From Ruin to Reign Leander's Unbreakable Will novel Chapter 21

Chapter 21 The True Adversary

“I’m not going.”

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Leander’s voice rang out with a firmness that shattered the pregnant silence, his refusal sharp and unyielding. Jade’s carefully laid plans crumbled before her eyes, her request left in ruins.

The classroom fell into a stunned hush. The students, wide–eyed and incredulous, exchanged uneasy glances, struggling to comprehend what had just transpired. The audacity of this new student, Leander, to openly defy the class monitor, Jade, was beyond anything they could have imagined.

In Class 4, the hierarchy was clear, and Jade stood near the top, just below Madeline and Victor, whose reputations were unassailable. Jade, the class monitor, was not just a leader; she was a force of nature within Ravenridge Senior High. As the vice president of the arts committee and an active figure in the school’s many social circles, her influence was both broad and deep. Her connections extended far beyond the confines of their classroom, reaching into the upper echelons of the school’s elite. She was the shining star of the school, her name known and respected by all.

Within Class 4, Jade’s word was law. Her commands were to be followed without question, and her authority was rarely challenged. To defy her was to risk social exile, a fate no one dared to tempt. Such was the power she wielded with effortless grace.

But today, Leander had done the unthinkable—he had become the first to stand against her.

“What nerve he has…”

Murmurs of disbelief and admiration rippled through the room as Leander’s classmates struggled to process what they had just witnessed. To openly defy Jade, to confront her so directly, was something they wouldn’t have dared even in their wildest dreams.

Jade’s expression darkened, her eyes narrowing into slits of cold fury. The calm, controlled mask she usually wore slipped away, revealing the storm brewing beneath. Beside her, Madeline cast a glance toward Leander, then back at Jade, unsure of what to say or do in the tense silence that followed.

“Leander, why are you refusing to follow the group’s decision? Everyone else is going; why should you be an exception?” Jade’s voice, usually so composed, trembled with irritation as she gestured toward the group of boys standing nearby, her tone laced with accusation.

“If they’re going, must I go too?” Leander’s lips curled into a mocking smile, his tone dripping with disdain. “Tell me, Jade, is this really about following the group’s decision, or is it just about following your orders?”

Jade’s brows furrowed, her frustration deepening as she struggled to maintain control. “I am

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the class monitor, Leander. I have the authority to delegate tasks as I see fit.”

Leander responded with a derisive chuckle, shaking his head as if amused by her words. “Being class monitor doesn’t make you special, Jade. Your role is to serve the class, not to flaunt your power and boss everyone around.”

“I have no obligation, nor any responsibility, to move equipment for the Publicity Department. If others want to do it, that’s their choice. I won’t go, and you have no right to force me.”

Normally, Leander wouldn’t have wasted his breath on a confrontation like this. He wasn’t one to engage in petty arguments, especially with someone like Jade. But her relentless provocations, her attempts to turn him into her personal errand boy, had pushed him to the edge. He couldn’t–wouldn’t–remain silent any longer.

Jade was stunned into silence, her face flushing with a mix of anger and embarrassment. Her chest heaved as she fought to rein in her rising temper, but when she finally spoke, her voice was edged with a near–hysterical intensity. “Leander, what are you implying? Are you accusing me of abusing my authority?”

“The Publicity Department is the concern of the entire school. How dare you say it’s none of your business?”

“Would you have the guts to say that in front of Yvette, the head of the Publicity Department?”

At the mention of Yvette’s name, a ripple of unease passed through the classroom. The realization dawned on them–Jade wasn’t just the class monitor; she was speaking on behalf of one of the most revered figures in the school. The Publicity Department was prestigious, but its status was elevated to legendary heights by Yvette, the school’s celebrated beauty and the department’s leader.

Leander’s dismissal of the Publicity Department’s concerns wasn’t just an affront to Jade; it was a direct insult to Yvette, the school’s reigning queen.

Liam, standing nearby, shot Leander a warning glance, subtly signaling him to back down. Offending Jade was one thing, but crossing Yvette could spell disaster. In the insular world of Ravenridge Senior High, a misstep against someone of Yvette’s stature could render Leander a pariah, an outcast among his peers.

But Leander remained unperturbed, his expression unwavering. “Yvette? So what?” he replied with a calm indifference that sent a chill through the room. “Even if Yvette herself stood before me, I’d still say the same thing.”

Gasps of disbelief echoed through the classroom as Leander’s words hung in the air, the weight of his defiance sinking in. Nearly everyone thought he was overstepping, his arrogance bordering on reckless.

