The confrontation with Seraphim Stroud hadn't been an act of filial duty to protect the esteemed Whitemore name.
Rather, it was a battle Val had been cornered into, and he had no other choice but to participate.
However, it was true that he went all out against Seraphim, but he did it in order to cut off a woman meant for the streets from his life.
He did it to untangle his life from a woman whose affections were fickle and ever-changing, hardly suitable for a lasting marriage!
Furthermore, he ensured an overwhelming victory in the ritualistic duel of honor not for prestige or dignity. It was a calculated move, aimed at the retrieval of the significant dowry bestowed upon the Kendricks. His ulterior motive was to skim a portion of it for his own gain. He had a good understanding of Joshua, knowing full well that his triumph would please the older man, who would undoubtedly reward him handsomely.
