Liam''s Perspective


    My phone rang as I was preparing for bed. Eamon Greene''s name shed across the screen.


    "What is it?" I asked, noticing thete hour.


    "Boss, you need to see this." Eamon''s voice was tense. "The Warrior''s Scroll just published an article about you. It''s spreading like wildfire."


    I frowned. "What does it say?"


    "They''re iming you''ve mastered some legendary heart method that''s amplifying your power exponentially. They''re calling you ''Havenwood''s Rising Demon.'' People are saying that''s how you defeated Dashiell ckthorne."


    I sat on the edge of my bed, processing this information. Someone was deliberately spreading rumors about me, making me an even bigger target.


    "Who''s behind the article?" I asked.


    "Anonymous source. But it''s too detailed to be random gossip. Someone wants you in the spotlight."


    They weren''t wrong about the heart method. My Heaven Swallowing Skill was growing stronger each day. But only a handful of people knew about it.


    "What should we do?" Eamon asked. "We could try to squash the rumors, keep you under the radar until you''re ready to—"


    "No," I interrupted. "Don''t deny anything. In fact, confirm it."


    A pause. "Boss?"


    "Let theme, Eamon. Each enemy that shows up is just another opportunity to grow stronger."


    "That''s... risky," he said cautiously.


    Iughed. "When have I ever yed it safe? Besides, I need the practice."


    Eamon sighed. "There''s something else. Corbin Ashworth has been meeting with the heads of the other noble families. My source says he''s building a coalition against you."


    "Let him try," I replied. "By the way, I''ll be heading to Unchon tomorrow. I have unfinished business there."


    "Colt Knightwood?" Eamon guessed.


    "Yes. Caspian deserves justice."


    "I''ll have everything ready," he promised. "Be careful, boss."


    I ended the call and stared out my bedroom window. The city lights of Havenwood glittered below, unaware of the storm brewing in their midst. Corbin Ashworth wasing for me. Good. Let hime.


    ---


    Morning arrived with unexpectedplications. My phone rang as I was packing for Unchon.


    "Liam Knight," I answered without checking the caller ID.


    "Liam? It''s Alistair. Alistair Northwood."


    I froze. Alistair had been one of the few business leaders who sided with me against Conrad Thornton. He''d paid a heavy price for that loyalty.


    "Alistair," I said, genuinely pleased to hear from him. "It''s been too long. How are you?"


    A humorless chuckle came through the line. "Been better, to be honest. My family''s businesses have taken some hits since... well, you know."


    Guilt twisted in my stomach. Another person suffering because of me.


    "I''m sorry to hear that," I said. "What can I do for you?"


    "I have an important meeting tonight. Potential investors who could help us recover. But..." he hesitated. "These people are traditional. They value strength and connections."


    "And you want me there," I finished for him.


    "Having Havenwood''s most talked-about power yer at my table would make an impression," he admitted. "I wouldn''t ask if it wasn''t crucial."


    I nced at my packed bag. Unchon would have to wait another day. Colt Knightwood had escaped justice this long; he could wait one more day.


    "What time and where?" I asked. <mark ss="phantom-imprint">T!h*is+ ve!r.si&o*n was so$ur#ce^d# fro$m *@.</mark>


    The relief in Alistair''s voice was palpable. "Eight o''clock at The Ivory Tower. Private dining room under my name. Thank you, Liam. You have no idea what this means."


    "I''ll be there," I promised. "And Alistair? Things will get better."


    After hanging up, I called Eamon to postpone our Unchon trip. My revenge against Colt would have to wait. I owed Alistair this much.


    ---


    The Ivory Tower lived up to its name – a gleaming white skyscraper with a restaurant upying its top three floors. The hostess recognized me immediately.


    "Mr. Knight, wee. Mr. Northwood is already in the Sapphire Room. Please, follow me."


    She led me through the main dining area where conversations hushed as I passed. The rumors were working; everyone knew who I was now.


    The Sapphire Room was aptly named – blue ss walls gave the illusion of dining in an underwater pce. Alistair rose as I entered.


