I followed Michael Ashworth''s slow,bored steps through a long corridor that seemed to stretch endlessly into the depths of the enormous estate. Despite his frailty, determination radiated from his hunched frame as he moved forward, refusing any assistance I offered.


    "Sir, are you certain we shouldn''t wait until morning?" I asked, concerned by his increasingly ragged breathing.


    Michael shot me a stern nce. "Time waits for no man, Liam. Especially not for dying ones."


    His blunt acknowledgment of his condition silenced me. We continued our journey in tense quiet, eventually reaching what appeared to be a dead end. Michael ced his palm against the seemingly ordinary wall, and to my surprise, a hidden panel slid open, revealing a state-of-the-art security system.


    "Pay attention," hemanded as he entered aplex sequence of numbers, followed by a retinal scan.


    The wall before us parted silently, revealing a narrow staircase descending into darkness.


    "What is this ce?" I asked, my curiosity overwhelming my concern.


    "Something few outside the Ashworth inner circle have ever seen," Michael replied, beginning his careful descent.


    The staircase led to another security door, this one even more sophisticated than the first. After passing through several moreyers of protection, we finally emerged into a space that momentarily stole my breath.


    It was a cavernous room, temperature-controlled and brilliantly lit. But what made my heart race was what lined the walls—hundreds of ss containers, each housing what appeared to be medicinal herbs. Not ordinary herbs, but specimens I''d only read about in ancient texts or heard mentioned in reverent whispers among master alchemists.


    "Is that... Blood Ginseng?" I gasped, moving toward a particrly striking red root that pulsed with an inner light.


    Michael nodded. "Six hundred years old. And that," he pointed to a crystalline flower suspended in a special solution, "is an eight-hundred-year-old Frost Lotus."


    My mind reeled at the implications. With just a handful of these ingredients, I could create elixirs of legendary potency. With the entire collection...


    "There are one hundred and twelve specimens here," Michael said, watching my reaction closely. "Each at least five hundred years old. Some approaching a millennium."


    I turned to him, struggling toprehend the wealth before me. "This collection... it''s beyond priceless."


    "This is merely my personal reserve," Michael said with a small smile. "The Ashworth family vault contains four times this number."


    The revtion hit me like a physical blow. No wonder the established families maintained such dominance. With resources like these, they could recover from injuries that would kill others, extend their lifespans, and cultivate their powers at rates impossible for outsiders.


    "And the ckthorne family?" I asked, already suspecting the answer.


    "Their collection dwarfs even ours," Michael confirmed. "Seven hundred and thirty-six specimens atst count, including three that are over two thousand years old."


    I felt the weight of this knowledge settle upon me. The gap I needed to bridge was even wider than I''d imagined.


    "Why show me this?" I asked finally.


    Michael moved to a small sitting area in the corner of the room, lowering himself carefully into a chair. "Because you need to understand what you''re up against. And what might be yours to gain."


    I joined him, my mind still processing everything I was seeing. "You''re offering me... herbs?"


    "I''m offering you a choice," he corrected. "Defeat Dashiell ckthorne, and this entire collection bes yours."


    The proposition was so staggering that I almostughed. "Just like that? Your entire life''s collection?"


    "My life is ending, Liam," he stated matter-of-factly. "These treasures can either strengthen the Ashworth family through Isabelle and you, or they can go to the ckthornes through Dashiell''s im on her. I prefer the former."


    His pragmatism was oddly touching. Even facing death, Michael Ashworth was calcting his moves like the chess master he was.


    "For now," he continued, rising and moving to one of the cases, "I offer you a single herb. Choose wisely."


    I surveyed the collection, overwhelmed by the possibilities. Finally, I pointed to a modest-looking gray root that most would overlook.


    "The Soul Enhancing Root," I said. "Five hundred and fifty years old, if I''m not mistaken."


    Michael''s eyebrows rose. "Most would have chosen the Blood Ginseng or the Golden Lotus. Why this one?"


    "Because I don''t need raw power. I need precision and control for what lies ahead."


    A slow smile spread across his face. "Excellent choice. It proves what I suspected about you."


    He carefully removed the container and handed it to me. "Guard it well. And be ready for whates next."


    "What exactly ising next?" I asked.


    "My birthday celebration," he replied, his smile turning cryptic. "Though it wasn''t supposed to be for another month, I''ve decided to move it forward. We''ll host it at West Shore Manor in three days'' time."


    I understood the implied meaning. Michael was elerating his ns, knowing his time was short.


