From Ruin to Reign Leander's Unbreakable Will novel Chapter 314

Chapter 314 The Alley Trap

“What did you just say?” Gareth’s hand hovered over his cup, his expression serene at first, but in an instant, it contorted with disbelief.

He spun toward Ethan, eyes flashing with a storm of conflicting emotions.

“Leander?”

Even with decades of practiced composure, Ethan’s words sent Gareth’s heart hammering uncontrollably.

Ethan hesitated briefly, then nodded. He recounted encountering a young man earlier that day and how his own martial power had begun acting strangely immediately afterward.

Gareth’s gaze froze for a moment. He fell silent, then spoke in a low, grave tone, “Martial power is a gift granted to one in ten thousand. It is the foundation for true martial prowess.

“With it, one earns the right to train in martial arts: That is the unshakable law of our world.

“Since ancient times, martial power has been revered as a blessing, possessing a spirit that resonates with its chosen master.

“After your encounter with that young man, your martial power stirred as if attempting to leave you. Is that…

“Is that really Leander?”

Gareth’s brow knitted in deep concern, his expression shifting with every passing second. Finally, he turned to Ethan with determination.

“Go find him. Now. We need to know–without a doubt–if it’s Leander or not.”

Ethan nodded firmly.

Leander had always occupied a sacred place in his heart. Growing up, he had idolized him, modeling himself after his hero, constantly striving to emulate his greatness.

Now, with Leander’s martial power coursing through him, Ethan felt a complicated mix of guilt and reverence.

The dual martial powers transformed his body, setting him apart from his peers. His skills advanced at an extraordinary rate, leaving other young prodigies in the martial world trailing far behind.

Yet every time he reflected on how Gareth had stripped this power from Leander, a pang of remorse gnawed at him.

Leander had once wielded this strength to elevate the Ashcroft family, shining brighter than anyone else, even forcing Ethan to step aside.

And now, thanks to that very power, Ethan stood at the pinnacle of Astria’s young martial elites. He felt torn, unsure whether to embrace triumph or dwell in sorrow.

After speaking with Gareth for a while, Ethan finally said, “Dad, after dinner, Daphne and I plan to visit Mom at Durham Abbey.”

Gareth’s hand trembled slightly. Though only forty–five, his face carried the wear of years, prematurely aged. He exhaled heavily.

“Go ahead. Spend some time with her.”

Ethan nodded and departed the courtyard. Gareth remained, hands clasped behind his back, eyes fixed on a towering tree ahead, his expression a blend of longing and sorrow.

“Leander, could it really be you? It’s been nine years… Are you still alive?”

Regret and guilt flickered in his eyes as he shook his head and sighed softly.

Meanwhile, at Saffron House, Nathan, Evander, and Luke were indulging freely in food and drink. After more than an hour, nearly everything on the table had disappeared.

Bianca, who had been tense while dining in Theron’s private room earlier, finally relaxed and ate with gusto, chatting animatedly with the three men. Leander, however, remained distant.

Since he hadn’t stood up during the earlier conflict, he seemed almost like the most unnecessary presence in the room.

Nathan wasn’t the only one keeping distance–Luke and Evander also avoided him, though it wasn’t clear if they felt animosity or just discomfort.

Nathan might have come from a more privileged background, yet he treated them like genuine brothers. So when danger arose, Evander and Luke stepped up without hesitation.

Leander, however, presented a facade of friendliness. When push came to shove, he remained unmoved, showing he wasn’t really a good friend.

At the parking lot exit, Leander leaned against the wall, gazing off into the distance. Bianca fidgeted nervously nearby, her curiosity flicking toward him.

Despite the chaos in the private room, she had noticed him. While others had defended each other without question, he had remained a passive observer. She had quietly lost some respect for him.

Now, alone with him, he seemed to treat her as if she were invisible. The feeling was unsettling.

Moments later, Nathan and the others emerged from the underground lot. Bianca slid into the front passenger seat while Leander took the back.

“Thanks for everything today,” Bianca said, her checks slightly flushed with embarrassment.

“No problem,” Nathan responded with a grin. “We’re all students at Highcliffe University. We’ve got to look out for each other!”

He patted his chest confidently. With the beauty by his side, his mood lifted instantly.

Throughout the ride, he chatted and joked effortlessly with Bianca, tossing in the occasional corny joke that made her laugh with genuine delight. In contrast, Leander and the other two in the back remained noticeably quiet.

After about ten minutes, they approached a narrow, one–way alley that led to the university’s rear gate.

The street was barely wide enough for a single vehicle, deserted, and poorly lit, with neither shops nor pedestrians in sight.

Nathan was midway through when two black Hummers suddenly slid in, blocking the exit.

“What the…”

A cold sense of foreboding hit him. He shifted into reverse, but then two more Hummers appeared behind them, sealing the alley entirely.