From Ruin to Reign Leander's Unbreakable Will novel Chapter 253

Chapter 253 The Stubborn Star

The name sent a ripple through them.

Back then, Josiah had been something else–loud, wild, untouchable.

Frankie had built an empire, and Josiah walked in his shadow like a king in waiting.

He had ruled the young clite in Ravenridge.

Two other heirs had run with him. The three of them moved through the city like it was theirs. People called them the “Three Princes of Ravenridge.”

It all changed when Josiah was shipped off to the military. The other two left the city as their family businesses grew. Slowly, the legend faded.

Now, here he was–flesh and blood.

Leander stood at the back. He watched it all with a smirk tugging at his mouth.

So, this was the big shot Skyler had hyped up? Frankie’s son?

Skyler gave Josiah a pat on the shoulder and turned to introduce the group.

“Josiah, these are my fellow student council members from Ravenridge Senior High. Some of them are juniors.”

Josiah stood tall. His eyes swept across the group. He paused briefly on Yvette and Ginny. The rest barely caught his attention. He nodded and said nothing more.

Nobody dared complain. Josiah’s place in Ravenridge’s social world was too high. Back then, he outshone nearly every other heir. Now that Frankie had partnered with Mr. Leander in Mornwick and become the CEO of Jeff Enterprises, Josiah’s reach stretched even further.

He wasn’t just another rich kid. He was the heir to a man who ran entire cities.

“Since you’re all with Skyler,” Josiah said, “follow me. My dad knew he was bringing guests, so he reserved a VIP table for you–right next to the stage.”

The students froze for a beat, then lit up. Just getting inside Maplebrook had felt like winning something huge. Even a spot in the back corner would’ve been enough.

Now they had front–row seats. They would be dining beside the people who shaped the city’s future. It felt unreal.

Eleanor’s gaze followed Skyler until he vanished into the crowd. A storm churned behind her calm eyes.

She wasn’t clueless. Frankie had given them that front–row table because of Skyler, plain and simple. That alone made it clear what kind of pull came with being in Wyvern Blade.

If someone like Frankie, who ran an entire city, was willing to make space for them, then Wyvern Blade wasn’t just powerful–it was untouchable.

Her mind moved fast. Maybe now was the time to lower her pride and stick closer to Skyler.

Inside Maplebrook Manor, the main hall was glowing. A red carpet stretched across polished floors, lined with flowers in full bloom. Gold lights poured down from chandeliers. Every inch of the space gave off wealth and class.

The student council had barely stepped in when they felt it–that quiet weight that came from being surrounded by true power. These weren’t just big names. They were movers. They were people who built industries and controlled legacies. This was a world the students only dreamed about.

Their eyes wandered, full of wonder. Some stared in awe, others looked like they were holding their breath. Each of them imagined one day they’d be the ones sitting up front, shaking hands with giants, talking like they owned the place.

Josiah led them to their table. He said a few polite things, then stepped away with Skyler.

The two slipped into a quiet corridor, the soft hallway lights casting long shadows. “So, which one’s the guy you’re having trouble with?” Josiah asked.

Skyler crossed his arms and tilted his head toward Leander with a sharp grin.

“That one.”

Josiah followed his glance. Leander sat relaxed, casually digging into his food like he had no one to impress and no reason to care.

Josiah let out a low chuckle. He’d met his fair share of young elites back in the day. Most of them folded under pressure. He used to crush them without trying. And now here was Leander -just some guy in plain clothes, leaning back like the room belonged to him. Aside from his looks, he didn’t have anything on Skyler.

“You’re in Wyvern Blade, and you’re calling me for backup on this guy?”

He gave Skyler a sideways look, the corner of his mouth curling up.

Skyler let out a dry laugh through his nose.

“Please. I could bury him with one finger. But Wyvern Blade isn’t just some club. Astria still has its hands on it. I can’t be reckless, not this early.

“I just made the cut. I don’t have status yet, and I barely know any major players. That’s why I called you.”

Josiah nodded slowly.

The pieces clicked into place.

“Alright. I got you. Leave it to me.”

Skyler grinned widely and clapped him on the back. “You’re solid, man.”

She sat in a rocking chair, holding an old black–and–white photo. The man from the earlier image was now just a framed portrait. A tear slid down her cheek. Her voice, soft and worn. filled the room.

This was the closest they had ever been to the national star.

Leander sat quietly. His posture didn’t shift. His gaze stayed level.

Maeve wore a pale blue gown that shimmered under the lights. She looked like royalty. She didn’t sing. She simply gave a short speech, thanking Jeff Enterprises and expressing her gratitude.

After she finished, she stepped off the stage. Eyes followed her every move. The room filled with murmurs as young heirs scrambled to invite her to their tables. She turned them all down.

At Leander’s table, no one dared speak. They sat still, barely breathing, hoping she would pick them.

Then Maeve’s eyes paused. She seemed to spot something–or someone.

She started walking toward them.

Skyler had just lowered himself into his chair. He glanced up, caught sight of her, and froze. Maeve was heading straight for their table.

Maeve had always seemed like someone from another world–shining, perfect, and far out of reach. But now, as she walked toward their table, Skyler’s heart pounded so hard it made his chest tighten.

Maybe she knew he was a Wyvern Blade team member. Maybe that was why she was heading straight for him.

The thought made his hopes spike, and sure enough, Maeve was coming their presence turning every head in the room.

way, her

The whole table froze. No one moved. Their expressions twisted in shock. Maeve–the star of the country, the face of a thousand billboards–was walking up to them. It felt unreal. A few of the younger students blushed so hard they looked like they might pass out. They didn’t know whether to stand, smile, or just breathe.

Skyler snapped out of it first. He shot to his feet, straightened his posture, and gave a practiced smile. He pulled out a chair for her with a smooth gesture.

“Ms. Maeve, please-”

But before the last word even left his mouth, she walked past him without a glance.

She didn’t slow down. She didn’t even acknowledge him.

Instead, she stepped over to a short, armless couch. One person already sat there, but she slid in beside him anyway. She curled her legs up, leaned in, and sat firm like she had every right to be there. Her teeth sank lightly into her bottom lip. Her stare stayed sharp and stubborn.

The man beside her was Leander.