The tension in the air was suffocating. My hand still tingled from the force of the slap I'd just delivered to Miles Thornton's face. The echo seed to hang in the air as shocked silence gripped the room.
Alistair Northwood rushed forward, positioning himself between Miles and . His eyes were wide with alarm.
"Liam, stop! You don't understand what you're doing," Alistair hissed, keeping his voice low but urgent. "The Thornton family isn't soone you want to provoke."
William Vance appeared at my other side, his normally composed deanor cracking under stress. "He's right. The Thorntons practically own half of Eldoria. They've destroyed people for far less."
I kept my gaze fixed on Miles, who was still holding his reddening cheek, shock giving way to fury in his eyes.
"Do you know who I am?" Miles finally spluttered, his voice trembling with rage. "My father will—"
"Your father will what?" I cut him off. "Send more of his lackeys to steal from ?"
Miles straightened his expensive suit jacket, regaining so of his composure. "So the rumors are true. The great Liam Knight really doesn't know how things work here." He smirked, the red handprint on his cheek making the expression grotesque. "Yes, I took your precious Curing Pill and replaced it with common ginseng. And what are you going to do about it?"
William tugged at my sleeve. "Liam, please. This isn't worth it."
I shrugged off his hand. "So you admit it? You stole from ?"
"Stole?" Miles laughed, the sound grating on my nerves. "I simply took what I wanted. That's how things work when you're a Thornton." His eyes glittered with malice. "We see, we want, we take. And no one dares stop us."
I glanced at Elder Harding, whose face had gone ashen. The truth hung heavy in the air – he hadn't just failed to prevent the theft; he'd hidden it from , probably out of sha.
"Liam," Alistair murmured, "think about what you're doing. The Thorntons control shipping routes across three provinces. Their influence extends to the highest levels of governnt."
Miles must have overheard because his smile widened. "Listen to your friends, Knight. They understand the natural order." He gestured lazily around the room. "Everyone here does. The strong take from the weak. The Thorntons take whatever catches our eye."
Two large n stepped forward from behind Miles – his bodyguards. Their movents betrayed their training: Inner Strength Greatmasters. Not elite by my standards, but certainly formidable to most.
"I could rob you in broad daylight," Miles continued, gaining confidence from his protection, "and no one would dare interfere."
I felt sothing dangerous stirring inside – not just anger, but a profound disdain for this system of privilege and immunity I'd fought so hard against.
"Is that so?" I asked quietly.
The sudden softness of my voice seed to give everyone pause. William and Alistair exchanged worried glances, mistaking my calm for resignation.
"Let's go, Liam," William urged. "This isn't the place."
I took a deep breath, appearing to consider their advice. The tension in Alistair's shoulders visibly eased.
"You're making the smart choice," Miles taunted. "Run along now, before—"
I moved faster than anyone could track. The first bodyguard barely had ti to raise his hands before I struck a precise point at his sternum. He collapsed without a sound, his qi pathways temporarily blocked. The second guard lunged forward, but I sidestepped with practiced ease, delivering a sharp blow to the back of his neck. He joined his companion on the floor.
The crowd scattered, creating a wide circle around us. Miles stood alone now, his smug expression replaced by naked fear.
"Wh-what are you doing?" he stamred, backing away. "Do you have any idea—"
I didn't let him finish. My hand shot out, grasping the front of his expensive suit, lifting him until his feet dangled above the ground.
"I know exactly what I'm doing," I said, my voice deadly calm. "I'm establishing the actual natural order."
With that, I delivered a slap so powerful that Miles spun in the air before crashing into a nearby table, sending glasses and hors d'oeuvres flying. The impact wasn't enough to seriously injure him, but it would leave a bruise he'd rember. My Vi!rtua$l Lib@r*a r$y$ E*m$p^ire (M*|%V |&L 0EMP&Y%R!) ho@sts the o.r!ig&inal.
Gasps and murmurs erupted around us. I walked calmly to where Miles lay groaning among the broken glass and spilled drinks. Reaching down, I hoisted him up by his collar again.
"Liam!" Alistair's voice held a note of panic. "Think about what you're doing!"
"I have thought about it," I replied without looking away from Miles's terrified face. "I'm tired of people believing they can take what's mine without consequences."
Miles tried to speak, but only managed a whimper. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth where he'd bitten his tongue.
I turned to William Vance, who stood frozen in shock. "William, you know the Thornton family, don't you?"
He nodded hesitantly.
"Good. Then you can deliver a ssage for ." I shook Miles slightly for emphasis. "Tell them their precious son is with . If they want him back, they'll bring a hundred-year dicinal material as compensation for what he stole."
William's face drained of color. "You're... you're holding him for ransom?"
"I prefer to think of it as negotiating fair restitution." I tightened my grip on Miles's collar. "Make sure they understand that the price is non-negotiable."
"You can't do this!" Miles finally managed to sputter. "My father will destroy you!"
I leaned in close, my voice dropping to a whisper ant only for him. "Your father can try. Many have before him." I straightened up, addressing the shocked crowd. "Let this be a lesson to everyone here. I don't care about your family nas or connections. Take what's mine, and you'll pay a steeper price in return."
Elder Harding stepped forward, his face grave. "Liam, this course of action will bring the full might of the Thornton family down on you."
I t his gaze steadily. "Then perhaps you should have told about the theft when it happened, instead of hiding it like a shaful secret."
He flinched at my words, and I felt a twinge of regret. But I couldn't back down now.
"William," I said, turning back to the ashen-faced man, "deliver my ssage. One hundred-year dicinal material for the safe return of Miles Thornton. They have until tomorrow evening."
With that, I dragged the struggling Miles toward the exit, ignoring the whispers erupting behind . I knew what I was doing would have far-reaching consequences. The Thorntons weren't just wealthy – they were dangerous, with connections throughout the entire region.
But I was done being the man who smiled and bowed while others took what belonged to him. That Liam Knight was gone forever.
As I reached the door, I heard Anthony's voice behind , hushed but clear: "He's actually taking a Thornton hostage. The entire family will co for his head."
I didn't look back. Let them co. I was ready to show Eldoria that even the mightiest family could bleed.
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