Rise of The Abandoned Husband

Chapter 375 - 375 - The Guild's Defiance, The Lover's Dilemma, following your plot summary and writing requirements.

# Chapter 375 - The Guild's Defiance, The Lover's Dilemma

Corbin Ashworth's face contorted with rage as the words left Snyder's lips.

"What did you just say?" His voice was deceptively calm, but his white-knuckled grip on his desk betrayed his fury.

Mr. Snyder's voice trembled over the phone. "The Celestial Apothecary Guild, sir. The Pavilion Master herself intervened and took Liam Knight under their protection."

"Impossible!" Corbin slammed his fist down. "No one would dare defy the Ashworth family for that nobody!"

But the truth was undeniable. Liam Knight, the man who should have died in that alley, was now sheltered by one of the most influential organizations in Havenwood City.

I need to handle this personally, Corbin thought. He dismissed Snyder with a curt "I'll deal with you later" and immediately dialed another number.

Across town, Mariana Valerius was reviewing medical reports when her phone rang. The caller ID made her lips curve into a knowing smile.

"I was expecting your call, Corbin Ashworth."

Her calm demeanor only fueled his anger.

"What game are you playing, Pavilion Master?" he snarled. "Harboring a criminal who stole my father's body?"

Mariana's voice remained steady. "Is that the story you're telling? Interesting. My version involves your assassin trying to murder an innocent man."

"That man defiled our family honor! He—"

"He fulfilled Michael Ashworth's last wish," she interrupted. "Something you were too self-absorbed to consider."

Silence hung between them for a moment.

"Return him to us," Corbin finally said, his tone shifting to negotiation. "The Ashworth family would consider it a personal favor."

"No."

The directness of her refusal stunned him.

"You dare refuse the Ashworth family? Do you understand the consequences? We could crush your guild's business overnight!"

"And we could reveal your family's secrets by morning," she countered smoothly. "Shall we continue with threats, or would you prefer to end this conversation?"

Corbin's breathing became ragged with fury. "This isn't over."

"Indeed, it's just beginning," Mariana replied before hanging up.

She turned to find Michael Ashworth standing in the doorway of her office, his expression troubled.

"That was my son, wasn't it?" he asked quietly.

Mariana nodded. "He's as charming as ever."

Michael sank into a chair, suddenly looking every bit his age. "I've created a monster in him, Mariana. My absence shaped Corbin into what he is."

"You made your choices for a reason," she reminded him gently.

"Yes, but at what cost?" His eyes were filled with regret. "And now Liam pays the price for my mistakes."

Mariana poured two cups of tea. "You've never told me the full story about Liam Knight. Why is he so important to you?"

Michael accepted the cup with trembling hands. "It began years ago, with a debt I could never repay..."

He recounted how he'd discovered Liam's extraordinary potential through an ancient testing method and manipulated events to bring him into the Ashworth family's orbit.

"I used him," Michael admitted shamefully. "I knew his marriage to Seraphina would be a disaster, but I needed him connected to our family when his talents emerged."

"You couldn't have predicted how cruelly they'd treat him."

"No, but I did nothing to stop it either." Michael's voice cracked. "Three years of humiliation and abuse, all while I watched from afar, waiting for his awakening."

"And now?" Mariana asked.

"Now I hope to atone, however I can." He looked up at her earnestly. "Thank you for saving him, Mariana. I don't deserve your help after everything."

She touched his hand briefly. "Old debts between us, Michael. But this young man has earned my respect on his own merits."

Their conversation was interrupted by a soft knock.

"Enter," Mariana called.

Sofia Carrera stepped in, her face bright with excitement. "Pavilion Master, Elder Knight is awake!"

While the guild leadership discussed his fate, Liam himself was struggling to process his new reality.

The pain had subsided to a dull ache. My body felt lighter, almost renewed. Those pills were nothing short of miraculous.

Sofia hovered nearby, checking my vitals with practiced efficiency. Thе М|V|LЕ&МРYR tеаm wоrkеd hаrd оn this сhаptеr.

"Your recovery rate is extraordinary," she remarked. "The Pavilion Master will be pleased."

I tried to sit up, managing it with only minimal discomfort. "Why did she help me? Why make me an elder?"

Sofia adjusted my pillows to support my back. "The Pavilion Master rarely explains her decisions. But she must see something special in you."

Before I could question further, the door opened. Mariana entered, followed closely by Michael Ashworth.

The sight of Old Man Ashworth alive and walking sent a jolt through me. Despite knowing he had survived, seeing him in person was different.

"You're looking better," Michael said with a gentle smile.

"Thanks to you," I replied. "Though I still don't understand why you faked your death."

Michael exchanged a glance with Mariana. "It's complicated, Liam. I needed freedom from my family's watchful eyes to pursue certain... matters."

I sensed there was much more to the story, but Michael's expression made it clear he wasn't ready to share everything.

