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81 Chapter 81- Shadows of Deceit and a Shocking. Apology
Julian Hawthorne watched Gideon Blackwood’s face closely. The man had gone completely still, his drink frozen halfway to his lips.
“You want me to do what?” Gideon finally asked, setting his glass down with deliberate
care.
I smiled, enjoying his discomfort. “You heard me. Kidnap Isabelle Ashworth.”
Gideon leaned back, his eyes narrowing. “Do you understand what you’re asking? The Ashworths aren’t some minor family you can antagonize without consequences. Michael Ashworth alone-”
“I know exactly who they are,” I cut him off. “But I also know what we stand to lose if we don’t act decisively. Liam Knight has to be stopped.”
“And kidnapping the woman he cares about is your solution?” Gideon looked genuinely
concerned now. “Julian, this is madness.”
I watched him calculating the risks in his head. Gideon had always been ambitious but cautious–a man who preferred operating in shadows. Now I needed to give him the right push.
“The Hawthorne family won’t forget who stood with us when we needed it most,” I said smoothly. “When we recover–and we will recover–those who helped us will be
rewarded generously.”
Gideon’s eyes flickered with interest. “And if you don’t recover?”
“Then you’ll be paid enough to disappear comfortably,” I assured him. “But think bigger, Gideon. This is your opportunity to secure a permanent position within our inner circle. My father won’t be in charge forever.”
I could see the greed battling with fear in his expression. Greed was winning.
“What exactly would this… operation entail?” he asked carefully.
“Simple. Take Isabelle, hold her somewhere secure, and make it known to Liam Knight that her continued well–being depends on him backing off. Once he reverses the
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damage he’s done to our business interests, we release her unharmed.”
Gideon laughed without humor. “Nothing about that is simple. The Ashworth estate. has security that would make government facilities jealous.”
“Then find another way, I insisted. “Follow her routine. Everyone has vulnerabilities.”
Gideon drummed his fingers on the table, and I knew he was already planning despite his reservations. “If–and this is a massive if I were to consider this insanity, I’d need guarantees. Written instructions from you detailing exactly what you want done. Funds transferred offshore before anything happens. And a legal exit strategy.”
I nodded. “Of course.”
“And if it all goes wrong?” he asked pointedly.
“Then you never met me,” I replied coldly. “And any evidence suggesting otherwise would be extremely unfortunate for your health.
Gideon stared at me for a long moment before slowly nodding. “I’ll need three days to put together a team and formulate a plan. This isn’t something we can rush.”
“You have two days,” I countered. “Every day we wait, the Hawthorne Group bleeds
more money.”
“Fine,” he sighed. “Two days. But remember, Julian–if I’m caught, I won’t go down
alone.”
I smiled thinly. “Then don’t get caught,”
As Gideon left, I took a long sip of my drink, savoring the burn. My father might have lost his nerve, but I understood what needed to be done. Sometimes you had to be
ruthless to survive.
What I didn’t tell Gideon was that I had no intention of honoring our agreement if things went south. He would make the perfect scapegoat if necessary–a desperate man acting alone against the Ashworths for his own gain.
Sometimes, sacrifices had to be made for the greater good of the Hawthorne legacy.
Back in my hotel room in Shiglance City, I carefully packed the rare herbs I’d acquired.
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The Eightfold Spirit Grass alone had cost me a small fortune, but it would be worth every coin if it could help advance my cultivation.
Three days in Shiglance City had been productive. Beyond acquiring the herbs, I’d made valuable connections with several veteran alchemists who promised to share their knowledge with me. My cultivation was progressing rapidly, but I knew I needed more than raw power to achieve my goals.
As I sealed the protective case containing the herbs, my phone buzzed with a message. William Vance. I frowned, opening it with some hesitation.
“Liam, join me for dinner tomorrow evening at 8 PM. Fish Restaurant in Havenwood. Important matters to discuss. -William”
I stared at the message, turning possibilities over in my mind. William had proven himself to be relatively neutral in the conflicts I’d been involved in, but he was still connected to the Hawthornes. This could easily be a trap.
Yet if I refused, I might miss critical information. Knowledge was power in this game I was playing.
I typed a brief response: “I’ll be there.”
Then I returned to my packing, mentally shifting my plans. I had intended to find a secluded location to focus on my cultivation after returning to Havenwood City, but
that would have to wait.
The drive back to Havenwood the next morning gave me ample time to think. The morning sun cast long shadows across the road as I considered my next moves. With the Sterling family neutralized and my position with the Ashworths secure, I should have felt triumphant. Instead, a nagging sense of unease followed me.
I still had too many unanswered questions. Who was my father? Why did Gibson recognize his ring? And what was the true extent of the power I was slowly uncovering within myself?
Most pressing of all: what was happening with Isabelle? Our last conversation had left things unresolved between us. The pull I felt toward her was undeniable, but the complications surrounding our relationship seemed to multiply by the day.
As I approached the city limits of Havenwood, my phone rang. Mariana Valerius.
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“Liam, her voice came through clearly. “Welcome back. Have you acquired what you needed in Shiglance?”
“Yes,” I replied. “The herbs should help with my next breakthrough.”
“Good. There have been… developments in your absence.” Something in her tone made me grip the steering wheel tighter.
“What kind of developments?”
“The Hawthorne Group is teetering on the edge of collapse. Sebastian Hawthorne has been reaching out to various intermediaries seeking a meeting with you.”
I frowned. “William Vance invited me to dinner tonight. I assume that’s related?”
“Almost certainly,” Mariana confirmed. “Be careful, Liam. Desperate men are unpredictable.”
“I always am,” I assured her, ending the call as I pulled into Havenwood City.
I spent the afternoon settling back into my apartment and securing my newly acquired herbs my cultivation room. By evening, I was dressed in a simple but elegant dark suit, heading for the Fish Restaurant.
The restaurant was one of Havenwood’s oldest establishments, known for its discretion and private dining areas. Perfect for conversations that shouldn’t reach the public ear.
As I entered, the maître d‘ led me to a private room at the back without asking for my name–clearly, I was expected. When the door opened, I maintained a neutral. expression despite my surprise.
William Vance was there, as promised, but he wasn’t alone. Sebastian Hawthorne sat beside him, looking considerably more haggard than when I’d last seen him.
I paused in the doorway, instantly alert for any signs of a trap. My eyes scanned the room, confirming there were only the two men present.
“Liam,” William greeted me warmly, standing to shake my hand. “Thank you for coming”
I nodded curtly, taking the seat across from them but remaining ready to move at the slightest provocation.
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“You didn’t mention Sebastian would be joining us,” I said to William, not bothering to hide my suspicion.
“Would you have come if I had?” William asked with a knowing smile.
Sebastian Hawthorne studied me intently before clearing his throat. “Mr. Knight, I understand your caution. But I assure you, this meeting is not what you might expect.”
“Oh?” I raised an eyebrow. “And what exactly should I expect from a man whose family has repeatedly tried to destroy me?”
Sebastian winced slightly at my directness. Then he did something that genuinely shocked me he stood up and bowed his head slightly.
“The purpose of this dinner,” he said, meeting my gaze directly, “is for me to apologize to you.”
I stared at him in disbelief, certain I had misheard. Sebastian Hawthorne–proud, arrogant Sebastian Hawthorne–was apologizing? To me?
“It was my mistake before, Sebastian continued, his voice firm despite the humility of his words. “This time, I asked Uncle Richardson to set up this gathering specifically to apologize to you!”
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