211 Chapter 211 – The Protector’s Gaze: From Family
Fortunes to a Child’s Fear
“Your son’s ‘bruise‘ is fake,” I stated flatly. “Poorly applied, I might add.”
Jordan’s eyes widened in panic, and he unconsciously rubbed at his arm, smearing the
mark.
placed myself between them, shielding Erin from the woman’s anger.
He looked up.
“At Reese Primary School. Classes end soon.” He glanced at his watch. “In fact, I should head there now.”
I sat up straight, my heart racing. This wasn’t supposed to happen yet. Mental energy typically developed much later in cultivation, after physical energy had been fully harnessed.
Conrad cleared his throat. “Yes. First, I must confirm that our medicine stores have been severely depleted.”
I closed the folder. “I’ll take fifty percent of all profits. You’ll maintain day–to–day operations and keep the remaining fifty percent.”
“Your sister,” the woman sneered, “attacked my son unprovoked. Look at his arm! We could press charges for this!”
I nodded. “I’m sorry
for your loss.”
Inside, the mood was somber. Family members and business associates gathered in hushed groups, stealing glances at me as I passed. The news of my connection to the Ashworth family had clearly spread.
Her tear–streaked face looked up at me uncertainly.
Uncle Armando stepped forward, placing a thick folder on the desk betw
1 us.
“The child is clearly frightened,” I continued. “Let her speak.”
Conrad Thornton waited at the top of the stairs, his face a mask of perfect control.
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211 Chapter 211 – The Protector’s Gaze: From Family Fortunes to a Child’s Fear
Only the darkness around his eyes revealed his grief.
“Of course,” Conrad agreed quickly. “Absolutely.”
A knock interrupted my exploration.
“The Guild had no right to hold you,” I replied, gesturing for him to sit. “Are you hungry?”
I knelt down to Erin’s level, my voice softening. “Hello, Erin. My name is Liam. I’m a friend of your brother’s.”
We moved closer, hearing the woman’s tirade.
“By whom,” Conrad corrected. “The Veridia City Martial Guild has been demanding increased ‘contributions‘ from all major families. They’ve taken almost everything of value from our medicinal reserves.”
Eamon’s expression sobered. “Find my sister first. She’s been staying with neighbors, but I need to get her.”
“By what?” I asked.
Heafed through the pages, impressed despite myself. The Thornton family was even wealthier than I’d realized.
Reese Primary School was a modest building with cheerful artwork decorating its walls. Children’s laughter echoed from the playground as we approached the main
entrance.
Conrad hesitated, then nodded. “I’ll make the arrangements personally.”
“I appreciate your cooperation. Don’t make me regret this arrangement.”
“We assumed you would take full control,” Conrad said carefully. “Given the… circumstances of our previous interactions.”
The woman’s mouth opened and closed wordlessly.
“Her brother,” Eamon said coldly. “What exactly are you accusing my sister of?”
“Enough,” I said quietly.
I met Eamon at a small restaurant near the edge of town. He looked thinner than I
211 Chapter 211 – The Protector’s Gaze: From Family Fortunes to a Child’s Fear
remembered, his eyes haunted, but his spirit remained unbroken.
“-bruised my son’s arm! Look at this mark! You violent little monster!”
“Mr. Knight? Are you ready to depart?” It was the nurse who had been caring for me.
“She should be out any minute, Eamon said, scanning the crowd of children beginning
to emerge.
Conrad frowned. “The Guild doesn’t typically respond to-”
She started running toward us, but her path was suddenly blocked by a harsh–looking woman gripping the arm of a boy about Erin’s age.
Erin had started to cry silently, her small shoulders shaking.
Before she could answer, the woman cut in again..“Don’t bother asking her! Children like that learn to lie from an early age. No parents to teach them proper manners—”
“Erin,” he explained. “She’s ten. Our parents died last year, so it’s just us now.”
“A blessing in disguise,” I whispered.
Eamon looked grateful. “I’d appreciate the company. And I’m sure Erin would like to meet the man who saved her brother.”
Other parents were stopping to stare now. The boy, Jordan, stood smugly behind his mother, occasionally touching his arm with exaggerated winces.
I tested this new power, directing it through different parts of my mind. The control was rough, unpracticed, but the potential was enormous. With this, my capabilities would expand dramatically.
This was interesting information. “The Guild is stockpiling medicines?”
“A friend of the family,” I replied evenly. “One who doesn’t appreciate seeing children bullied by adults or false accusations made without evidence.”
A responsibility I understood all too well. “Where is she?”
The torture I’d endured had pushed my body to its absolute limits. Instead of
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211 Chapter 211 – The Protector’s Gaze: From Family Fortunes to a Child’s Fear
destroying me, it had somehow accelerated my development. My mind was awakening ahead of schedule.
Erin nodded miserably. “He takes my food every day. Today I tried to stop him, and he pushed me. I pushed back, but then he fell and started crying.”
Conrad nodded. “Rare herbs, finished elixirs, even basic remedies. No explanation
given.”
I stood up. “One more thing. There’s a man named Eamon Greene. He was imprisoned by the Veridia City Martial Guild on false charges. I want him released immediately.”
“It’s practical,” I corrected. “I don’t have time to manage your business empire. But I do expect complete transparency and loyalty.”
I filed this information away. The Guild’s interest in medicine aligned with what Conrad had told me about their stockpiling.
