I watched Daxon Johnson''s face contort with desperation as Commander Keller motioned for his officers to escort him away. The man who had strutted into my factory with such arrogance just an hour ago now looked pathetically small, his shoulders hunched in defeat.


    "This is all a misunderstanding!" Daxon pleaded, his voice cracking. "I was set up! It was Seraphina Sterling who put me up to this. She wanted revenge against Knight!"


    I couldn''t help but scoff. Even in his downfall, he was trying to drag others down with him.


    "Enough," Commander Keller said firmly. "The evidence is clear. Your recorded threats against Mr. Knight, your instructions to nt false evidence, and your attempted assault have been witnessed by multiple people, including high-ranking officials."


    Deputy Chief Werner nodded solemnly. "Johnson, you''ve abused your position for personal vendettas. This behavior is uneptable in any capacity, but especially from someone in your position."


    "Mr. Knight," the Deputy Chief turned to me, "I apologize for the disruption to your business. I assure you that such corruption will not be tolerated in our ranks."


    I nodded, keeping my expression neutral despite the satisfaction I felt. "I understand that one bad apple doesn''t represent the entire basket, Deputy Chief."


    Daxon''s eyes bulged with rage. "You think you''ve won, Knight? This isn''t over! My family has connections you couldn''t imagine!"


    "Take him away," Commander Keller ordered, his voice heavy with disgust. <kbd ss="frag-c5f787">Find<i ss="node-sep"></i>the<i ss="node-sep"></i>source<i ss="node-sep"></i>of<i ss="node-sep"></i>this<i ss="node-sep"></i>chapter<i ss="node-sep"></i>at<i ss="node-sep"></i>*.</kbd>


    As the officers dragged Daxon toward their vehicle, he thrashed against their grip. "You''ll regret this, Knight! The Johnson family doesn''t forget! We don''t forget!"


    His threats echoed in the factory yard until the car door mmed shut, cutting him off mid-rant.


    The Deputy Chief sighed heavily. "Mr. Knight, what do you think would be an appropriate consequence for Johnson''s actions?"


    The question surprised me. I hadn''t expected to be consulted on Daxon''s fate.


    "I''m not looking for revenge," I replied carefully. "But someone with his temperament and willingness to abuse power shouldn''t hold a position of authority. Thew should take its course."


    Commander Keller nodded approvingly. "Well said. Johnson will be expelled from his position and face legal proceedings. We''ll ensure this case is handled with the utmost transparency."


    "Now," the Deputy Chief said, his tone shifting to something more pleasant, "I understand you''ll be attending tonight''s conference? Your Soul Nourishment Pill has created quite a buzz."


    I raised an eyebrow. "Has it?"


    "Indeed," he confirmed. "It''s be a key project of provincial concern. The medicalmittee is studying it as a typical case for innovation in traditional medicine."


    This was news to me. I knew my pill was effective, but hadn''t realized it had attracted such high-level attention.


    Den Steele stepped forward, a slight smile ying on his lips. "Mr. Knight, your reputation precedes you. I''ve heard Elder Harding speak highly of your work."


    "Elder Harding has been very supportive," I acknowledged.


    "He''s submitted all the necessary documents for you to participate in the Traditional Medicine Conference next month," Den continued. "Your contributions could change thendscape of medical treatment in our region."


    I felt a strange mix of pride and difort at his praise. "I''m just trying to help people who need it."


    "Such modesty," the Deputy Chief chuckled. "But potential like yours reminds me of Ignazio Bellweather in his early days."


    Theparison to the legendary medical sage made me ufortable. I was nowhere near Bellweather''s level.


    "I have much to learn," I replied diplomatically.


    After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the officials finally departed. Elder Hansen approached me as their vehicles disappeared down the road.


    "That was quite a spectacle," he remarked. "I''ve never seen the Deputy Chief make a personal appearance for something like this."


    I shrugged. "Johnson overyed his hand. He thought his position made him untouchable."


    "And you proved him wrong." Elder Hansen smiled. "The factory staff is already getting back to work. Will you still be attending the conference tonight?"


    "Yes," I confirmed. "But first, I need to check on a few things at home."


    After ensuring the factory operations were back to normal, I made my way home. The confrontation with Daxon had been satisfying, but I couldn''t shake the feeling that his threats weren''t entirely empty. The Johnson family had influence, and wounded pride often led to dangerous decisions.


    As I approached my house, I noticed several unfamiliar cars parked outside. My senses immediately went on high alert. I could detect multiple presences inside my home—some agitated, others seething with anger.


    I pushed open the door cautiously and found my living room upied by people I recognized all too well. Ka Monroe sat stiffly on my sofa, her eyes red-rimmed. Beside her were Christian Johnson and Simon Johnson—Daxon''s father and uncle.


    "Well," Simon Johnson said, his voice dripping with venom as he rose to his feet, "the man of the hour finally arrives."


    Christian Johnson stood as well, his face flushed with fury. "You have some nerve, Knight, destroying my son''s career like this."


    I closed the door behind me calmly. "Your son destroyed his own career when he decided to abuse his power."


    "Lies!" Christian spat. "My son was doing his job until you interfered!"


    Ka looked up at me, her expression a mix of anger and betrayal. "Was it necessary to humiliate him so publicly? Couldn''t you have handled it privately?"


    "Like how he handled our rtionship privately?" I countered. "Or how he privately threatened me and my business?"


    Simon stepped forward, jabbing a finger at my chest. "First, you break my daughter''s heart without saying a word. Now you''ve ruined my nephew''s career and put our family''s standing in jeopardy."


    I didn''t back away from his finger. "Your daughter cheated on me, remember? As for your nephew, he brought this on himself."


    "The Johnson family has been respected in Eldoria for generations," Christian snarled. "And you''ve dragged our name through the mud in a single day!"


    "No," I replied firmly. "Daxon dragged your name through the mud when he decided to use his position to pursue a personal vendetta."


    Simon''s face darkened with rage. "You hurt my daughter without saying, now you want to hurt my nephew, because of you, our Johnson family is now in a precarious state. You tell me what to do!"


    His words hung in the air like a challenge, the tension in the room thick enough to cut with a knife. I stared back at him, unflinching, as I considered my response to this direct confrontation from the Johnson patriarch.