I left the ballroom with Roman following close behind, my mind still reying the scene I''d just caused. The night air felt cool against my skin, a stark contrast to the heat of conflict that had consumed me moments ago.


    "That was... unexpected," Roman said, his voice betraying his astonishment. "You''ve changed, Liam."


    I nodded slightly. "I suppose I have."


    As we walked through the garden path leading away from the Sterling vi, I couldn''t help but appreciate the spiritual energy that seemed to permeate the grounds. Despite everything that had happened here, the vi was situated on an exceptional spot for cultivation.


    "The meridians here are quite strong," I observed quietly. "No wonder the Sterling family has managed to maintain their position in Havenwood City for generations."


    Roman raised an eyebrow. "You can sense that now?"


    "I can sense many things I couldn''t before," I replied simply.


    "Liam," Roman''s voice grew serious. "The Hawthornes aren''t like the Sterlings. They''re one of the most influential families in Veridia City. Sebastian Hawthorne has connections everywhere, and he''s known for his ruthlessness."


    I couldn''t help but smile. Six months ago, that warning would have terrified me. Now, it barely registered as a concern. "Let theme."


    Roman shook his head. "You don''t understand the storm you''ve just invited."


    "Perhaps not," I admitted. "But I understand that I''m tired of living in fear."


    As we parted ways at the gate, Roman gave me onest concerned look. "Be careful, Liam. True strength isn''t just about power—it''s about knowing when to wield it."


    I nodded in acknowledgment, but my mind was already elsewhere, focused on my next steps in cultivation. The confrontation had depleted some of my energy, and I needed to replenish it soon.


    ---


    Back inside the Sterling vi, chaos reigned. Juliany on the floor, writhing in pain, his arm bent at an unnatural angle and his jaw visibly dislocated. Medical staff had been summoned immediately, and they worked frantically to stabilize him.


    "He needs to be transported to a hospital right away," one medic announced, his face grim. "The arm ispletely shattered—it might never fully recover."


    Seraphina Sterling stood nearby, her face pale with shock. "How could this happen? How could Liam possibly do this?"


    Gideon ced aforting hand on his wife''s shoulder, though his own expression was troubled. "It seems there''s more to your former son-inw than we realized."


    The white-haired protector sat nearby, his broken wrists being splinted by another medic. His eyes burned with humiliation and rage. "He''s at the Third Layer of Qi Refining. Possibly even close to the Fourth. His technique... it wasn''t amateur. He''s been trained."


    This news spread through the ballroom like wildfire, guests whispering urgently to each other. The once-scorned live-in son-inw had returned with unexinable power, crippling one of Veridia City''s elite heirs without hesitation.


    "Sebastian Hawthorne will not let this stand," someone whispered. "There will be blood for this."


    ---


    By morning, video of the confrontation had spread throughout both Havenwood and Veridia City''s upper circles. In a luxurious high-rise office overlooking Veridia City''s skyline, Isabelle Ashworth watched the footage on her tablet, her expression unreadable.


    "Ms. Ashworth," her secretary fretted. "This is concerning. The young man from the prophecy has just crippled Julian Hawthorne. The Hawthornes will demand retribution, and they might look to us, given our connection to him."


    Isabelle set down her tablet, her eyes thoughtful. "Did you notice his eyes, Emma?"


    "His... eyes?" Emma seemed confused by the question.


    "Yes. Look again." Isabelle reyed the video, pausing on a clear shot of my face. "There''s no fear there. No hesitation. Just absolute certainty."


    Emma nodded uncertainly. "That''s... concerning, isn''t it?" <mark ss="in-imprint-a">Text acquired from M|V|LEMP&YR.</mark>


    "No." Isabelle''s lips curved into a slight smile. "It''s exactly what my grandfather saw in him. It''s what I needed to see."


    "But Ms. Ashworth, the Hawthornes—"


    "The Hawthornes have been trying to force an alliance with our family for years," Isabelle cut in, her voice cool. "Julian has been particrly persistent with his unwanted attentions. I owe them nothing."


    Emma looked increasingly distressed. "But surely we must do something to appease them? Sebastian Hawthorne isn''t known for his forgiveness."


    "Sebastian Hawthorne isn''t known for many admirable qualities," Isabelle replied, turning to gaze out her office window at the sprawling cityscape below. "And I''ve never been one to appease men simply because they demand it."


    "This young man," Emma gestured to the paused video of me. "He''s developed remarkably fast. Most people in Veridia City with strong mentalities have been groomed from childhood or forged through years of experience."


    Isabelle nodded, something like pride flickering across her face. "Which makes his development all the more impressive, doesn''t it?"


    Before Emma could respond, the office door burst open. A security guard stumbled in, looking rmed.


    "Ms. Ashworth, I''m sorry—I couldn''t stop him—"


    Sebastian Hawthorne strode into the office, his imposing figure radiating fury. His silver-streaked dark hair was immactely styled despite the obvious rage in his features, his expensive suit bearing not a single wrinkle.


    "Isabelle." His voice was dangerously quiet. "We need to talk. Now."


    Emma quickly backed away, looking between her boss and the imposing man who''d just invaded their space.


    Isabelle turned slowly from the window, her expression unchanged. "Sebastian. I don''t recall scheduling a meeting with you today."


    "My son is in the hospital," Sebastian growled. "His arm permanently damaged. His jaw fractured. His career as a cultivator potentially ruined."


    "I''ve heard," Isabelle replied coolly. "A most unfortunate incident."


    Sebastian''s eyes narrowed. "Unfortunate? Is that all you have to say? This... nobody, this Liam Knight—the man you''ve apparently been protecting—attacked my son! And I want to know why!"


    "From what I understand," Isabelle said, picking up her tablet and scrolling through the video, "your son was the aggressor. Mr. Knight merely defended himself."


    "Defended—?" Sebastian sputtered, his face reddening. "He broke Julian''s arm! Shattered his jaw! My son will need months of specialized healing, and even then, there may be permanent damage to his meridians!"


    "Perhaps Julian should have considered the consequences before threatening someone." Isabelle''s voice remained unruffled, which seemed to infuriate Sebastian further.


    He mmed his fist down on her desk. "I demand satisfaction for this! The Ashworth family will either disavow all connection to this Liam Knight, or I will consider it a direct insult to the Hawthorne family!"


    Isabelle''s eyes shed, the first sign of emotion she''d disyed since Sebastian''s arrival. She stood slowly, her slender frame somehow managing tomand the room despite Sebastian''s towering presence.


    "Sebastian Hawthorne," she said, her voice dropping to a cial tone that sent chills down Emma''s spine. "Who gave you the courage to yell at me?"


    The office fell deathly silent, the tension between them electric. Sebastian''s face went from red to purple, but something in Isabelle''s unwavering gaze made even him hesitate.