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Chapter 122
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The Guardian's Return Chapter 123
“Just go. It’s getting late,” Ethan said. Stephen had no memory of how he left the place. He only regained his senses when he felt the cool mountain breeze on his sweaty face. He turned around for a glance at the mansion. An uncontrollable fear flickered in his eyes before he rushed down the hill. On the way back, he could not help but give his father a call. “I offered him money, women, and freedom, but he rejected all of them. He doesn’t want to help.” Simon gasped when he heard the news of Ethan rejecting the offer. “What? Why did he reject you?” “He said he doesn’t need any of those.” “He doesn’t need any of those?” Simon thought he had heard wrong. A man locked up in a mansion on the mountain had no need for money, women, and freedom? He pondered, but he could not figure it out either. He simply thought Ethan was bluffing. However, Ethan’s rejection made things more difficult for Simon, and he could not think of a better solution for the time being. “Go home
The Guardian's Return Chapter 124
Simon never wanted to take that step, but Ethan’s refusal left him no choice. “Dennis has agreed. He will delete the video and take a new one to clarify everything. It might not be as useful as Howard clarifying himself but at least it's something,” Simon said. Upon listening to the good news, Stephen slumped back onto the couch. With the weight lifted off his shoulders, he felt a great relief. He was safe and had overcome the crisis. Once Dennis made the clarification, everything would be better. Stephen also could not believe that his savior would also be his enemy. After Dennis poisoned him and tossed him into the thrash, he had sworn to capture Dennis at all costs, but now he found himself having to rely on the very man for help. He knew that insult would be with him for the rest of his life. Maybe others would believe everything was fake, a prank video just to slander him, but he knew it all really happened. He could fool everyone but not himself. Meanwhile, Simon br
The Guardian's Return Chapter 125
They even had to give Dennis 50 million dollars to release the clarification video. If the truth got out, the Quinns’ reputation would be ruined. Fortunately, only Simon, Stephen, and Dennis knew about it. The only worry the father and son had was Dennis exposing the truth. “Let’s just hope Stephen can be better from now on. If he does a good job, Dennis’ words will no longer matter.” As long as Stephen could produce some results, he would not need to be afraid of criticism. Meanwhile, at the Lowes’ mansion, Stephen went online and noticed the netizen had started scolding Dennis instead of himself. George came over, looking surprised. “Dennis Lewis spoke up to defend you?” It was astonishing. Dennis had caused Stephen a lot of trouble. How could he suddenly speak up to defend Stephen? “That’s because Stephen’s charms and character won him over,” Rachel timidly said. “Hahaha!” Stephen was in a great mood and loved hearing such compliments. He hugged Rachel by the waist
The Guardian's Return Chapter 126
A quick thought later, Stephen came up with an idea. “Aqua City has beautiful aquatic scenery and an abundance of freshwater produce. If the sports games can be held there, the city will see a rise in fame and attract more tourists, local and foreign. “Companies working in the food and beverage industry, especially those specialized in freshwater produce, will seek a collaboration with the event. It will definitely benefit the city.” He was elated. The sports games’ timing was impeccable. “If we can hold some games on the water, the city’s fame will skyrocket!” He rubbed his hands excitedly, already envisioning the city’s future. “Once the city is famous, the GDP will rise!” Stephen immediately contacted the mayor of Aqua City, informing the man of his upcoming visit. The sports game was crucial to Aqua City, and he needed to oversee the plans personally. More importantly, he wanted them to build the event platform directly on the water! Stephen thought. “While the at
The Guardian's Return Chapter 127
“Third time's the charm. I won’t fail again.” Simon nodded and agreed with his son. Besides, how could someone fail at the same job three times in a row? After the call, Stephen wrote a proposal for his plans. The next day, he took a plane to Aqua City, but this time, he came prepared. The mayor welcomed him at the airport and brought him to the hotel. On the way to the hotel, Stephen asked, “How much longer until the sports games?” “One month.” “One month? Hm, it’s short but should be enough,” Stephen muttered to himself. “This is the proposal that I’ve come up with. Have a look.” He handed the mayor the proposal. After going through the details, the mayor frowned. The proposal focused on heavily promoting tourism, building more resorts, opening more bed-and-breakfasts, and even launching some trendy spots. It also included plans to introduce more freshwater species to diversify the local aquatic life and attract more seafood companies to set up shop. Lastly, it sugg
The Guardian's Return Chapter 128
Stephen still could not fully understand Ethan’s plan. The city’s development? They were meant to highlight the city’s beautiful aquatic sceneries and also prevent the landscape from being ruined. After all, if the environment gets destroyed, what good would hotels and resorts be if no tourists came? Limiting the types of aquatic life farmed? It was because the water in the city was only suitable for farming local species. If non-native species were introduced, it would also destroy the local ecosystem, resulting in poor quality and quantity of seafood. Due to that, Ethan also forbade people to release non-native species into the waters of Aqua City. As to limiting other companies from expanding locally? It was because he wanted to protect the forest of the city. Many companies saw the potential in the area’s hydroelectric resources and population. They wanted to set up factories there, where they could dump untreated waste into the rivers and offer jobs to the people. A lot
