From Ruin to Reign Leander's Unbreakable Will novel Chapter 343

Chapter 343 A Legend Once

The entire room went deathly quiet. Not a single soul dared to breathe. It felt like time had frozen, and the atmosphere had completely solidified.

Ethan, Daphne, Eira, Tycen–each of them carried the weight of a Highcliffe top–tier family. The Ashcrofts, the Florians, the Valences, and the O’Briens were the city’s four most powerful families.

Usually, if any of them appeared in the same place, it would send shockwaves through the crowd. And now? All four had shown up at once. The entire younger generation of Highcliffe’s elite–the so–called four scions–was together. No one had ever witnessed anything like this.

Everyone felt their hearts pound, but no one dared to speak. Every eye was glued to the dance floor, locked on the four heirs of Highcliffe’s mightiest houses.

Earlier, Rodrick, Tycen, and Eira had teamed up, and their target was clear: Leander. The consensus was that he was at a total disadvantage. But the situation shifted in an instant. Ethan and Daphne had appeared out of nowhere, siding with Leander. Suddenly, the fight was no longer one–sided.

The four scions, now facing off in pairs, just thinking about it sent a thrill running through

everyone.

Aurora’s hands trembled slightly. She couldn’t believe how foolish she’d been, misjudging the situation repeatedly.

Leander was no ordinary guy. To draw the younger scions of Highcliffe to his side, with two actually standing with him, spoke of a network so terrifying it was almost unreal.

Nathan and the others fell utterly silent. For the first time, they realized just how mysterious— and powerful–the new guy in their dorm really was. He was a puzzle no one could figure out.

Ethan caught sight of Daphne. How she looked at Leander–soft, almost tender–made his chest tighten. He swallowed it down and turned instead to Tycen. “Tycen. You dared to go after my brother? Then how about you and I settle this?”

Tycen’s right hand gave a faint tremor. That earlier strike from Ethan still lingered in his bones. The force behind it had been overwhelming. He should have been untouchable with his half- Sovereign cultivation, yet he’d barely managed to withstand it. His entire arm was still numb.

His eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering across his expression. “Ethan… what did you just say? He’s your brother? The Ashcroft Family has only one son. Since when do you have a brother?”

The words left Tycen’s mouth, then froze. Something clicked, and his expression shifted. “Brother? Wait–don’t tell me… he’s the Ashcroft heir. The one who supposedly died of illness nine years ago? Leander?”

Off to the side, Rodrick gave a heavy nod. The moment Daphne and Ethan appeared, he understood: even if they threw everything into this fight, they no longer had the power to threaten Leander tonight.

Tycen’s gaze locked onto Leander, his stare a mix of shock and curiosity. “So, it really is you?”

Nine years ago, in Highcliffe, neither Tycen nor Ethan had been anyone of note. Back then, among the great houses, no name carried more weight than the Ashcroft heir.

Tycen’s father, Teion O’Brien, had even mentioned it once–if the Ashcroft heir grew into his potential, Highcliffe itself would one day be his to command. No rival among their generation could stand against him.

Teion wasn’t the type to hand out praise lightly. He was meticulous, sparing with his words. For him to speak so highly of a boy barely ten years old… it said everything about Leander’s terrifying talent.

But the story had ended early. Rumors spread that the boy had fallen ill and died. Tycen had regretted never seeing the legend for himself—the one who once stood above every third- generation heir in Highcliffe.

Yet here he was. Alive. The fallen star, resurrected before his eyes.

Aurora stood a short distance away, her brows knitted tight. She had suddenly recalled what one of the Minor family heirs had whispered to her just a few days earlier–a buried tale about an Ashcroft scion who once crushed Highcliffe’s entire third generation beneath his shadow.

care.

Daphne stepped forward at just the right moment. Her gaze swept across the crowd before locking firm. “Anyone who tries to hurt Ander will have to go through me first.”

Knowing Leander’s the Ashcroft heir is enough–I can’t move against him anymore. And now Ethan and Daphne, the top of the younger generation, both half–Sovereigns in their own right, are backing him up. If I step in now, there’s only one way it ends–me flat on the ground.

“Whatever’s between us can wait. You want to settle scores? Fine. I’ll be here whenever you come knocking. But not tonight. I’ve got no patience to waste on this.”

Most expected Eira to fire back, but she only gave a cold little snort and, surprisingly, fell silent.

Leander’s gaze shifted until it landed on Rodrick. “Rodrick. I made the move tonight. If you think you’ve got the weight to stand against me, then come find me anytime.”

He paused, then suddenly jabbed a finger toward Theron, his eyes flat and merciless.

“Oh, and your mutt here has a sidekick–Theron. I’m the one who shattered his limbs. If you’re itching for revenge, bring it straight to me. But hear this: if any one of my friends behind me so much as gets scratched, I won’t be looking for small fry. I’ll go straight for your Wave Alliance. Believe me, I don’t care how big you think you are–I’ll wipe you out with a flick of my hand.”

Rodrick said nothing. Silence was all he had. Back then, Leander had already pressed him into the dirt. And after nine years, no one knew whether Leander had grown weaker or even more terrifying.

Leander stretched lazily, like he was bored with the whole scene, then strolled out of the bar without a glance at Tycen–who, from start to finish, might as well have been invisible.

Daphne and Ethan followed after him. Nathan and the rest slipped out as well. Aurora, though, stayed frozen in place.

The Wave Alliance, the Valence Family, and the O’Brien Family show up tonight, yet none of them can put Leander down.

Her eyes shimmered faintly, and she felt a rush of heat rising in her chest.

This legend, who once crushed the entire third generation of Highcliffe nine years ago, is back—and with him on the board, the future of Highcliffe is bound to be turned upside down.