From Ruin to Reign Leander's Unbreakable Will novel Chapter 326

From Outcast to Overlord The Unyielding Heir

Chapter 326 Try Wearing This Instead

“Out of the top five campus beauties, you know three of them?”

Nathan and the other two froze, their faces filled with disbelief, before blurting out in unison.

A moment later, Nathan gave Leander a teasing pat on the chest.

“Come on, Leander, don’t mess with us. Those women in the top five aren’t just gorgeous; they all come from powerful families. And you’re telling me you know three?”

To him, Leander’s claim sounded far too bold. After all, Leander had only just arrived–he’d been at Highcliffe University for a single day. How could he possibly have had the time to meet so many of the campus beauties?

Even if Leander had known one of them beforehand, it was unthinkable that he would already be close to three of them–let alone three from the very top of the list.

Nathan himself was heir to a wealthy family in Seagate, yet so far, he had only stumbled into meeting Bianca by chance. Leander might be skilled in martial arts, but his background didn’t seem particularly distinguished. How could someone like that be acquainted with so many of the most celebrated women at Highcliffe University?

“Leander, quit talking nonsense. None of us believe you,” Luke and Evander said, shaking their heads.

Highcliffe University was a storied institution, renowned throughout Astria. Its campus beauties were not only striking but exceptional in every way, admired by countless students. Meeting even one of them was considered remarkable luck. For Leander to claim friendship with three —each among the top five–sounded like pure fantasy.

Leander noticed the doubt in their eyes. He didn’t bother to argue; instead, he simply gave a soft laugh and shook his head.

Not a word he had spoken was false.

Among the top five, Daphne, Eira, and Yvette–was there a single one he didn’t already know well?

Just then, a graceful figure appeared outside the classroom. She moved with serene poise, each step light and measured, and in an instant, every gaze turned toward her.

The young woman wore a green blouse, its neckline just low enough to reveal the faintest glimpse of her skin. Her tall, slender frame was accentuated by knee–high boots that gave her the commanding presence of a queen. Her features were flawless, her face radiant with delicate beauty, her brows and eyes so harmonious they seemed like a painting–something that should

have belonged to another time, like a figure stepping straight out of an ancient landscape painting.

Yet she wore modern clothes, and that very contrast only deepened her allure.

A folder rested lightly in her hand as her almond–shaped eyes swept across the room. Many of the young men instinctively lowered their gazes, suddenly self–conscious, as though their very presence diminished before her.

There was no shortage of attractive women in Leander’s class–several of them could easily have been considered class beauty under normal circumstances. But beside this woman, they seemed like wildflowers by the roadside, pretty but forgettable, paling instantly into insignificance.

Luke’s jaw dropped, unable to contain himself. Nathan and Evander stared as if struck dumb.

“Look–look! That’s Daphne, the number one campus beauty!” Nathan whispered, his voice trembling with excitement.

The room erupted. Several male students nearly leapt out of their seats.

“Oh my God, the top beauty in the entire university is actually in our class! Are we dreaming?”

“It really is Daphne! That means we’ll get to see her every day from now on!”

Her arrival turned the lecture hall into a frenzy.

Meanwhile, Leander leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head, a faint smile playing at his lips. After just one night apart, he noticed something new in Daphne’s expression–a trace of sorrow shadowing her otherwise bright eyes.

Nathan, still buzzing, gave Leander a playful nudge in the chest.

“See? Caught you bragging. Now we’ve got one of the top five right here in our class, and I bet Daphne isn’t among the three you claim to know.”

His eyes glittered with mischief, eager to expose Leander’s bluff.

“No, you’ve got it wrong. She’s one of them.”

Leander shook his head without hesitation. Under the stunned gaze of the three, he suddenly raised his hand and gave Daphne a casual wave.

Daphne had been planning to take a seat in the front row, but when she noticed the gesture, her bright eyes lifted–and there was Leander.

Him?

A flicker of surprise stirred in her heart. For reasons she couldn’t quite name, seeing Leander again unsettled her. It wasn’t like her at all.

If any other man had waved, she would have ignored it outright. But when it was Leander, she found herself giving him a small nod before walking directly toward his table.

He reached Daphne’s desk and bowed slightly, his every move polished and courteous.

“Ms. Daphne,” he said smoothly, “this is a token of my heart. I hope you’ll accept it.”

He set the roses gently on her desk, then opened the velvet box with a confident smile. Inside lay a dazzling bracelet, its gemstones glinting like fire and sunlight. A hush fell over the room. Several young women could hardly contain their envy, eyes locked on the sparkling treasure, wishing with all their hearts they could trade places with Daphne.

“Ms. Daphne,” Damian said smoothly, “I was passing by Crownstone Jewelry today and saw this diamond–studded pure gold bracelet from Dominara. I thought it would suit your elegance perfectly, so I bought it for you. I hope I’m not being presumptuous.”

Having courted countless women, Damian knew exactly how to handle someone like Daphne.

He didn’t declare any intentions of pursuit, yet displayed an intensity that was impossible to ignore. It was that delicate, ambiguous charm that made women unsure how to respond–his skill lay in making rejection difficult without forcing it.

Daphne remained unmoved, her expression as cold and unyielding as frost. She spoke lightly but clearly.

“Mr. Reese, take your gift back and save it for those young ladies who are actually interested in you. I’m busy preparing for the class meeting, so please don’t interrupt me.”

Damian paused briefly, but showed not a hint of offense. He set the box down and took half a step back.

“Ms. Daphne, my apologies. I didn’t mean to disturb your time. I’ll leave now. The bracelet will stay here–it’s just a token of my feelings.”

Daphne noticed that Damian made no move to retreat. Her gaze darkened slightly as she reached for the gift to hand it back, but before she could, a long hand shot out from beside her. Quicker than she was, it scooped up the box and bracelet, tossing them straight into Damian’s arms. Startled, Daphne turned her head and saw Leander there, a teasing smile on his face as he wagged a finger at Damian.

“Damian, huh? That bracelet is far too ordinary. She wouldn’t wear it.”

Before Damian could react, Leander reached into his coat and placed something on the desk in front of Daphne. His eyes softened for just a moment.

“Try wearing this instead.”

Daphne’s eyes froze, unable to look away.

On the desk in front of her, a simple soda–can pull tab shimmered with an extraordinary glow, streams of light flowing endlessly from it.