Chapter 272
Chapter 272 A Meeting Behind the Door
Clement sat at the head of the room, turmoil swirling behind his eyes.
When he found out that Leander was both Mornwick’s Legend and the CEO of Jeff Enterprises, he was completely floored. Regret hit him hard as he recalled what he’d said back in the study.
All that talk about Leander being unworthy or out of his league felt ridiculous in hindsight.
Leander, not even twenty yet, had already taken control of Mornwick and built a vast empire worth nearly a hundred billion. No one could even come close to matching what he’d accomplished-not even Sawyer, the top heir of Cranfordale, or Ronald, with all his military backing.
Everything Sawyer and Ronald had was handed to them by their fathers. But Leander? He built his empire from the ground up, took charge of all of Mornwick, and commanded a fortune worth billions.
Even Sawyer and Ronald’s fathers would envy what he’d accomplished.
The fact that Madeline had such a close connection with Leander was a huge advantage. Maybe they’d grow even closer-maybe even end up as a couple. If that happened, Clement would have a grandson-in-law from the most powerful younger generation in all of Astria.
No-Leander might already be the most powerful of them all.
But what he’d said to Leander earlier in the study must have left a bad impression. It could’ve even stirred resentment toward the Shires.
Clement’s heart sank with regret.
He let out a long sigh as he thought about everything Leander had done tonight. If he’d known Leander’s true identity sooner, maybe he could’ve stopped this mess. Things didn’t have to spiral so far out of control.
With over a dozen witnesses to Sawyer’s shattered limbs and Ronald’s serious injuries at Leander’s hands, the evidence was undeniable. The Locke and Quigley families would no doubt see him as their top enemy, and they’d stop at nothing to get revenge.
If the two families joined forces, it would be like a tidal wave crashing down.
Even the Shires, with all their military connections, would have to tread carefully and might even be forced to back down. That was what worried Clement the most.
The Shires had practically secured a powerhouse as a future grandson-in-law. Even if Leander and Madeline weren’t a couple, he was still Hazel’s adopted son. All they had to do was keep the
relationship strong, and the Shires would have gained a formidable ally. Together, they could’ve soared to even greater heights.
But because of his own carelessness, Leander had ended up in direct conflict with two powerful giants-the Locke and Quigley families. And now the situation felt hopelessly tangled.
Clement could only drown in regret.
Just then, his guard strode in and gave a subtle nod.
“He’s back p>
Clement’s heart stirred. He rose to his feet and stepped out.
“Let’s go,” he said. “Time to meet the CEO of Jeff Enterprises p>
Leander had just returned to his guest room at the Shire Estate and was getting ready for bed when a knock came at the door.
He opened the door to find Clement standing outside, an iron-faced guard behind him.
“Old Mr. Shire p>
Leander wasn’t the least bit surprised. After publicly shattering Sawyer’s limbs and leaving Ronald badly injured, word was surely spreading like wildfire through Kaldia.
Clement showing up at his door? He’d been expecting it.
Leander turned and walked back into the room, Clement and the guard following close behind.
Clement and Leander sat across from each other at the round table. After studying him for a moment, Clement suddenly extended his hand in a respectful gesture.
“Mr. Ashcroft, it was foolish of me not to recognize your true worth. I spoke out of turn. Please forgive my ignorance p>
It was the first time Clement-former commander of the Thundercliff Army-had ever bowed his head to someone of a younger generation.
The moment Leander heard “Mr. Ashcroft,” he knew Clement had uncovered his true identity.
He reached out and gently clasped Clement’s hand.
“There’s no need for that, Old Mr. Shire. You’re Ms. Shire’s father. By seniority, I should be calling you Grandpa p>
Clement lowered his hand, a complex mix of emotions rising within him. Even now, sitting harter
face to face with Leander, it was hard to believe this unassuming young man was the one commanding Mornwick and a fortune in the billions.
“You’re Hazel’s adopted son,” Clement asked politely, his voice softening. “You don’t mind if I call you Leander, do you p>
Leander nodded, and the tension between them quietly cased into familiarity.
Clement, ever the seasoned general, didn’t dwell on small talk. After a few polite exchanges, his tone grew serious.
“Leander, what’s your plan after what happened tonight?” he said, his concern weighing in his gaze.
“You crippled Sawyer and left Ronald seriously injured. Their fathers aren’t the kind of men to let that slide. With their sons hurt, they’ll stop at nothing to get revenge!
“The Lockes rose from a minor county clan to one of Cranfordale’s top three powerhouses in just over a decade. Sawyer’s father, Bradley, isn’t someone to underestimate.
“His company, Everleaf Global
Trading, controls major waterways across three provinces. His business spans the entire country and even reaches overseas. He’s
well connected with high ranking officials. But more importantly, his brother-in-law is Cornelius
Hartman p>
He paused, letting the name sink in. “That man is none other than the provincial governor of Cranfordale p>
“As for the Quigley family,” Clement went on, “Ronald’s father, Michael, is a fourth- tier officer with the Cranfordale Military Command. He’s got real power-deeply respected, deeply entrenched in military circles.
“Word is, he’s set to be promoted to major general within the next two years. Some even say he could climb higher within the decade. His future is wide open.
“He didn’t have Ronald until he was forty. His son is everything to him. If anything happens to Ronald,
Michael will stop at nothing to get
justice. He may even mobilize
military resources. If those two
families join forces, even our family will struggle to hold its ground. You acted too rashly tonight p>
Leander listened silently, mildly surprised. He hadn’t expected the Lockes and Quigleys to have such deep, interwoven networks of power.
On one side, a fourth-tier officer expected to make major general within two years.
On the other, a provincial governor ruling over all of Cranfordale. That kind of pressure could crush just about anyone in Cranfordale.
Clement watched Leander’s face, waiting for some dramatic shift-shock, worry, anything.
However, Leander just gave a quiet laugh.
“A provincial governor and a future
major general?” he said, calm and dismissive. “So what?” His gaze remained steady. “If they want revenge, they’re welcome to try I’ll be ready” Clement’s brow furrowed He’d laid all this out to wam Leander, to help him prepare. Yet, Leander treated those two titans like nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
It unsettled him.
In Clement’s eyes, Leander had been riding high ever since he swept through Mornwick and took over Jeff Enterprises. He was young and successful-and with that, arrogance was bound to follow, clouding his grip on reality. Clement’s tone hardened. “Leander, I came here tonight to talk real business. Tomorrow is my birthday celebration. The Lockes and Quigleys will be sending people, and they will definitely come after you there.
“I’ll be blunt. We can handle one of them for you. But the other… you’ll have to face
it on your own. What do you say p>
When he finished, a flicker of surprise crossed Leander’s face. Even the usually iron-faced guard behind him looked visibly shaken.
This wasn’t what Leander had expected-Clement was actually choosing to take a stand for him.
Leander’s gaze deepened. His respect for Clement rose a notch.
Given the situation, the safest move for someone in Clement’s position would’ve been to stay neutral and let the three sides wear each other down. Backing the weaker party meant risking the Shires’ own interests.
Thus, Clement’s decision to stand with Leander meant making enemies of both the Lockes and the Quigleys.
Leander hadn’t expected a man nearing seventy to still have the courage to stake everything on him.