Rise of The Abandoned Husband (Liam Knight) novel Chapter 11
Chapter 11: Chapter 11 – The Heiress’s Concern, The Warrior’s Newfound Might
Julia’s words hit me like physical blows, each one hammering home the vast gulf between Isabelle Ashworth and myself.
“The Ashworth family is the most powerful clan in Veridia City,” she continued, her voice dripping with disdain. “They have connections to every major business, political office, and martial arts sect. Miss Ashworth herself is being pursued by the heirs of multiple prominent families.”
I stood in my doorway clutching the package of herbs, feeling smaller with each passing second. The secretary’s eyes swept across my shabby apartment visible behind me, her lip curling slightly.
“Whatever Miss Ashworth sees in you is beyond my understanding,” she said. “But let me give you some advice – stay away from her. People like you don’t belong in her world. You’ll only bring her trouble.”
With that final barb, she turned and walked away, her heels clicking sharply against the worn hallway floor.
I closed the door slowly, leaning my forehead against it as her words echoed in my mind. The Ashworth family of Veridia City. Everyone knew that name. They were legendary – not just wealthy, but influential beyond measure.
And Isabelle was their princess.
Setting the package on my table, I stared at the premium herbs within. They probably cost more than three months of my salary. To Isabelle, it was likely pocket change – a casual gift she wouldn’t think twice about.
“The princess of the Ashworth family,” I whispered, shaking my head in disbelief.
For a moment, despair threatened to overwhelm me. How could I ever measure up to someone like her? What could I possibly offer a woman who could have anything – or anyone – she wanted?
My eyes drifted to the jade pendant hanging around my neck. It pulsed with a soft green light, as if responding to my emotions.
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“No,” I said firmly, gripping the pendant. “I refuse to think that way.”
My father, whoever he was, had left me this inheritance for a reason. The ancient knowledge flowing through me wasn’t meant to be wasted on self-pity.
I looked at the herbs again, this time with determination rather than shame. If Isabelle Ashworth was that high above me, then I would simply have to climb. I would ascend until I stood on equal footing with her – or die trying.
With renewed purpose, I cleared my workspace and laid out the herbs. According to the knowledge from my pendant, I could use these ingredients to refine Qi Gathering Pills – a powerful cultivation aid that would accelerate my progress tremendously.
Time seemed to blur as I worked. I crushed, mixed, and processed the herbs with growing confidence. My first attempt failed, the mixture turning black and emitting a foul odor. My second attempt showed promise but ultimately collapsed in the final stage.
I wiped sweat from my brow, refusing to give up. “Third time’s the charm,” I muttered, carefully measuring out another batch of ingredients.
Hours passed. On my fifth attempt, the mixture finally coalesced into small, glowing green pills. I stared at them in amazement – I had done it! I’d successfully refined Qi Gathering Pills!
Without hesitation, I took five pills and swallowed them. The effect was immediate and intense. Energy surged through my meridians like liquid fire. I dropped to my knees, gasping as the power coursed through me, breaking through barriers and expanding my capacity.
When the sensation finally subsided, I felt… different. Stronger. More solid. Rising to my feet, I flexed my hands, marveling at the energy coursing through them. According to my inherited knowledge, I had advanced to the Second-Layer Qi Refining Stage – a significant leap forward.
Testing my new strength, I punched the air experimentally. The movement created a small shockwave that disturbed the papers on my table. A smile spread across my face. This was just the beginning.
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The next morning, a knock at my door pulled me from meditation. I opened it to find Isabelle standing there, more beautiful than I remembered in a simple blue dress that probably cost more than my entire apartment. Behind her stood a man – tall, burly, with the watchful eyes of a professional bodyguard.
“Good morning, Liam,” she said with a warm smile. “May we come in?”
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