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Chapter 225
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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
The Guardian's Return Chapter 229
“He’s lawless. Why is he still around?”“He should be executed!”“He must be executed!”The outrage spread like wildfire across the Internet. The news was so shocking that, within a day, the entire nation knew about it. Tens of thousands were criticizing Ethan online, except in Riveria. Some within Riveria knew Ethan was truly the Grand Marshal’s mentee, so they went online to defend him. However, it did not take long before they were reported and attacked, with their accounts even banned. Now, the whole Internet believed Ethan was impersonating the Grand Marshal’s mentee!“He’s intentionally sabotaging Riveria.”“A person like that deserves to die!”The rumors spread quickly, reaching those overseas, including Shawn, Brandon, Dennis, and Howard. They found it strange, though. Was Ethan not the Grand Marshal’s mentee? Even Liam’s account was banned, and at that moment, he felt bad for Ethan. Ethan really was the Grand Marshal’s mentee. The man had always been dedicated to R
The Guardian's Return Chapter 230
Everyone listened silently. It felt like they had traveled back twelve years ago and witnessed the chaos in Riveria alongside the Grand Marshal. At that time, the South Regent was still young, and their main enemy were ruthless old-generation men, led by the South Regent’s father. The Grand Marshal had four chances to defeat the South Regent’s father, but each time, something unexpected happened. The first time, chaos broke out within Riveria, and he had to return with his troops. The second time, their enemy’s reinforcements came just in time. The third time, the troop’s commander fell gravely ill just before the operation. The fourth time, he had set fire to the enemy’s camp, and they had no way to escape, but then, a sudden rain extinguished the flames. “It was from that day onward that the Grand Marshal’s health began to fail.” Samuel sighed. The enemy always seemed to have divine intervention on their side, escaping from death time and time again.“In the last three yea
The Guardian's Return Chapter 231
Stephen immediately recognized the golden opportunity. Without wasting a second, he contacted the media to set up a live broadcast to explore the place where the Grand Marshal once lived on the foot of Sky Peak. Soon, they found a cave at the foot of Sky Peak. At the entrance stood a wooden door covered in dust, indicating it had been abandoned for a long time.Stephen pushed the door open, and a musty smell wafted out. He waved his hand around and waited a while before leading everyone inside, where there was electricity, lights, and a fan in the cave, which were all still functional. When the lights turned on, everyone saw the simple structure in the cave. A large table sat in the middle, clearly used for meetings, and a map of Riveria’s surroundings was hung on the wall. What drew everyone’s attention the most was the display beneath the map. A few framed photos sat on a wooden counter, and there, in the center, was a portrait of the late Grand Marshal himself. Seeing the Gra
The Guardian's Return Chapter 232
Ethan was the Grand Marshal’s mysterious mentee!Simon tried to calm himself down and asked Samuel, “Ethan Rivers… Is he the Grand Marshal’s mentee?”He still held a glimmer of hope, wishing the news was false. After all, how could Ethan be the Grand Marshal’s mentee? If it were true, Ethan’s status would be entirely different.The main issue was that everyone had heard of his achievements just now. He avenged the Grand Marshal, chased away the South Regent, and brought peace to the chaotic Riveria. Any of those feats would make him a hero, celebrated across the nation, with promotions and fame awaiting him. However, for unlawfully detaining Ethan, Simon and Stephen would be certain to face severe punishment and perhaps even retribution. Simon kept praying, hoping everything was false and that Ethan was not the Grand Marshal’s mentee. Under his hopeful gaze, Samuel nodded. “Yes, Ethan is the Grand Marshal’s mentee.”Simon’s legs turned weak, and he had to sit down to stop him
The Guardian's Return Chapter 233
Stephen’s flashlight was as bright as the sun, stopping right beside Ethan’s face, blurring his features. Hence, people could only make out his figure. “He looks a little familiar, but I can’t recall where I’ve seen him before.”Many people commented, “Yeah, he looks familiar.”“Where exactly have we seen him before?”“Search the internet! Find any young man that looks similar to this person in the photo!”The internet started searching for the identity of the Grand Marshal’s mysterious mentee. When Stephen saw it, his back was drenched in sweat. In a panic, he dialed Simon’s number. “Dad, someone has posted a recording online, and everyone is looking for Ethan now.”Simon also saw the video online. He immediately ordered the video to be deleted and banned it from being posted online. “They might be searching, but they can’t possibly find Ethan that quickly.” Simon comforted Stephen while also assuring himself. “The people will start with the young and promising individual
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The Guardian's Return Chapter 664
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
The Guardian's Return Chapter 663
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 Guardian's Return Chapter 662
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
The Guardian's Return Chapter 661
"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
The Guardian's Return Chapter 660
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
The Guardian's Return Chapter 659
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
The Guardian's Return Chapter 658
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
The Guardian's Return Chapter 657
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 Guardian's Return Chapter 656
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
