From Outcast to Overlord The Unyielding Heir (Leander Ashcroft) novel Chapter 418

Bastian lowered himself to his knees. "Greetings, Mr. Leander."

The entire crowd fell silent in disbelief.

The sight bordered on unreal. Bastian, Tommy's son and the undisputed wealthy heir in Mornwick, knelt before them. He was the young man whom the state's most powerful business leaders treated with almost exaggerated respect. No one was ever granted the right to command that same respect from him.

Yet here he was, bowing before a plainly dressed Leander and addressing him with genuine respect. It was almost impossible to comprehend.

Hudson and Linus were so stunned they barely moved.

Margot and Stella stood rigid, their jaws hanging open as they stared at Bastian. Words simply refused to form.

The people of Greenstem Village were completely confused, and Francis and Gemma were even more overwhelmed. The scene felt unreal.

They didn't know exactly how influential Bastian was, but they recognized one thing—anyone who could mobilize a team from Grandhawk Properties and arrive by helicopter had wealth and influence far beyond anything they had seen.

They also knew Leander's origins—a boy Hazel had rescued long ago, an orphan with no family name behind him.

The contrast between the two men could not have been more dramatic. Yet Bastian was kneeling, his voice trembling with fear.

Gemma, especially, could not understand it. The future son-in-law she had bragged about for years—who strutted around Dawnmere like he owned the place—didn't even dare raise his head before Bastian. He lingered behind them like a frightened child.

But Leander, who seemed the most ordinary of all, remained silent and still made the true powerhouse collapse to his knees. The difference between them was more than a gap—it was a canyon.

Stella clung to Leander's arm, still dazed. Leander kept a hand in his pocket and said coolly, "Stand up."

Bastian did not move. His head dipped even lower, and sweat soaked his back as he knelt before Leander.

"Mr. Leander, regarding Greenstem Village, I wasn't abusing my authority," he said, his voice shaking.

"I bought the entire village and gave everyone time to relocate. But after receiving the compensation, the villagers refused to move by the deadline and even blocked the construction crews. That's why I pushed back at first.

"Please look into the situation, Mr. Leander. Please."

Everyone behind Bastian inhaled sharply.

They had followed him for years. They knew how forceful he could be—fearless, domineering, the type to flatten obstacles without blinking. But now, in front of a stranger, he trembled like a hunted bird. The sight was shocking.

Only the young man from earlier knew exactly why Bastian was terrified. The man standing before them was the true ruler of Mornwick—Mr. Ashcroft.

"Why are you so scared of me?" Leander's smile held no warmth.

Bastian froze. Words stuck in his throat. Leander was the shadow he could never escape. Not even his father frightened him this much.

But Leander haunted him.

Even if he didn't know every detail, the titles alone—ruler of Mornwick, chairman of Jeff Enterprises, first place on the Astria Power Index—were enough to strike fear into anyone.

Leander looked away from him and turned toward Gemma and the others.

"Mdm. Murphy, is what he said true? Has the land already been sold?"

Gemma hesitated before nodding.

"It was sold, and the contracts were signed. But when they measured the plots, they cut corners everywhere. Almost every household lost tens of thousands. That's why the villagers are furious and refusing to move."

"Oh?" Leander's eyes shifted back to Bastian.

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