Rise of The Abandoned Husband

I watched Isabelle's expression carefully after my declaration. For a moment that stretched like eternity, she said nothing, her gaze evaluating me with an intensity that made my skin prickle.

"You've asked a very bold question, Liam," she finally said, her voice soft but clear. "Just days ago, you were sleeping in a servant's quarters. Now you're asking to be with a woman whose family controls half the businesses in Veridia City."

I swallowed hard but didn't back down. "I know how it sounds. But everything has changed—I've changed."

A slight smile curved her lips. "Yes, you have. The man who stood before my grandfather yesterday isn't the same one the Sterling family discarded."

She moved closer, close enough that I could smell her perfume—something delicate yet commanding, like the woman herself.

"I admire your boldness, Liam. It's one of the qualities that drew me to you in the first place." Her eyes met mine, unflinching. "But I need to know if you understand what being with me would truly mean."

"I know it won't be easy," I admitted. "Your family, your position—"

"It's not just that." She shook her head. "The world I inhabit is dangerous. People scheme constantly. Alliances form and break daily. There are enemies who would use anyone close to me as a weapon against my family."

I stepped forward, emboldened by the fact that she hadn't outright rejected me. "I'm not afraid of danger."

"Perhaps you should be," she countered, but her eyes softened. "You'll need to prove yourself, Liam—not just to my family, but to all of Veridia City. Can you face that challenge?"

"Is that a test?" I asked.

Her smile widened slightly. "Consider it exactly that. A test that will determine whether what you feel for me is merely fascination or something stronger."

Hope surged through me. She hadn't said no. "Tell me what I need to do."

"Become someone who can stand by my side as an equal," she said simply. "Someone even my enemies would think twice about crossing. Not because of my family's power, but because of your own."

"I will," I promised, newfound determination flooding my veins. "I'll become someone worthy of standing beside you."

Isabelle studied me for a long moment, then reached out and touched my face—just the lightest brush of her fingertips against my cheek. The simple gesture sent electricity through my body.

"Then I look forward to the day you walk into the Ashworth mansion in Veridia City and ask me that question again," she said quietly.

With those words, she turned and walked toward the door, pausing only once to look back at me. "Don't disappoint me, Liam Knight."

After she left, I stood motionless, her touch still burning on my skin. This wasn't rejection—it was a challenge. An invitation to prove myself worthy of her. The thought filled me with a fire I'd never felt before.

I moved to the center of the room, closing my eyes and focusing on the jade pendant against my chest. Its warmth spread through me as I attempted to gather qi. The instructions from my father's legacy guided me, but I quickly found the energy here was scarce—much more difficult to collect than during my breakthrough.

Still, something had changed within me. My mindset had shifted from that of a victim to something altogether different—colder, more calculated. More determined. Even if the qi was sparse, my resolve had never been stronger.

I would master this power. I would become someone worthy of Isabelle Ashworth. I would show all of Veridia City that Liam Knight was a force to be reckoned with.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. Expecting a servant, I was surprised to find Roman Volkov standing in the hallway, his normally confident posture slightly diminished.

"Mr. Knight," he said, forcing a smile. "May I have a word?"

I remembered him from the meeting—the businessman who had offended Isabelle and been dismissed. I gestured for him to enter, curious about his unexpected visit.

Roman looked around the luxurious room with barely concealed envy before turning to me. "I'll be direct, Mr. Knight. My business is suffering."

"And this concerns me how?" I asked, letting coolness seep into my voice.

He cleared his throat. "Since Miss Ashworth withdrew her support, my company has lost three major contracts. My investors are nervous."

"That sounds like a personal problem," I replied, enjoying my newfound ability to speak to men like Roman as equals—or perhaps even superiors.

"It is," he admitted. "But you might be the solution. You appear to have Miss Ashworth's ear. A good word from you could change my situation."

I laughed softly. "Why would I help you?"

"Because I can be a valuable ally." Roman's voice took on an urgent tone. "I have connections throughout Havenwood City. Resources you might find useful."

"What kind of resources?" I asked, my interest piqued despite myself.

"Money, for one. Information. Access to markets most can't enter." He leaned forward. "I've heard rumors you're interested in certain rare herbs. I have suppliers who can procure almost anything."

The mention of herbs caught my attention. My cultivation technique required specific ingredients—some quite rare. Having a reliable source could significantly speed my progress.

"Thirty percent," I said abruptly.

Roman blinked. "Excuse me?"

"If I speak to Isabelle on your behalf, I want thirty percent of your profits for the next year."

"Thirty percent?" He looked shocked. "That's—"

"The price of my help," I cut him off. "Take it or leave it."

Roman's face worked through several emotions before settling into resigned acceptance. "Twenty-five percent, and I'll personally ensure you get first access to any herbs my suppliers find."

I pretended to consider this. "Thirty percent, and I'll accept your herb offer as well."

Roman stared at me for a long moment before extending his hand. "You drive a hard bargain, Mr. Knight. I see why the Ashworths are interested in you."

As we shook hands, I felt another shift within me. Just days ago, I would have been grateful for any opportunity Roman offered. Now I was dictating terms to him. The realization was both strange and intoxicating.

"I'll speak with Isabelle," I said. "But I can't promise results."

"That's all I ask." Roman nodded, seeming relieved. "About those herbs—is there anything specific you're looking for?"

As I began to describe the ingredients I needed, a commotion from the hallway interrupted us. Voices were raised, a female voice insistent despite a servant's protests.

"I know he's here! I demand to see him immediately!"

I recognized that voice instantly, and my blood ran cold. Before I could react, two figures appeared in my doorway—Beatrice Sterling, her face tight with barely controlled anger, and behind her, Seraphina.

My ex-wife was dressed in a way I'd never seen before—a tight dress that clung to every curve, cut low enough to reveal the swell of her breasts. Her makeup was heavier than usual, her lips painted a bold red. Her eyes swept the room, taking in the luxury, before landing on me with a look I couldn't quite decipher.

"Well," Beatrice said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Isn't this cozy?"

Roman glanced between us, clearly sensing the tension. "Perhaps I should come back another time."

Beatrice ignored him completely, her gaze fixed on me. "We need to talk, Liam. It's about time we cleared the air, don't you think?"

I watched as Seraphina stepped into the room behind her mother, her eyes never leaving mine. The calculated way she moved, the deliberate sway of her hips—this was a side of her I'd never seen during our marriage.

Whatever they wanted, I knew one thing for certain: my past had just collided with my future, and the aftermath would not be pretty.