From Ruin to Reign Leander's Unbreakable Will novel Chapter 231

Chapter 231 A Beautiful Encounter

“Are they finally here?”

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Finished

Leander’s eyes glinted faintly, the corner of his mouth tugging into a slight, dismissive smirk. He didn’t even flinch.

Those twelve auras, though strong and varied, were nothing more than some pests buzzing in the dark. They weren’t even worth a second glance.

He took another slow sip from his glass, then glanced toward the stage. Maeve stood under the spotlight, her eyes gleaming like stars. In that moment, her radiant smile overlapped with the memory of a girl who had once stood at the brink of despair, ready to throw her life away.

He had never felt particularly close to Maeve. Still, watching the girl who had once lost hope in life now stand confident, alive, and shining stirred something faint and hard to name.

Onstage, Maeve moved with an easy grace, arms swaying gently as the opening chords of a familiar melody floated through the air.

“Alright, everyone!” she called out, beaming. “I bet most of you already know the name of this song, don’t you? Come on, shout it out with me!”

The crowd erupted in a wave of voices, loud and passionate. “A Beautiful Encounter!”

Maeve gave a soft nod, her eyes twinkling with emotion, her lips slightly parted. “I always open my concerts with this song, but I’ve never told anyone why. Do you know why?”

The venue went quiet. Her die–hard fans–people who had followed her for years–held their breath. They all knew this tradition. But the reason behind it was a mystery—until now.

Maeve smiled softly, but a trace of unfamiliar sadness crept into her expression, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“Tonight,” she said softly, “standing on this stage, with the support of Jeff Enterprises, I finally want to tell you the reason.

“The reason I always open every concert with ‘A Beautiful Encounter‘ is because of one person. This person didn’t just save my life. He saved my entire world.”

Her voice wavered as the memory washed over her.

“Three years ago, I hadn’t even entered the entertainment industry yet. But becoming a singer was the dream I’d chased for ten long years. I worked so hard, hoping one day I’d stand on a

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Chapter 231 A Beautiful Encounter

stage like this, singing for people who believed in me.

Finished

“I thought I was finally on the verge of making that dream come true. But then, out of nowhere, a nightmare hit–and everything came crashing down.

“I was hit with a strange illness. I lost my sight completely. My family searched everywhere for a cure–brought in the best doctors, professors, specialists. But nothing worked.

“My world went dark. I thought that was it for me. That I’d never see light again. In the middle of that darkness, I made a choice to end everything. I went to Glenwick, and I jumped off a cliff.”

She held the microphone, a smile unlike any she’d ever worn lighting up her face.

“But I never imagined that jumping off that cliff would lead me to him.”

“I didn’t die. He saved me. Deep in the mountains, he took care of me, day after day. He got me through the wilderness, through wild terrain filled with dangerous animals. And then, he found a spiritual elixir that healed my eyes.

“Because of him, I saw the world again. Because of him, I found hope again.

“If it weren’t for him, there would be no Maeve Reyne tonight. I wouldn’t be on this stage, living my dream.

“He gave me everything. He brought me back to life. This song, ‘A Beautiful Encounter,‘ was written for him. Every word, every note tells the story of the moments we shared.”

Her voice trembled as she spoke, and by the end, tears were already streaming down her face.

“Because of him, I became who I am today. But sometimes, I just don’t understand–why do the kindest people always face the hardest trials? He saved me, brought me back home, and promised he’d return with the spiritual elixir to heal my eyes. He did send the elixir to me. But he… he didn’t come back. He never came back. And he never will.”

She stood there, alone on the stage, shoulders trembling like a lost child holding back tears.

“I just want to see him again. Just once. To say thank you. To tell him that I like him—so much it hurts. But I know that’s just a foolish dream. The day he left, I didn’t even see his face. I still don’t know what he really looks like—if he’s tall or short, skinny or strong.”

