Corbin Ashworth''s gaze felt like ice as he stared me down. The warmth of our dinner evaporated instantly.


    "Uncle Corbin," Isabelle said, her voice steady despite the sudden tension. "This is Liam Knight."


    I stood and extended my hand. "It''s a pleasure to meet you, sir."


    Corbin ignored my outstretched hand, turning instead to Michael. "I wasn''t aware we were entertaining guests tonight, especially ones with such... questionable backgrounds."


    The insult hung in the air. I lowered my hand slowly, keeping my face neutral despite the burn of humiliation. This wasn''t my first encounter with the arrogance of Havenwood''s elite.


    Michael cleared his throat. "Liam is here at my invitation, Corbin."


    "Is that so?" Corbin''s lips curled into a thin smile. "And does this have anything to do with your granddaughter''s recent escapades?"


    Before Michael could respond, two more men entered the dining room. From their simr features andmanding presence, I recognized them immediately as more Ashworth family members.


    "Marcus, yton," Michael acknowledged with a nod. "I wasn''t expecting either of you this evening."


    Marcus, a lean man with sharp features and calcting eyes, took a seat without waiting for an invitation. "When we heard about Isabelle''s new... friend, we thought a family dinner was in order."


    yton, slightly younger with a perpetual frown etched on his face, circled the table like a predator. "So this is the alchemist who''s been keeping our niece upied."


    I felt Isabelle tense beside me. Her hand found mine under the table, squeezing it in silent support.


    "Uncle Marcus, Uncle yton," she said coolly. "Yes, this is Liam Knight. One of the Celestial Apothecary Guild''s most promising talents."


    yton snorted. "Guild talent or not, he''s still nobody in Havenwood. Or have you forgotten your position, Isabelle?"


    I swallowed the retort that sprang to my lips. This was Isabelle''s family, and creating a scene would only make things harder for her.


    "I''m well aware of my position," Isabelle replied, her voice sharp enough to cut ss. "And of Liam''s aplishments, which speak for themselves."


    Corbin took a seat opposite me, his eyes never leaving my face. "Aplishments? Like what? Brewing a few potions? Mixing some herbs? Let''s not pretend that puts him anywhere near our circle."


    The servants brought additional ce settings and food, their movements tense and hurried as they sensed the hostile atmosphere.


    "Actually," I said calmly, meeting Corbin''s gaze, "I recentlypleted the formtion of an Advanced Spirit Recovery Elixir. Pavilion Master Valerius was kind enough to express her approval."


    Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Mariana Valerius? That old witch still runs the Guild?"


    I felt a sh of anger at his disrespect toward my mentor. "Pavilion Master Valerius is one of the most respected alchemists in the country, sir."


    "Respected by whom?" ytonughed coldly. "Street vendors and hedge doctors?"


    Michael tapped his fingers on the table. "That''s enough. Mariana Valerius is an old friend and deserves your respect, regardless of your personal feelings."


    Corbin picked up his wine ss, swirling the dark liquid. "I hear you''re quite close with the ckthorne family now, Corbin," he said, shifting topics. "Gideon speaks highly of your partnership."


    The mention of Dashiell ckthorne''s father made my blood run cold. So the rumors were true—Corbin Ashworth had aligned himself with my enemies.


    Corbin smiled thinly. "The ckthornes understand the importance of proper alliances. Something our family seems to have forgotten."


    "And what exactly does that mean?" Isabelle challenged.


    "It means," yton interjected, "that you''ve been seen around town with this nobody while Dashiell ckthorne waits for your answer to his proposal."


    I nearly choked on my water. "Proposal?"


    Isabelle''s face flushed with anger. "There is no proposal to answer. I made that clear weeks ago."


    Marcus leaned forward. "Be reasonable, Isabelle. The ckthorne connection would strengthen our position in both Havenwood and Veridia City."


    "I''m not a chess piece to be moved for strategic advantage," she snapped.


    "No," yton said coldly. "You''re an Ashworth. And thates with responsibilities beyond your personal... distractions."


    His eyes flicked dismissively toward me on thest word.


