2024-04-30 08:55:09
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
Unexpected Rise of Leonard Storm Chapter 121
Matilda sat in the parlor of Archer’s townhouse, frowning at the crackling fireplace. She hadn’t touched the tea the butler had laid out for her on the low-lying marble table, though she’d certainly indulged in two creampuffs and one chocolate torte while waiting for Archer to return. She could have come back later, but it was freezing outside, and after standing on guard duty last night, she was exhausted. And in need of anything to distract her from reliving that dance with Benjamin .After the waltz had finished, he’d merely told her that if she abandoned her post again, he’d break a hole through the ice in the trout pond and toss her in. And then, as though he hadn’t just danced with her in a way that made her knees tremble, he stalked back inside and left her to suffer in the cold. He hadn’t even mentioned the dance this morning during their run. Maybe she’d just imagined the whole thing. Maybe the frigid night air had made her stupid.She’d been distracted during her first Dark
Unexpected Rise of Leonard Storm Chapter 122
Impressed murmurs, and a nod from his father to Roland made Leonard ’s jaw clench. Three matching rings; three black rings to signify—what? That they were bound in some way to each other? How had Roland gotten past his father’s and Perrington’s defenses so quickly? Because of his support of a place like Calaculla?Jeremy ’s words from the night before kept ringing in his head. He’d seen the scars on Matilda ’s back up close—a brutal mess of flesh that made him sick with rage to look at. How many like her were rotting away in these labor camps?“And where will the slaves sleep?” Leonard suddenly asked. “Will you build shelter for them, too?”Everyone, including his father, turned to look at him. But Roland just shrugged. “They’re slaves. Why shelter them, when they can sleep in the mines? Then we wouldn’t waste time bringing them in and out every day.”More murmurs and nods. Leonard stared at Roland. “If we have a surplus of slaves, then why not let some of them go? Surely they’re no
Unexpected Rise of Leonard Storm Chapter 123
When he returned, and after they’d both eaten half of the cake he’d swiped from the kitchens, Matilda lay back on the couch, a hand on her full belly. Benjamin was already sprawled across the cushions, sleeping soundly. Staying up until the middle of the night at the ball, then awakening for their sunrise run this morning had been exhausting. Why hadn’t he just canceled the run?You know, the courts weren’t always like this, Jeremy had said. There was a time when people valued honor and loyalty—when serving a ruler wasn’t about obedience and fear…. Do you think another court like that could ever rise again?Matilda hadn’t given Jeremy an answer. She hadn’t wanted to talk about it. But looking at Benjamin now, at the man he was, and the man he was still becoming …Yes, she thought. Yes, Jeremy . It could rise again, if we could find more men like him.But not in a world with this king, she realized. He’d crush a court like that before Jeremy could muster one. If the king were go
Unexpected Rise of Leonard Storm Chapter 124
Mort chuckled when she staggered through the tomb door. “Witch Slayer, are you? Another lovely title to add to your repertoire.”“How do you know about that?” she asked, setting down her candle. She’d already burned her bloodied clothes. They had reeked as they burned—reeked like rotting flesh, just as Yellowlegs had. Fleetfoot had growled at the fireplace and tried to herd Matilda away by pressing her body against her legs.“Oh, I can smell her on you,” Mort said. “Smell her fury and wickedness.” Matilda peeled back the collar of her tunic to show the little cuts whereYellowlegs’s nails had pierced the skin right above her collarbone. She’d cleaned them out, but had a feeling they would leave marks, a necklace of scars. “What do you make of those?”Mort winced. “Those make me grateful I’m made of bronze.” “Will they harm me?”“You killed a witch—and you’re now marked by a witch. It will not be the usual sort of wound.” Mort’s eyes narrowed. “You understand that you may have just l
Unexpected Rise of Leonard Storm Chapter 125
When the council meeting was over, Bolton did his best not to look at his father, who had been watching him so carefully while he’d announced his plans to the king, or at Leonard , whose sense of betrayal rippled off of him as the meeting went on. He tried to hurry back to the barracks, but he wasn’t all that surprised when a hand clapped on his shoulder and turned him around.“Wyne ?” Leonard snarled.Bolton kept his face blank. “If she’s capable of opening a portal like she did last night, then I think she needs to get out of the castle for a while. For all of our sakes.” Leonard couldn’t know the truth.“She’ll never forgive you for having her shipped off like that, to take down a whole country. And in such a public way—making a spectacle out of it. Are you mad?”“I don’t need her forgiveness. And I don’t want to worry about her letting in a horde of otherwordly creatures just because she’s missing her friend.”He hated each lie that came out of his mouth, but Leonard drank th
Unexpected Rise of Leonard Storm Chapter 126
