I stared at the sea of retreating faces, my heart sinking as potential clients backed away. Alvin Ward''s mention of the Thornton Family had done its work. No one wanted to associate with a dead man walking.


    "It seems your reputation isn''t quite what you thought, Mr. Knight," Alvin taunted, his voice carrying just enough for those nearby to hear. "Perhaps next time you''ll think twice before interfering in matters beyond your understanding."


    I clenched my jaw but maintained myposure. "Is this how the Thornton Family conducts business? Through veiled threats and intimidation of medical practitioners?"


    "The Thornton Family has no need to exin itself to someone like you," he replied with a dismissive wave. "Now, I believe you have a statue to forfeit."


    The clerk at the payment counter caught my eye, tapping his watch. My hour was nearly up, and I was no closer to securing the funds I needed. The dark energy emanating from that stone statue confirmed my suspicions—it was dangerous in the wrong hands, and something told me Alvin Ward definitely qualified as the wrong hands.


    My phone buzzed in my pocket. Probably Leopold or Alistair with bad news about the loan. I pulled it out, expecting disappointment.


    Instead, a notification from my banking app appeared:


    [Deposit received: ￥50,000,000 from Isabelle XX]


    My breath caught. Before I could process what I was seeing, another message came through:


    [Every battle you face is one I face with you, even from afar. This is just the beginning. More wille when needed. Stand strong, Liam. —Isabelle Ashworth, Veridia City]


    Warmth spread through my chest. Isabelle. Even from Veridia City, she was watching, supporting, believing in me when I needed it most.


    Almost immediately, my banking app pinged again:


    [Deposit received: ￥200,000,000 from Isabelle XX]


    I stared at my screen in disbelief. Two hundred and fifty million yuan. Exactly what I needed.


    I looked up to find Alvin watching me with smug satisfaction, clearly believing my time had run out. Without a word, I walked to the payment counter, head held high.


    "I''m ready toplete my purchase," I told the clerk, sliding my phone across the counter to disy the ount bnce.


    The clerk''s eyes widened momentarily before heposed himself. "Of course, Mr. Knight. We''ll process this immediately."


    Alvin''s face contorted with shock and then anger as he watched the transaction proceed. "Impossible," he muttered, stalking over. "Where did you get that kind of money?"


    "I have powerful friends too, Mr. Ward," I replied calmly, feeling strength surge through me. "Perhaps next time you''ll think twice before underestimating me."


    The clerk handed me a receipt. "The statue will be packed and brought to you momentarily, Mr. Knight."


    Alvin''s eyes narrowed to slits. "This isn''t over," he hissed, dropping all pretense of civility. "That artifact is imed by the Thornton Family. You have no idea what forces you''re ying with."


    "I know exactly what I''m doing," I countered, standing my ground. "And if Miles Thornton has an issue, he can address me directly instead of sending his errand boy."


    Something dangerous shed in Alvin''s eyes. "You dare—"


    "Is there a problem here?" A staff member approached, carrying the carefully wrapped statue.


    Our confrontation had drawn attention from around the auction hall. Alvin seemed to realize this and reined in his anger, though the murderous intent in his eyes remained.


    "No problem," I said, epting the package. "Mr. Ward was just leaving."


    For a moment, I thought he might attack me right there. Instead, he leaned in close. "You won''t make it out of this city alive."


    "Is that a threat or a promise?" I challenged.


    The air between us crackled with tension. I felt my own power rising to the surface, ready to defend if necessary. Simultaneously, I sensed Alvin''s aura expanding—the unmistakable presence of a Grandmaster.


    Just as the confrontation seemed poised to explode into violence, an invisible force pressed down on both of us, suppressing our auras like a hand smothering a me.


    "No fighting in my establishment," a disembodied voice announced calmly but firmly. "Take your grievances elsewhere."


    I nced around, trying to identify the source. The sheer power behind that suppression was staggering—far beyond what a normal Grandmaster should be capable of.


    Alvin looked equally surprised, his eyes darting around the room. After a moment of visible calction, he stepped back.


    "The Thornton Family doesn''t forget slights, Knight," he said coldly. "Miles will hear about this immediately."


    "Tell him I''m looking forward to our reunion," I replied. "And tell him toe himself next time instead of sending his pets."


    Alvin''s face darkened with rage, but he turned and strode away, the crowd parting before him like water.


    As the tension dissipated, I examined the wrapped statue in my hands. Through the protective covering, I could still sense its dark energy pulsing like a heartbeat. Whatever this artifact was, it was ancient and powerful—and somehow connected to Miles Thornton. <samp ss="ref-0f8cdd">This chapter is part of the collection on *.</samp>


    "Be careful with that," a voice said behind me.


    I turned to find Leopold watching me with concern.


    "What do you know about it?" I asked.


    He shook his head. "Nothing specific. But the way Ward reacted... it''s clearly valuable beyond its mary worth."


    I nodded, carefully securing the package. "I need to leave before Alvin returns with reinforcements."


    "Wise decision," Leopold agreed. "I''ll keep my ears open for any Thornton movement and warn you if necessary."


    I thanked him and made my way toward the exit, my mind racing. The unexpected support from Isabelle had saved me, but it also raised questions. How was she monitoring my activities from Veridia City? And where had she acquired such significant funds so quickly?


    As I approached the door, a woman in dark clothing with a partially veiled face stepped into my path.


    "Dr. Knight," she whispered, ncing nervously around the hall. "A moment, please."


    I tensed, half-expecting an attack.


    "I need your help," she continued, her voice barely audible. "But I cannot be seen consulting with you openly. The Thornton Family..." She trailed off, her fear evident.


    "You''re ill?" I asked quietly.


    She nodded minutely. "Please, take this." She pressed a small piece of paper into my hand. "My number. Call when you can see me privately. I''ll pay whatever you ask."


    Before I could respond, she turned and melted back into the crowd, her movements practiced and furtive.


    I pocketed the paper, feeling the weight of the statue in my arms and the growing shadow of the Thornton Family looming over me. I''d won this round, but something told me the real battle was just beginning.


    As I stepped out into the afternoon sunlight, I pulled out my phone and typed a quick message to Isabelle:


    [Your support came at the perfect moment. I don''t know how to thank you. We need to talk soon.]


    Whatever came next, I knew one thing for certain—Isabelle Ashworth was my lifeline in a world increasingly set against me.