Chapter 280
From Outcast to Overlord The Unyielding Heir
Chapter 280 Twist After Twist
All eyes turned toward Leander, some filled with shock, others with disbelief or awe.
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When Dominic and Thaddeus had bowed to Leander, the crowd had been stunned. Then they learned that Leander had once taken down the entire Walsh family in Listin, along with several of the region’s top power players.
That alone was chilling enough. But now, hearing that he had crushed the underworld and forced its kingpin to apologize publicly, this revelation left everyone completely shaken.
The underworld was ruthless and infamous. Even the world’s wealthiest tycoons wouldn’t dare provoke them. Yet Leander had driven them into a dead end, eliminating the Twelve Talons and Six Wraiths as if they were nothing.
What kind of power and fearlessness did that require?
No one could comprehend it. Just who was this calm, seated young man? What kind of terrifying strength and background did he possess?
Clement scanned the room, still trying to process it. He couldn’t believe his eyes.
Earlier, the Locke, Canary, and Bolton families had joined forces to crush Leander. Even the region’s top political figure had sent his aide, Gavin, to support them.
And with Dominic and Thaddeus arriving shortly after, it had looked like a perfect trap.
Leander was surrounded. No way out.
But then, one name had reversed everything.
“Jeff Ashcroft p>
Those two words carried unimaginable weight. As a martial artist himself, Clement knew exactly what they meant in the inner combat world.
He had never imagined that Leander would bring such a shocking twist. Even less could he have guessed that the orphan his daughter had once saved-her adopted son-would grow into a living legend, a peerless emperor who stood above the strongest fighters in the world.
When Leander’s true identity came to light, Clement shook his head and sighed. Even if the highest-ranking official in the country walked in now, they wouldn’t be able to suppress him.
Bradley, Maxwell, and Reginald were frozen in place, their hearts pounding in dread.
Bradley, in particular, had done the most legwork investigating Leander’s background, digging
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Chapter 280 Twist After Twist
into every lead.
And yet he had overlooked the most critical detail.
One misstep had cost them everything.
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He had sensed the danger the moment Dominic and Thaddeus bowed, but now he felt the full weight of that threat.
If Leander could suppress even the underworld, then what couldn’t he do?
Panicking, Bradley turned to Gavin Brooks, the provincial secretary-his last possible lifeline.
But Gavin now stood silent, his brows drawn tight in thought.
He knew exactly who Dominic and Thaddeus were. In the martial world, they were the equivalents of provincial governors, if not more.
And both had bowed to Leander.
That could only mean Leander stood even higher.
Gavin had been sent by Cornelius, a top regional official, to back Bradley. They had assumed Leander was just a backwater warlord-easy to control, easy to break.
But now? Leander had flipped the table and taken control. No one had seen this coming.
Even Cornelius wouldn’t lightly offend men like Dominic or Thaddeus. And Leander stood above both.
Years of political experience had taught Gavin one thing well-how to read the room. He knew this wasn’t a battle worth fighting. Charging in now would be suicidal, so he had to reassess.
Bradley felt his final hope slipping away.
Gavin had lost his nerve. There would be no help from him now.
Their side was falling apart, while Leander’s support was only growing. With
Dominic and Thaddeus firmly behind him, what chance did they have?
From the beginning, Leander had done nothing but sip his wine, calm and composed.
Meanwhile, the board members looked pale, trembling, and overwhelmed by panic- knowing what Leander was capable of. If they didn’t crush him here and now, the retaliation would be devastating.
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Chapter 280 Twist After Twist
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Just as despair settled over the room, a disturbance erupted at the door. This time, there was no host announcing arrivals. Instead, the sound of heavy boots thundered through the hallway.
A dozen armed soldiers stormed in, rifles raised, uniforms crisp. Leading them was a man with two gold stripes and four stars on his shoulder-a senior officer, no doubt.
His jaw was square, his expression hard and cold. His eyes were sharp as blades. Behind him, the troops stood at full attention, awaiting orders.
“Michael?” Bradley gasped. His voice trembled with desperation. It was as if he’d spotted the last life raft in a sinking storm.
The man was none other than Michael Quigley of the Cranfordale Military
Command-father of Ronald Quigley, and a rising star in the military.
Michael cast a glance toward Bradley, his voice low and dangerous.
“Where’s the one who hurt my son p>
The entire hall fell into a hush. Michael was infamous for his fierce loyalty to his family. He held real authority and had the power to mobilize small tactical units. Still, no one expected him to go this far-storming a banquet with a fully armed squad.
Bradley didn’t dare speak Leander’s name. He simply turned his head slightly in Leander’s direction.
Following the motion, Michael locked eyes with Leander. His expression darkened.
“So, you’re the so-called Mornwick’s Legend? What nerve you have there!
“A nobody from the outskirts thinking he can strong-arm his way through life? People like you are nothing but a stain on this country. Today, I’m taking you in. Be grateful if you make it out alive p>
Michael wasn’t here without a strategy. By labeling Leander a violent offender, he could arrest him under official pretense.
As soon as he finished speaking, he raised a hand. The soldiers took a synchronized step forward, guns raised and aimed squarely at Leander.
“Take him down. If he resists, shoot to kill p>
Dominic and Thaddeus exchanged a glance. Both looked cold.
Martial artists had their pride. Masters like them-especially someone like Leander-
would never tolerate having weapons pointed at them.
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Sure enough, a sharp glint flickered in Leander’s eyes. Today was supposed to be a celebration, Clement’s birthday. He hadn’t planned on making a move.
But now he was reconsidering.
Just then, someone rushed in from outside. It was Alfred Reed, the Shire family
butler, his face full of panic.
“Sir! Something’s happening p>
Clement frowned. He had been thinking about how to de-escalate the conflict with
Michael. Now, this abrupt interruption took him by surprise.
“What is it, Alfred? Who’s outside that’s got you so worked up p>
Alfred swallowed hard, visibly shaken. “It’s a military convoy, sir. From Crestgate
Military District p>
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