They were friends now, and he knew that the physical boundaries between them had been altered, but … He turned away rather than let her see the disappointment he knew was all too clear on his face.He took all of two steps toward the door before she spoke, the words soft and strained. “Thank you for all that you have done for me, Leonard . Thank you for being my friend. For not being like the others.”He paused, turning to face her. She kept her chin high, but her eyes were gleaming.“I’ll come back,” she said quietly. “I’ll come back for you.” And he knew that there was more that she wasn’t saying, some bigger meaning behind those words.But Leonard still believed her.The docks were crowded with sailors and slaves and workers loading and unloading cargo. The day was warm and breezy, the first hint of spring in the air, and the sky was cloudless. A good day for sailing.Matilda stood before the ship that would carry her through the first leg of the journey. It would sail to a prearr
Unexpected Rise of Leonard Storm Chapter 127
She knew the shift had happened, because it hurt like hell. A flash of blinding pain as her features ripped free of the hold that hid them. The man lunged, and she plummeted into the well of power that was suddenly overflowing inside of her.Magic, savage and unforgiving, erupted out of her, punching into the creature and sending it flying. Flame—years ago, her power had always manifested as some form of fire.She could smell everything, see everything. Her heightened senses pulled her attention every which way, telling her that this world was wrong, and she needed to get out now.But she wouldn’t get out, not until Benjamin and Fleetfoot made it to safety.The creature stopped rolling, on its feet in an instant, and Matilda put herself between it and Chaol. The man sniffed at her, sinking onto its haunches.She lifted Damaris and bellowed her challenge.From far off in the mist, roars answered. One of them came from the thing in front of her.She looked at Chaol, still crouched ov
Unexpected Rise of Leonard Storm Chapter 128
When Matilda finished telling Leonard the story she’d told Chaol—albeit a much more limited version—he let out a long sigh and fell back onto his bed. “It sounds like something out of a book,” he said, staring at the ceiling. She sat down on the other side of the bed.“Believe me, I thought I was going mad for a while.”“So you actually opened a portal to another world? Using these Morse code s?” She nodded. “You also knocked that creature aside like it was a leaf caught in a wind.” Oh, she hadn’t forgotten about that. Not for one moment had sheforgotten what it meant for him to have such raw power.“That was dumb luck.” She watched him, this kind, clever prince of hers. “I still can’t control it.”“In the tomb,” she said, “there is someone who might … offer you some advice on how to control it. Who might have some information about the kind of power you’ve inherited.” Right then, though, she didn’t exactly know how to explain Mort to him, so she just said, “Someday soon, you and I
Latest Chapter
Chapter 271
The tension in the air was palpable as Matilda prepared herself for what Leonard had in store for her. Richard 's eyes shone with a dangerous intensity, his intentions unclear but menacing. Matilda's mind raced with horrible possibilities, each more horrible than the last. She felt a shiver run down her spine as Richard 's laughter echoed in the dimly lit room. Despite her fears, Matilda remains defiant, refusing to show any sign of weakness in the face of Richard 's twisted desires. "I can do more than you imagine and make you hot!" Leonard smiled as he read the expression on Matilda's face. It's really fun teasing Matilda at the moment. Her lips trembled, hoping she wasn't thinking anything. "Are you making me hot?" Would it really roast me alive or burn a part of me? Matilda asked stupidly Although she is a stripper who must know a lot about the tactics of men, unfortunately she is a l
Chapter 270
"How dare you?" Leonard roared like a lion as the champagne spilled over his dress and poured freely into his trousers. Matilda was shaking terribly as she searched for towels to clean Leonard clothes and shoes. He had just poured himself a glass of champagne. "I'm so terribly sorry! I was---sss" stammered Matilda , trying to finish her words when Leonard pulled her hair and picked her up. "You are here to pay your brother's debt, but you are clearly unable to do so! Leonard said in a very intimidating voice, letting the lumps fall on Maris's neck. "Please, I feel weak!" He had never felt this way in his entire life as he searched for ways to survive. He felt his strength leave him and let his body fall into Richard 's grip. Everyone's eyes in the VIP room widened. "This girl is really doomed," commented one of them and motioned for Leo
Chapter 269
They'd been able to not only beat Broadway Enterprise's weakness but also strengthen theirs. "To say the least, I'm quite impressed with this proposal, and so is everyone here today, as such, we wouldn't have any other company partnering with us other than F and A. Congratulations, Richard and Matilda , your intelligence is meritorious. I see why you're a couple now," he added with a smile. "I'll have my lawyer get the agreement ready for you for your signature in the next 48 hours. Congratulations again."With that, Leonard left, and a few others commented about Matilda 's intelligence, and how lucky Richard was to have her by his side, one of whom was Ryan Porter."From the day I saw you at the party, I knew you were one intelligent woman. Congratulations, Matilda . Richard also, you got yourself a gem. If she weren't hooked with you, I might have stolen her away. Good luck with the project." Richard 's jaw hardened at Ryan's words. His heart sank also. R
Chapter 268