    I set down my fork carefully. "I understand family loyalty, but surely Isabelle''s happiness matters as well?"


    The table fell silent. Then Corbinughed—a sound entirely devoid of humor.


    "Listen to him, speaking as if he understands anything about our world." Corbin''s voice dripped with contempt. "Boy, you have no idea the forces you''re ying with. The Ashworth name carries weight you cannotprehend."


    "Iprehend more than you think," I replied evenly.


    Corbin''s eyes narrowed dangerously. "Do you? Then perhaps youprehend that associating with Isabelle puts a target on your back—one you''re woefully unprepared to handle."


    "That sounds remarkably like a threat," I observed.


    "Uncle Corbin!" Isabelle''s voice was sharp with warning.


    Michael raised a hand, silencing the table. "Enough. This is still my house, and Liam is my guest. He will be treated with respect."


    The uncles exchanged nces but fell silent. Corbin, however, maintained his predatory stare.


    "Of course, Father," he said smoothly. "No disrespect intended. I''m merely concerned for Isabelle''s future."


    The rest of the meal passed in tense conversation. Marcus and yton peppered me with questions about my background, each answer met with thinly veiled disdain. Corbin said little but watched every move I made, assessing and calcting.


    Isabelle remained by my side, her defense unwavering. Each time her uncles attempted to belittle me, she countered with sharp reminders of my achievements. Her loyalty warmed me even as the hostility from her family chilled the room.


    When dessert arrived, Corbin abruptly stood. "I''m afraid I have other engagements this evening. It was... enlightening to meet you, Liam Knight."


    Marcus and yton followed suit. "We should be going as well," Marcus announced.


    "So soon?" Michael asked, though he didn''t sound disappointed.


    "Business calls," yton replied curtly. He turned to me with a cold smile. "It was interesting to meet the man who''s caught our Isabelle''s attention, however temporarily."


    My Virtual Library Empire (*) thanks you for reading at the source.


    After they departed, the dining room fell into blessed silence.


    "I''m so sorry, Liam," Isabelle whispered, her eyes bright with unshed tears of frustration. "They had no right to treat you that way."


    I took her hand. "It''s not your fault. I expected resistance from your family."


    Michael sighed heavily. "Corbin has always been... protective of our family''s interests. But his alliance with the ckthornes concerns me." He looked at me meaningfully. "Be careful, young man. Corbin doesn''t make idle threats."


    "I understand, sir."


    After dinner, Michael invited me to finish our interrupted chess game. As we yed, I could sense he was testing me again—not my cultivation skills this time, but my resilience after the confrontation with his sons.


    "Check," he announced after a particrly clever move.


    I studied the board and found my counter. "Not quite yet," I replied, moving my knight to block his attack.


    Michael smiled approvingly. "You adapt quickly. A valuable trait."


    When the game ended—with my inevitable defeat, though not as quickly as before—it was time for me to leave. Isabelle walked me to the front of the estate.


    "Don''t let them discourage you," she said, reaching up to touch my face. "They don''t know you like I do."


    "And what do you know about me?" I asked softly.


    Her eyes held mine, unwavering. "I know that you''re stronger than they think. That you''re more than your past or your current status. And I know that I''m not walking away from you, no matter what they say."


    I pulled her close, breathing in her scent. "They''ll make things difficult."


    "They already are," she admitted. "But I''ve never wanted easy. I want you."


    Her words filled me with determination. Whatever came next, whatever obstacles her family ced in our path, I would find a way through them. For her.


    We said our goodbyes, and I started down the long driveway toward the gates. The night air was cool against my skin, a wee relief after the heated tension of dinner.


    I''d nearly reached the gates when I noticed a dark Land Rover parked on the street outside. Something about it raised my instincts—the tinted windows, the engine idling quietly, the way it was positioned directly in my path.


    As I approached, the front doors opened, and two men stepped out. Both wore in dark clothes, their builds suggesting thepact strength of trained fighters. They moved with purpose, positioning themselves to block my exit from the Ashworth estate.


    "Liam Knight?" one of them called, his voice hard and professional.


    I stopped, my senses heightening as I assessed the threat. "Who''s asking?"