Chapter 53
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The entire private room went silent. Finn was no average guy–he didn’t even take Mateo seriously. His presence and connections were intimidating, so it seemed unbelievable that anyone would dare to challenge him, let alone in such an arrogant way.
All eyes turned toward the voice. Sitting calmly in the corner, Leander still picked food from his bowl with a fork as if nothing had happened. It didn’t take long for everyone to realize that Leander spoke.
“Leander?” Madeline was baffled. Why’s he doing this again? He already got into trouble with Tobias that night at the bar – took the fall because of me. He should’ve learned his lesson by now. Here he is, sticking his neck out.
“Is he out of his mind?” Jade muttered, first shocked, then amused.
Victor shared her sentiment, smirking and shaking his head.
Even he, with all his bravado, knew when to back down. Leander could handle himself in a fight, but going up against someone like Finn? His connections are way more dangerous than Mateo’s. This is just asking for trouble. Finn doesn’t even need to get his hands dirty. He could have a whole crew of guys with guns here in no time. No matter how tough or quick Leander is, he’s not dodging bullets.
“Leander?” Liam was equally dumbfounded. Is Leander stepping up to back me up?
“You talking to me?” Finn’s eyes narrowed, his expression darkening. In all of Ravenridge, not even the bosses of the four central districts dared speak to him like that. They all showed him respect–partly out of fear of his dad, who was Frankie’s right–hand man. Finn had never encountered someone so young, practically a high schooler, daring to disrespect him so openly.
He glanced over at Leander, trying to place him. There’s something about him that feels familiar. Where have I seen that face before? Finn wondered.
Finn sneered. “Who gave you the nerve to talk to me like that? I don’t care who you are, but you’re pushing your luck. If you apologize now, I might let you off easy. If you don’t, then p>
He crossed his arms, fully expecting Leander to fold. Just as he was about to sit and watch the show, Leander turned to face him. That’s when Finn’s smirk vanished. His face paled, and his mouth went dry. It was as if he’d just seen a ghost.
“Leander…” The name fell from Finn’s lips, barely a whisper, as cold sweat started to bead on his forehead.
Two nights ago, at Maplebrook Manor, Finn had been in a meeting with his father when he’d witnessed something that still haunted him. Bryce, a ruthless man brought in by Gumus, had
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terrorized Frankie’s men, disarming them effortlessly with nothing but throwing blades. It seemed like Frankie’s reign was about to end.
Then, out of nowhere, Leander showed up. He instantly killed Bryce, a legendary Martial Master, in some bizarre, unexplainable way. Leander even shattered a marble coffee table with his bare hand, sending shivers down everyone’s spine–including Gumus. That scene had burned itself into Finn’s memory.
Afterward, Finn learned from his dad that Leander wasn’t just some random guy–he was the real boss. Even Frankie worked under him. Ever since that night, Finn had remembered Leander’s face, vowing never to cross paths with him again.
Now, here he was, right in front of him.
Leander’s gaze swept over Finn, cold and indifferent. “What was that? What happens if I don’t fold p>
Finn’s face turned a sickly shade of green, and his legs nearly gave out beneath him. “M–Mr. Leander, I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize it was you. Please, forgive me p>
Nobody else in the room understood the kind of pressure Finn was under right now. Leander might look young, but Finn had seen firsthand just how dangerous and ruthless he could be. Even now, standing in Leander’s presence was enough to make Finn feel suffocating.
Considering Finn’s sudden change in attitude–from arrogant to groveling–stunned everyone in the room. Specifically, Victor and Jade had been waiting to see Leander humiliated. They couldn’t believe their eyes.
How could someone as commanding as Finn, who isn’t even afraid of Mateo, be so terrified of Leander, who seems to be from the middle of nowhere? It doesn’t make sense.
People started to recall how Leander single–handedly took down more than ten Crestgate High School’s karate team members. They all wondered, Could that really be enough to intimidate someone like Finn? No way. Finn’s got enough power to crush Leander without even trying. So why is he the one shaking?
Liam was equally baffled. He’d been bracing himself for a beating, but somehow, Leander had scared Finn senseless with just a few words.
“You know me?” Leander asked casually, still eating.
Finn, drenched in sweat, nodded frantically. “I’m Jamero Coppell’s son. I—I saw you at the Maplebrook meeting the other night. It was an honor, truly p>
Leander paused for a second, chewing thoughtfully. “Jamero, huh? So, your dad is Jamero p>
Finn nodded again, faster this time. His dad, Jamero Coppell, was Frankie’s most trusted person
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and driver, second only to the man himself. That was why Mateo had always been careful around Finn.
“Well, since you know who I am, let’s cut to the chase.” Leander put his fork down and pointed to Shirley and Liam. “I’m not interested in whatever happened between you guys before or why you’re mad. Shirley is my friend’s girlfriend. You know what to do, right p>
Leander’s cold stare pinned Finn to the spot. Nodding furiously, Finn stammered, “Y–Yes, Mr. Leander! I’m sorry–so sorry. Please forgive me. I promise I won’t go anywhere near your… wife! I mean, your sister–in–law! I won’t bother her ever again, I swear p>
He sounded nothing like the spoiled scion he’d been just moments ago. Now, he was practically begging for forgiveness, too scared to even look Leander in the eye. Word had gotten around that Shirley was friends with Leander’s girlfriend, and he was so shaken up that he’d even gone as far as regarding her as his “relative p>
Leander could decide Dad’s fate — and even Mr. Wainwright’s — with just a word. He could kill me right here if he wants. Even Bryce, that Martial Master who wasn’t scared of guns and could take someone out in a second, was taken down by Leander in no time. What chance do I have? Finn thought, panic rising in his chest. Chapters first released on.net
Shirley felt like she was dreaming. Not long ago, she had been convinced that no one could help her out of this mess. Yet now? Leander had made it all disappear with just a few words.
She had always thought Leander was nothing special. Finally, she grasped that she had been wrong, and a deep sense of shame washed over her.
“Hey, the son of Jamero… I’ll remember that,” Leander remarked calmly. “One last thing— if I hear about you bullying or pushing people around again, you’ll regret it. Got it p>
“Now, get out.” He didn’t say another word, merely gesturing with his fork.
Finn didn’t need to be told twice. He quickly gathered his men and practically sprinted out of the room, too scared to even glance back. The private room fell silent once more as everyone stared at Leander, unable to believe what had just happened.
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