"What are you doing, Richard ?" She asked the moment one hand cupped her face, while the other slid down the curve of her waist. Her question came out as a whisper, which surprised her. "Helping you relax around me. We can't go to the meeting with you looking like this.""Like how?"Richard leaned closer to her, bringing his lips to her ear and her body jolted as his hot breath fanned her skin. "Like a simple touch from me will send a wave of electricity through you. One simple touch, like this." The hand that was on her waist found her fingers and he intertwined his with hers, which were already clammy. Matilda shut her eyes in pleasure and pressed her lips in a firm line to prevent herself from making even the slightest sound. He buried his face in her neck, inhaling her inviting flowery scent. The impulse to trail his lips up her neck tugged at his heart, but he acted against it. Instead, he just stood there, registering her scent in his mind and trying to decipher w
Chapter 267
Four months went by since that fateful evening, and Richard 's iciness had become even more noticeable. The unbearable emotional gap between us led me to detach from our dying relationship's toxic hold gradually. I kept track of the days until the contract would end. He already possessed the inheritance and the agreements. Our partnership was supposed to be over by now, but it isn't able to.In the meantime, Leonard and I had become even closer, reigniting the strong connection we had maintained since we were kids. We dedicated numerous hours to each other, reflecting on past memories and creating new ones.Melissa came back from her journey overseas, infusing our group of friends with a sense of excitement and joy.In celebration of Melissa 's hard-earned diploma, we opted to meet at a quaint bar located on the edge of the city. I quickly freshened up and then hurried to the bar. I was running behind because I was assisting Richard with organizing his documents."Melissa !" she
Chapter 266
When my time with Leonard was up that evening, I chose to make a decision that could alter my future significantly. I summoned up my bravery and met his gaze, speaking with conviction.Leonard , I appreciate all that you've done. Would you mind giving me a lift?Fear was evident on Leonard 's face as he considered my request. "Are you certain, keeping in mind his possible reaction?" he inquired, worried about how his words may come across.I let out a slow breath, calling upon my inner power. I am able to deal with Richard by myself. "It will all be okay."He nodded in agreement as his eyes softened with comprehension. "Okay, if you're certain." "I will transport you to your residence."While starting the car journey, Leonard grabbed the radio and switched it to a station he knew. The gentle tune of my preferred song enveloped the car, creating a mix of emotions that matched my inner turmoil.While the music played, a query escaped from my mouth. Leonard , when are we able to
Chapter 265
I was frozen in shock, speechless, as Richard 's words lingered in the air like a thick mist. For years, we have been close friends, sharing jokes, secrets, and even playful flirting. However, his unexpected question left me speechless and confused. Is it impossible for him to ever have me? His question's consequences made me shudder.I felt a swirl of confusion in my head while attempting to understand his abrupt question. Before I had a chance to collect my thoughts and reply, Richard appeared to dismiss it, as though he hadn't just posed such a deep question to me. He proposed finishing the day by having ice cream at his house, trying to shift the conversation to a more cheerful subject.Declining his offer politely, I managed to force a faint smile and replied, "Thank you, Richard , but I believe I should leave."He nodded, a brief flicker of disappointment appearing on his face. Noticing the discomfort between us, he proposed to accompany me to the entrance of the amusement park
Chapter 264
With a slightly trembling voice, she spoke up, my words now carrying a hint of confidence. "Leonard , I put on the lingerie like you requested." "Now, please enlighten me, what exactly do you desire from me?"While we glared at each other intensely, I silently vowed to control the situation according to my wants and limits. I had learned that real power comes from accepting my own vulnerability, even when things are uncertain.Leonard continued to hold on to his unfeeling attitude, remaining adamant in his penchant for mocking others.I felt a shiver down my back as his face became stern, his eyes narrowing with a touch of contempt. He clutched my hand tighter, his voice filled with scorn.Leonard mocked, saying, "I warned you it wouldn't look good on you," in a tone filled with bitterness. "You believed that wearing just a lingerie set could make me interested in you... turns out, it didn't work."I felt a wave of disappointment and hurt as my heart dropped, replacing the warmth I
Chapter 263
She tried on the dresses one at a time, with each one more captivating than the previous one. The gentle materials hugged my body's natural contours, as intricate elements shimmered in the light, producing a stunning exhibition. I spun around and looked at myself in the mirror, wishing to see a hint of love in Leonard 's gaze. However, his calm facial expression stayed unchanged as he stood just outside the fitting room, serving as a constant indication of his emotional disconnection.I put on a different dress and gazed at myself in the mirror once more. While fixing my appearance, I noticed Leonard 's gaze in the mirror. His eyes held a gentleness, showing a hint of kindness that was previously absent. The teasing and coldness had become gentler, giving way to a more tender emotion.Leonard spoke at last, his voice lacking any enthusiasm as he commented, "You appear pleasant." "Perhaps this one is overly glittery," he said, pointing to a dress decorated with detailed beadwork
