From Outcast to Overlord: The Unyielding Heir Novel

Chapter 272 A Meeting Behind the Door Clement sat at the head of the room , turmoil swirling behind his eyes . Finished 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 1/4 14:05 Wed , Oct 15 Chapter 2 A Meeting Behind the Door relationship strong , and the Shires would have gained a formidable ally . Together , they could've soared to even greater heights . 63 Finished 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 ? " 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 ." 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 ." 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 . " 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 ." Clement lowered his hand , a complex mix of emotions rising within him . Even now , sitting 2/4 14:05 Wed , Oct 15 harter A Meeting Behind the Boot Finished 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 ? " 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 ." He paused , letting the name sink in .

" That man is none other than the provincial governor of Cranfordale . " " 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 ." 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 . 3/4 14:06 Wed , Oct 15 Chapter Menting Behind the Door However , Leander just gave a quiet laugh . h CAT Finished " 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 warn 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 ? " 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 . Send Gifts 60