spotlight would naturally return to him.
But now…
Now the whispers weren't about him.
They were about Damien.
And Lidran was a major reason why.
If this man hadn't been so stupid.
If he hadn't lost control.
If he had at least stood his ground against Damien—
Then things wouldn't have turned out like this.
If Lidran had pushed Damien back even once, or had forced a longer exchange…
Then Stanley wouldn't be standing here right now, listening to people question whether he could even win their upcoming duel.
