Liam''s Perspective


    I stared at the young man, Tyler Chen, as he proudly announced his connection to Jordon Yoder. The same Jordon Yoder who had been on his knees begging for his life at my doorstep less than two hours ago.


    "Your uncle is Jordon Yoder?" I asked, my voice deceptively calm.


    Tyler''s chest puffed further. "That''s right. He''s very influential in martial circles. Perhaps you''ve heard of him?"


    "We''re actually quite close," I replied. "He gave me a gift this morning. Extremely rare Spirit Root Herb."


    Confusion shed across his face. "That''s... impossible. My uncle would never—"


    "He also kowtowed at my feet and pledged the loyalty of his entire association to me."


    The color drained from Tyler''s face. "You''re... you''re..."


    "The man who killed thirteen Peak Grandmasters yesterday." I locked eyes with him. "Including three from River North."


    Tyler stumbled back, nearly knocking over a waiter.


    "Tell your uncle this," I said, my voice like ice. "The next time he sends someone to harass Ms. Norton, I''ll consider it a personal insult. And I respond to insults with blood. Understood?"


    He nodded frantically and fled without another word.


    Evelyn watched him go, then turned to me with new interest. "That was educational."


    "Consider it a demonstration of the alliance I''m offering."


    Her lips curved into a genuine smile. "Let''s continue this conversation at my office tomorrow. Ten AM."


    I nodded. "I''ll be there."


    ---


    The drive home was quiet. I had much to consider. Evelyn Norton would make a powerful ally, but I knew better than to count on anyone fully. In this world, true power came from yourself alone.


    As I turned onto my street, something felt wrong. A ck luxury SUV was parked outside my modest home. Men in ck suits stood rigidly by its sides.


    My pulse quickened when I spotted Sofia and Eamon on their knees on the sidewalk. Sofia''s cheek was bright red, and Eamon''s face was twisted with rage and shame.


    I mmed on the brakes and leaped out of my car.


    "What the hell is going on here?" I demanded, rushing toward them.


    "Liam!" Sofia cried out. "Be careful—"


    One of the suited men stepped forward, blocking my path. "Sir, thedy is conducting business inside. These two were being disrespectful."


    "Get out of my way," I growled.


    The man didn''t move. "Sir, I strongly advise—"


    I struck him in the throat before he could finish. He dropped like a stone, clutching his neck and gasping for air.


    The other guards tensed, hands moving to their waists. They were armed.


    "The next one who touches my friends dies," I announced. The cold fury in my voice made them hesitate.


    I helped Sofia to her feet. Her cheek was swollen, already bruising. "Who did this to you?"


    "Some woman," Sofia whispered, her voice trembling. "She came looking for you. When Eamon tried to warn you, they broke his phone and forced us to kneel out here."


    Eamon stood shakily, his eyes filled with humiliation. "I tried to call you, but—"


    "It''s not your fault," I cut him off. "Get inside Sofia''s apartment and lock the door. Now."


    "Liam," Eamon grabbed my arm, his face desperate. "Be careful. That woman—she''s from the Ashworth family! She introduced herself as Lady Zara Beaumont of the Ashworth family!"


    The Ashworth family. Finally making their move.


    "Liam, please," Sofia begged. "These people are dangerous. She has six Peak Grandmasters with her!"


    I felt the cold rage crystallize inside me. They had vited my home. Hurt my friends. Forced them to kneel like dogs.


    "I don''t care who she is," I snarled. "Is she thedy of the Ashworth family? Is she going to shit on my head?"


    The guards exchanged nervous nces. They clearly hadn''t expected this reaction.


    "Go," I told Sofia and Eamon. "I''ll handle this."


    They reluctantly retreated to Sofia''s apartment. I turned to face my front door, where this Zara Beaumont awaited.


    As I approached, another guard stepped forward. "Sir—"


    I grabbed his arm and snapped it at the elbow. His scream cut through the morning air.


    "Anyone else want to get in my way?" I asked the remaining guards.


    They backed off, wide-eyed. Smart move.


