I woke to warmth flooding through my body. For a moment, I thought I was still dreaming. The soft scent of jasmine lingered in the air. Isabelle''s scent. My eyes fluttered open, expecting to see her by my bedside.


    The room was empty.


    Reality crashed down like a physical blow. She was gone. Memories of our conversation flooded back – her tearful eyes, her promise to wait for me in Veridia City.


    "Isabelle," I whispered, my voice breaking on her name.


    A nurse bustled in, interrupting my thoughts. "Oh! You''re awake, Mr. Knight. How are you feeling this morning?"


    I barely heard her, my mind still reying Isabelle''sst words to me.


    "Where is she?" I asked.


    The nurse checked my vitals, her movements efficient. "Miss Ashworth? She left early this morning for Veridia City. But she made sure everything was arranged for your care."


    My heart sank. I''d hoped for one more moment with her, one more chance to see her face.


    "She left something for you," the nurse added, pointing to the nightstand.


    An envelope sat there, my name written in elegant script. With trembling fingers, I reached for it.


    Inside was a simple note:


    *Liam,*


    *I''ve instructed Caspian to handle the remaining situation with Gage. By the time you read this, it will be done. Come to me in Veridia City when you''re strong enough. I''ll be waiting.*


    *Yours,*


    *Isabelle*


    Something else was in the envelope – a small jade token with the Ashworth family crest.


    "Miss Ashworth said this would grant you passage through any checkpoint," the nurse exined, noticing my puzzled expression.


    I clutched the token tightly, emotion overwhelming me. This wasn''t just a gift – it was protection. ess. A deration to the world that I stood under Ashworth protection.


    Tears welled in my eyes. For three years with the Sterling family, I''d been nothing. Less than nothing. And now...


    The dam broke. Sobs racked my body, sending pain shooting through my wounds. I didn''t care. The release felt necessary, cleansing.


    "Mr. Knight!" The nurse rushed to my side, rmed. "You''re going to reopen your wounds!"


    I couldn''t stop. Years of humiliation and recent torture crashed against the shore of Isabelle''s kindness. It was too much.


    "I''m sorry," I gasped between sobs. "I just—I never thought—"


    The nurse''s expression softened. "It''s okay," she said gently. "Sometimes happiness is harder to bear than pain."


    She was right. This overwhelming feeling wasn''t sadness but joy. Pure, terrifying joy.


    "I need to get better," I said, wiping my tears. "I need to go to Veridia City."


    "All in good time," she replied, adjusting my medication. "Miss Ashworth was very clear that you''re to heal properly first."


    The thought of Isabelle giving stern instructions about my care made me smile. Her fierce protectiveness was something I was still getting used to.


    "Now rest," the nurse insisted. "That''s the fastest way to recover."


    I nodded, clutching Isabelle''s token as I drifted back to sleep.


    ---


    News traveled fast in Eldoria. By that afternoon, everyone had heard about Gage McBride''s fate.


    "They say his body was found in his own formation chamber," whispered an orderly who thought I was sleeping. "The spirit whip turned against him somehow."


    "Poetic justice," another replied. "After what he did to that poor Knight fellow."


    "The Ashworth family doesn''t mess around. They''re saying the young miss herself ordered it."


    I kept my eyes closed, but satisfaction warmed my chest. Not because of Gage''s death, but because justice had been served. The prisoners he''d tortured for years would sleep easier tonight.


    For the next day, I focused entirely on healing. I performed breathing exercises when the nurses weren''t looking, channeling energy to my wounds the way my father''s technique had taught me.


    Each hour brought strength. Each moment brought me closer to Veridia City. Closer to Isabelle.


    By the second morning after her departure, I could sit up without assistance. The doctors were amazed at my recovery rate.


    "It''s almost miraculous," the head physician said, examining my back where the worst wounds had been. "The scarring is minimal. Your body has remarkable regenerative properties."


    I smiled, thinking of the jade pendant hidden beneath my pillow. My father''s legacy was serving me well.


    As I was finishing breakfast on the third morning, amotion erupted in the hallway outside my room.


    "You can''t go in there without authorization!" a nurse protested.


    "I am Conrad Thornton! I don''t need authorization!" a familiar voice boomed.


    My body tensed. Conrad Thornton – the man who''d betrayed me to Gage. What could he possibly want now?


    The door burst open. Conrad Thornton stood there, but this wasn''t the arrogant man I remembered. His face was pale, his clothes disheveled. Behind him, a thin, older man I recognized as his uncle Armando hovered nervously.


    Conrad''s eyes met mine. For a moment, neither of us spoke.


    Then, to my absolute shock, Conrad Thornton dropped to his knees.


    "Mr. Knight," he said, his voice breaking. "I''vee to beg your forgiveness."


    I stared at him, speechless. Conrad Thornton—one of the most powerful men in Eldoria—was kneeling before me.


    "Get up," I finally said, ufortable with the disy. "Why are you here?"


    Conrad remained on his knees, head bowed. "After what happened to Gage McBride... everyone knows it was the Ashworth family''s doing. For you."


