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Chapter 220
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The Guardian's Return Chapter 221
Stephen pulled out his phone to call the mayor, James. The call got through immediately. “Do you know what happened?” James knew exactly what had happened because he had ordered his assistant, Tommy, to abduct Richard. As a matter of fact, Tommy simply carried out his task without understanding its essence. It was the mayor who had told him to meet the factory owner. Then, the South Regent’s men shoved Richard into the trunk without Tommy’s knowledge. The mayor had simply told the assistant to drive out of the city. With that, Richard was whisked out of the city without any hassle. James feigned ignorance and asked, “What?” “Your assistant, Tommy… He kidnapped Richard!” “What?! How? Why would he do something like that? We must go after him right away!” James said in a shocked tone. When Tommy came back in another car, he had driven straight into the surveillance zone and roadblocks, hence his immediate apprehension. He was still confused when the police took him.
The Guardian's Return Chapter 222
The South Regent did not plan to explain himself either. He said, “In three days, I want to see a hundred billion. If there’s no money, you can take his body back.” The phone call ended. George fell on the couch, feeling drained and exhausted. The South Regent had joined the fray and was demanding a hundred billion, which was an astronomical figure. On top of that, Celestial City was facing another crisis as well—the departure of the major companies. The city’s GDP would decline with their absence, and following the abduction of Richard, fewer people would want to expand their businesses locally. George originally planned for foreign companies to fill in the positions of those who departed, but the South Regent had taken Richard. If the news got out, no other companies would come and the remaining local companies would be terrified. No one wanted to be abducted by the South Regent! George did not see this coming at all. “What should we do now?” His forehead was glisteni
The Guardian's Return Chapter 223
“I am not familiar with Riveria from three years ago. I should ask someone who knows better.” Stephen thought of George who had been living in Riveria and should know the truth about the South Regent’s defeat. He went looking for George immediately. “Three years ago, who defeated the South Regent?” The question made George ponder for a moment. “To be honest, I don’t really know. I just know that the South Regent left overnight. I also know that it is related to Ethan.” With the Grand Marshal in power, George never really cared about Riveria back then. After the Grand Marshal passed away, Ethan took over, so he continued his carefree life. He lived happily and peacefully for three years. As for why the South Regent retreated overnight, he only heard rumors about it. Stephen frowned. “Is this also related to Ethan?” Three years ago, Ethan was the one who had brought peace to Riveria. “Could Ethan be the Grand Marshal’s student?” However, Stephen quickly shook his head t
The Guardian's Return Chapter 224
Stephen looked around but did not spot a third person. He ultimately pulled his attention back to Ethan. “Don’t tell me you are the one who brought peace to Riveria three years ago. Hahaha, your tricks won’t work on me anymore. Go find someone else. I’ve already figured out the truth.” Stephen sat down on the opposite couch. “After the Grand Marshal passed away, his student took over his duties and brought peace to Riveria. But he got tired of everything and decided to step down. Then he saw you, an orphan with nothing. He took pity on you and gave you all the credit, allowing you to join the Quinns and have a new identity. Am I right?” He looked at Ethan, hoping to spot shock or other expression, but all he saw was a smile. No shock, no surprise, only a smile meant for idiots. “Your story is much more interesting than life. Too bad it’s fictional. The student that you are looking for and the orphan is the same person—me,” Ethan said. “Impossible!” Stephen refused to be
The Guardian's Return Chapter 225
Samuel was in Metropolis! Three years ago, he got hurt on the battlefield and was forced to retire to recover. “He’s in Metropolis. Why are you looking for him? I’ll meet him instead,” Simon said. Stephen said, “I want to ask him about the student’s location… the student of the Grand Marshal.” Simon immediately understood the assignment. He hung up the phone and went looking for Samuel. In a massive courtyard house, Simon met Samuel who had silver hair and a scrawny figure. Many years of war had taken a toll on his body, leaving him with countless scars and illnesses. He was only in his early 60s but looked twice as old. Samuel was surprised to see Simon. He got up and said, “I didn’t know you were coming. Please forgive me for not welcoming you properly.” “It’s totally fine.” Even Simon dared not ask the man to officially welcome him. Samuel was one of the Grand Marshal’s right-hand men and a general himself. He had three sons, two of whom had died on the battlefield
The Guardian's Return Chapter 226
Stephen could not help but laugh. Meanwhile, Ethan picked up a pen and paper and wrote a letter. The content was simple. He did not ask the South Regent to release the hostage. Instead, it said, “I will no longer intervene with the affairs of Riveria.”He said he would not care about Riveria anymore, and he meant it. He had managed Riveria for three years, turning it from a poor province to one of the richest in the country. He had done more than enough. Whether Riveria prospered or declined in the future had nothing to do with him. It was all in fate’s hands now. Before long, Stephen arrived.“Where is it?” He walked in and slammed his hands on Ethan’s table, saying, “Where’s the letter my senior gave you?”Ethan tossed the letter in front of Stephen. “Hmph.” Stephen held the letter smugly. “You didn’t expect it, huh? Even without your help, we managed to contact that senior. Now that I have the letter from him agreeing to help us, what are your thoughts?“Are you regret