"How are you feeling?" Mariana asked, professionally assessing me.

"Like I've been run over, but I'll survive." I looked directly at her. "Why am I an elder of your guild now?"

A hint of amusement crossed her face. "Because I said so. And because you've demonstrated remarkable alchemical talent. Our guild values ability above all else."

"But I've made enemies of powerful families," I warned. "The Ashworths, the Blackthornes—they'll target anyone who helps me."

Mariana's expression hardened. "Let them try. The Celestial Apothecary Guild has stood for five centuries. We don't bow to wealthy upstarts."

Her confidence was impressive, but I worried about bringing trouble to people who had saved my life.

"About my enemies," Michael interjected. "I should warn you that my son Corbin is not one to forgive perceived slights. He'll seek revenge."

"I've already had the pleasure of his call," Mariana replied dryly.

Michael's expression darkened. "Then we should prepare. He won't stop with threats."

I listened to their exchange, feeling the weight of guilt. These people were risking themselves for me.

"I should leave," I said suddenly. "I appreciate your help, but—"

"Nonsense," Mariana cut me off. "You're staying right here until fully recovered. That's non-negotiable."

Her tone left no room for argument. I slumped back against the pillows, equal parts grateful and worried.

Meanwhile, across the city, Corbin Ashworth paced his office like a caged tiger. Roderick Blackthorne watched from a leather armchair, swirling cognac in a crystal glass.

"So the Celestial Apothecary Guild has given shelter to our mutual problem," Roderick mused. "Intriguing."

"It's infuriating!" Corbin snapped. "That woman dared to threaten me—me, the head of the Ashworth family!"

Roderick's lips curled into a cold smile. "The Pavilion Master has always been... independent. But even she has vulnerabilities."

"What do you suggest? We can't directly attack the guild."

"Of course not," Roderick agreed. "But we can draw the rat out of hiding."

He set down his glass and leaned forward. "What is Liam Knight's greatest weakness?"

Corbin stopped pacing. "Isabelle. My niece."

"Precisely." Roderick's eyes gleamed with malice. "I've noticed how he looks at her—with such pathetic devotion. And how she responds to him..."

"What are you proposing?" Corbin asked, intrigued.

"An engagement announcement. Between Isabelle and my son, Dashiell."

Corbin considered this. "A false engagement? To draw Knight out?"

"Who said anything about it being false?" Roderick's smile widened. "Our families have discussed this alliance for years. Let's make it official—immediately."

"Isabelle will refuse."

"Then don't ask her," Roderick said simply. "Announce it publicly first. By the time she can object, Knight will have already made his move."

Understanding dawned on Corbin's face. "When he comes for her..."

"We'll be waiting," Roderick finished. "And this time, there will be no Pavilion Master to save him."

For three days, I drifted in and out of consciousness at the Celestial Apothecary Guild. Sofia's attentive care and the miraculous pills gradually restored my strength.

By the morning of the fourth day, I felt almost normal. I sat up in bed, examining the bandages around my chest. The wound from Snyder's blade had nearly closed—another testament to the guild's extraordinary medicine.

Sofia entered with a tray of breakfast and more pills. "Good morning, Elder Knight. You're looking much better today."

"Just Liam, please," I insisted, awkwardly accepting the elder title that still felt undeserved.

"The Pavilion Master insists on proper address," she replied with a small smile. "She'll be visiting you later to discuss your official duties."

Official duties. The concept seemed surreal. Just days ago, I was fighting for my life in an alley. Now I was apparently a respected elder in one of the most prestigious organizations in the city.

As I finished breakfast, I couldn't help but think of Isabelle. Was she safe? Did she know what had happened to me? I needed to contact her somehow.

My thoughts were interrupted by a commotion in the hallway. Hurried footsteps approached, and then the door burst open.

Eamon Greene rushed in, his face flushed and his expression panicked. His eyes darted wildly around the room before finding me.

"It's terrible!" he blurted out, his voice cracking with distress. "Miss Ashworth and Dashiell Blackthorne are engaged!"

The words hit me like a physical blow. I froze, the cup in my hand slipping and shattering on the floor.

"What?" I whispered, praying I had misheard.

Eamon thrust a newspaper at me. "It was just announced! The Ashworth and Blackthorne families are celebrating the engagement tonight!"

I stared at the headline, my world collapsing around me.

ISABELLE ASHWORTH TO WED DASHIELL BLACKTHORNE: UNION OF HAVENWOOD'S ELITE FAMILIES

My hands trembled as I read the announcement. This couldn't be happening. Not Isabelle. Not with him.

Sofia touched my arm gently. "Elder Knight, you need to stay calm. Your wounds—"

But I was already moving, tearing off monitoring devices and swinging my legs over the side of the bed.

"I have to go to her," I said, my voice hollow even to my own ears. "Now."