I stared at the malevolent box, its contents still emanating that sickening aura that had been poisoning Alistair Prescott for months. The garden remained deathly quiet as everyone waited for my response.
"We need to neutralize it imdiately," I said, stepping forward. "Mr. Nolan, do you have salt in your feng shui supplies?"
The feng shui master nodded stiffly, his earlier arrogance completely evaporated. "Yes, purified sea salt."
"Bring it. Also, we'll need clean water and white cloth."
As Nolan hurried away, I turned to the groundskeeper. "Don't touch anything inside the box. Find so dried sage or rosemary if you have it in the garden."
Damian hovered protectively near his father, who looked both shaken and relieved. "Will this... will removing it cure my father?"
"It should stop the deterioration," I replied honestly. "But your father will need ti to recover from the damage already done."
When Nolan returned with the supplies, I took charge with a confidence that clearly surprised him. I sprinkled salt in a specific pattern around the box, then soaked the white cloth in water and carefully wrapped it around the cursed items without directly touching them.
"Take note," I instructed Nolan as I worked. "The counter-ritual must match the original curse's power but invert its intent."
For nearly an hour, I worked thodically, neutralizing the dark energy while explaining the process. Nolan watched with rapt attention, occasionally asking surprisingly intelligent questions. By the ti I finished, the oppressive feeling that had hung over the garden was noticeably lighter.
"It's done," I announced, stepping back from the now-sealed box. "The curse has been neutralized, but this needs to be properly disposed of away from your property."
"I'll have it taken care of," Damian promised, looking at with newfound respect.
Alistair, still bundled in his chair, reached for my hand. "Young man, I don't know how to thank you. I already feel... lighter."
"You should start improving within days," I told him. "Rest, clean food, and positive energy will speed your recovery."
Mr. Nolan approached , his deanor completely transford. "Mr. Knight," he said, bowing deeply, "I owe you an apology for my skepticism and challenge earlier. You have demonstrated knowledge that... that few possess in this modern age."
I nodded, accepting his apology without comnt. The humility was genuine, and I saw no need to press the point.
"I would be honored," Nolan continued, "if you would allow to learn from you. As promised, I acknowledge you as my master in these arts."
This surprised . I hadn't expected him to honor that part of his challenge. "There's no need for that," I replied. "We all have different areas of expertise."
"Nevertheless," he insisted, "I've studied for decades and never encountered soone with your... intuition. Please, allow to consult with you on difficult cases."
I considered this for a mont. Having a connection to a respected feng shui master could be useful, especially one who now understood the depth of my abilities.
"We can discuss that arrangent another ti," I said finally.
---
Three days later, I was in my office at the Knight dical Center when there was a knock at the door. Alec Prescott stood there, looking significantly better than when I'd last seen him.
"Mr. Knight," he greeted , stepping in when I gestured for him to enter. "I hope I'm not interrupting."
"Not at all," I replied, setting aside the formula notes I'd been reviewing. "How is your father?"
Alec's face brightened. "That's why I'm here. He's made a remarkable recovery. The doctors are calling it miraculous — they can't explain it, but we know the truth." He paused, his expression growing serious. "You saved his life, Mr. Knight. Our family owes you a debt we can never repay."
"I'm glad he's improving," I said simply.
Alec shifted uncomfortably. "There's sothing else I need to discuss with you. A business matter of grave importance to my family."
I gestured to the chair across from my desk. "Go on."
"The Prescott family's enterprises are... well, they're in serious trouble," he admitted, his voice tight with tension. "The Hawthorne family has been systematically undermining our contracts, poaching our clients, and blocking our access to new projects. We're on the brink of collapse."
This was surprising news. The Prescotts had always been among Havenwood City's elite business families.
"I'm sorry to hear that, but I'm not sure how I can help with business matters."
Alec leaned forward. "That's where you're wrong, Mr. Knight. We've learned sothing quite unexpected. Damian had a eting with representatives from the Ashworth Corporation yesterday." This text was acquired from *.
My interest piqued at the ntion of Isabelle's family na.
"According to them, Isabelle Ashworth has granted you full authority over all Ashworth family investnts in Havenwood City. Is this true?"
I tried to mask my surprise. Isabelle had ntioned arranging so business matters in my favor, but I hadn't realized the extent of her trust. "Yes, that appears to be the case," I answered carefully.
Alec's eyes lit up. "Then you have the power to save us. The Ashworth Corporation controls several major construction projects in Havenwood that haven't yet been assigned. If you were to direct one of those projects to Prescott Construction..."
I considered his request. It would be simple enough to do, and the Prescotts had earned so goodwill by treating with respect when few others did. Still, sothing else occurred to — a far better opportunity.
"I could do that," I acknowledged, "but I think I have sothing that would help you more than a single construction project."
"Anything," Alec said eagerly.
"The Soul Nourishnt Pill I developed. It's going to revolutionize treatnt for several common conditions. I need a distribution partner here in Havenwood City — soone with business connections and an established reputation."
I watched his reaction carefully. This pill would make billions once its efficacy was widely known. It wasn't just a lifeline for the Prescott family; it was a rocket that could launch them past the Hawthornes entirely.
"A... pill?" Alec's enthusiasm visibly dimd. "Mr. Knight, while I'm sure your dical innovations are impressive, we're a construction company. We need contracts, not... pharmaceutical ventures."
"This isn't just any pill," I explained patiently. "The market potential is enormous. Within a year, you could recoup any losses the Hawthornes have caused and surpass them entirely."
Alec shifted uncomfortably. "It sounds promising, but our situation is dire and imdiate. We need guaranteed inco now, not speculative ventures, no matter how promising."
I couldn't help but feel disappointed. Short-sightedness was a common human failing, but I'd hoped for better from Alec after what he'd witnessed.
"I understand," I said finally. "I'll speak with the Ashworth representatives about assigning a construction project to your company."
Relief washed over Alec's face. "Thank you, Mr. Knight. You're saving our legacy. My father will be eternally grateful."
After he left, I stared out my office window, thinking about the decision I'd just witnessed. The Prescotts would get their construction project and survive another day, but they had just walked away from what could have been their family's fortune for generations.
My phone buzzed with a text from Roman Volkov, asking about progress on the pill production. I smiled slightly as I typed my response: "How would you like to be the exclusive distributor for the Soul Nourishnt Pill in Havenwood City?"
I sent the ssage, knowing Roman would imdiately grasp the opportunity that Alec had missed. So n saw only the path directly in front of them, while others could envision highways beyond the horizon.
As I returned to my formula notes, I couldn't help but think that Alec Prescott had inadvertently missed a golden business opportunity. The construction project would keep his family afloat for now, but the true fortune had slipped through his fingers without him even realizing what he had lost.
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