Chapter 321 The TruthLeander's voice was cold and sharp, his eyes cutting like ice. Lydia could feel the raging storm behind his words.noveldramaIt wasn't hatred. It was fury-the kind born from being abandoned by family, betrayed by those closest to him.“Leander, you have the right to know the truth. You deserve to know it," Lydia said softly.She paused for a moment, her gaze flickering as if she had been transported back to that storm-lashed night years ago."You were born into the Ashcroft family, Leander. But you were so young back then that you didn't know much about its history.“The Ashcrofts have a long, mysterious lineage. Even your father and grandfather didn't know where your ancestors came from. All they knew was that the first head of the Ashcroft family in Highcliffe was your great-great-grandfather-the grandfather of your grandfather."The Ashcrofts are a martial family. Almost every generation produces one or two extraordinary martial prodigies. They defend the family, uphold the clan's honor, and lead by strength. When you were born, your talent was exceptional-unlike anything Highcliffe's Ashcroft family had ever seen. You were the most gifted martial artist in their history."A year after you were born, I gave birth to your younger brother, Ethan. But compared to him, your potential was greater, and your progress faster. Your grandfather and father pinned their hopes on you, wanting to give you everything best in their power. They truly loved you. Their care was genuine-from the heart. You could feel it if you allowed yourself to."Leander remained silent, offering no rebuttal. Indeed, he had once been the pride of the Ashcroft family. From Reginald at the top to the servants at the bottom, everyone treated him as the family's treasure, attending to his every need.It wasn't pretension. He could feel Reginald and Gareth's unwavering attention.Yet he did not feel any gratitude. His expression was still icy as he waited for Lydia to continue."Both your father and grandfather raised you as the heir to the family, grooming you to be the next head, treating you as a treasure, and teaching you everything without holding anything back."But everything changed nine years ago, on your tenth birthday."Lydia's eyes flickered as she spoke in a low, steady voice."The Ashcroft family has passed down its martial legacy for generations. Within the family, there is a treasure known as the Celestial Mirror-an heirloom that has been handed down through many generations."No one truly knows where the Celestial Mirror came from. Legend says it came from ancient times, obtained by your ancestors, and has been preserved ever since.it"The Celestial Mirror is extraordinary. Though it can only be used once every ten years, possesses a kind of divine power: the ability to foresee future blessings and disasters, guiding the family's path. Seventy years ago, your great-great- grandfather followed its guidance to join the founding ancestor in conquest. That strategy brought glory and firmly established the Ashcrofts in Highcliffe."Fifty years ago, your great-grandfather relied on the Celestial Mirror's foresight to let the family recover during the darkest times. That period of rebuilding allowed the Ashcrofts to regain strength and rise to the top, securing their place among Highcliffe's elite families."Leander nodded slightly, unsurprised. In a world rife with martial arts, magic, and supernatural powers, it was not unusual for certain treasures to possess extraordinary abilities.Lydia continued, "Since then, the Celestial Mirror has become the Ashcroft family's most sacred heirloom. Your great-grandfather even established a family rule: every head of the family, and every Ashcroft descendant, must obey the Mirror's guidance. Only by doing so could the family prosper and pass its legacy through the generations.“And nine years ago, when your grandfather suddenly ordered you cast out and your father stripped your martial power, it was all because of the Celestial Mirror."At her words, Leander's eyes narrowed sharply, his fists clenching tightly.“Nine years ago, on your birthday, the Celestial Mirror awakened-it's a cycle that happensonce every ten years."That day, your grandfather, following the tradition of every Ashcroft family head before him, consulted the Mirror about the family's future. And the Celestial Mirror gave a clear, unambiguous message."It predicted that nine years later, the Ashcroft family would face an unprecedented catastrophe, one that could destroy the entire clan."And the only way to survive it... was to strip you of your martial power and cast you out into the wilderness."Leander felt the absurdity of it hit him like a blow.The Ashcrofts were to face annihilation nine years in the future, and the solution wasto punish a ten-year-old child? What kind of logic was that?Looking back through the family's history, there had been many disasters, but never had anyone suggested that harming a member of the family was the key to survival Yet the Celestial Mirror had directed Reginald to act against him. It was a cosmic joke. He let out a cold snort, bitter with irony."So, this is why Reginald declared me the family's curse? This is why Gareth tried to strip me of my martial power?"Leander laughed, the sound growing colder and more mocking with cach breath, edged with a hollow sorrow.He had once thought that maybe he had done something wrong, something unknown even to himself, which justified Reginald and Gareth's harsh treatment.But in the end, the Ashcroft family had cast him out, destroyed his martial power, all because of a mirror. It was pure foolishness.A family that needed to destroy its own kin to survive, that could not face disaster onits own, had no real strength. No true reason to exist.He shook his head lightly, a bitter, cold smile on his face. Toward the Ashcrofts, toward Reginald and Gareth, he felt only icy detachment. Any lingering affection had long vanished.Lydia looked at Leander, her heart aching.She placed her hand over his chest, where a scar still ran clearly across his skin-a mark left when Gareth had stripped him of his martial power all those years ago."Leander... does it still hurt?"Leander's eyes shifted, and after a moment, his gaze settled, calm and unflinching. "Mom, I've long forgotten this wound."Lydia let out a soft sigh, a flicker of anger passing through her expression.Back then, with his martial power intact, Leander had been unstoppable-brimming withconfidence and skill. Among the netyounger generation of the Ashcroft family, no one could match him. Even Ethan had been suppressed under his shadow, always second. Gareth and Reginald had declared him the brightest rising star of the family, even more talented than Gareth himself, destined for greatness beyond measure. Leander had believed it, ready to rise to the very pinnacle. Yet everything had been swept away on that night nine years ago.Now, he had lost everything. Even his martial power, the very thing that defined him, had been taken. The prodigy of the Ashcroft family could no longer pursue martial arts, no matter how hard he tried.Every time Lydia thought of this, her chest ached. She knew the pride burning inside him—his determination never to fall behind anyone. Once, Ethan and Daphne had followed in his shadow.Now, though he had returned, hecould only watch Ethan, Daphne, andothers stir up the world, commandrespect, and seize power-while hecould not be part of it. She feared hemight not be able to accept it.Leander didn't know what Lydia was thinking. He was lost in his own thoughts whenshe suddenly grabbed his arms."Leander!"She pulled off her hat, letting her hair fall freely around her shoulders. Her eyesblazed with authority and warmth, just like the mother he remembered-gentle yet commanding."Tomorrow, we return to the Ashcroft family. I'll help you reclaim everything you've lost."