## Liam''s Perspective


    "I''m better now," I told Isabelle, gazing into her eyes. My pain faded with her touch.


    She smiled, still holding my face in her hands. "I knew you''de for me."


    "Always," I promised. "No matter who stands in my way."


    Cameras shed around us. The high society of Veridia City watched in stunned silence. I didn''t care. For this moment, only Isabelle mattered.


    "I''m taking you away from here," I whispered. "Today."


    Her eyes glistened. "I trust you."


    That simple statement washed over me like healing balm. After everything she''d been through, she still trusted me. Still believed in me.


    "You disgust me," Dashiell''s voice cut through our moment. "Pawing at my bride like some animal."


    I kept my eyes on Isabelle. "Is that what you want? To marry him?"


    "No," she answered firmly. "I never wanted this."


    "That''s all I needed to hear." I turned to face Dashiell.


    His face had turned an rming shade of red. Beside him, his brother Roderick looked equally furious. The ckthorne brothers, finally seeing their perfect n unraveling.


    "Get her inside!" Corbin Ashworth barked at the guards. "And remove this pest!"


    Two guards approached Isabelle. She clung to my arm.


    "It''s okay," I told her gently. "Go with them for now. I''ll handle this."


    She hesitated, then nodded. "Be careful."


    "Always am," I lied with a crooked smile.


    The guards led her toward the Ashworth vi. She kept looking back at me, worry etched on her face. When they disappeared inside, I turned to face her oppressors.


    "You have no idea what forces you''re ying with," I told Dashiell and Corbin. "Forcing her into this marriage for your political games."


    Corbin stepped forward. "This union benefits both families. It secures our position in Veridia City for generations."


    "At what cost?" I challenged. "Isabelle''s happiness? Her freedom?"


    "She would learn to ept it," Dashiell insisted. "As is proper for a woman of her standing."


    Iughed bitterly. "You know nothing about her. She would never ept a cage, no matter how gilded."


    Guests began murmuring among themselves. This public spectacle was growing more scandalous by the second.


    "Where''s Harrison Ashworth?" I called out, scanning the crowd. "Is he too ashamed to watch his daughter being sold off?"


    Harrison emerged from the crowd, his face pale. "I''m doing what''s best for the family."


    "Best for the family?" I spat the words. "Or best for Corbin''s ambitions? Michael Ashworth would never allow this."


    A hush fell over the gathering at the mention of the former patriarch.


    "My father is dead," Corbin said coldly.


    I smiled. "Is that what you tell yourself to sleep at night? Michael Ashworth is very much alive."


    Gasps rippled through the crowd. Harrison''s face went even paler. <samp ss="in-imprint-b">Sourced directly from *.</samp>


    "Lies!" Corbin thundered. "Guards, remove this man!"


    More security personnel moved toward me. I stood my ground.


    "This wedding will proceed," Corbin announced to the crowd. "Today''s... unpleasantness will be forgotten. Isabelle will marry Dashiell ckthorne as nned."


    "No," I said simply. "She won''t."


    "And how do you propose to stop it?" Dashiell sneered.


    I met his gaze evenly. "If necessary, I''ll kill you."


    The threat hung in the air. Not a boast or empty words—a simple statement of fact.


    "You dare threaten me?" Dashiell''s face contorted with rage. "On my property? Surrounded by my people?"


    "I dare do whatever it takes to free Isabelle from this travesty."


    Roderick stepped forward. "My brother is a Martial Master. You''re signing your death warrant."


    "Many have tried to kill me," I replied calmly. "I''m still standing."


    The crowd began shifting nervously. They''de for avish wedding, not a potential bloodbath.


    Dashiell''s eyes narrowed. "You think your Celestial Apothecary Guild can protect you? Even they must bow to the ckthorne family in Veridia City."


    "I don''t hide behind others," I said. "Face me yourself—if you''re man enough."


    His nostrils red with anger. I''d struck a nerve.


    A sleek ck car pulled up to the vi gates. The crowd parted as several men in dark suits emerged, cameras and notebooks in hand.


    "The press," someone whispered loudly. "From the Martial Guild."


    Dashiell''s expression shifted to a smug smile. "Perfect timing."


    I understood his ploy immediately. He''d arranged for reporters to document his wedding day triumph—but now he saw an opportunity to publicly humiliate me instead.


    The reporters approached, equipment ready. Dashiell straightened his posture, clearly ying to the cameras.


    "What''s happening here?" the lead reporter asked, eyeing the tense standoff.


    "This man," Dashiell gestured dismissively toward me, "crashed my wedding and assaulted guests. He''s delusional—ims that the bride belongs with him."


    The reporter turned to me. "And you are?"


    "Liam Knight, Elder of the Celestial Apothecary Guild."


    The reporters exchanged nces. My position carried weight, even here.


    "And what do you say to these usations?" the reporter pressed.


    "Isabelle Ashworth is being forced into this marriage against her will," I stated clearly. "Ask her yourself."


    "He lies!" Dashiell interrupted. "She''s simply confused by his maniptions."


    Iughed. "Isabelle has the strongest will of anyone I know. She knows exactly what she wants—and it isn''t you."


    Dashiell''s face darkened. "You speak of things you don''t understand, country boy. This union has been arranged for years."


    "Arranged by greedy old men who treat women like property," I countered. "Those days are ending."


    I saw Isabelle''s face appear at an upstairs window. Our eyes met briefly. Even from this distance, I could feel her support, her trust.


    Dashiell followed my gaze and saw her too. Something snapped in him.


    "Enough talk!" he roared. "Let''s settle this the old way!"


    Golden energy began swirling around his fists—his martial aura activating. The reporters backed away hastily, though their cameras continued rolling.


    "Are you sure you want to do this?" I asked calmly. "In front of witnesses?"


    "I want everyone to see me crush you," he snarled. "To see what happens to those who challenge the ckthorne family!"


    I rolled my shoulders, letting my own energy rise to meet his challenge.


    "Last chance to walk away," I offered, though I knew he wouldn''t take it.


    "Die!" Dashiell lunged forward, his fist surrounded by crackling golden energy.


    I met his attack with my own, my fist glowing with power. As our energies collided, the shockwave rippled through the courtyard, shattering nearby sses and sending decorations flying.


    The battle for Isabelle''s future had begun.