    Fear. That''s what I saw in his eyes. Not respect, not remorse. Pure, undiluted terror.


    "Word has spread about your connection to Miss Ashworth," Uncle Armando interjected, his voice trembling. "The entire province is talking about it."


    Conrad nodded frantically. "I made a terrible mistake. I didn''t know—couldn''t have known—your importance."


    I almostughed at the absurdity. Yesterday, I was worth torturing. Today, I was worth kneeling to. All because of a name. Because of Isabelle.


    "Stand up," I said more firmly. "Your groveling doesn''t interest me."


    Conrad rose shakily to his feet but kept his head bowed. "Our family wishes to make amends. Whatever you require, the Thornton family is at your disposal."


    I studied him closely. The calcting businessman was still there, behind the show of submission. He wasn''t sorry for what he''d done—only sorry he''d chosen the wrong target.


    "Why should I trust anything from you?" I asked coldly.


    Conrad flinched. "You shouldn''t. But the Thornton family has resources that could be useful to you. Informationworks. Business connections across three provinces."


    Now I understood. This wasn''t just an apology—it was a business proposal. Conrad was offering himself as an ally, betting that my rise would continue.


    Smart man.


    I considered my position. Making an enemy of the Thornton family would only create problems I didn''t need. And having their resources at my disposal could be useful.


    "Fine," I said after a long pause. "The Thornton family will work for me now. Any attempt at betrayal will be met with consequences worse than what happened to Gage. Understood?"


    Conrad nodded eagerly, relief washing over his face. "Absolutely, Mr. Knight. You have my word."


    "Your word," I repeated with a bitterugh. "Worth less than nothing. But your fear—that I trust."


    Uncle Armando stepped forward hesitantly. "Mr. Knight, there''s something else..."


    Conrad shot his uncle a warning look, but the older man continued.


    "My nephew''s son, Tristan, has been ill for months. The doctors say it''s a rare blood disease. If you have any connection to medical resources through the Ashworth family..."


    I remembered young Tristan from my brief visit to the Thornton estate. A frail boy with intelligent eyes.


    "Your son is sick?" I asked Conrad.


    Something genuine finally broke through Conrad''s calcting facade—parental anguish.


    "Yes," he admitted, voice cracking. "We''ve tried everything. If there''s any way you could help... any treatment you could ess through your connection to the Ashworths..."


    Here was leverage I hadn''t expected. A father''s desperation for his child.


    "I''ll see what I can do," I said, surprising myself with the offer. "When I get to Veridia City, I''ll consult with specialists there."


    Hope dawned in Conrad''s eyes—the first honest emotion I''d seen from him.


    Uncle Armando stepped closer, his face grave. "Mr. Knight, I''m afraid..." He nced at Conrad, whose shoulders had begun to shake. "The young master... he''s... already dead."


    The words hung in the air like a physical presence.


    Conrad''sposure crumbledpletely. He sank back to his knees, this time not in supplication but in grief.


    "When?" I asked quietly. <small ss="in-imprint-a">This chapter was uploaded by the team at *.</small>


    "Last night," Uncle Armando answered, cing a hand on Conrad''s shoulder. "The doctors said he wouldn''tst the week, but we hoped..."


    I watched Conrad''s shoulders heave with silent sobs. In that moment, he wasn''t a business rival or a man who had betrayed me. He was just a father who had lost his son.


    "I''m sorry," I said, and meant it.


    Conrad looked up, his face streaked with tears. "He asked about you, you know. After your visit. He was impressed by your kindness."


    The revtion hit me hard. A dying boy had remembered my small act of courtesy while his father plotted my downfall.


    "The funeral?" I asked.


    "Tomorrow," Uncle Armando replied. "A private ceremony."


    I nodded slowly. "I''ll attend."


    Conrad stared at me in disbelief. "After what I did to you?"


    "I''m not doing it for you," I said firmly. "I''m doing it for Tristan."


    For a moment, genuine gratitude shone in Conrad''s tear-filled eyes. He bowed his head, unable to speak.


    Uncle Armando helped him to his feet. "We should let Mr. Knight rest," he said gently.


    Conradposed himself with visible effort. "My offer stands," he said hoarsely. "The Thornton family is at your service, Mr. Knight."


    As they turned to leave, I called after them. "Conrad."


    He paused at the door.


    "I know what it''s like to lose everything," I said quietly. "It doesn''t get easier. But you learn to carry it."


    Something passed between us—not forgiveness, certainly not friendship, but perhaps understanding.


    With a final nod, Conrad left.


    I sank back against my pillows, exhausted by the encounter. The world was shifting around me, alliances reforming, enemies bing servants.


    All because of Isabelle Ashworth.


    I closed my eyes, clutching her token. "I''ming," I whispered, as if she could hear me across the distance. "Wait for me."


    In the quiet hospital room, I made a promise to myself. I would heal. I would grow stronger. And when I reached Veridia City, I would be worthy of standing beside her.


    No matter what challenges awaited.