    I barely recognized him. The confident businessman I remembered had been reced by a thinner, more haggard version. Dark circles ringed his eyes, and his once-immacte suit hung loosely on his frame.


    "Liam," he greeted me, extending his hand. "Thank you foring."


    I sped his hand firmly. "Of course. You look..."


    "Terrible?" Heughed. "It''s been a rough few months. The Northwood Group lost three major contracts after I supported you. Conrad Thornton made sure of that."


    Another debt I owed. Another wrong to right.


    "The investors will be here soon," Alistair said, gesturing to a chair. "They''re from overseas, not directly connected to Havenwood''s power structure. That''s our only shot at this point."


    I nodded. "Tell me what you need me to do."


    "Just be yourself," he said with a small smile. "The man who stood up to Conrad Thornton and lived to tell about it."


    Before I could respond, the door to the private dining room crashed open. A young man stormed in, followed by an embarrassed hostess.


    "Sir, please! You can''t just barge in—"


    The intruder ignored her, his eyes locking on mine with instant recognition and hatred.


    "You?!" he spat, face contorting with rage.


    I recognized him immediately. The arrogant young man who had harassed Evelyn Norton at the coffee shop weeks ago. The one whose wrist I had nearly broken.


    "I''m so sorry, Mr. Northwood," the hostess said frantically. "He insisted he knew you and pushed past security."


    Alistair looked confused. "What''s going on? Liam, you know Damien?"


    The young man – Damien – pointed an using finger at me. "This bastard attacked me! Do you know who I am?"


    I stood slowly. "I know exactly who you are. A spoiled brat who thinks he can harass women without consequences."


    Damien''s face flushed dark red. "You have no idea what you''ve done. My father—"


    "Your father?" I interrupted. "Let me guess. Another powerful man who fixes all your problems."


    Alistair stepped between us. "Damien, please. This is a private meeting. Whatever issue you have with Mr. Knight can be addressed another time."


    "Another time?" Damien looked incredulous. "Do you even know who you''re dining with, Alistair? This man is an enemy of every noble family in Veridia!"


    Alistair''s expression hardened. "He''s my guest, Damien. And you''re interrupting an important business meeting."


    Damien sneered. "Business? What business could you possibly have left? Everyone knows the Northwoods are finished."


    I watched Alistair''s face fall, saw the truth of those cruel words hit home. My patience evaporated.


    "That''s enough," I said, stepping forward. "You''ve made your entrance. Now leave."


    Damien''s eyes narrowed. "Or what? You''ll attack me again? In front of witnesses this time?"


    I smiled coldly. "I won''t have to. Security is already on their way. The question is: how embarrassing do you want this to be?"


    As if on cue, tworge security guards appeared in the doorway.


    "Everything alright here, Mr. Northwood?" one asked, eyeing Damien warily.


    Alistair nodded. "This gentleman was just leaving."


    Damien''s face twisted with fury as he looked from the guards to me. "This isn''t over," he hissed. "You have no idea who you''re dealing with."


    "Funny," I replied. "Everyone keeps saying that to me. Yet here I stand."


    Damien backed toward the door, his eyes never leaving mine. "My father will hear about this."


    "I''m sure he will," I said dismissively. "Run along now."


    The security guards escorted him out. The hostess apologized profusely before closing the door behind them.


    Alistair copsed into his chair. "That was Damien ckwood. Rnd ckwood''s son."


    My blood went cold. ckwood. The same family as Dashiell, whom I''d humiliated at Isabelle''s wedding.


    "Rnd ckwood is one of the investors I was meeting tonight," Alistair continued, his voice hollow. "Was meeting. That''s over now."


    I sat down heavily. "Alistair, I''m sorry. I didn''t know."


    He shook his head. "Not your fault. How could you have known?" Heughed bitterly. "Though it seems you have a talent for making enemies of the most powerful families in the country."


    "It appears so," I agreed grimly.


    Alistair pulled out his phone. "I should call the others, tell them the meeting is canceled."


    I ced my hand over his. "No. We wait. If they don''t show, they don''t show. But we don''t admit defeat before the battle''s even begun."


    Alistair stared at me for a long moment before nodding slowly. "You''re right."