The Guardian's Return Chapter 129
Stephen noticed the unusual gazes at him and knew the people in the meeting room had opinions about his previous work. Hence, he stood up and said, “I know some of you have a different opinion about me. I totally understand it. I might not be the main cause of the downfall of North Hill City and Seaside City, but I was still involved, and I admit that I didn’t do a good job. “But I ask you to trust me one more time.” The people in the meeting room were shocked. They thought the young man from Metropolis would be an arrogant one, but he spoke politely and seemed to be a rational one. He also sounded sincere, as if he truly wanted to make up for the losses. His tone and attitude made them look at him differently. Maybe Stephen was not all useless; maybe he truly wanted to serve the people and develop the city’s economy. “Alright! We’re at your service!” “I believe you will lead us to new heights!” Stephen’s lips curled into a smile as he announced, “This meeting is held to
The Guardian's Return Chapter 130
Everyone applauded Stephen. His plans seemed perfect. If they followed Stephen’s plan, Aqua City’s GDP would surely rise. Then, someone in the room asked, “There’s still one more month left before the launch, and our construction for the venue is almost done. Are we really moving it to the beach?” Stephen stood firm on his stance. “It has to be on the beach. As for the current construction, we can just tear it down. “With destruction comes creation, right? I’m sure you’ve all heard it before. This sports game is a once-in-a-decade opportunity for us. We cannot afford to miss it. If we capitalize on this, the city’s GDP will rise to four trillion in one year!” Everyone’s eyes lit up. Four trillion was nearly twice the current GDP! If they could make it, Aqua City could be one of the megacities of the country. They could not contain their excitement, fully supporting Stephen’s decision. “Your plan is great!” “Yeah! It’s way better than Ethan’s plans!” “I can already pic
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The Guardian's Return Chapter 890
Simon asked weakly, “Is there really no chance?”Ethan replied calmly, “Figure it out yourselves. This has nothing to do with me.”With those words, Simon’s last hope was completely shattered. His body swayed. He wanted to say many things, but in the end, he could not utter a single word and stood up in a daze.“Sorry for disturbing you.”With that, he turned and slowly left. At that moment, he felt like he aged a lot. Regret filled his heart. If he had known, he would never have provoked Ethan in the first place. He was the one who cut off every retreat and every path to survival.He had doomed himself!As soon as he left the villa, his phone rang. It was a call from his father, Harrison.“Something's happened!” Harrison said anxiously. “Stephen just announced that he’s going to reveal the truth that he deceived everyone! What’s he trying to do? He’s not really going to expose the truth, right?”Simon was silent. He did not expect Stephen to act so quickly. Stephen had just ca
The Guardian's Return Chapter 889
Stephen continued, “I’ve already made up my mind. I just called you to tell you about this. This is my decision. No matter what happens next, don’t try to help me.”Simon was moved. Stephen was telling them to watch as he walked to his death. Simon could not bear it, but the problem was too significant. Refusing would make no difference.In the end, he took a deep breath and said in a low voice, “I understand.”Stephen forced a smile. “Thanks.”The call ended.Simon stood still, holding his phone, lost in thought. In that final moment, Stephen did not seem like a young man, but an elder.“He really has... surpassed me.”Stephen finally had the strength to take over the Quinn family and lead it to glory, but he was going to die. Simon looked up at the sky and could not help but remember the word that Stephen said.“Fate.”What if he took Stephen’s place in death? Could that save him?However, after thinking about it, it was impossible. This whole incident involved Ethan. Ethan
The Guardian's Return Chapter 888
“What?” Simon was shocked.Reveal the truth? How could they do that?Coveting Ethan’s achievements, they wanted to take Riveria from him and claim his victories as their own. They worked with the Lowe family to frame Ethan, erased all his contributions, and painted him as a corrupt official who embezzled money to support his mistresses.Even now, many people still believed them and cursed Ethan online every day.If the truth were exposed, the Quinns would be finished. No one in the Quinns and the Lowes would be able to escape.“Have you gone mad?”Stephen shook his head. “I’m thinking straight. I’ve never been more rational than I am right now. I’ll reveal the truth, but I won’t implicate the Quinns.”He said slowly, “I’ll take all the blame upon myself. The only one who dies will be me.”Simon paled. “No!”Sacrificing Stephen to save the Quinns—he could not accept that!Stephen was the only heir of the Quinn family, and he represented the family’s image. If the public found
The Guardian's Return Chapter 887
