Chapter 38 Regal Influence 440 Finished " Kneel and swear loyalty to me , and I'll let you live ! " Leander pulled out a chair and plopped down like a ruler on his throne with a mischievous grin . Gumus , the seasoned lead of Ascendia , felt a cold sweat dripping down his forehead as fear gripped his heart . He brought Bryce , a Martial Master , to force Frankie into submission . He thought Frankie was like a fish caught in a net , utterly defenseless with Bryce around . However , he never anticipated Leander , who stood behind Frankic . Not only was Leander more powerful than Bryce , but he had also swiftly taken him out , flipping the entire situation upside down . When Leander scanned the room , even Gumus felt a chill run down his spine . Mr. Duffy is a serious threat - invulnerable to firearms - but this kid took him down without breaking a sweat . If he sets his sights on me , it would be a piece of cake for him to finish me off. Even with my four top henchmen at my side , I can't hold my own against him . With that thought , Gumus sprang to his feet , rushed over to Leander , and pleaded , " Sir , I was momentarily blind and foolish ! Please forgive me ! Just spare my life ! " Not knowing Leander's name , he opted for " Sir . " He even bowed three times , sincerity dripping from every word . Leander narrowed his eyes and remained silent . As Gumus lifted his gaze to meet Leander's eyes , a wave of anxiety washed over him . He had always prided himself on his ability to read people and situations . He thought , Usually , a quick assessment reveals a person's character , but this kid is a puzzle I can't figure out . It feels like staring into a bottomless abyss . " I heard you formed a Northridge Alliance ? " After briefly meeting Gumus ' gaze , Leander finally broke the silence . " Yes ! I did it for Northridge's prosperity . I worried that Tommy might stretch his influence into this area , so I took steps to safeguard it . I never meant any harm to Frankie ! " Gumus replied quickly , a smile plastered on his face . Now that Leander had shown his strength , Gumus was eager to deflect blame , anxious that Leander might be just as merciless with him as he had been with Bryce . " Hmph ! " Leander scoffed , suddenly grabbing Gumus by the collar and hoisting him off the ground . " Let me introduce myself . I'm Leander Ashcroft ; you can call me Mr. Leander . I don't like nonsense . I'm now leading the Northridge , and you'll follow my orders if you want to survive ! " 19:27 Sat , Oct 11 Chapter 38 Regal Influence 40 Finished Gumus felt like an iron grip was crushing his throat , turning his face pale . Faced with imminent danger , he nodded frantically . Noticing Gumus ' submission , Leander finally released his grip . Then , he demanded , " Get your people out of here ! Gather all the members of the Northridge Alliance at Maplebrook Manor in three days ! " Gumus felt as if he had just been given a second chance . He quickly agreed and gestured for his four top henchmen to hurry back to their turf . Confronting Leander felt like facing the devil himself , and he couldn't wait to escape . He covertly rejoiced , thinking he would reclaim his position once he returned to Ascendia . His earlier promise of loyalty to Leander was just a temporary tactic . Being shrewd and adaptable , he was used to doing what was necessary and had no intention of actually serving Leander or relinquishing control of the Northridge Alliance . " Wait ! " Leander called out just as Gumus was on the verge of leaving the meeting room , making him stop in his tracks . A wave of dread washed over him as he feared that Leander might have reconsidered and was about to end his life . " Gumus , I can guess your thoughts now , " Leander remarked with a slight smile before abruptly striking with his palm . A loud crack pierced the air , and a wave of energy surged through the room as a coffee table , more than three meters from Leander , shattered into splinters . " What the ..." The onlookers turned pale , eyes wide in shock , almost speechless . Gumus stood frozen in place , terrified . " Is this the famed internal strength of a Martial Master being displayed outwardly ? " Jamero whispered in amazement , his voice brimming with wonder as his expression shifted with each heartbeat . He wondered , I've always been told Martial Masters can inflict damage from afar , but seeing it in action takes things to a whole new level . When Leander attacked , the coffee table broke apart over three meters away . What is it if that's not the famous external manifestation of internal strength ? " Keep this in mind . Since I'm allowing you to leave Ascendia today , I could end you whenever possible . If you believe you can outsmart me , I hope your head is tougher than that coffee table ! " Leander smirked , his fingers curling slightly as if to create a chilling aura . Gumus had come in with plans , but now his mind was completely empty . If Mr. Leander can destroy a coffee table with one palm strike , what fate would await me if he struck me ? 