    We ordered drinks and waited in silence. Ten minutes passed. Twenty. Thirty.


    "They''re noting," Alistair finally said, defeat in his voice.


    I was about to respond when the door opened again. A tall, distinguished older man entered, followed by three others in expensive suits.


    "Mr. Northwood," the leader said. "Apologies for our tardiness. There was a... situation in the lobby."


    Alistair shot to his feet. "Mr. Chen! I wasn''t sure you woulde."


    The man – Mr. Chen – smiled thinly. "Rnd ckwood was quite insistent that we cancel. His son seemed... upset."


    My jaw tightened. So Rnd ckwood had tried to sabotage the meeting after all.


    "And yet you''re here," I observed.


    Mr. Chen turned his calcting gaze on me. "Yes. I find it wise to form my own opinions." He extended his hand. "Victor Chen. And you must be the infamous Liam Knight."


    I shook his hand firmly. "Guilty as charged."


    Victor Chen''s eyes sparkled with interest. "The man who defeated Dashiell ckthorne. The man they''re calling Havenwood''s Rising Demon. I''ve been curious to meet you."


    "Don''t believe everything you read," I said with a slight smile.


    "Oh, I never do," Chen replied. "I prefer to see for myself."


    He took a seat, his associates following suit. "Now, Mr. Northwood, shall we discuss this investment opportunity of yours? I find myself suddenly very interested in Havenwood''s... shifting power dynamics."


    Alistair caught my eye, hope rekindling in his expression.


    As the meeting proceeded, I realized that my notoriety had unexpectedly worked in our favor. Chen and his associates were more intrigued than repelled by my presence.


    By the end of the evening, Alistair had secured the funding he needed. As we said our goodbyes, Chen pulled me aside.


    "The ckwoods have long needed a challenge," he murmured. "This city is overdue for change." He handed me his card. "We should talk sometime, Mr. Knight. I believe we might have mutual interests."


    After Chen and his associates departed, Alistair embraced me tightly.


    "Thank you," he said, voice thick with emotion. "You saved my family tonight."


    I patted his back awkwardly. "Just repaying a debt. You stood by me when few others would."


    As we walked toward the elevator, Alistair''s phone rang. He checked the screen and frowned.


    "It''s Rnd ckwood," he said, looking troubled.


    "Answer it," I told him. "Put it on speaker."


    Alistair hesitated, thenplied. "Mr. ckwood, good evening."


    "You''ve made a grave mistake, Northwood." Rnd ckwood''s voice was cold, controlled fury. "Associating with that... upstart. After what he did to my nephew."


    "Mr. Knight is my guest," Alistair replied, more firmly than I expected. "And thanks to tonight''s meeting, the Northwood Group will survive your economic sanctions."


    A pause. "So Chen went through with it. Interesting." Another pause. "Is he there? Knight?"


    I leaned toward the phone. "I''m here."


    "You''ve managed to make quite a name for yourself in a short time," ckwood said. "Impressive. Foolish, but impressive."


    "Thank you for the assessment," I replied dryly.


    "The ckwoods don''t forget insults, Knight. What you did to Dashiell. What you did to my son tonight."


    "Your son insulted my friend and disrupted a private business meeting," I countered. "If anyone owes an apology, it''s him."


    A coldugh. "You really don''t understand how this world works, do you? No matter. You will learn. Soon."


    "Is that a threat?" I asked.


    "A promise," he replied. "Sleep well, Mr. Knight. While you still can."


    The line went dead.


    Alistair looked at me, worry etched on his face. "The ckwoods don''t make idle threats, Liam."


    I smiled grimly. "Neither do I."


    As we descended in the elevator, I couldn''t shake the feeling that tonight''s encounter with Damien ckwood was just the beginning. The rumors about me in The Warrior''s Scroll, Corbin Ashworth''s coalition, and now the ckwoods'' direct threat – the noose was tightening.


    But they weren''t the only ones preparing for war. Tomorrow, I would finally go to Unchon. Colt Knightwood would answer for Caspian''s death.


    And after that? Let them alle. Each enemy would only make me stronger.


    The Heaven Swallowing Skill hungered for more power. I would feed it well.