From Ruin to Reign Leander's Unbreakable Will novel Chapter 413

Margot walked in like she owned the place, eyes locked straight on him, with her besties trailing behind her. They all had that teasing little smirk going on while they checked Leander out.

"Hey, pretty boy. That's a big mouth you've got. You seriously think you can get Margot to look up to you?"

"You do know who you're talking about, right? In our circle, Margot's basically the queen of attitude. Even those big-name guys at school chased her for months and she didn't spare a single one a real glance. Where exactly did you find that kind of courage?"

Their voices were light and playful, every sentence dripping with amusement. Margot might have dressed like a rebellious club girl and hung out late at night with them, but her looks alone made half the school lose their minds. She was tall and striking, carried herself like she was above everyone else, and she could sing like she was born for the stage. Students loved her, good ones and troublemakers alike.

Basketball captains, the student council president, guys who walked the halls like they ran the whole campus. Everyone of them had a soft spot for her. She floated around them whenever she felt like it and never bothered to be nice to any of them.

So when some random guy suddenly showed up and claimed he could make Margot respect him, the girls thought it was hilarious.

Leander didn't react to their little jabs at all. His expression barely moved. "This is Stella's engagement party. After it's over, I'll show you I meant what I said."

He leaned back, hands behind his head, and closed his eyes like he had better things to do.

The girls snorted and turned away. Margot shrugged, completely unfazed.

She had gotten used to being the center of attention these days. Being chased by every so-called campus hotshot made her feel like she was floating above ground.

She glanced at Daphne and gave her a sly grin. "So, Daphne, Leander made a bet with me last night. If he loses, he has to break up with you and take me to Ascendia for three whole days. You nervous yet?"

Daphne's smile barely moved. Leander had already told her everything on the way over.

She shook her head lightly. Her voice stayed calm. "Margot, if you really have what it takes to beat him, he can follow you around for three days or thirty. Makes no difference to me."

Margot's excitement fizzled out in an instant. She clicked her tongue, annoyed that her little taunt didn't land. Before she could say anything else, the sound of a big-displacement engine rumbled outside.

Margot's besties ran to the window. One of them gasped. "Margot, it's Basim Horton and Cain Shaw. They're here!"

Margot didn't even flinch. "So what. Let them come up. Safa, go get them."

The girl practically skipped down the stairs. A few minutes later, she came back with two high school boys in tow.

They looked sixteen or seventeen. Their faces were still a little boyish, but they were both stupidly good-looking—the kind of soft-featured, charming boys who made girls blush without trying.

They were dressed sharply. One in black, and one in white. Both in tailored suits. One wore a Jaeger LeCoultre. The other had a Rolex on his wrist. Both watches cost well into the tens of thousands. They looked polished, rich, and effortless. Margot's besties stared at them with eyes shining like they had just walked into a dream.

"Margot, today's Stella's engagement party. This is from me." The guy in the white suit gave her a warm, breezy smile. He pulled out a thick cash gift that clearly held several tens of thousands.

The guy in the black suit took a quick step forward. "Margot, I've got something for her too."

Their generosity made a few girls nearby stare with barely hidden envy.

"Alright. Thanks, both of you. I'll keep these for Stella first."

Margot stayed calm, tucked the cash gifts against her chest, and then handed them to Gemma a few minutes later when Gemma and some relatives arrived with dishes.

Gemma weighed the cash gifts in her hands, and her expression changed right away. When she heard they came from two young men, her expression lit up, and she greeted them enthusiastically.

The two boys didn't care much for talking to someone like Gemma, a blunt countrywoman, but because Margot was standing there, they still managed to force polite smiles.

After Gemma left, Margot turned to Leander. "Right, Leander. Let me introduce you."

She pointed at the guy in white. "This is Basim. He's the president of our student council. His dad is Zean Horton, the chairman of Broadview Trading Co. in Ascendia."

Then she gestured toward the guy in black. "And this is Cain, our basketball team captain. His family owns the Crown Regent Hotel in Ascendia. It's a five-star place and his dad runs it."

Basim and Cain came from influential families. At school, they were basically campus celebrities. People paid attention to them, and they carried themselves like it.

"Seriously, I'd be thrilled if my wedding had even half of this!"

Basim and Cain exchanged subtle glances, clearly surprised. They hadn't expected Stella's fiance's family to be so well-established.

Only Leander and Daphne stayed put, completely unmoved.

From downstairs came a rising hum of voices—Gemma calling out, people toasting, and congratulations ringing through the air.

About ten minutes later, footsteps echoed from the stairs. Gemma appeared, followed by a group of people, who made their way to the second floor.

Stella wore a striking gold dress today, accompanied by a floral crown on her head and delicate makeup on her face, which gave her an air of effortless elegance. Standing beside her was a sharp-dressed, elegant young man. Together, they looked perfectly matched.

"Hudson, these are Margot's classmates!" Gemma introduced. The young man raised his glass to them, and they quickly clinked back.

After finishing a drink, Gemma turned to Leander. "This is Leander, Stella's childhood friend. He hasn't seen Stella in years, but I made sure he stayed to join your engagement party. Hudson, he's one of Stella's closest friends, so you two had better share a proper toast!"

At those words, Hudson's expression shifted instantly. "Leander?"

He had heard that name from Stella more than once, especially before he had a chance to win her heart. Stella's roommate had once told him that Leander held a very special place in Stella's heart.

Ever since then, Hudson had kept that name in the back of his mind, though he'd never actually met him. He had never thought much of it.

And now, at this engagement party, here he was—face to face with the person Stella clearly thought of often.

His eyes flickered as he studied Leander. Then he grinned and extended his hand. "Nice to meet you, Leander. I'm Stella's fiance, Hudson. I've heard a lot about you!"

Leander didn't hesitate. He smiled and shook Hudson's hand.

The moment their hands met, a sharp glint flashed in Hudson's eyes. Suddenly, he gripped harder, and his hand pressed with force.