Refusing to help move equipment was one thing, but Leander’s blatant disregard for both Jade

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and Yvette’s authority was an act of sheer audacity. He was playing with fire, and the whole class waited with bated breath to see how it would unfold.

Just then, a stir at the classroom door drew everyone’s attention. Heads turned, eyes widening in surprise as they recognized the figure standing there.

At the entrance, framed by the soft light of the hallway, was a girl of striking beauty. Tall and elegant, her long black hair cascaded down her back like a silken waterfall. Her presence commanded attention, an undeniable aura of grace and power surrounding her. It was Yvette, the school’s goddess, and she had arrived just in time to witness the spectacle.

The boys in the classroom gawked in awe, their eyes wide with admiration, as if transfixed by a rare and precious gem. The girls, on the other hand, watched with envious longing, their gazes tinged with a wistful desire to trade places with the radiant figure standing in the doorway.

“It’s Yvette.”

Whispers of disbelief rippled through the room, mingling with the astonished gasps that filled the air. The girl gracing the entrance was none other than Yvette, the ethereal beauty who commanded attention wherever she went.

Many of the students exchanged knowing, almost gleeful glances, their eyes darting toward Leander with a mix of amusement and anticipation. Just moments ago, Leander had boasted that even if Yvette herself were to stand before him, he would remain unmoved. Now, with Yvette’s sudden arrival, the entire class buzzed with curiosity, eager to see if Leander would truly hold firm in the face of her undeniable allure.

“Yvette!” Madeline’s voice rang out, warm and welcoming as she waved at the newcomer. Yvette’s lips curled into a sweet, effortless smile, a gesture that seemed to light up the entire

room.

“Madeline, my dad is coming back from his business trip tonight. My mons cooking a special dinner herself. Why don’t you come over?”

Madeline, who had shared a close bond with Yvette for over two years, nodded without hesitation, her acceptance as natural as their friendship.

Jade’s eyes narrowed, her expression growing cold and calculating. She quickly made her way to Yvette’s side, eager to twist the recent events to her advantage. With exaggerated flair, she recounted what had transpired, her finger pointed accusingly at Leander.

“Oh no…”

Liam’s heart sank as he watched the scene unfold. Yvette was known throughout the school for her dedication and precision, especially in her role overseeing the publicity department, which she managed with an almost military–like efficiency. She was the one who had secured countless sponsorships, earning her a reputation as a formidable force within the school–a

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figure not to be trifled with. The mere thought of Yvette discovering Leander’s disregard for the publicity department sent a chill down Liam’s spine. If Yvette decided to take offense, Leander’s days at the school could become unbearably difficult.

“I understand.” Yvette replied after listening to Jade’s embellished account, her voice steady, though a hint of gravity darkened her expression. She lifted her gaze, directing it squarely at Leander, her eyes narrowing slightly as if assessing the situation with a critical eye.

“First he offends Jade, and now he’s managed to upset Yvette. This guy is seriously unlucky.”

The classmates exchanged sympathetic looks, shaking their heads in unison. Their eyes, filled with a mixture of pity and resignation, settled on Leander, who seemed unaware of the impending storm.

Madeline opened her mouth to explain, but Yvette had already moved, her graceful steps carrying her to the back row where Leander sat. The tension in the room was palpable, and Liam, fearing that Leander’s usual stoic demeanor might exacerbate the situation, hurried to intervene.

“Yvette, he didn’t mean it like that. He just—”

Before Liam could finish, Yvette parted her lips, and with a single sentence, plunged the entire classroom into stunned silence.

“Leander, come to my house for dinner tonight. My mom insists that you join us.”

In an instant, every eye in the room turned toward Leander. Shock, envy, and disbelief played out across the students‘ faces, their expressions a kaleidoscope of emotions.

Did they just hear correctly?

Yvette, the aloof and untouchable school goddess, had openly invited a boy to her home for dinner–a privilege unheard of within these walls. Even the most prominent figures at the school, like Shiloh, who had been fortunate enough to be on friendly terms with Yvette, had never been granted such an honor. And yet, here was Leander, a mere newcomer from the countryside, seemingly well–acquainted with Yvette and her family.

Madeline’s eyes widened, her mind racing with surprise and curiosity. She had never imagined that Leander knew Yvette, let alone that Yvette’s mother would be familiar with him.

Liam stood frozen in place, his mind reeling as he recalled Leander’s earlier claim that he had shared coffee with Yvette and Ginny just the day before. At the time, Liam had dismissed it as idle bragging, but now, faced with the undeniable truth, he found himself utterly speechless.

Jade’s face turned to stone, her expression one of sheer disbelief, as if the ground beneath her had shifted.

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