The words hung in the air like poison. Beside , I felt rather than saw Isabelle's body tense.
"How dare you," Isabelle said, her voice deadly quiet. The temperature in our corner of the ballroom seed to drop several degrees.
Before I could even process what was happening, Isabelle's hand flashed through the air. The sharp crack of her palm connecting with Seraphina's cheek echoed through the suddenly silent room.
Seraphina stumbled backward, her hand flying to her reddening cheek, her eyes wide with shock. "You—you struck !"
"And I'll do it again if you speak about Liam that way," Isabelle said, her voice trembling with fury. "You worthless, shallow creature. You had a man of exceptional talent and character in your ho for three years, and you treated him like dirt beneath your feet."
I stood frozen, watching this unfold. Never in my life had anyone defended this way.
Gideon Blackwood's face had gone pale as milk. He looked from Seraphina to Isabelle, then back again, clearly calculating his next move. Survival instinct won over marital loyalty.
"Seraphina!" Gideon hissed, grabbing her arm. "Apologize to Mr. Knight. Now!"
When Seraphina rely gaped at him in disbelief, Gideon's hand shot out, landing another slap across her already reddened cheek.
"I said apologize!" he demanded, his voice cracking with panic. "Do you have any idea who you've just insulted? The Ashworths could destroy our entire family with one phone call!"
Tears welling in her eyes, Seraphina turned to . "Liam, I—I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said those things."
I looked at her—really looked at her. This woman who had belittled , cheated on , made sleep on the floor beside the bed I'd bought with my own money. For three years, I'd endured her scorn, her family's contempt, her lovers sneaking through our ho.
"Your apology ans nothing to ," I said coldly. "You're garbage, Seraphina. Always have been."
Gideon stepped forward, sweat beading on his forehead. "Mr. Knight, please accept my sincerest apologies as well. My wife spoke out of turn—"
"Save it," I cut him off. "I rember how you laughed when she poured hot tea on at your dinner party last year. I rember every insult, every humiliation. Neither of you are worth my ti or attention."
I turned to Isabelle, whose eyes shone with sothing that looked like pride. "Shall we rejoin the table? I believe we were having a much more stimulating conversation there."
As we walked away, I heard Seraphina's strangled sob behind us. For three years, I'd dread of the day I might see her brought low. Now that it had happened, I felt nothing but cold indifference.
"That was perfectly handled," Isabelle murmured. "You showed strength without cruelty. That's rare."
"I've had enough cruelty in my life to know I don't want to dish it out," I replied. "Even to those who might deserve it." The authentic version is on *.
---
The next morning at the Ashworth Estate, I found myself once again trying to reason with William Vance, who had arrived early to discuss business with Michael Ashworth.
"Mr. Vance, please. The black aura surrounding your chest is darker today," I insisted, keeping my voice low so others wouldn't hear. "I know how this sounds, but you need imdiate dical attention."
William's face flushed with anger. "Young man, I've tolerated your presence because of Isabelle's inexplicable interest in you. But I will not be lectured about my health by so upstart with delusions of dical expertise."
"It's not a delusion," I pressed. "The darkness I see—it indicates severe obstruction in your coronary arteries. Even minor exertion could trigger—"
"Enough!" William snapped, banging his fist on the mahogany table. "Michael, control your protégé before I reconsider our arrangent."
Michael Ashworth shot a warning glance, but before he could speak, Isabelle stepped into the room.
"What's happening here?" she asked, her gaze moving between us.
William scoffed. "Your pet project is playing doctor again. Claims he can see 'darkness' around my heart. Nonsense."
Isabelle's expression remained neutral, but her eyes t mine with understanding.
"William," she said calmly, "Liam doesn't make claims lightly. Perhaps you should consider what he's saying."
"Not you too," William groaned. "I had a full physical three months ago. Clean bill of health."
I wanted to argue further, to tell him how the black energy was pulsating, how it had spread since yesterday, but I knew it was futile. So people couldn't be helped until they wanted it.
"As you wish, Mr. Vance," I said finally. "I hope I'm wrong."
---
Later that afternoon, I found myself standing outside the Sterling family's estate, a small jade bottle containing a Soul Nourishnt Pill clutched in my hand. This would be my final visit here.
William Sterling had shown small kindnesses during my years of tornt—a sympathetic glance, an occasional defense when Beatrice's cruelty beca too extre. He had a weak heart, both literally and figuratively. This pill would strengthen him, repaying the debt I owed for those rare monts of humanity.
After that, I would be done with the Sterlings forever.
I pressed the intercom button, and the gates slowly swung open. The sprawling mansion looked exactly as I rembered it, yet sohow diminished. Once, I had approached this house with dread in my stomach. Now I felt nothing but mild impatience.
I didn't make it halfway up the driveway before Beatrice Sterling burst through the front door, her face contorted with rage. Behind her ca Simon Sterling, Seraphina's father, his heavy fra moving with surprising speed.
"You!" Beatrice shrieked, pointing a bony finger at . "How dare you show your face here after what you did to my daughter!"
I stopped, regarding them calmly. "I've co to see William. It will only take a mont."
"Get off our property!" Simon bellowed, his face purple with fury. "You humiliated my daughter in front of the entire city! Made her the laughingstock of high society!"
I almost laughed. "I humiliated her? After three years of being treated like a servant in my own ho?"
"Your ho?" Beatrice spat. "This was your ho, you ungrateful wretch! We took you in when you had nothing!"
"And reminded of it every day," I replied coolly. "I'm not here to argue. I simply want to give William sothing."
Simon's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What? So poison concoction to finish him off? Haven't you done enough damage to this family?"
"My father-in-law is resting," Beatrice said, blocking my path. "And he wants nothing to do with you. None of us do. Seraphina is with the Ashworths now—she belongs to a family of real power. You're nothing but a temporary distraction for Isabelle Ashworth. When she tires of you, you'll be back in the gutter where you belong."
I felt a surge of anger but controlled it. "Seraphina doesn't 'belong' to anyone. And neither do I."
"Listen carefully," Simon snarled, stepping closer until I could sll his expensive cologne. "Stay away from my daughter. Stay away from this house. You may think you're sothing special now, with Isabelle Ashworth's money behind you, but we know what you really are—a nobody, a parasite."
The old would have lowered my eyes, would have apologized and retreated. But I was no longer that man.
"I ca to repay a debt to William," I said firmly. "After that, you'll never see again. But make no mistake—I'm not leaving because you told to. I'm leaving because you and your family are no longer worth my ti."
Beatrice's face contorted with rage as she stepped forward, her finger jabbing toward my chest. "How dare you speak to us like that! Get out! Get out now before I call security!"
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