That arrangement was incredibly beneficial to Oliver. "I can also offer you strategies to manage Riveria better."George and Stephen were thrilled. Oliver smiled faintly. He was not going anywhere now that he knew he would be the leading business soon. However, that did not mean that Oliver lacked ambition. He planned to take control of half the power in Aqua City!George had the contract ready, and once Oliver reviewed it to confirm there were no issues, he signed it. "I look forward to working with you," Oliver said as he shook hands with George. Seeing that Oliver was willing to help them, Stephen breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed like the chaos in Aqua City would soon come to an end.Oliver noticed the look of relief on Stephen's face, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Stephen, I have some news for you. It's about Snow."Stephen's body stiffened. "Wait, do you know where Snow is?" Stephen asked.Now that he had lost direct control over Riveria,
With Oliver's intervention, Aqua City's situation finally stabilized. The economic losses had finally been calculated. What was once a GDP of 2.3 trillion was now down to just 500 billion, meaning it was a 1.8 trillion loss! Stephen and George's faces went pale. Aqua City was done for. Even if they had decided to back Oliver, Aqua City would need several years to fully recover, and it was years they simply did not have. Even then, it would only be a recovery. Aqua City would not be able to surpass its previous state. George sighed as he looked at Stephen. "Look at what you've done." Stephen was helpless. "I didn't know things would turn out like this either. I didn't expect everyone to oppose my decision this much." Stephen thought that everyone would be happy to go into more industrial development. George replied, "You didn’t give people time to prepare. You were cutting off their income streams. Of course, they had a problem with it. " Seven days later, Oliver's plan
Stephen pondered for a moment. The situation was different now. It was no longer the Lowes relying on him and the Quinns to join the cabinet but him relying on the Lowes. That was why he had to apologize! If he did not, and the Lowes succeeded in developing Riveria, they might call off the engagement with the Quinns. By then, the Quinns would be left with nothing! After taking a deep breath, Stephen decided to apologize to Rachel. He could not gamble with his future!Soon, the Lowes’ residence appeared before Stephen. When he entered, he saw Rachel sitting on the living room couch, scrolling through her phone.Stephen walked over and said softly, "Rachel."Rachel raised her head to look at Stephen briefly but immediately ignored him. Her heart had been shattered. She had done so much for Stephen, but he ended up hitting and yelling at her. If it were for a woman more impressive than her, she would have accepted it, but it had to be Snow. Whether it was her looks or figure, h
However, Rachel knew that Ethan could not return. First of all, the Quinns would not allow it, but even if he could return, the consequences would be serious.Ethan would definitely expose the truth, and then both the Lowes and Quinns would get caught in a whirlwind of public scrutiny, especially Rachel, who reported Ethan back then. Rachel said, "Fine, I'll give you a little more time and another chance. Don't disappoint me again." Only then did Stephen look up. "Thank you." Though they were technically still engaged to be married, their interaction felt more like that of two strangers. Once back in his room, Stephen sunk into bed, feeling drained. He wished Snow was still by his side. At least then, he would have someone to comfort and encourage him. However, just thinking about Snow made his heart ache. If he had not hurt Snow, she would not have left him. At the thought of Snow, the weariness that had been weighing on him now felt more than physical; it was as if his ver
Rachel's efforts could not be denied. Stephen stood frozen in place, surprised that Rachel had done so much for him. What had he done? He had only hit and insulted her. Even his attempts to apologize felt hollow, lacking any real sincerity.He felt an overwhelming sense of guilt, and as if that was not enough, the memory of Snow’s sacrifices resurfaced, reminding him that he had hurt her too. Stephen felt like his heart was being ripped apart. The pain was unbearable.Disappointed in him, Rachel said, "I'm not feeling well. You should leave."Stephen wanted to say something, but she added, sounding a little impatient, "Just go." Left with no choice, Stephen quietly left the room, heading to find another room for himself. However, as he lay in bed, sleep would not come. Every time he closed his eyes, all he could see was Snow's sobbing face and the look of disbelief on Rachel after he slapped her. He wished he could slap himself in return. The next morning, Stephen dragged
"South Regent, we meet again.""Oh?" The South Regent scanned Ethan from head to toe, but he could tell at a glance that Ethan possessed an extraordinary presence—just as commanding as the late Grand Marshal. "Isn't this our first time meeting each other?" Ethan replied calmly, "Seven days ago, I met you with my mentor." The South Regent chuckled. "I see, but someone as insignificant as you is hardly worth remembering. A dead man wouldn’t remember much, anyway." The South Regent's smile immediately froze. That was the first time someone had dared to talk to him like that, throwing his insults back at him. "How impudent!" his guard beside him shouted, his hand already gripping the riffle as if he would pull the trigger on Ethan at any moment. "Wait." The South Regent stopped the guard. Then, he turned his cold, piercing gaze back to Ethan. "You're the Grand Marshal's mentee, and today marks three days of his passing. Also, I've just claimed the title of South Regent, so
