From Ruin to Reign Leander's Unbreakable Will novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30 Joining Him for Drinks

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“Tobias Zimmerman?” Hearing that name, Daniel went pale. The anger and resentment from being smashed with a bottle drained away, replaced by a rush of shock and fear.

Even Yvette, Madeline, and Ginny couldn’t hide their alarm. Their eyes widened, faces tinged with unmistakable dread.

Tobias Zimmerman–that name carried weight not just in the central business district but throughout all of Ravenridge. The undisputed kingpin of the north side of the city, he ruled over the city’s underworld with an iron fist. His connections, both in the government and in the underworld, were countless. Every nightclub, bar, and entertainment joint in the northern district were under his control.

Even campus belles like Yvette and Madeline, who usually stayed far away from the city’s darker side, knew the infamous Tobias Zimmerman. That alone spoke volumes about his reputation.

Daniel had always carried himself with confidence in the central business district thanks to Leon Harvey, the district’s top dog, backing him. But compared to Tobias, Leon was a mere candle to the sun, a small fry in the grand scheme of things.

After all, Leon was just Tobias‘ lackey, his top enforcer.

A shiver ran down Daniel’s spine as he grappled with disbelief. He tried to convince himself that the man might be bluffing or using Tobias‘ name without permission. But deep down, he knew that no one in their right mind would dare impersonate Tobias in Ravenridge.

Just then, his phone rang, jolting him back to reality. He glanced at the screen and saw the caller ID–Leon Harvey.

“Mr. Harvey?” he hurriedly answered, his tone instantly respectful.

“Hey, Daniel. There’s something I forgot to mention,” Leon said casually. “Mr. Zimmerman is hanging out at your place tonight. Keep your wits about you and don’t do anything to piss him off. Make sure everything runs smoothly. Oh, and he’s wearing a zebra–print suit tonight. You should spot him easily.”

Hearing Leon’s warning on the other end of the line, Daniel froze, his mind blank. His phone slipped from his fingers, clattering to the floor.

It took a full ten seconds for him to snap out of it. Plastering a groveling smile on his face, he shuffled over to Tobias. “Mr. Zimmerman, I’m so sorry. I had no idea it was you! If I had known, I would’ve cleared the whole place just to make sure you enjoyed yourself. I never would’ve dared to offend you like that.”

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He stammered out his apologies and slapped himself twice across the face, the sound sharp and echoing. He grabbed a glass of strong liquor, filled it to the brim, and downed it in one go, ignoring the burning sensation that scorched his throat and churned his stomach.

He forced himself to keep smiling, waiting for Tobias‘ response, knowing all too well that he had offended the wrong person tonight.

Tobias‘ eyes narrowed, a calculating gleam in his gaze.

Daniel felt a chill crawl down his spine, his legs trembling under the weight of that look.

Just when he thought he might collapse from the tension, Tobias‘ lips curled into a slow smile. “So, now that you know who I am, are you still going to get in my way?”

Daniel frantically shook his head, his grin desperate. “No, no, Mr. Zimmerman. Do whatever you want. Who am I to interfere?”

“Oh?” Tobias‘ smile widened, but it was as sharp as a knife. He pointed toward Yvette and the others. “Then, what if I say I want those three to drink with me? Are you gonna try to stop

that?”

Daniel glanced at Madeline, but he dared not meet her eyes, shame gnawing at him. His pride was in tatters, but he knew his place. He quickly shook his head again, stepping aside to make

room.

He did have a soft spot for Madeline–that much was true–but he knew all too well how Tobias operated. The man was ruthless and unpredictable, the kind who didn’t hesitate to use force if it suited him.

For a small–time bar owner like Daniel, with nothing but a bit of cash and no real connections to speak of, going up against someone like Tobias was a fool’s errand. Tobias could squash him like a bug without breaking a sweat.

He could always find another woman. Even if Madeline looked down on him now, he would survive. But crossing Tobias? That could cost him his life.

“Well, ladies, care to join me for a drink?” Tobias called out, his voice dripping with false charm. With Daniel stepping aside, he leered openly, his eyes practically undressing the three women as they stood there.

Ginny was already frozen with fear, her words caught in her throat. Faced with someone like Tobias, all her usual bravado and sense of security seemed like nothing more than a house of cards, ready to collapse.

Madeline, usually the strong and resilient type, found herself feeling jittery. She bit her lip, trying to hide her anxiety but struggling to keep her composure.

Only Yvette managed to maintain some semblance of calm. As the daughter of Linden, a

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Chapter 30 Joining Him for Dunks

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prominent figure in Ravenridge, she believed that Tobias, for all his viciousness, would still show some respect for her father’s reputation. He might be a brute, but even he had to think twice before crossing certain lines.

“Mr. Zimmerman, it’s an honor to meet you,” she said smoothly, her voice steady. “I’m Yvette Sitwell, daughter of Linden Sitwell from Linsky Group. Here’s to you.”

In one deft move, she revealed her identity, hoping to invoke her father’s name to their advantage. She lifted her glass of beer, giving a slight nod to Tobias before downing it in one gulp.

“Linsky Group? Linden?” Tobias‘ expression shifted, showing a flicker of recognition. “So, you’re Mr. Sitwell’s daughter? Small world. Your dad and I, we’ve done a bit of business together.”

His face broke into a smile.

Although Linden’s name made him pause, it wasn’t enough to cause any real concern. Men like him, who operated in the shadows, didn’t fear corporate bigwigs or the heads of legitimate enterprises. Even Linden himself, if he were here, would probably share a drink with him, treating him as an equal and engaging in some polite conversation, nothing more.

“Since you’re his daughter, you should call me Mr. Tobias, given our respective standings,” he said with a grin that oozed sleaze. “Yvette, my dear niece, bring your friends over and have a drink with me. No need to be scared!”

Yvette felt a sinking dread settle in her stomach. She had hoped that by downing a glass and mentioning her father’s name, she could steer them out of this mess. Maybe Tobias would back off, satisfied with a gesture of respect. But he was still pressing, still wanting them to join him for drinks.

The sight of his bloated, greasy face made her stomach churn. She could barely stand to look at him without feeling sick.

As much as she wanted to refuse, she knew she couldn’t afford to. If she defied him, she might come out of this unscathed, but Ginny and Madeline might not be so lucky. Tonight, there might be no easy way out for them.

Madeline, in particular, had no relatives in Ravenridge. With no family and no support, she had achieved everything through her own efforts. If Tobias wanted to make things difficult for her, it would be a piece of cake.

With an inward sigh, she gritted her teeth and looked at Madeline and Ginny. “Let’s just go over there. It’s only a couple of drinks. It should be fine.”

Madeline and Ginny nodded. At this moment, they had no choice but to follow Yvette’s lead. They knew Tobias‘ reputation all too well. A single misstep could lead to serious consequences.

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Chapter 30 Jatning Him for Drinks

The three women moved toward Tobias‘ table.

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Meanwhile, Leander, who had just come out of the storage room with a crate of beer, witnessed the scene unfolding.

“Hey, what’s going on here?” he asked, noticing Madeline’s reluctant expression.

The older server, speaking in a hushed tone, replied with a hint of resignation, “Oh, it’s nothing new. The top dog from the northern district has come to our bar. He’s probably taken an interest in those three pretty girls and wants them to keep him company.”

“Oh, really?” A sharp glint flashed in Leander’s eyes. He set down the crate of beer and made his way toward Tobias‘ table.

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