The Guardian's Return Chapter 227
The South Regent was frozen with fear, and his legs turned to jelly. The mistakes Ethan pointed out were things he did not even consider. His face was drenched in cold sweat. At that moment, he was utterly convinced of his defeat!… The memory of it still sent chills down the South Regent’s back. He quickly grabbed Richard and rushed to the foot of Sky Peak. Half a day later, the South Regent finally met with Stephen. “Release the hostage!” Stephen said. The South Regent’s voice was low. “Let me see the letter first. I will only release the hostage after confirming it’s from him.”“Fine!”Fearless, Stephen handed the letter to the South Regent. After all, it was a letter that Samuel had begged the Grand Marshal’s mentee to write. Why would the mentee betray him?The South Regent took the letter and read the one sentence on the envelope: To the South Regent. He knew that handwriting all too well. It was unmistakably Ethan’s!The South Regent’s ears rang. Could it be tha
The Guardian's Return Chapter 228
“There’s only one letter, and it’s in your hands.”“Bullshit!” Stephen could not take it anymore. “We’re trying to rescue someone! How could you give me a fake letter at this crucial moment? “Are you trying to get us killed? I know you’re angry with us, but I didn’t think you’d be so despicable and evil. Not only are you trying to kill me and Richard, but you also want to destroy Celestial City and Riveria! “You’ve betrayed the Grand Marshal’s mentee’s trust! It’s ridiculous. How could you even think of doing this?” Stephen’s fury only grew as he demanded answers. Ethan listened quietly, waiting for Stephen to finish before asking, “Do you have anything else to add?”“How can you be so calm now? You’re worse than scum!”Ethan said calmly, “Of course, I’m calm. That’s because I am the mentee you’re talking about.”“Ha! Yeah, right. You? You’re nothing but a fraud! I’ll give you one last chance. Give me the letter!”Stephen was boiling with rage. Richard was kidnapped under hi
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The Guardian's Return Chapter 817
Hugo waited until Natalie fell asleep before leaving the hospital ward with the South Regent. He said in a low voice, “Please take me to see Mr. Rivers.”From that moment onward, he also addressed Ethan as Mr. Rivers.Ethan did not only save his life but also Natalie’s. He would repay that debt with his life.“Are you sure?” the South Regent asked. “If you take Natalie and her grandfather back to Metropolis now, you can stay out of all of this.”Natalie’s grandfather’s health had also stabilized after treatment.If Hugo wished, he could take them back to Metropolis, where the medical treatments were better. Furthermore, Hugo had worked as a psychologist for many years and even treated Stephen, so he had saved up over a million dollars.If he managed his finances well, he would not become rich, but it was enough for Natalie to grow up safe and healthy and ensure that her grandfather retired peacefully.Hugo did not hesitate. “I’ve made up my mind.”He played a part in how things
The Guardian's Return Chapter 816
“Stephen has always lived in Riveria. He is the Grand Marshal’s sole mentee and the one who brought three years of peace to Riveria. Ethan is a corrupt criminal.”Scrolling further down, there was also an apology video from Stephen. He claimed that the statement was true and expressed regret that he caused an outcry and wasted public resources.Hugo fell completely silent after watching it.How could this be? Others might not know whether Stephen truly was the Grand Marshal’s mentee or not, but he did.Victor had told him about Ethan’s achievements. Even assassins feared Ethan. Stephen had also admitted in front of him who Ethan really was.Only Ethan could save Riveria.In the past, Hugo thought that Stephen was just being misled and used, which was why he wanted to help him.However, now, Stephen insisted that he was the Grand Marshal’s mentee and that he was the one who had managed Riveria in the past.As a psychologist, Hugo could tell from Stephen’s expressions in the vide
The Guardian's Return Chapter 815
The doctors told Hugo what happened.“Back then, you had already lost too much blood. You’re lucky that there was a young man with the same blood type as you when you were brought in, so he gave you a transfusion. Then, our family head sent us to take care of you. If not for our excellent medical skills, you probably wouldn’t have woken up.”Hugo was confused. “Family head? Did Simon send you?”The two doctors suddenly froze, their expressions turning dark.“Watch what you say. Simon didn’t send us. Ugh!”They were so angry that they stopped the examination.Hugo was stunned at the sudden change in their attitude. They were not sent by Simon? Furthermore, why did they react so strongly to the mention of Simon’s name? If not Simon, who else could be the ‘family head’?“Who sent you?” Hugo asked in confusion.“We’re from the Ledger family,” the doctor said coldly. “Who’s Simon? We don’t know him. Don’t lump us in with that filth.”“Huh?” Hugo was still bewildered. “The Ledger fa
The Guardian's Return Chapter 814