As long as the South Regent could get a hold of those people, it would mean he had something against his enemies. Even if they wanted to do something, they would have to think twice. Although that would not guarantee his position as the South Regent, it could buy him lots of time. The South Regent was tempted, but he knew better than to agree with Ethan. The more chaotic Riveria was, the better it was for him. If he were to send troops to help Riveria, it would not be easy for him to take over Riveria in the future. The South Regent sighed. "I wish I could help, but your mentor killed so many of my people. If it weren't for him, I would've helped you."In this situation, you’ve played yourselves right into a corner."He wanted to shift the blame onto Ethan’s former mentor for not being able to send troops to the Grand Marshal, hoping to make Ethan hate the man. However, all Ethan did was smile. For some reason, the smile unsettled the South Regent. "Actually, if you hadn't lo
The South Regent studied Ethan's face, trying to determine if he was telling the truth.After a moment, he realized that Ethan remained perfectly calm.The South Regent sat back down, trembling. "I think the Grand Marshal, my enemies in Riveria, and everyone who dislikes me combined are nowhere as terrifying as you.""Thank you for the compliment," Ethan said. "You just need to send the people to the foot of Sky Peak. I'll take over from there."With that, Ethan turned and left, quickly disappearing from sight.The South Regent stared blankly as Ethan departed. Even though he had become a king and his greatest enemy was dead, he did not feel happy at all.After all, a more formidable opponent had now arrived."Your Highness, do we really have to agree to his demands?" asked the man who had previously pointed a gun at Ethan.The South Regent nodded. "I can't refuse the conditions he's offered."He then glanced at the man and said, "You should go to Riveria too."The man was st
Stephen pushed his hand away. "You don't understand.""No, I understand perfectly." The man's weathered face showed no emotion, but his words stopped Stephen in his tracks."I lost my wife in a car accident, and my child to a terminal illness. Yet here I am, year after year, each difficult, but still getting by."After that, he turned and left, leaving Stephen staring at his back.While Stephen was still lost in thought, the funeral began.Everyone gathered in the cemetery to watch as "Lily's ashes" were lowered into the ground. Many people began crying softly. Stephen stood at the front, holding a white rose. Though silent, his eyes were red, tears threatening to fall.After the ground was filled in and people began laying down roses, Stephen spotted a familiar face in the crowd. It was Ethan!Stephen stopped in his steps, wondering why Ethan was there. After all, the man had no connection to the Fords.After Ethan laid down his rose, Stephen quickly caught up to him as he was
Seeing him silent with his head bowed, no one else approached to speak with him.Meanwhile, in a distant room, Ethan took a sip from his teacup, sampling the supposedly premium tea from an elite family. Finding it rather ordinary, he set down the cup and asked softly, "You don't want to see him?"Beside him, Lily gently shook her head."No."After experiencing death, she gained clarity about many things. The current situation could not be changed by her wishes alone.Stephen was not the head of the Quinn family, just as Jason was not yet the head of the Fords. They all had to mind their families' opinions and follow their orders.That was why meeting Stephen now would not change anything; it would only create more problems. Besides… "I have more important things to do now."She glanced sideways at a young woman standing nearby. It was Snow.Ethan had brought Snow there to show Lily another world. Born into the Ford family, Lily had grown up wealthy and privileged, thinking
The next day, Stephen, Simon, and Rachel went to the Fords’ residence for the funeral.The Fords’ mansion was packed that day, with representatives from various families. Many business executives and celebrities were in attendance too. Some of them had red, swollen eyes, clearly devastated by Lily's death. However, the moment Stephen appeared, all eyes turned to him.Everyone present was influential and knew about Stephen's relationship with Lily. They had grown up as childhood friends, and everyone remembered Lily always saying she wanted to marry Stephen one day.When they saw Stephen's graying hair, everyone was stunned, and a shiver ran down their spines.Just six months ago, Stephen had jet-black hair and was an air of confidence. He was the epitome of a young business prodigy, admired by every up-and-coming member of elite families and companies. Now, however, his hair was gray, his energy completely drained, and he walked with a slight stoop. He hardly looked like the youn
