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Leander towered over Tobias. His voice was as cold as steel. The entire bar fell silent, not a sound was heard.
Tobias, the undisputed king of the North District, ruled the underground with an iron grip. His power and wealth secured him a spot among the top five in the district, with hundreds of men at his command. Across all of Ravenridge, few would dare to challenge him. Even government officials were careful to stay in his good graces. Defying him was simply unheard of.
Yet here was this young man, no older than eighteen, flipping the table and splitting Tobias’ head open. The disbelief in the room was palpable as people rubbed their eyes, thinking they must have imagined the scene.
After a brief pause, the stunned patrons felt pity for Leander.
Tobias had long ruled the North District like a tyrant, even though he was hated by many. There were countless people who wished to put him in his place. Beating him to a pulp would feel great. However, no one dared to do it, because the consequences were too much to bear.
To lay a hand on Tobias in the North District was to sign your own death warrant.
“This kid must not be from around here. He actually beat up Tobias! He probably will not live to see tomorrow p>
“Kids today are too impulsive. They act on a moment’s anger without thinking about the consequences, dooming their lives p>
Some patrons shook their heads and sighed. With Tobias’ power, he did not even need to call his men for revenge. A single word to the authorities would land Leander in jail for life. His future would be lost.
“Leander, what have you
done p>
A sudden shout broke the tension in the bar.
Yvette’s eyes were blazing with fury as she glared at Leander. “Do you have any idea what you just did?
“Do you even know who he is? My father shows him respect, offering him drinks as an honored guest and calling him Mr. Zimmerman.
“You hit him. Do you have any idea what kind of trouble you are in now? Can you even handle the consequences p>
Yvette’s frustration boiled over as her voice rose, her anger directed at Leander.
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“I could have smoothed things over with just a few words and a couple of drinks, but you had to take matters into your own hands.
“You may be strong, but in the real world, how many people can you fight? Fifty? A hundred? Do you not think relying on violence is foolish?
“He has wealth and connections everywhere in Ravenridge. He knows important people on both sides of the law. One phone call, and your life is over.
“Beating him up might give you a moment of satisfaction, but once he wakes up, it will not just be you who suffers. Madeline will get dragged into this, and Ginny and I might get caught up in it, too. Can you not think before you act p>
Yvette’s frustration exploded as if all the pent-up anger she had been holding in since meeting Leander was pouring out in one breath.
Ginny was already frozen with fear, unable to think of anything but running away. Madeline’s eyes were filled with worry. She, too, was frightened.
Leander had stood up for her, taking down Tobias and his men. She was grateful, but the way he went about it was too extreme. She knew it was not the right solution.
As she thought of the inevitable retaliation, her heart pounded with fear for Leander’s safety.
Once Yvette finished, Leander stood motionless, his expression calm from start to finish.
“I did this. You do not need to worry. I promise this will not affect any of you.
“I am the one who hit him. I will take full responsibility for whatever happens p>
Leander’s voice remained steady, as though he were discussing something trivial, showing no signs of fear.
“Take responsibility? How? By using your fists again p>
Yvette was bitterly disappointed. Leander’s behavior tonight had shattered her good opinion of him. Now, all she felt was disdain. To her, Leander was a simple, arrogant country boy who only knew violence and had no idea of his own place.
“How I handle it is none of your concern,” Leander said without even glancing at her. He dismissively waved for them to leave.
“Go. Take Madeline with you. This has nothing to do with any of you. I will handle it p>
In Leander’s eyes, someone like Tobias was hardly worth his attention. He did not care about
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Tobias. Still, he did not want Madeline to get caught up in his world too soon. It would change her life, and he wanted to spare her that. Hence, he asked Yvette, Ginny, and Madeline to leave.
“Leander, this has gone too far. I am not leaving. I will face it with you,” Madeline said, her voice shaking. Even so, she refused to let Leander face the storm alone.
“Madeline, trust me. I will be fine. I will take care of this. You should go p>
Leander gave her a reassuring look, then turned to Yvette.
“Yvette, please help me get her out of here p>
Ginny, unable to handle the pressure, pulled Madeline toward the door. Yvette hesitated for a moment, her angry expression softening as concern flashed across her face.
“What about you? Are you really staying here alone?
“Come home with us. Let me talk to my parents. They might be able to talk their way out of this before it gets worse p>
Leander shook his head. “No, I will sort this out. Do not tell Ms. Hollis about this. Now go p>
Yvette looked at Leander’s calm, confident face. She sighed, feeling helpless.
She had tried to offer a solution, but Leander stubbornly insisted on dealing with it himself. To her, this was not bravery. It was recklessness.
With that, Yvette gave up on Leander and left with Ginny, pulling Madeline out of the
bar.
Once they were gone, Leander casually leaned back on a couch with his arms crossed behind his head. He looked completely at ease, as though he was waiting for something.
Moments later, the bar doors swung open with a bang, and over thirty men poured into the room, filling it to the brim.
A tall, muscular man in his thirties, wearing a trench coat, strode in. His sharp features and hard expression made him look ruthless.
He quickly surveyed the scene and rushed over to Tobias, helping him to his feet.
“Mr. Zimmerman, are you alright? Are you hurt p>
Tobias, still bleeding from his head, slowly regained consciousness, though his thoughts were still muddled.
The trench coat man’s face grew darker with rage, his eyes flashing with deadly
intent.
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After handing Tobias over to some of his men, he stood and turned to face the room.
His voice boomed with fury.
“Who did this? Step out now p>
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