Tyler frowned. “What happened?”“It’s about Riveria.” Nolan handed his phone to Tyler. “Simon and Stephen have completely lost all shame. I can’t believe they said something like this.”After reading the news, Tyler’s expression darkened. “Although I know they’re shameless, I still underestimated them.”In the past, they had slandered Ethan and stole his achievements. Now, after being exposed, they fabricated evidence and worked with headquarters to deceive the public.“Tyler, what should we do?” Nolan asked. “I can’t stand by while they slander Mr. Rivers like this.”Tyler said, “Let me think.”To them, Ethan was their savior. Without Ethan, the Spencers would never have made it out of Riveria alive. It was thanks to Ethan stepping in that they had a chance to start over.However, Simon was shamelessly going further to distort the truth and rewrite history. They could not watch this happen. The truth had to be exposed!A moment later, Tyler said in a low voice, “Let’s go to Ri
The Guardian's Return Chapter 813
The netizens had mostly been deceived by the internet trolls.When they saw Simon and headquarters both speaking out, they fully believed that Stephen was innocent and that everything was part of Leo and Ethan’s schemes. Even the few who had firmly believed in Ethan began to doubt themselves.Online, the uproar gradually died down. At that moment, Simon took the next step! He had someone publish the recording of the gala and instructed the trolls to guide the audience in revisiting the highlights.With that, both he and Stephen were completely safe.When people reviewed the gala recording, it also boosted Riveria’s popularity. It was killing multiple birds with one stone!Simon did not rest. Instead, he took the official statement and the trending discussions online and headed to the jail to meet Leo.“Has he confessed yet?” Simon asked the staff.After Leo was imprisoned, he had been questioned who the mastermind behind this was.“No. He keeps saying there’s no mastermind.”S
The Guardian's Return Chapter 812
“Yeah. I’m from Breeze City. If Stephen is driven away by all your insults, what are we supposed to do?”“All this is part of Ethan’s scheme. He’s deliberately trying to frame Stephen!”This was the next phase of their attack. They accused everyone of being too extreme and then created a victim narrative to gain sympathy. Finally, they flipped the story. Stephen was the pure-hearted and selfless one while Ethan was the true villain!While the internet was being flooded with manipulated narratives, Simon was not idle either. He felt that fabricating transaction records and hiring internet trolls alone was not enough. Ne needed more fabricated evidence.Thus, he had several people in Riveria publicly claim that Stephen had been the one managing Riveria all along.Ethan Rivers? Never heard of him!After a day of work, Simon was drenched in sweat. He felt his heart pound as if it might leap out of his throat.After all, he had not rested properly for days because of the gala. Furthe
The Guardian's Return Chapter 811
Simon stayed up all night thinking.The next morning, a little after 6 a.m., he called someone to forge records that Stephen had lived in Riveria before.At the gala, someone had questioned whether Stephen really was the Grand Marshal’s mentee. His response at that time was that Stephen had always lived in Riveria.Now, he had to fabricate those records as soon as possible and release them publicly. Protecting Stephen’s identity as ‘the Grand Marshal’s sole heir’ was extremely important. As long as that narrative was maintained, it would minimize suspicions from others.“But that’s not enough.”Simon continued to take action and hired internet trolls. Since he could not suppress the public’s interest, he personally intervened and made the trolls comment that Stephen was the one in charge of Riveria while Ethan was a corrupt criminal and that Leo was spewing nonsense!As soon as the money was paid, the trolls began their work.“You guys say that Ethan was the one in charge of Riv
The Guardian's Return Chapter 810
However, the event was quickly losing steam! Leo had shifted everyone’s attention away, and people were more curious about Ethan and Stephen’s true identities. The whole internet buzzed with discussions, and many were engaged in fierce arguments. Even if Simon tried to suppress the controversy, it was nearly impossible to stop it. Quite a few people were even starting to leave the event. Many planned to stay in Breeze City for a few days and tour the city, but after experiencing the incident, they no longer trusted Simon. Therefore, they changed their plans and decided to leave the next day!By the time the event ended at 1 a.m., the audience present had dropped to less than half of the original count. When Simon and Stephen took the stage and saw the half-empty seats, they felt dispirited. The celebrities and singers who attended the event could also barely manage a smile. They regretted coming. The scandal surrounding Stephen’s real identity could easily engulf them, and the l
The Guardian's Return Chapter 809
Stephen immediately raised his head and asked, “Where is she?”Simon fell silent. He had no idea where Lily was. Perhaps only Ethan would know her whereabouts, and he did not know how to answer Stephen. Stephen frowned as he waited for a response. “What’s wrong? Didn’t you say she’s alive? Why don’t you tell me where she is?”Simon took a deep breath. “It might not be the best time to tell you now.”He still tried to brush it off. “What do you mean?” Stephen was getting anxious. “Do you want me to get on my knees and beg you? Don’t you know how important she is to me?” Stephen pointed at his gray hair. “I want to see her again so badly.”As Simon lowered his head, looking conflicted, Stephen fell to his knees with a bam. “What are you doing?” Simon exclaimed and quickly pulled him up. At that point, he realized that he could not hide it anymore. He did not want to say that Ethan saved Lily, but only Ethan knew where she was now. Even if he wanted to lie, he could not. W