A few minutes later, Stephen finally accepted reality and slowly walked out of the washroom.Still feeling lightheaded, he searched through the medicine cabinet, swallowed some fever medicine, and sat on the couch.“I don’t have much time left.”Stephen began executing his final plan. He would take the blame for everything and reveal the truth. Once he did that, Ethan’s name would be cleared, and he would reclaim everything that was rightfully his. The Quinns would also have a chance to survive.The only person who would die was himself.Stephen was afraid of death in the past, but it was different now. He had lost everything. His heart was shattered beyond repair. His heart completely died the moment Snow and Lily walked away from him.Rhys’s experience gave him the courage to face death. They had gone through similar experiences and shared the same fate of death, but Rhys had chosen to meet it head-on.Stephen took out his phone and started drafting his statement. He had to ex
The Guardian's Return Chapter 886
George rushed out upon hearing Rachel’s scream.“There’s a stranger in the house! He’s in the bathroom now!”George grabbed a broom and walked forward nervously. Who would dare to break into the Lowes' house? However, when he saw Stephen’s current appearance, he froze.George was in his fifties and had greying hair and wrinkles while Stephen was only in his twenties. However, Stephen looked even older than him.George rubbed his eyes, thinking they were playing tricks on him. When he opened them again, Stephen still had a head full of white hair.“That’s Stephen?”Behind him, Rachel covered her mouth in shock.The first time she saw Stephen, she had been attracted by his looks. Although he was not as handsome as Ethan, his status as an heir, along with his background and aura, added to his charm.However, that once-dashing Stephen had turned into an old man with white hair and wrinkles. His powerful aura as the heir of the Quinns was completely gone. Now, he no longer looked li
The Guardian's Return Chapter 885
Stephen’s mind went blank. Pleading Ethan to return did not work. He had missed his final opportunity. Ethan no longer cared about Riveria anymore. He was doomed, and so was Riveria. “Enough,” Ethan said. “You can leave. This should be the last time we meet.”After that, Ethan turned around and walked back into the villa. “No!”Stephen scrambled over to Ethan on his hands and knees, trying to grab hold of his thigh. Thud! Ethan’s strength surpassed that of a military expert. Before Stephen could reach him, Ethan kicked him to the ground. Stephen rolled on the floor disgracefully and was covered with dust when he stopped, looking like a beggar on the side of the road. “Please. Give me and Riveria a chance. I’ll tell everyone the truth!”Bang. Only the sound of the door closing slowly responded to him. Stephen crawled up and slumped on the ground. He failed to get Ethan to step in. Even his life was not worth anything now. All of the karma had come to him.Stephen’s b
The Guardian's Return Chapter 884
After waking up from his dream, he must face the fact that they had already left. “I’m fine,” Stephen said weakly. “Please discharge me.”He knew he was not physically sick, but it was his mind that was troubled. Staying in the hospital further was useless. He knew he had more important things to do and that staying would only waste his time.The nurse frowned. “I’ll let them know.”Discharging Stephen from the hospital was not a decision the nurse could make on her own. The doctor arrived and gave Stephen a full-body examination.“You’re in a bad state. We recommend you stay in the hospital and have some rest.”Stephen shook his head. “No.”“But…”“No buts!” Stephen raised his voice, “I don’t have much time left!”After joining the Rhys Festival, learning about Rhys, and hearing that Snow and Lily chose to leave him, he had a dream. In his dream, Rhys said that he had a way to solve the problem and asked him to follow him.Although he could not follow Rhys, Stephen knew tha
The Guardian's Return Chapter 883
Stephen slumped to the ground, the strength drained from his body. Even his consciousness was fading away. Due to a misunderstanding, he lost Snow. For temporary happiness, he had missed Lily. He had been living in pain and regret, always fantasizing about the day he would find the two women, apologize to them properly, and provide them with a happy life. But now, just when he had finally caught a glimpse of them, they slipped away from his fingers. And before he even managed to find them, he was informed of the news that they did not love him anymore. These revelations felt like a thousand knives stabbing directly into Stephen’s heart, so agonizing that he could hardly breathe. It was even worse than death. “How did it end up like this?” Tears streamed down his face as he muttered, “I haven’t found them. I still owe them an apology. Why…” He had lost Snow and Lily forever. They were alive and well, but they no longer had anything to do with him. From now on, they would b
The Guardian's Return Chapter 882
Stephen spun around anxiously, glancing and trying to find the figure of the two women in the crowd. The South Regent and Victor could not help but laugh at the side. “Stop teasing him,” Victor said. Stephen looked at them. “What do you mean?”The South Regent tried to hold back his laughter. “I tricked you. You didn’t run in the wrong direction. We took the boat here.”Stephen glanced at the river and, true enough, saw a small boat. He was in such a rush that he did not notice it. “Where are they?” Stephen could no longer care whether he was tricked. Right now, nothing was more important than finding Snow and Lily. “They left. Duh.” The South Regent said, “The festival is almost over, so they left. Although you didn’t run the wrong way, you were too late.”Stephen yelled, “Impossible!”“It’s true. They left,” Victor added. “Nonsense!” Stephen stood on his tiptoes and scanned his surroundings. “Snow! Lily! Where are you?”Victor shook his head. “Did you really think