2/4 19:27 Sat , Oct 11 Chapter 38 Regal influence I'd be annihilated ! He realized that for Leander , taking his life would be as simple as squashing a bug . ( 40 ) Finished He quickly turned around and bowed deeply to Leander , his voice trembling . " Mr. Leander , I promise the key members of the Northridge Alliance will be at Maplebrook Manor within three days ! " In response , Leander gestured for him to go . Gumus swiftly left with his men . A hush fell over the meeting room as Frankie , Jamero , and the others stared in amazement at Leander's strength and tactic . Frankie recalled his first meeting with Leander , who was then experiencing significant difficulties after being ousted from Ravenridge by his rivals . Despite being a teenager still finding his way , Leander exhibited impressive courage that left a lasting impression on Frankie . He gave Frankie ten million upfront , allowing him to rebuild , eliminate competitors in Ravenridge , start Leandrix Corp. , and achieve great success . Frankie held absolute respect for Leander , viewing him as his benefactor . However , he hadn't seen him as a true powerhouse . After all , Leander was quite young ; most of his peers were still in high school and had little real - world experience . Frankie believed he would have to mentor Leander to help him evolve into a genuine strongman in the future . At this moment of realization , Frankie recognized just how wrong he had been . Leander's strength surpassed his wildest dreams - he defeated the Martial Master , Bryce , in one swift move , tamed Gumus with a mere word and gesture , and seized control of the Northridge Alliance . Who could challenge such power and bravery ? Who else but a ruler ? " Frankie , handle things here , and tell me when Gumus has assembled everyone from the Northridge Alliance ! " Leander nonchalantly stated as he left the meeting room . " I must say , Mr. Leander is truly impressive ! " Jamero shared , his admiration evident . He had always admired Leander due to Frankie but never really respected him until now ; Leander's actions had truly impressed him tonight . " He's a natural leader . His strength and authority are clear . We just need to follow him confidently . He'll lead us to heights we can't even dream of ! " Frankie agreed , his determination intensifying . After leaving Maplebrook Manor , Leander returned to the small rental house he shared with Madeline , only to discover she was missing . He promptly contacted her . 3/4 19:27 Sat , Oct Chapter 38 Regal Influence / i , ( 40 ) , #Finished Meanwhile , Yvette , Madeline , and Ginny huddled on Yvette's big bed at the Sitwell Residence , their emotions intensifying . " Yvette , do you think something happened to Leander ? " Madeline asked nervously . She had wished to stand by Leander , but her two close friends had urged her to leave . Yvette and Ginny sat in silence . They knew that in Ravenridge , even the most powerful officials and the wealthiest billionaires wouldn't claim they could remain safe after confronting Tobias . Someone like Leander - a country boy without support in Ravenridge - would likely face total defeat , even if he chose to fight . How could he fend off Tobias ' many henchmen and intricate connections ? Yvette let out a sigh as she recalled the resolute expression on Leander's face when he ordered Madeline to leave . She realized Leander wanted to protect Madeline and the others from involvement , allowing them to leave while he took on the pressure alone . His readiness to endure for their benefit moved her , yet he was also entering a perilous situation alone , possibly confronting a harsh destiny . While the three girls reflected on their thoughts , Madeline's phone unexpectedly rang . She looked at the screen , her face brightening with happiness . Yvette and Ginny turned in surprise , their eyes wide with excitement . " Is it Leander ? " Send Gifts 50