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.A chill ran down Bastian's spine. Panic surged through him."Mr. Leander, I swear I didn't know!" he blurted out."I instructed my people to measure everything properly. Grandhawk Properties became what it is because we value integrity. After you punished me last time— broke both my legs-I haven't done anything that violates my conscience."sl.neLeander narrowed his eyes. He detected no falsehood in Bastian's voice. It became clear that Bastian hadn't intended to cheat the villagers. His subordinates were another story entirely-greedy, undisciplined, and ready to exploit any loophole. And the one responsible for Greenstem Village was clearly the suited man who had been barking orders earlier.Leander extended his hand and tightened his fist.The man in the suit shot upward as if hauled by unseen wires. Leander's handclosed firmly around his throat."So you're the one pulling the strings, aren't you?"The man met Leander's icy stare and felt his courage drain. Being dragged through the air had already broken whatever confidence he had left.noveldrama"M-Mr. Leander, I... I..."Leander flicked his arm and hurled him aside like garbage. The man crashed into an excavator with a heavy thud.Coughing blood, he looked up to see Leander's expression remain stone-cold. "Before today ends, return every cent you stole from these households. As for the homes you bulldozed, compensate them at their full original value."From this moment on, don't show yourself in Mornwick again. If you do, you won't leave alive."Get out."Leander's low command rolled out like an unseen force, knocking the man back another step. He scrambled to his feet and sprinted off, begging as he ran like a beaten dog.With one hand in his pocket, Leander turned to Francis and Gemma."Mr. Wilson, Mdm. Murphy, spread the message. Every family will receive their missing money before midnight. You don't need to worry anymore."The two elders and the crowd behind them felt as if they were dreaming. They had confrontedGrandhawk Properties countlessnettimes and never made progress. Leander said a few words, and the man fled for his life. The entire issue seemed to dissolve instantly. It hardly felt real. Leander gave them a faint smile before addressing Bastian. "Bastian, this is your project and a fair business deal. I don't interfere."But if you plan to start construction in Greenstem Village, you will have to wait until every villager has a home to move into. If even one family remains, your crew doesn't set foot here. Understood?"Bastian didn't dare refuse. He nodded immediately.After apologizing and offering several polite remarks, he gathered his workers andleft. Silence returned to the entrance of Greenstem Village.At last, the villagers processed what had happened. They erupted into cheers, praising and thanking Leander Gemma glowing with pride, told everyone this was J adopted son-practically her ownnonetnephew-and her joy was nounmistakable. Stella finally realized she was still holding Leander's arm. Her face reddened as shelet go.She looked from her fiancé—stiff and silent—to Leander's calm figure. A bitter smile tugged at her lips.She had believed her new fiancé surpassed Leander, that she could finally bury her feelings.No one could have imagined that, in a crisis that plunged the whole village into fear,her fiancé would stand helpless while Leander resolved everything with a few sentences. The contrast stung her heart.Leander rubbed his nose, a faint smile lingering, then turned to the stunned Margot. "Margot, about our bet-it seems we know who won, don't we?"