Rise of The Abandoned Husband (Liam Knight) novel Chapter 164

164 Chapter 164 The Price of Fame and a Bold Theft

I was jolted from a dreamless sleep by urgent knocking at my hotel room door. Groaning, I forced myself to sit up, my body still leaden with exhaustion from the pill creation earlier. The knock came again, more insistent this time.

“Coming” I muttered, dragging myself out of bed and stumbling to the door.

When I opened it, I found Killian Moreau standing there, flanked by two silent attendants. His normally composed face showed uncharacteristic urgency.

“Mr. Knight,” he said with a slight bow. “I apologize for the late intrusion.”

I blinked, trying to clear the fog from my mind. “Mr. Moreau. This is… unexpected.”

His eyes swept over my disheveled appearance and the dark circles under my eyes. “I see the rumors of your expenditure of energy were not exaggerated.” He snapped his fingers, and one of his attendants stepped forward, presenting an ornate wooden box.

“The Ganoderma you requested,” Killian said. “A hundred–year specimen, as promised.”

I took the box carefully, my fatigue momentarily forgotten as I opened it to reveal the rare fungus, glowing with a faint luminescence that signaled its potency. “You’re delivering this personally? At this hour?”

润

A thin smile crossed Killian’s face. “Let’s just say recent events have adjusted my assessment of our potential… partnership.”

Of course. News of the Pill Cloud had reached him. I closed the box and nodded.

“Thank you for honoring our arrangement.”

“I always honor my word,” he replied, with just enough emphasis to suggest that he expected the same from me. “And I look forward to discussing future collaborations once you’ve had time to recover your strength.”

After Killian departed, I locked the door and returned to bed, placing the precious Ganoderma beside my other treasures. Despite my curiosity about what had prompted Killian’s sudden change in attitude, exhaustion pulled me back under. My last conscious thought was satisfaction that my display of power had achieved exactly

what I’d intended.

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104 Chapter 184 The Price of Fame and a Bord Theff

–

I slept for five days straight.

1

When I finally emerged from my deep rest, the world had moved on without me. My communication stone was filled with unread messages, and according to the hotel staff, numerous visitors had been turned away from my door.

As I was finishing a hearty meal to replenish my strength, a knock came at my door. This time, it was Anthony Harding, looking simultaneously relieved and troubled.

*Master Knight! You’re finally awake,” he exclaimed. “We were starting to worry.”

“We?” I asked, inviting him in.

Anthony nodded. “Uncle Jackson and I. I’ve been handling inquiries about the Curing Pill in your absence, as you instructed.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I don’t recall giving any instructions.”

He looked embarrassed. “Well, you were deeply asleep, and people kept coming. So I took the initiative to manage things as I thought you would want.” He straightened his shoulders. “I told everyone the same thing–that you would only consider trading the Curing Pill for hundred–year medicinal materials.”

“Good,” I nodded, pleasantly surprised by his initiative. “Any serious offers?”

Anthony’s face fell. “That’s what I need to tell you about.” He hesitated, then blurted out, “The pill was stolen yesterday.”

I froze. “Explain.

Anthony’s words tumbled out in a rush. “A young man came claiming to have a hundred–year ginseng. I could tell immediately it was ordinary, maybe twenty years at most. When I refused him, he became aggressive.” Anthony touched his cheek, and I noticed a faint bruise I hadn’t seen before. “He had bodyguards–four of them. They held me down while he took the pill from your room.”

My voice went dangerously quiet. “Someone broke into my room?”

“The hotel manager had given me access to store your messages and gifts. The thief followed me in.” Anthony looked down, clearly ashamed. “I’m sorry, Master Knight. I failed to protect your property.”

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106 Chapter 185 The Prion of Fame and a Hold Theft

“This thief,” I said, cold anger beginning to build, “did he give a name?”

Anthony nodded miserably. “Miles Thornton. He made a point of announcing it, actually. Said he swallowed hard, said that you’d never dare move against the

Thornton Family of Eldoria, even for a stolen pill

I stood up slowly, my exhaustion forgotten. “Did he now?*

“There’s more.” Anthony added. “After he took the pill, I went to Uncle Jackson for advice. When I told him about Miles Thornton, he seemed… concerned.” Anthony hesitated. “Master Knight, do you know who the Thorntons are?”

“I’m about to find out,” I replied, my voice cold as ice. “Where is this Miles Thornton now?”

“That’s why Uncle Jackson sent me. Miles is hosting a banquet at the Grand Imperial Hotel tonight, apparently to celebrate his successful acquisition of a ‘miraculous cure‘ for his father’s illness. Anthony’s eyes flashed with indignation. “He’s practically boasting about the theft.”

I walked to the window, looking out at the city sprawled below me. So this was the price of fame–becoming a target for entitled fools who thought they could take what they wanted without consequences. This Miles Thornton had made a grave

miscalculation.

“Tell your uncle I appreciate the information,” I said, turning back to Anthony. “And as for the pill that was stolen–was it in the same container as when I gave it to you?”

Anthony nodded. “The purple jade box, yes.

I smiled thinly. The container had its own protections that the thief would soon discover. “Good. Now, about this banquet…”

That evening. I stood outside the Grand Imperial Hotel, dressed in an elegant black robe that belied the fury simmering beneath my calm exterior. The night air was cool. against my skin, a welcome contrast to the heat of my anger.

As I approached the entrance, a burly doorman stepped forward, eyeing me with suspicion. “Invitation?

I smiled. “I believe Miles Thornton is expecting me.”

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ina Chantée 104 The Price of Fame and a Bold Theft

“Name?” he demanded.

“Liam Knight.”

The doorman’s eyes widened slightly in recognition before he schooled his features. “Wait here,” he said, before disappearing inside. A few moments later, he returned with a thin man in expensive clothing who introduced himself as the event manager.

“Mr. Knight,” he said nervously, “I’m afraid your name isn’t on our guest list.”

“That’s fine.” I replied calmly. “Just tell Miles Thornton that the owner of the pill he

stole is here to see him.

The manager’s face paled. “Sir, I don’t know what you’re implying, but Mr. Thornton is hosting a private celebration for-”

“For his successful theft, I finished. “I know. Now, you can either escort me in, or I can find my own way. Which would cause less disruption to your event?”

The manager glanced anxiously between me and the doorman, clearly weighing his options. Before he could decide, the doors swung open, and a young man emerged, surrounded by bodyguards. He was handsome in a polished way, with perfectly styled hair and clothes that screamed wealth.

“So,” he drawled, looking me up and down with an amused expression, “you’re the famous Liam Knight.”

“And you’re the thief who took my pill,” I replied evenly.

Miles laughed, the sound dripping with arrogance. “Thief? I merely collected what I needed. He gestured dismissively. “Your little assistant was being unreasonable. A man in my position doesn’t have time for games.”

“Return the pill,” I said simply, “and I’ll consider the matter closed.”

The amusement in Miles‘ eyes hardened to contempt. “I don’t think you understand who you’re dealing with. The Thornton family doesn’t return what it takes.” He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “My father needs that pill. And what

needs, he gets.”

“The pill won’t work for him,” I stated flatly.

my father

Miles sneered. “Because of some childish protection spell? Our family alchemists have

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104 Chapter 184 The Price of Fame and a Bold Theft

already begun breaking it down.”

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