The weight of Isabelle's absence pressed against my chest as I stood at the hotel window, watching the morning sun cast long shadows across Havenwood City. Three days had passed since our tearful goodbye, but her scent still lingered on my clothes, her voice echoed in my mind.
"One year," I whispered to myself, my breath fogging the glass.
My reflection stared back at – a man changed, hardened by determination but softened by love. I couldn't afford to wallow in lancholy. Every minute needed to count if I was to beco worthy of standing beside Isabelle in Veridia City.
The drive back to Havenwood City had been quiet and contemplative. With each mile that had separated from Isabelle, my resolve had strengthened. Now, I needed to act quickly.
My phone buzzed with a ssage from Eamon Greene.
*Word's spreading about Miss Ashworth's departure. Your enemies are getting bold. We need to talk.*
I grimaced. Of course the vultures would circle when they sensed weakness. Isabelle's protection had kept many at bay, but with her gone, the fragile peace would shatter.
I typed my reply: *et at the Celestial Pharmacy in an hour.*
Before facing whatever threats awaited, I needed to finalize my plans. I couldn't afford distractions while I cultivated. Three days of intense seclusion would boost my strength significantly – if I could remain undisturbed.
The Celestial Pharmacy bustled with morning custors when I arrived. Eamon stood near the back, his imposing fra drawing curious glances from patrons. His usually stoic face betrayed concern as I approached.
"You look terrible," he said bluntly.
"Thanks for the honesty." I managed a wry smile. "Any specific threats I should know about?"
Eamon's voice dropped. "The Sterling family is watching your movents again. Adrian Lyons has been particularly vocal about 'settling scores' now that the Ashworth princess isn't around to protect you."
I nodded, unsurprised. "I need three days of uninterrupted cultivation. Can you help guard my seclusion?"
"Of course." Eamon's response ca without hesitation. "Where?"
"I've been considering the old Riverside Villa that belonged to the Hawthorne family before their fall. It's isolated, abandoned, and the residual formation arrays might still offer so protection."
Eamon raised an eyebrow. "Bold choice. The place has been empty since you exposed Malcolm Hawthorne's cris."
"Exactly why no one will look for there." I checked my watch. "Before we go, I need to handle one more thing."
I made a call to Roman Volkov. Our relationship had been complex – once enemies, now tentative allies. With the shifting landscape, I needed to confirm where he stood.
He arrived thirty minutes later, eyes darting suspiciously between Eamon and .
"You summoned , Knight?" His tone carried its usual edge.
"I need to know where you stand now that Isabelle Ashworth has left the city."
Roman's laugh was short and bitter. "Checking if I'll stab you in the back the mont your protector is gone?"
"Sothing like that."
He studied for a long mont. "Contrary to what you might think, my loyalty isn't so easily swayed. Our arrangent benefits . Why would I jeopardize that?"
"And if soone offers you better terms?"
"They won't." His voice hardened with unexpected conviction. "You're going places, Knight. I recognized it too late at first, but I see it clearly now. The others are fools if they think the Ashworth girl was your only strength."
His words surprised . Coming from Roman, this was as close to a vote of confidence as I'd ever get.
"Good to know," I said. "Keep your ear to the ground while I'm gone. Three days."
Roman nodded, a spark of curiosity in his eyes. "Sothing big is coming, isn't it?" Find the translation on MV&LEMPYR.
I smiled thinly. "Just preparation."
---
The Riverside Villa lood ahead, its once-grand facade now weathered and neglected. Ivy crawled across stone walls, and the fountain in the courtyard stood dry and cracked. Yet even in decay, it maintained an aura of forr prestige.
"The perfect place to hide in plain sight," I murmured as Eamon and I approached the entrance.
"Let's hope the rumors about this place being haunted keep people away," Eamon replied, pushing open the creaking gate.
We had barely stepped onto the property when a voice called out from the shadows of the portico.
"Well, well. The rumors were true. The mighty Liam Knight, sneaking around abandoned properties."
Adrian Lyons erged, flanked by four burly n. His expensive suit and carefully styled hair couldn't mask the cruelty in his eyes. Unlike our previous encounters, he radiated confidence – the kind born of a man who believed his opponent had been weakened.
"Adrian," I acknowledged coolly. "I didn't realize you'd fallen so far that you needed to squat in abandoned buildings."
His smile didn't reach his eyes. "Funny. I'm just making sure the property remains... undisturbed. As a concerned citizen."
"We both know why you're here," I said, cutting through his pretense. "You've been waiting for Isabelle to leave so you could make your move."
Adrian's facade dropped, his expression darkening. "You've hidden behind her skirts long enough. It's ti everyone rembers your proper place."
Eamon tensed beside , ready to intercept the n who now spread out in a half-circle around us. I placed a restraining hand on his arm.
"I can handle this," I murmured.
Adrian's eyes glead with malicious pleasure. "You know what I want, Knight? I want everyone to see what happens when your powerful girlfriend isn't around to protect you."
He pulled out his phone, holding it up. "So here's what's going to happen. Either you kneel down and let take a video of you begging for rcy, or I'll have my n beat you until you kneel anyway. Your choice."
The old Liam would have felt fear creeping up his spine at such a threat. But I felt sothing different now – a cold clarity that ca with understanding exactly who I was and what I was capable of.
"You've mistaken my restraint for weakness," I said quietly, my voice carrying across the courtyard. "That's a dangerous error."
Adrian sneered. "Big words from a man about to eat dirt. Last chance, Knight. Either you kneel down and let take a video, or I'll beat you until you kneel. You decide."
I looked at the phone in his hand, then at the eager faces of his hired muscle, and finally back to Adrian's smug expression. In that mont, I could almost hear Isabelle's voice in my head: *Be worthy of yourself.*
The energy within stirred, ready to be unleashed after days of careful restraint. One year suddenly seed too long to wait. I needed to start proving myself now – beginning with those who thought weak.
"Decision ti," I said, my lips curving into a smile that made Adrian's confidence visibly waver. "But I don't think it's going to go the way you planned."
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