206 Chapter 206 – Caldwell’s Coup, Isabelle’s Resolve
Franklin Duval nodded beside him. “All exits are covered. We have ten men stationed
around the perimeter.”
“Sir, we can’t-”
“Caldwell? What is the meaning of this?” He stood abruptly.
“You have two choices,” I continued. “Leave Havenwood quietly with enough money to start over somewhere else, or resist and lose everything–including your life.”
“They dare?” Isabelle finally said, the words barely more than a whisper. “The Thornton family dares to touch what’s mine?”
“But there must be something we can do! Some way to fight back!”
“Trust me, Eamon. This game isn’t over yet.”
“Remember,” I instructed Franklin, “I want this clean. No unnecessary bloodshed.”
Clara’s fingers trembled as she dialed. After three rings, a cool, feminine voice
answered.
“She’s going to help.”
The night air was thick with tension as Caldwell’s sleek black car pulled up outside Roman Volkov’s office building. The streets of Havenwood City were quiet, most residents tucked away in their beds, unaware of the power shift about to occur.
“Here. You call her. She might respond better to you.”
“Tell me everything.”
In her luxurious apartment, Isabelle Ashworth was already in motion. She pressed a
button on her intercom.
They never finished. Franklin’s palm strike sent one flying against the wall while the second dropped with a precise nerve strike to his neck.
With that, he turned on his heel and strode away, his guards following in perfect
14:57
1/8
206 Chapter 206 Caldwell’s Coup, Isabelle’s Resolve
formation.
K
“You’re a practical man, Roman. Don’t die for pride.”
To prove my point, I opened his safe with the combination I’d obtained weeks earlier and removed the files inside.
“I’ll be careful,” she promised.
Isabelle’s voice turned cold as winter. “They will not kill him. Not if they value their own lives.”
Her phone rang–her grandfather.
The guards exchanged uncertain glances. They knew who I was–everyone in Havenwood did–but they also had orders.
“You’ve had a good run,” I told Roman, circling his desk. “But times are changing. With Liam Knight facing execution tomorrow, you’ve lost your most powerful protector.”
“Of course, Mr. Caldwell.”
I placed a hand on his shoulder. “I already have.”
“Enter,” came his voice from within.
I stretched, rolling my shoulders to work out the stiffness from sitting too long. “Perhaps. But not yet.”
William looked up suddenly, hope flickering in his eyes. “Of course! Why didn’t I think of them sooner?”
“Is everything ready?” Caldwell asked, straightening his tie in the rearview mirror.
William shook his head, looking years older than he had just days ago. “I’ve tried everything, Clara. Called in every favor. No one wants to challenge Conrad Thornton.”
The possessiveness in her tone made Clara realize how deeply Isabelle cared for Liam.
I opened my eyes, offering him a small smile. “Panicking won’t change anything.”
“Your business holdings. Your contacts. Your influence. I want it all signed over
tonight.”
“Please don’t make this messy,” I sighed.
14:57
2/8
206 Chapter 206- Caldwell’s Coup, Isabello’s Resolve
“Efficient as always,” I remarked, stepping over their bodies.
“What do you mean, ‘no need‘? They’re going to kill you!”
“Can you help him?” Clara asked, hope rising in her chest.
“Perhaps not,” I conceded. “But I’m curious–how is your son? Has he survived the night?”
Clara explained what had happened–Liam’s capture, his refusal to heal Tristan Thornton, and the scheduled execution. As she spoke, she could hear Isabelle’s breathing becoming more agitated.
“Alone? Absolutely not. The journey is too dangerous.”
The call ended, and Clara looked at her father, a mixture of hope and fear on her face.
“This is Isabelle Ashworth.”
“Your wishes are irrelevant,” Conrad snapped. “In one hour, you will be brought to the courtyard. Your execution will serve as a reminder of what happens to those who defy the Thornton family.”
“Grandfather, Liam Knight has been captured by the Thornton family. They plan to
execute him tomorrow morning.”
“Know your combination?” I smiled. “I know everything about you, Roman. Your weaknesses. Your secrets.” I tapped the files. “Your offshore accounts.”
I placed a stack of documents on his desk.
“Miss Ashworth, you don’t know me. My name is Clara Vance. I’m calling about Liam Knight.”
After ending the call, she gazed at a photo on her bedside table–a candid shot of Liam smiling, unaware of the camera. Her fingers brushed over his face.
“Do you have her number?”
“No, but I know someone who does.”
For a long moment, the only sound in the room was the ticking of the antique clock on the wall. Then, slowly, Roman reached for a pen.
14:57
3/8
206 Chapter 208 – Caldwell’s Coup, Isabelle’s Rosolve
The morning sun rose over the prison in Eldoria Province, casting long shadows across the courtyard where a wooden platform had been erected during the night.
“Have my car ready in five minutes. And contact my grandfather. Tell him it’s urgent.”
Relief flooded through her. “Thank you, Grandfather.”
I smiled to myself. With Liam Knight imprisoned and facing execution, there would never be a better opportunity. Roman Volkov’s reign over Havenwood’s business world ended tonight.
“Liam Knight,” he called, his voice carrying authority. “I trust you slept well? Today is a significant day for you.”
In his modest home across town, William Vance paced the floor, his phone pressed to
his ear.
“How did you—”
“Isabelle? What’s happening?”