"Don't be nervous," Ethan said. "What I need you to do is simple. All you need to do is say one sentence."Simon felt increasingly uneasy. "What is it?""Tell the Fords that the Quinns unconditionally support all of Jason Ford's decisions."Simon slammed his hands on the table with a bang. "You–"That would pit him against the Fords!Now that Lily had been rescued, Jason would certainly oppose some of the Fords’ decisions. When that happened, the family would pressure Jason. If Simon publicly stood with Jason on behalf of the Quinns, it would mean openly opposing the Fords. Although both Jason and Lily would be safe that way, the Fords would hold a grudge against the Quinns until Jason became the head of the family. Moreover, once Jason became the head of the family, his gratitude would be for Ethan, not Simon or the Quinns. After all, it was Ethan who saved Lily and sent the Quinns to help.If Stephen found out that Lily was still alive and that Simon knew yet secretly support
Should he tell Stephen the truth? If he blurted it out and Stephen learned that Ethan saved Lily, he might side with Ethan just like Jason. Most importantly, Stephen was the future head of the Quinns. If Stephen really lowered his head to Ethan, it meant Ethan could control the Quinns in the future!Should he hide the truth from Stephen and use the time and opportunity to shower him with love and care?Still, he could not hide this forever. The longer he kept it from Stephen, the more intense Stephen’s reaction would be when he knew the truth. At that time, he might still choose to side with Ethan. Simon had been through many storms and made many important decisions in critical situations, but at this moment, faced with two choices, he could not choose either. To tell or not to tell—neither would work, and he was stuck in the middle. The final winner would still be Ethan. Ethan was imprisoned in the mansion on Drakthorn Ridge, but he still had everything in control!Simon as
He really could not figure out Ethan’s thoughts. However, if Ethan truly wanted to turn Stephen against the Quinns, Stephen might indeed be used or manipulated after everything he had been through, especially with what happened with Lily. Compared to Scott and Cora, the contrast was enough to make him detest his family and the power struggles even more.“By the way,” Ethan said while he put his phone on the table and pushed it forward to Simon, “I want you to see something.”Simon frowned. “What?” He took the phone, not really bothered about what Ethan wanted him to see. He merely wanted to delete the recording immediately. However, the moment he picked up the phone, Simon froze on the spot, and color instantly drained from his face. Despite having weathered countless storms, he could not help but tremble uncontrollably now.He nearly dropped the phone, and his breath became rushed and erratic as if he had seen a ghost!He saw a photo that had been taken that afternoon. There w
Scott and Cora were safe and sound, and their child was even old enough to walk now. But Stephen and Lily?Lily committed suicide by poisoning herself, and Stephen’s hair turned gray overnight, making him look haggard and miserable. “Ethan! Him again!”Because of his existence, Scott and Cora were able to escape danger while Stephen and Lily must be separated by life and death just because they did not receive help. Simon immediately took a car to Drakthorn Ridge. He wanted answers from Ethan. Why did Ethan not help when Lily died on Drakthorn Ridge?Soon, Simon arrived at Ethan’s mansion. “Ethan, get out here!” Simon did not see Ethan and yelled in the living room. “Just because your son is incompetent, you came here to throw a tantrum at me?” Ethan’s voice rang out behind him. Simon turned around sharply and saw Ethan slowly walking in. Sunlight shone on him, making Simon hesitate to look directly at Ethan. He immediately asked, “Did you know Lily died on Drakthorn Rid
Upon hearing that Stephen’s hair had turned gray out of the blue, Simon hurriedly boarded a plane to the capital. Soon, he saw Stephen, who was lying on the hospital bed. His originally jet-black hair was now mixed with many gray strands. Simon felt distressed and quickly asked the specialists, “What happened? Is this some kind of disease?”Dr. Moore nervously asked, “Have there been similar situations in the family history?”Simon shook his head. “If it’s not a hereditary disease, the gray hair could only be due to overwhelming stress, an emotional breakdown, or heartbreak.”Heartbreak? Simon thought of Lily’s death. He knew Stephen still maintained a great relationship with Lily. They had been playmates since they were young, true childhood sweethearts, and Lily had even said she wanted to marry Stephen as a child. Now that Lily had poisoned herself to death, it must have been a huge blow to Stephen. “Give him a prescription for treatment.” Simon said, “Money is not an iss
The next morning, Scott and Cora brought their child up the mountain again. They heard that someone had died on Drakthorn Ridge, so they hurriedly brought paraphernalia that could ward off evil and misfortune. Cora was cleaning the house for Ethan, saying she wanted to chase away all the filth and bad energy, while Scott walked around, spraying holy water, and vigorously scrubbed the path in front of the mansion. Just as the two were busy, Stephen walked down from the mountain, staggering and unsteady. When Scott, who was cleaning the path, saw him, he was shocked. At this moment, Stephen was pale, and his hair had turned gray, making him appear like a dying man.“Hey, are you okay?” Scott quickly went to support him. “Is everything alright?”He shouted toward the mansion, “Honey! Can you bring a glass of water? Hurry!”“What’s up?” Cora hurriedly came out with a jug of water. “Coming!”When she saw Stephen, she was also stunned. “Did you lose your way in Drakthorn Ridge? How