Rise of The Abandoned Husband (Liam Knight) novel Chapter 33

33 Chapter 33 – Liam’s Elixir: From Riches to a Riverside Revelation

33 Chapter 33 – Liam’s Elixir: From Riches to a Riverside Revelation

I woke to the insistent buzzing of my phone. Squinting at the screen, I saw Roman’s name flashing, along with the time: 6:30 AM. Too early for casual conversation.

“Roman?” I answered, my voice still rough with sleep.

“Liam!” His voice practically exploded through the speaker. “Those pills–they’re incredible! I’ve never felt anything like it!”

I sat up, instantly more alert. “You took one?”

“Last night, right after I left you. I thought I was being scammed, but…” He paused, lowering his voice. “My cultivation improved more in one night than it has in months. My energy levels are through the roof. I feel like I could run a marathon!”

I smiled, satisfaction warming my chest. “I told you they were worth the price.”

“Worth it? They’re worth triple what I paid!” Roman exclaimed. “And that’s exactly what everyone’s offering me this morning. My phone hasn’t stopped ringing since dawn.”

This caught my attention. “Everyone? Who exactly?”

“Half of Havenwood’s elite! I gave samples to a few key people last night–just to test the market, you understand. Now they’re desperate for more. The Chen family is offering property deals. The Wangs want exclusive distribution rights. Even that old bastard Edmund Pierce called personally.“”

I processed this information, calculating quickly. “How many pills do you have left?” “Seventeen. And I’ve got buyers willing to pay two million each.”

“Interesting,” I replied, mind racing. The market had responded even better than I’d anticipated, “I need to see you. Today.”

Three hours later, Roman burst through my door, practically vibrating with energy. The effects of the pill were evident in his movements–more fluid, more confident than before.

12.23

33 Chapter 33 – Liam’s Elixir: From Riches to a Riverside Revelation

“Liam, my friend!” He clapped me on the shoulder with newfound familiarity. “You’ve made me the most popular man in Havenwood overnight!”

“Sit,” I suggested, gesturing to my modest living room furniture. “Tell me everything.”

Roman detailed the calls he’d received–the offers, the desperation, the promises. The city’s influential families had all taken notice after just one night. Some had even sent representatives to wait outside his home.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” he admitted, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair. “These people would mortgage their homes for another pill.”

I nodded, having expected something like this, though the speed surprised me. “I can, make more.”

Roman’s eyes widened. “How many? How quickly?”

“That depends,” I replied carefully. “The price has increased.”

“Increased?” Roman’s enthusiasm dimmed slightly. “By how much?”

“One hundred and sixty thousand per pill now.” 1

Roman stared at me for a long moment before bursting into laughter. “You’re ruthless! But fair enough. At the prices I’m commanding, I’ll still triple my investment.”

He extended his hand. “Deal. How soon can you have the next batch ready?”

“Three days for twenty more pills,” I said, shaking his hand. “I’ll need herbs, though. Quality ones.”

Roman’s brow furrowed. “My usual suppliers don’t deal in the highest quality. For what you need…” He thought for a moment. “There’s an auction house in South City. The Phoenix Pavilion. They specialize in rare herbs and cultivation materials. Not exactly legal, but their quality is unmatched.”

I filed this information away. “I’ll check it out.”

Roman left with renewed energy and purpose, already making calls to organize his distribution network. I spent the afternoon examining my finances–suddenly much healthier–and planning my next moves.

That evening, my phone rang again. Isabelle’s name on the screen made my heart beat

12.23

faster.

33 Chapter 33 Liam’s Elixir: From Riches to a Riverside Revelation

+101

“Liam,” her voice came through, smooth as silk. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything important.”

“Not at all,” I replied, sitting up straighter despite being alone. “What can I do for you?” “I have a business gathering tomorrow night at Riverside Villa,” she said. “Unfortunately, I can’t attend personally. I was hoping you might go in my place.”

I hesitated. “Riverside Villa? Isn’t that Julian Hawthorne’s property?”

“It is,” she confirmed. “Is that a problem?”

After our confrontation, Julian was the last person I wanted to see. “We didn’t exactly part on friendly terms.”

“I’m aware,” Isabelle replied, and I could hear the smile in her voice. “Consider it a test.”

A test. That shifted things considerably.

“What kind of test?” I asked, curiosity piqued./

“Let’s just say I’m interested in how you handle certain situations,” she said

enigmatically. “You’ve surprised me before. I wonder if you’ll do so again.”

The challenge in her voice was unmistakable. Whatever game she was playing, I found myself wanting to participate.

“What time should I be there?” I asked.

“Eight o’clock. Dress formally.” She paused. “And Liam? The guest list includes several people who might be valuable connections for your… pharmaceutical ventures.”

My eyebrows rose. How did she know about my plans already?

“I’ll be there,” I promised.

“Excellent. I look forward to hearing how it goes.”

The line went dead, leaving me staring at my phone. Isabelle Ashworth continued to be an enigma–supportive one moment, testing me the next. What exactly did she want from me?

The next evening found me in a taxi heading toward the outskirts of the city. Riverside

33 Chapter 33 Liam’s Elixir: From Riches to a Riverside Revelation

<

Villa sat on a sprawling estate along the river, far from the urban density of downtown Havenwood. I’d opted for a simple but elegant black suit–nothing flashy, but good enough to blend in with the wealthy crowd.

As the taxi approached, I caught my first glimpse of the villa through wrought–iron gates. The Mediterranean–style mansion was lit up like a jewel against the darkening sky, its reflection shimmering in the river beyond. Luxury cars lined the circular driveway–Bentleys, Maseratis, and more than one Rolls Royce.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify