“Riveria’s GDP has dropped from its previous 15 trillion to 13.2 trillion.” More than a million people had lost their jobs, countless businesses had gone bankrupt, public welfare in cities had taken a hit, and people were losing their homes. “If Riveria’s GDP continues to plummet, we will lose the title of the most developed province and stray further away from our target of 20 trillion!” Simon was rendered speechless. He knew Riveria was in a mess because of Stephen. He and George had conspired to frame Ethan, intending to claim the fruits of success Ethan had planted long ago. By stealing all the credit and hard work from Ethan, he aimed to get a position in the cabinet and ensure his name would go down in history. Yet now, instead of reaching 20 trillion, they should be relieved it had not plummeted faster than it already had. “Is Stephen really up to this? Should we replace him?” someone asked, looking at Simon. “No! This is not entirely his fault,” Simon argued. “Our
“Is there something else?”Stephen thought there was something Simon had forgotten to tell him. However, when he looked at his phone, his eyes widened in shock.That number belonged to Howard, and he could not believe the man had the nerve to call him!Immediately answering the call, Stephen gritted his teeth and said “Howard Green, damn you!”“Haha!” Howard laughed.“I’ve never killed before, yet you label me a murderer. Tell me. How many people have lived happy lives in the three years I protected Seaside City? You didn’t even look into it before throwing me in prison.“I admit that I’ve done many wrong deeds in the past that deserve punishment, but… Stephen Quinn, you arrested me at will and made up false charges of me, and now look at what you’ve done to Seaside City. How many families have been destroyed because of you? Don’t you deserve to be punished too?”Stephen stood frozen and speechless.What Howard did in the past was indeed wrong, but compared to Stephen, what Ste
However, he did not care.With the upcoming ‘gift’, every lie Stephen had prepared would ultimately shoot himself in the foot.Dennis handed over a memory card to Howard and said, “I know what you’re planning. There’s a video in there. It contains the whole footage of Stephen’s visit to Crestwood, including the part where he was poisoned and dumped in the trash by us.“If everyone finds out that he met me, got beaten up, and then tossed out like garbage, imagine how they’ll see him. I’m looking forward to it.”Dennis relished the drama. He had nearly 10 billion worth in assets now, and it was enough for him to squander for the rest of his life.“Thanks.” Howard took the card and walked away.Meanwhile, Stephen, who had yet to learn what Howard and Dennis were planning, felt incredibly uneasy.“Forget it. They’re not even in the country, so they can’t do anything even if they want to. They’re too busy running for their lives. Why would they waste time on me? I’m sure they’re just
The mayor led Stephen to the car and headed to the first shelter.In the car, the mayor asked quietly, “How much money and supplies did you bring this time?”Stephen smiled. “10 million, and some canned food, tents, and so on.”The mayor instantly fell silent.Only 10 million and stuff like canned food and tents? If those supplies were from someone else, the people would be grateful and appreciative. However, they were from Stephen!Whose was responsible for the downfall of Seaside City? It was Stephen! Seaside City would not be in this situation if he had not arrested Howard. His reckless move had caused Seaside City’s GDP to plummet by 1.2 trillion.With the city crippled, stabilizing it and restoring its infrastructure would cost billions, but he only brought 10 billion. It was the same as injuring someone and only handing over a dollar when the treatment could cost tens of thousands. What was worse was that Stephen’s family was rich, and Stephen himself held a high position.
“I believe that as long as we work together, we’ll surely overcome this crisis! Dennis Lewis can’t knock us down, and Howard Green can’t defeat us either. The final victory will be ours...”After his speech, Stephen raised his fist into the air. Applause roared from both the audience in the livestream and the hall.The audience cheered for Stephen while many in the hall were moved. Stephen’s words deeply resonated with them; even if they had complaints, they had put them aside. Now, they were filled with hope for the future.“How can there be someone so dedicated in this world? I’m going to cry.”“I have to say, Stephen is a real man.”“Although Seaside City has encountered some issues, with Stephen around, everything will be resolved.”“Seaside City will rise again!”The internet was filled with high praise for Stephen.By then, the reporters had also approached with their prepared questions.“The issues in Seaside City aren’t exactly trivial. Do you really have the confidenc
The mayor sighed.In his eyes, Stephen was like a child who had stumbled and was wailing on the ground, attracting countless people to care for him.On the other hand, Ethan stood before the crowd, using his body to shield them from harm. No matter how injured he was, no one ever asked if he was okay. Only a handful of people knew the truth.Now, the people whom he had protected were publicly condemning him, wishing for his death, and demanding that he be executed immediately. It seemed the people who cared for Ethan the most were not the people he protected but his enemies, and the people who hated him the most were not his enemies but the people he protected!The fact that the person who made Riveria prosper was in prison while the one who destroyed North Hill City and Seaside City was applauded on stage was absurd to the mayor.On the podium, the thunderous applause and the crowd’s admiring eyes filled Stephen with satisfaction.“I won this time, Ethan.”Although he had destr
Simon grabbed a phone and yelled into it. “Smash those loudspeakers now! Cut the livestream too!”“Bam!”A gunshot rang out, and Howard’s voice was abruptly cut off. Then, a group of people rushed into the vehicle, yanked open the doors, and dragged everyone inside out. The livestream suddenly went dark, and Howard’s voice disappeared. He did not get the chance to finish what he was saying, but his words had reached the ears of everyone present and the audience watching online.“Stephen has abandoned Seaside City?”“So has Stephen known everything happening in Seaside City all along?”“Wait, if we piece everything together, that means Seaside City is in this situation because of Stephen!”That realization left everyone shaken. Before they could process what they had just heard, someone online made a shocking discovery.“Look at this video. Stephen has visited Crestwood before!”A mysterious video surfaced online. It was a recording of Stephen leading a team into Crestwood.
Then, he pushed the reporters aside and left.After Stephen left in a hurry, the scene erupted into chaos.“Is he going to abandon Seaside City? Abandon us?”“Was everything he said just a lie?”“Why didn’t he answer the question?”Everyone was doubtful. The moment Stephen left, he hurriedly pulled out his phone to call Simon.Simon had been watching the broadcast, so he knew everything that had happened and even found the situation tricky.Howard had made two major moves. The first was bribing someone to go to the scene and play the recording. Since the scene was broadcast live, many people heard it, and that alone was causing enough trouble.The second was him uploading a video online. The video contained a conversation between Stephen and Dennis, proving that Stephen knew about the situation in Seaside City all along.That video shattered their plan to use a scapegoat! It could even backfire on them and make the consequences more severe!Even though the video was quickly