I laughed, the sound echoing in the spacious office. “Negotiate? No, Roman. I’m here to inform you of your retirement.”
“Where is he being held?”
“What about Miss Ashworth? Liam saved her life. Surely the Ashworth family could-”
“I’m glad to hear it,” I said sincerely. “I never wished him dead, despite what you might
think.”
The color drained from his face.
Eamon moved closer, lowering his voice. “I could help you. I may be old, but I’m still a Grandmaster. Together, we might have a chance.”
“And Isabelle? If Conrad Thornton or any of his people harm a hair on your head, I will burn their family to the ground.”
“I wouldn’t,” Franklin warned, his voice soft but menacing.
“You won’t get away with this,” he muttered as he began signing.
The silence that followed was so complete that Clara wondered if the call had
14:58
4/8
206 Chapter 206 Caldwell’s Coup, Isabelle’s Resolve
dropped. Then Isabelle spoke, her voice tight with controlled fury.
“That’s exactly what I think,” I replied.
“I’m going to Eldoria. Tonight.”
Roman looked up from his desk, his eyes widening as he saw me walk in with Franklin and two more of my men behind me:
Clara sat beside her father, taking his trembling hands in hers.
Inside his cell, I sat cross–legged on the floor, my eyes closed in meditation. Despite the commotion outside–guards preparing for the day’s main event—I maintained perfect stillness.
I placed my hand on his shoulder. “No need.”
I stood slowly, meeting his gaze. “Every day I’m alive is significant, Mr. Thornton.”
We took the elevator to the top floor where Roman’s office was located. Two more guards waited outside his door. They reached for their guns when they saw us exit the
elevator.
“Another dead end?” Clara asked from the doorway, her eyes filled with concern.
We stepped out of the car and approached the building. Two guards stood by the entrance, immediately tensing at our approach.
Alaric lunged forward, but my other men restrained him, twisting his arms behind his
back.
Roman looked at Alaric, still struggling against his captors, then back to me. His shoulders slumped slightly.
Before I could respond, heavy footsteps approached our cell. Conrad Thornton appeared, flanked by four armed guards.
“Yes, I understand. Thank you for trying.” He hung up, his face etched with defeat.
Michael Ashworth was silent for a moment. “Conrad Thornton has always been reckless, but this…”
14:58
5/8
206 Chapter 206- Caldwell’s Coup, Isabelle’s Resolve
Franklin moved with frightening speed. Before either guard could reach for their weapons, both were unconscious on the ground.
“Your connections won’t help you,” I cut him off. “I’ve spent months preparing for this moment. Your allies have been neutralized or bought off. Your security has been compromised.”
William nodded, sinking onto the sofa. “That was my last contact at the Martial Arts Association. No one’s willing to help Liam. The Thornton family’s influence is too strong.”
“Will you be able to stop the execution?”
There was a pause on the line. “What about him?” The voice had lost its coolness, replaced by sharp attention.
“Mr. Caldwell,” one said nervously. “Mr. Volkov isn’t expecting visitors this late.”
“I’ll leave immediately,” Isabelle stated. “Thank you for informing me, Miss Vance.”
“What do you want?”
A mysterious smile played across my lips as I looked toward the window, where the first rays of sunlight were streaming in.
“How can you be so calm?” he finally asked, unable to contain himself any longer. “They’re building your execution platform out there!”
I straightened my cuffs and knocked on Roman’s door.
Roman’s eyes darted between us. “If you’re here to negotiate, this isn’t the way.”
“The Martial Arts Association prison in Eldoria Provincé.”
His jaw tightened at my calm demeanor. “You won’t be so philosophical when you’re facing the executioner’s blade.”
She changed quickly into traveling clothes, her mind racing. How dare they touch Liam? How dare they threaten his life?
A heavy sigh came through the phone. “You’re right. Wait one hour. I’ll have eight Grandmasters ready to escort you.”
Understanding dawned on his face. “You think because Liam Knight is gone, you can
14:58
6/8
206 Chapter 206 Caldwell’s Coup, Isabelle’s Resolve
just walk in and take over?”
“Stop right-”
He scrambled for his phone again, dialing quickly. After a brief conversation, he scribbled a number on a notepad and handed it to Clara.
Alaric, his trusted associate, moved to stand between us, his hand moving toward the weapon hidden beneath his jacket.
The fierce protectiveness in his voice reminded Isabelle of the power her family wielded. For once, she was grateful for it.
“I’m sure he’ll make an exception,” I replied smoothly, continuing forward without breaking stride.
Roman’s eyes flashed with anger. “You overestimate your position, Caldwell. Even without Liam, I have connections-”
A flicker of rage passed over Conrad’s face. “No thanks to you. Other healers arrived from the capital this morning. They’re treating him now.”
Eamon Greene watched me anxiously from his bunk.
Roman reached for his desk drawer, but Franklin was faster. In a blur of movement, he crossed the room and slammed Roman’s hand against the desk.
“He’s been arrested by the Thornton family. They’re going to execute him tomorrow
morning.”
“I won’t stand by while they kill him,” Isabelle insisted, her voice breaking slightly. “Not after everything he’s done for me. For us.”
“Hold on,” she whispered. “I’m coming for you.”
“There must be something we can do,” she whispered. “We can’t just let them execute
him.”
Eamon waited until they were out of earshot before grabbing my arm. “This is our last chance, Liam. We have to fight our way out!”
14:58