    The next three days passed in a blur of preparation. I spent most of it in careful meditation, absorbing the essence of the Soul Enhancing Root, while Isabelle coordinated the sudden celebration arrangements. <kbd ss="in-imprint-b">This is a sample from My Virtual Library Empire. Read the rest on *.</kbd>


    On the morning of the event, Michael appeared surprisingly vigorous. His color had improved, and he moved with greater ease than I''d seen in weeks.


    "Grandfather, you look well," Isabelle remarked as we prepared to depart.


    "A temporary recovery," he replied candidly. "But I''ll take what I can get. Today is important."


    The drive to West Shore Manor was tense. Michael spent most of it giving me pointed advice about the gathering.


    "The ckthornes will be there in force," he warned. "Roderick has been eager to finalize the marriage agreement between Dashiell and Isabelle."


    I felt Isabelle''s hand tighten around mine at the mention of the arrangement.


    "I won''t let that happen," I promised, meeting her eyes.


    Michael nodded approvingly. "Good. But remember, this is more than just about stopping a marriage. This is about positioning. The entire upper echelon of Havenwood and Veridia society will be watching."


    As our car approached the manor, I could see that dozens of guests had already arrived. Luxury vehicles lined the circr driveway, and well-dressed attendees filed into the grand building.


    "Your entrance matters," Michael said as we pulled up. "Wait for my signal."


    Our driver stopped directly in front of the main entrance. Almost immediately, a figure broke from the crowd and strode toward our vehicle – Dashiell ckthorne himself, immactely dressed in a tailored suit that probably cost more than most people earned in a year.


    His face was set in a practiced smile as he reached for the car door, clearly expecting to assist Michael, the guest of honor, from the vehicle.


    Michael squeezed my arm. "Now, Liam."


    As Dashiell pulled the door open with a flourish, I was the first to emerge.


    The look on Dashiell''s face was priceless – a sh of confusion quickly followed by cold recognition. He hadn''t expected me to be traveling with the Ashworths, let alone to be the first one out of the car.


    "Knight," he said, his voice tight with controlled disdain. "I wasn''t aware you were on the guest list."


    I smiled pleasantly, standing my ground directly in his path. "Hello, Dashiell. Lovely to see you too."


    A murmur rippled through the assembled guests. They had expected to see Michael or Isabelle, not me. The whispers grew louder as Isabelle emerged next, her hand seeking mine immediately.


    "Mr. ckthorne," she acknowledged coolly.


    Dashiell''s jaw tightened visibly. "Miss Ashworth. You look stunning, as always."


    His eyes flickered to our joined hands, then back to her face. "I''ve been looking forward to speaking with you about our arrangement."


    "There is no arrangement," Isabelle replied firmly.


    Before Dashiell could respond, Michael appeared in the doorway of the car. Immediately, everyone''s attention shifted to him. He looked regal despite his illness, projecting an aura of authority thatmanded respect.


    "Dashiell," Michael greeted with practiced warmth. "Thank you foring. I see you''ve already weed my granddaughter and herpanion."


    The emphasis on panion" was subtle but unmistakable. Michael was publicly acknowledging my position at Isabelle''s side.


    Dashiell''s smile became brittle. "Of course, Mr. Ashworth. Your health looks improved. We were all concerned after hearing about your... episode."


    "Reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated," Michael replied with a chuckle. "Shall we proceed inside? I believe your father is waiting."


    As we moved toward the entrance, I could feel dozens of eyes on us. This wasn''t just a birthday celebration – it was Michael Ashworth''s way of making a statement.


    Just inside the grand foyer, Roderick ckthorne waited with Corbin. Both men watched our approach with calcted interest, their gazes lingering on the way Isabelle kept herself positioned firmly between me and Dashiell.


    "Michael," Roderick greeted, stepping forward. "What a pleasant surprise to see you so... energetic."


    "The prospect of goodpany has a revitalizing effect," Michael responded smoothly.


    Roderick''s attention shifted to me. "And Mr. Knight. Your presence is... unexpected."


    "Mr. Knight is here at my personal invitation," Michael stated before I could respond. "He''s be quite indispensable to the Ashworth family."


    The implication wasn''t lost on anyone. Corbin''s face darkened, and Roderick''s smile became fixed.


    "Has he indeed?" Roderick mused. "Well then, we must ensure he feels wee. Dashiell, why don''t you show our... special guest to the main hall?"


    Dashiell''s eyes narrowed fractionally. "Of course, Father. This way, Knight."


    As we moved deeper into the manor, the crowd parting before us, I could sense the shifting dynamics. Michael had orchestrated this entire scenario, deliberately cing me at the center of attention.


    Whatever game the old man was ying, the pieces were now in motion. And somehow, I had be the most visible piece on the board.