    I kicked open my own front door. The wood splintered under my foot.


    A woman sat on my couch, legs crossed elegantly. Tall, statuesque, with sharp features and colder eyes. Her ck hair was pulled into a severe bun that entuated her high cheekbones. She wore an outfit that probably cost more than my entire house. <kbd ss="frag-9a0645">First<i ss="node-sep"></i>seen<i ss="node-sep"></i>on<i ss="node-sep"></i>*.</kbd>


    She didn''t flinch at my violent entrance. Instead, she looked around with undisguised contempt.


    "So this is where the famous Liam Knight lives," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "How... quaint."


    I stood in the doorway, allowing my killing intent to fill the room. "You made a serious mistakeing here."


    "Did I?" She raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow. "I believe the mistake was yours when you interfered with Ashworth family business."


    "Your men hurt my friends," I said tly.


    "Your ''friends'' were disrespectful to me." She examined her manicured nails. "In Veridia City, people kneel when an Ashworth speaks to them."


    "This isn''t Veridia City."


    She smiled, cold and predatory. "Everywhere is Veridia City for the Ashworths."


    I took a step forward. Two men immediately materialized at her sides—Peak Grandmasters, judging by their auras. Strong ones.


    "Do you know why I''m here, Mr. Knight?" she asked.


    "To threaten me. To make me back off from whatever Ashworth scheme I''ve disrupted."


    Sheughed, a sound like breaking ss. "Threaten you? No. The Ashworths don''t threaten insects. We simply step on them." She stood, smoothing her tailored pants. "I came to see what kind of man had the audacity to challenge us. Now I know. You''re nothing."


    My hands clenched into fists. "If I''m nothing, why send six Peak Grandmasters with you?"


    Something flickered in her eyes. Caution, perhaps.


    "Ady requires protection," she said dismissively. "Especially in... neighborhoods like this."


    "You pped my friend."


    "Your little maid?" She shrugged. "She should learn proper respect."


    The room temperature seemed to drop as my fury intensified. "Get out of my house."


    "Or what?" she challenged, her guards tensing.


    "Or I''ll make you wish you''d never heard the name Liam Knight."


    She studied me for a long moment, then smiled again. "You have spirit, I''ll give you that. But spirit doesn''t save you from what''sing."


    She walked toward the door, her guards moving with her. As she passed me, she paused.


    "Isabelle sends her regards," she whispered. "She''s looking forward to her wedding. Dashiell ckthorne is quite eager to im her."


    My blood went cold. "What did you say?"


    "Oh?" Her smile widened. "Did you think she actually cared for you? Poor, deluded insect. Isabelle has always known her duty to the family. She''ll marry Dashiell in three weeks'' time."


    I grabbed her wrist, squeezing hard enough to make her wince. "If you''re lying—"


    One of her guards struck at me with blinding speed. I caught his fist without looking, crushing it in my grip. The sound of breaking bones filled the room.


    The other guard moved, but Zara held up her free hand. "Enough."


    She looked at my hand on her wrist, then back to my face. For the first time, genuine surprise showed in her eyes.


    "Interesting," she murmured. "Perhaps you''re not entirely an insect after all."


    I released her. "Tell your family this: Isabelle won''t marry anyone against her will. Not while I''m breathing."


    "Then perhaps you should stop breathing." She straightened her sleeve where I had gripped it. "This has been illuminating, Mr. Knight. We''ll be seeing each other again soon."


    She walked out, her injured guard cradling his shattered hand.


    I stood in the doorway, watching as they loaded into their SUV. Zara looked back at me through the tinted window, her expression unreadable.


    As they drove away, I pulled out my phone and dialed. It rang three times before she answered.


    "Mariana," I said, my voice steady despite the rage still burning in my chest. "The Ashworths just paid me a visit. It''s time to elerate our ns."


    "What happened?" she asked sharply.


    I looked at the broken door, thinking of Sofia''s bruised face and Eamon''s humiliation.


    "They''ve made it personal," I replied. "And now they''re going to learn what happens when you provoke a dragon."