Chapter 345
Chapter 345 The Half–Lord of Highcliffe
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Leander and Ethan made their wager and chatted all the way, eventually parting at the gates of Highcliffe University.
As Ethan watched Leander walk away, he felt a wave of emotion he couldn’t quite shake off. Even after losing all his martial power, Leander still gave off a subtle sense of pressure that made him seem stronger than ever. Ethan just couldn’t figure it out.
Maybe that’s just Leander’s natural presence.
With that, Ethan chuckled to himself.
Leander’s presence was always the strongest of anyone his age. Even now, stripped of everything, he still carried that same confidence and calm, never letting anything shake his
composure.
Remembering the bet he’d made with Leander, Ethan’s eyes grew focused. He still brimmed with absolute confidence.
At this moment, Leander had nothing–no martial power and no martial skills. Though the Ashcroft family still acknowledged him, compared to Ethan, the top scion of Highcliffe, there was a huge gap between them.
The only real advantage Leander had was Daphne’s affection for him. But on Ethan’s side, both the Ashcroft and Florian families would always take his side.
His engagement with Daphne had been arranged by both families. Even if Daphne wanted to break it off, she’d have to get past both the Ashcrofts and Florians. That was no small hurdle.
Leander, if you were still who you used to be – if you hadn’t lost your martial power – you’d be able to take on both the Ashcroft and Florian families without fear. But now, you just don’t have what it takes anymore.
Ethan clenched his fist, feeling more confident than ever.
Leander, I can give you everything I have – status, resources, even the head position of the Ashcroft family. But Daphne has to be mine. This is one bet I refuse to lose.
With that in mind, he waited until Leander was out of sight before finally turning to leave.
At the campus of Highcliffe University, Leander walked forward with his hands behind his back, completely unfazed.
If he really wanted to be with Daphne, the first thing he had to do was break off her
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Chapter 345 The Half Lord of Highcliffe
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engagement to Ethan. Doing that would mean going up against the Ashcroft family and the Florian family, both of them giants in their own right.
Most people would feel crushed by the pressure, with no way to fight back, but he had never let any of that bother him.
Any obstacle that tries to keep me from Daphne, I will crush without mercy!
The next day, news about Leander spread across Highcliffe like wildfire.
“Wait, are you saying the most talented son of the Ashcroft family isn’t dead? And he’s back at Highcliffe p>
“Is it really him? I vaguely remember his name–Leander, right? Didn’t the Ashcrofts say he died at age 10 from a serious illness? How could he be back now p>
“Who knows. With families like the Ashcrofts and Florians, regular people could never guess what goes on behind the scenes.
Maybe Leander’s death was just a cover story while he trained in secret. Now he’s back after nine years, stronger than ever p>
“That makes sense. Back when he was 10, he was already beating guys five or six years older than him. After nine years, who knows how strong he is now p>
“Wow, Ethan alone is already scary enough. But if you add Leander, the Ashcrofts could sweep through every major family at Highcliffe p>
Everywhere at Highcliffe, people were having similar conversations. The news of Leander’s return had all the big families on edge. For a while, the whole city was in turmoil.
In the East District of Highcliffe’s Inner Circle lay the sprawling O’Brien estate, home to one of the city’s four major elite families. Inside, Tycen sat on the couch, his expression dark.
In front of him stood a middle–aged man dressed in black. With short hair and a neatly trimmed beard, he exuded a sharp, commanding presence. This was Teion O’Brien, the current head of the family and Tycen’s father.
“Who’d have thought that kid survived? The Ashcroft family really played their hand well p>
Teion remarked.
Tycen’s voice was heavy as he looked at his father. “I heard you ran into Leander last night. What did you think p>
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Tycen just snorted. “Dad, you always said he was the strongest in our generation. But after seeing him last night, he was nothing special. If Ethan and Daphne hadn’t shown up, I could’ve taken him down in one move p>
“Oh?” Teion arched his brow, curious. “You’re saying he’s lost all his martial power p>
“That’s right. Nine years ago, even though none of us had reached the Martial Practitioner Realm yet, he was already there, almost at the verge of breaking through to the Martial Master Realm.
“Even if he’d slacked off, he should still be stronger than me or Ethan. But now, he’s got no martial power left. He’s just an ordinary guy p>
Teion paused, realizing his son would never lie to him. He stroked his chin, deep in thought.
Meanwhile, at the Valence Residence in the North District, Eira stood in a purple dress watching an old man practice Tai Chi. His movements were steady and calm.
“Leander really didn’t die? Are you sure it’s him?” the old man asked, his voice gentle.
“I’m sure of it, Grandpa. I might mistake anyone else, but I’d never mistake that guy,” Eira said, annoyed.
The old man’s eyes flickered, pushing out a soft wave of air that sent leaves falling from the locust tree.
“Looks like the Ashcrofts are making their move. With Leander back and the martial assembly between four major elite families coming up in two weeks, this is going to get interesting p>
Eira stood there, frowning in confusion. Though she hadn’t interacted with Leander last night, she’d kept a close eye on his every move. His steps were unsteady, and there were no fluctuations of inner energy coming from him–nothing about him resembled a martial artist
anymore.
It was a far cry from the steady, grounded Leander of the past, the one whose cultivation had once outclassed them all.
Leander had been gone from Highcliffe for nine years. Now that he’s back, does the title of most talented martial artist among Highcliffe’s younger generation still belong to him?
At the Florian Estate, Daphne bit her lip, looking sorrowful.
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“Is this why you don’t want to marry Ethan?” asked a middle–aged man in a blue suit. He was sitting on the leather couch, newspaper in hand.
“Yes,” Daphne replied, meeting his gaze with stubborn courage. For original chapters go to
The man set his paper down, his expression unreadable. “Daphne, I’ve never wanted to force you, but I can’t let you make a foolish choice. Maybe others don’t know what happened to Leander, but you and I do.
“Leander is not who he was nine years ago. You should know that better than anyone.” He waved her off and left the room. “Stay home today. You’re not going anywhere p>
Daphne’s heart dropped, and she wanted to follow, but the voice of an old man stopped her. “Daphne, listen to your father. The old king has fallen. What you need now is a new one, not a broken man with no martial power p>
Daphne clenched her jaw until her lips bled, but she stayed put. With the old man there, she knew there was no way she was getting out.
At Highcliffe University, Leander had just had lunch with Nathan and a couple of friends. They were heading for a game of pool when a blue Rolls–Royce stopped in front of them.
A middle–aged man in a blue suit stepped out. He was roughly Leander’s height, and he met his gaze without flinching.
“Leander, it’s been a long time! There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about p>
Leander smiled and nodded, knowing that if he ever wanted to be with Daphne, he’d have to face this man eventually.
The man was Wesley Florian, the current head of the Florian family, otherwise known as “the Half–Lord of Highcliffe“-a nickname that spoke to the vast amount of property he owned in Highcliffe.
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