She dropped to her knees, hands covering her face as tears streamed down, hitting the stage floor one after another.

“That’s why every concert, the very first song I sing is ‘A Beautiful Encounter.‘ It’s for him. Just in case he’s watching from above… I want him to know that I’m still here, and I’ve made it. I hope he can see me now…”

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Chapter 231 A Beautiful Encounter

Finished

The venue fell utterly silent. Then, like a wave crashing over the silence, the crowd erupted.

Fans raised their glow sticks and arms, their voices filled with emotion.

“Maeve, keep going!”

“Maeve, you’re incredible! He must be watching you now!”

“Maeve, I’ll support you forever! May the one you love rest in peace!”

Many fans had tears in their eyes. This was the first time they had heard such a raw, heartbreaking story from Maeve. Even the most well–connected tabloid reporters had no idea she carried such a painful memory–let alone that someone had meant that much to her.

As the song soared into its climax, Maeve was still struggling to recover. Her voice was hoarse, heavy with emotion, but no one minded or complained. The entire crowd swayed in unison with their glow sticks–even the wealthy and aloof celebrities in the VIP seats were silently moved.

Yvette was stunned. She never imagined Maeve’s feelings for Leander ran this deep. She turned her head toward him–and even Leander looked surprised.

He hadn’t expected that he–a man the world believed was dead–had taken up such a big space in Maeve’s heart. He never imagined that in less than a month, after saving Maeve and healing her eyes, she’d grow so attached to him.

He shook his head in silence, all the more resolved to keep the truth from Maeve–that he was still alive. If she ever found out, she’d never let him go again. But there were still things he had to do, and he needed to face Daphne. He couldn’t bear to hold Maeve back or derail the life she had finally rebuilt.

Meanwhile, Troy’s brow twitched, and the wine glass in his hand shattered into fine shards. His entire body trembled with barely contained rage.

Maeve had just poured her heart out for Leander. To Troy, it was no different than a public confession. And even if the world believed Leander was dead, Troy couldn’t stomach it. Not when the man she spoke of was very much alive and sitting just a few feet away.

He clenched his jaw, humiliated. It felt like he’d been betrayed.

He swore to himself that once this was over, he’d make sure Leander disappeared for good. No grave. No trace. He had to make sure Maeve never recognized Leander.

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Chapter 231 A Beautiful Encounter

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Finished

After finishing the song, Maeve slowly pulled herself back together.

As the final note faded, she looked out at the audience and gave a small, apologetic bow.

“I’m so sorry, everyone. I let my emotions get the best of me just now.”

The crowd immediately waved her off with kind smiles and cheers of “It’s okay!” echoing warmly throughout the venue. Their support wrapped around her like a hug, and it hit her right in the heart.

Wiping away her tears, she whispered into the mic, “I really wish he were still alive… I wish that more than anything.

“You might not believe me, but his voice was on a whole different level. If he ever became a singer, I swear, he’d be famous across the country.

“My dream was to stand on stage with him to sing a duet. But now, that dream will never come true.”

She looked up again, face composed, and gave the audience a soft, radiant smile.

“So tonight,” she said brightly, “I’m going to choose one lucky audience to sing ‘You Are My Love‘ with me—to stand in for him and help me fulfill that dream. Sounds good?”

The venue erupted with cheers and applause. Fans jumped to their feet, waving and shouting things like “Pick me!”

Maeve’s eyes

drifted over the crowd before settling on Leander, oblivious with his head buried in his phone. A playful smile slowly curved across her lips.

Without hesitation, she lifted her hand and pointed straight at him. “Let’s welcome this gentleman to come up and sing with me!”

In a flash, every head turned toward Leander.

Sensing something was off, he looked up–and froze. Hundreds of eyes were locked on him. Maeve was smiling from the stage, finger still aimed at him like a spotlight.

“What the f*ck?” Leander froze, completely stunned. And for the first time in his life, a curse slipped out of his mouth.

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