The woman huffed. “And who are you supposed to be?”
“Erin would never hurt anyone,” Eamon growled, striding forward. I followed close
behind.
A flicker of surprise crossed his face. “We’ve already stated our position. The Thornton family is at your service.”
Eamon’s face darkened with anger. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“What will you do now?” I asked.
I followed him to Conrad’s study, where Conrad was already waiting, composed once
more.
“Thank you for attending,” Conrad said. “It would have meant some
ng to Tristan.”
“You little liar!” the woman shrieked, making Erin flinch.
His face lit up as he spotted a small figure with pigtails and a bright yellow backpack. “Erin!” he called.
The simple statement hit me hard. A child suffering in silence to protect her brother- it reminded me too much of my own childhood.
211 Chapter 211 – The Protector’s Gaze: From Family Fortunes to a Child’s Fear
“I’ll come with you,” I offered, surprising myself. “I could use some fresh air.
By evening, Conrad had delivered on his promise. Eamon Greene, along with three other prisoners who had been unjustly held, walked free from the Guild’s detention facility.
“Mr. Knight,” he said with a formal bow. “Thank
you
for coming.”
Her face reddened. “How dare you! My son would never lie about—”
I nodded, taking a seat across from him. “You mentioned business matters?”
“Use whatever connections you have,” I cut him off. “Bribes, favors, threats–I don’t care. Get it done today.”
Afterward, Uncle Armando approached me. “Mr. Knight, if you have a moment, there are matters we wish to discuss.”
Eamon nodded eagerly. “Starving. Prison food isn’t exactly gourmet.”
The ceremony was brief but dignified. I stood at the back, watching Conrad maintain his composure through sheer force of will.
As my car pulled up to the entrance, servants rushed to open the door. Their were downcast, their movements stiff with anxiety.
eyes
“Yes,” I replied, bringing myself back to the present moment. “I’m ready.”
“Is she telling the truth?” Eamon asked softly. “Has this been happening for a while?”
As I walked away, I felt a strange new power settling around me. Not just the golden light in my mind, but something more intangible–the weight of influence and authority.
“Liar!” the woman spat. “My Jordan told me everything. You pushed him during recess!”
We ordered, and as the food arrived, Eamon filled me in on his ordeal. The Guild had questioned him repeatedly about his connections to me, about what he knew of my abilities.
Erin had shrunk back, her small face pale with fear. “I didn’t-”
Eamon tensed beside me. “What’s going on?”
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The Thornton family estate loomed ahead, its grand facade a stark reminder of wealth and power. Two days had passed since Conrad’s unexpected visit, and now I was fulfilling my promise to attend Tristan’s funeral.
“Mr. Knight,” he said, clasping my hand with surprising strength. “I didn’t expect to see daylight again.”
“I think we’re done here,” I said, my voice dropping to a dangerous register. “Unless you’d like to continue this conversation at the local police station? I’m sure they’d be interested in hearing about a grown woman intimidating a young orphan.”
I turned back to find Erin still trembling, clinging to her brother’s hand.
The threat hit home. The woman grabbed her son’s arm. “Come on, Jordan. We don’t need to waste time with these people.”
“Your sister?”
Conrad’s eyes widened. “That’s… exceptionally generous.”
“Erin,” Eamon said gently, crouching beside her. “What happened? You can tell me.”
“And what do you expect in return?” I asked, looking up at Conrad.
“They were particularly interested in your healing techniques,” he said between bites. “Kept asking if I’d seen you use any special medicines.”
As they stalked away, Jordan looked back once, his face a mixture of fear and resentment.
“This contains a complete inventory of the Thornton family assets,” he explained. “Properties, businesses, investments across three provinces. All now at your disposal, as promised.”
-I closed my eyes and focused inward. There it was–a sensation unlike anything I’d
experienced before.
Erin looked up at me with tear–filled eyes.
“You were in trouble,” Erin whispered. “I didn’t want to make things worse.”
“Jordan keeps taking my lunch,” she whispered. “He said if I told anyone, he’d hurt me worse than before.”
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211 Chapter 211 – The Protector’s Gaze: From Family Fortunes to a Child’s Fear
Something in my tone made her fall silent instantly. I stepped forward, my newfound mental energy naturally extending outward, creating an almost palpable aura of authority.
A shimmering golden light pulsed inside my mind. It moved with my thoughts, responding to my will like a living thing.
I studied the boy carefully. The “bruise” looked suspiciously like dirt or marker ink, hastily applied. The boy caught my gaze and quickly looked away, shifting
uncomfortably.
I gave her a reassuring smile and gently patted her head. “Just say what’s on your mind; don’t be afraid, no one is going to do anything to you.”
“Good.” I turned to leave, then paused. “And Conrad?”
“You!” the woman shouted, pointing at Erin. “Don’t you dare walk away from me!”
“For what percentage?” I clarified. “You’re businessmen. You don’t give away assets without expecting returns.”
Sleep fled from me like a startled bird. I opened my eyes, surprised by how alert I felt despite everything my body had endured. Something was different.
Uncle Armando glanced nervously at Conrad, who leaned forward.
I knelt down again, meeting Erin’s eyes. “You don’t have to be afraid anymore,” I said softly. “Your brother is here now. And so am I.”
The girl looked up, her eyes widening/in disbelief. “Brother!”
The woman turned her glare on Eamon. “And who are you?”
