90 Chapter 90 – The Un. nounced Arrival
Jolt
I paced back and forth across my modest living room, my mind racing with possibilities. The image of Harrison Ashworth’s Rolls–Royce parked outside sent a of anxiety through me. What could Isabelle’s father possibly want? Our brief interaction at the hotel had been charged with unspoken tension–him evaluating me from afar while I tried not to crumble under his scrutiny.
“Pull yourself together, Liam,” I muttered, straightening my shoulders.
This wasn’t just any man coming to my door–this was Harrison Ashworth, one of the most powerful figures in Veridia City. A man who could order executions as casually as ordering lunch.
The sound of footsteps grew louder, each step on the stairs outside like a countdown to confrontation. I quickly scanned my apartment, grateful I’d cleaned up earlier. It wasn’t much compared to what the Ashworths were accustomed to, but at least it was presentable.
Three sharp knocks on my door. Decisive. Commanding.
I took a deep breath, feeling the jade pendant warm against my chest as if reminding me of my own emerging power. With one final steadying breath, I opened the door.
Harrison Ashworth stood in my doorway, his imposing frame filling the space. Up close, I could see where Isabelle got her striking features–the same piercing eyes, though his were steel–gray rather than her warm brown. His tailored suit probably cost more than three months of my rent.
“Mr. Knight,” he said, his voice crisp and authoritative. “I believe we’re overdue for a proper conversation.”
I stepped aside, gesturing for him to enter. “Please come in, Mr. Ashworth.”
As he stepped inside, I noticed two of his security personnel taking positions outside my door. Harrison surveyed my apartment with an unreadable expression–not quite judgment, but certainly assessment.
“Can I offer you something to drink?” I asked, struggling to remember proper etiquette for hosting someone of his stature.
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90 Chapter 90- The Unannounced Arrival
“No need.” He remained standing, ha s clasped behind his back. “This won’t take long
The subtle power play wasn’t lost on me. By refusing to sit, he maintained the dominant position.
“I’ve heard a great deal about you, Mr. Knight,” he continued, eyes scanning me from head to toe. “It seems you’ve made quite an impression on my daughter.”
I met his gaze directly. “Isabelle has been incredibly kind to me.”
“Kind,” he repeated, a hint of amusement in his tone. “An interesting choice of words.”
He took a few steps around my living room, examining the few personal items I had displayed–books on medicine and ancient texts I’d recently acquired, a few artifacts related to my studies in alchemy.
“You know, Mr. Knight, when Michael–Isabelle’s grandfather–informed me of his interest in Havenwood City, I was skeptical. What could this backwater possibly offer the Ashworth family?”
I bristled at the description of my hometown but kept my expression neutral.
“And yet,” Harrison continued, “here we are. My daughter–who has turned down proposals from some of Veridia’s most eligible bachelors–now insists on remaining in this city because of you.”
“I didn’t ask her to stay,” I said, my voice firmer than I intended.
“No,” Harrison acknowledged, turning to face me directly. “You didn’t have to. That’s what intrigues me.”
He walked toward my window, looking down at the street below where his luxury car waited.
“Earlier today, Isabelle informed me that she requires three more days in Havenwood City before returning home. She also made an unusual demand.”
I raised an eyebrow, waiting,
“She insisted that you receive ongoing protection from our family guards. Quite adamantly, in fact.” Harrison turned to me, his expression calculating. “She also made a rather bold prediction.”
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90 Chapter 90 The Unannounced Arrival
“What prediction was that? Lasked, genuinely curious.
“That within a year, you’ll have no need for our protection. That you’ll be more than capable of protecting yourself, even by Veridia City standards.” He studied my reaction carefully. “She seemed remarkably certain of this?
I couldn’t help the small smile that formed. Even in her negotiations with her powerful father, Isabelle was supporting me, believing in me.
“And you came here to see if she’s delusional, I stated, not a question.
Harrison’s lips twitched–not quite a smile, but close. “Blunt. I can appreciate that.”
He walked closer, stopping just a few feet away. “The Ashworth name carries weight, Mr. Knight. Expectations. Responsibilities. We don’t associate with just anyone.”
“I’m well aware of that.”
“Are you?” His eyes narrowed slightly. “Veridia City isn’t Havenwood. The games played there would crush a man like you in an instant.”
you
I felt a flash of anger at his dismissal. “With all due respect, Mr. Ashworth, don’t know what kind of man I am.”
“That’s precisely why I’m here.” His voice remained cool, unaffected by my display of
attention.” emotion. “My daughter believes in you. Trusts you. That alone merits my
He reached into his jacket pocket, removing a small, elegant business card. “When your arrive in Veridia City–and according to Isabelle, you will–call this number.”
I took the card, noticing it contained only a single phone number, no name or
company.
“What makes you think I’m going to Veridia City?” I asked, though we both knew the
answer.
*Isabelle is returning in three days, he replied simply. “And men like you don’t let go of what they value.”
The assessment was so accurate it caught me off guard. Before I could respond, Harrison glanced at his watch.
“I have other matters requiring my attention tonight, he said, moving toward the door.
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90 Chapter 00 The Unannounces Arrival
“But I wanted to see you for myself:
“And I prompted. “What’s your verdict?”
Harrison paused, his hand on the doorknob. For a moment, I thought he might not
answer.
“You’re not what I expected,” he finally said. “Whether that’s good or bad remains to be
seen.”
He opened the door but paused once more. “One final thing, Mr. Knight. My daughter has never advocated so strongly for anyone outside our family circle. Whatever
your intentions, remember that.”
With that parting statement, he stepped out, closing the door behind him.
my hand.
I stood motionless in my living room, staring at the elegant business card in The encounter had been brief yet loaded with meaning. Harrison Ashworth hadn’t threatened me or warned me away from his daughter. Instead, he’d given me a direct line into their world–albeit with the unspoken challenge to prove myself worthy of it.
Moving to the window, I watched as Harrison entered his Rolls–Royce. Just before ducking into the vehicle, he looked up at my window–directly at me–with that same penetrating gaze. Not hostile, but evaluating. Then he was gone, the luxury car pulling away from the curb.
I turned the card over in my fingers, considering what had just happened. Harrison had essentially acknowledged my connection to Isabelle without fully approving it. He’d given me a pathway forward while simultaneously reminding me of the vast gulf between our worlds.
My phone buzzed with an incoming text. It was Isabelle:
*Did my father just leave your place?*
I quickly typed back: *Yes. How did you know?*
Her response came seater: *He’s not as subtle as he thinks. Are you okay?*
I smiled at her concern. *I’m fine. Just processing.*
*Whatever he said, know that I meant every word when I told him about you.
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90 Chapter 90–The Unnnnounced Arrival
Her unwavering faith in me sent a su of determination through my veins. I looked out at the city lights, thinking of Veridia City waiting in the distance. Three days. Isabelle would be leaving in three days, returning to her world of power and privilege.
I clutched the jade pendant hanging around my neck, feeling its familiar warmth pulsing in time with my heartbeat. The remnants of my father’s legacy, the source of my emerging power.
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“Veridia City,” I whispered to myself, pocketing Harrison’s card. “I’m coming for you.”
The pendant flared with warmth against my skin, as if responding to my resolve.
Whatever challenges awaited me there, whatever games the elite played in their towers of power, I would be ready. For Isabelle. For myself.
And maybe, just maybe, to show Harrison Ashworth that his daughter’s faith in me wasn’t misplaced after all.
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