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Chapter 22
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
The Guardian's Return Chapter 23
"What's wrong?"Stephen noticed George's unusual reaction, so he curiously took the document for a quick look.Instantly, he too was dumbfounded. They were bank transaction records showing Ethan's payments to the widows and the widows' spending habits!Every month, Ethan had been transferring between 80 to 100 thousand dollars to each family, plus the annual tuition of 200 thousand dollars, without fail!In other words, Ethan gave each family nearly 1.5 million dollars yearly, which was just for one family. There were seventy to eighty families there, meaning the total amount added to at least 105 million dollars!"105 million!”"105 million dollars every year!"For a moment, George could barely breathe as he was overwhelmed by that astronomical figure.Stephen's jaw dropped, and for a moment, he was lost for words. His earlier comment on how much Ethan could afford to give now felt like a boomerang that had circled back to smack him right in the face. The embarrassment stung b
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Guardian's Return Chapter 24
If Ethan were to vie for George’s position as governor, that would be unacceptable Luckily, George had discovered Ethan’s intentions quickly and acted even faster. He had nipped Ethan’s aspirations in the bud!"I’ve really underestimated him. Who would have thought he had such a strong ability to win people over?"George sat on the sofa and took a sip of his coffee, which calmed him down a little."What does Ethan Rivers have to do with Riveria's success? It's all thanks to my wise leadership. Without me, Riveria would have fallen into chaos."Not long after, Stephen returned, bringing some important news he had uncovered."I've made some big discoveries," he told George. "I found out that Ethan owns more than ten properties in Horizon Heights, among which are eight villas.""Oh?" George perked up immediately.More than ten properties, among which were eight villas, was no small number. Although Horizon Heights was not the most luxurious community in Riveria, it was by no mean
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Guardian's Return Chapter 25
“Especially when he’s lying on a mountain of money. How can we let someone like this stay in power?"He'll eventually bring Riveria to ruins!"Several officials nodded in agreement, finding what Stephen said was spot on.Stephen led the rest to the front of a villa that was one of Ethan's properties. Though uninhabited, it was clean and tidy, indicating that someone frequently maintained it.He made a call, summoning the community manager to open the door. Seeing it was an official visit, the manager had no choice but to comply.“Click.”As the door opened, the scene inside left everyone stunned. The villa was completely devoid of furniture. Instead, it was filled with suitcases! Every space was packed with suitcases, leaving only narrow pathways to walk through."My God."Several officials felt dizzy. How much money could there be if all those suitcases were packed with hundred-dollar bills? Could the amount even be counted?"This isn't just corruption. It's mega-corruption!"
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Guardian's Return Chapter 26
The bank employee nodded and slowly opened the envelope with his white-gloved hands. There were no money or gold bars inside, just a letter. The handwriting was not particularly beautiful, but it was neat and looked written with care.The employee subconsciously read it aloud, "Dear Mr. Rivers, hello. I'm thirteen years old this year. Our teacher told us that you built our school, provided us with delicious meals, and even prepared clothes for everyone…”The smile on Stephen's face faded, and the officials around also looked shocked."A thank-you letter?"Stephen snapped out of his daze and rushed forward, grabbing the letter to examine it carefully. It really was a thank-you letter!"Impossible!"He hurriedly tore open other envelopes."Thank you, Mr. Rivers. Our family has finally moved on from the earthquake. My sister has started smiling again and often mentions you…”"Respected Mr. Rivers…”"Thank you…”Each envelope contained a letter, and every letter was a note of gra
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Guardian's Return Chapter 27
“Would someone like Ethan be involved in corruption?""Why would he?""If a person of his status and prestige so much as mentioned he was short on cash, people would probably line up to give him money?"Stephen felt dizzy listening to those comments."How could this be? How could none of these suitcases be filled with money?"He simply could not believe that what they found were thank-you letters.While he was grappling with his confusion, another official came running from outside, shouting, "We've made a new discovery at one of the other villas."Stephen's eyes immediately lit up, like a drowning man grasping at straws."What discoveries? Did you find money?"The official was taken aback, not expecting such a strong reaction from Stephen, but he replied, "Not money. They're letters from readers and viewers."Stephen was dumbfounded. "Readers? Viewers?"What was all that about? The thank-you letters were already pretty bizarre, but now there were readers and viewers too?T
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Guardian's Return Chapter 28
“After all the sacrifices, the sleepless nights, and the dedication, how could someone like Ethan end up in prison? How is this fair?""Should we take this as a warning sign? Should we start thinking about quitting our jobs and going back to simpler lives?"If Ethan, who had done so much good, could be arrested, they feared an even worse fate if they did not pack up and resign!At that thought, many of the officials could feel their convictions wavering. Living an ordinary life would surely be better than spending the rest of their lives in prison.Having heard those comments, Stephen panicked and shouted, "Shut up, all of you! This is nonsense."Ethan's imprisonment is based on solid evidence."Someone asked quietly, "Then where's the evidence?"Stephen fell silent. He was left exposed and speechless. He realized he had been too hasty. If the investigation had been more thorough, this would not have happened.Suddenly, he remembered something crucial. When they started searc
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Guardian's Return Chapter 29
"Hello?” George was in quite a good mood. The situation had caught the federal government's attention, and there was talk about an investigation. If the situation proved true, not only would Ethan face punishment, but they would also be rewarded.That was perfect. Not only would it boost his presence in the federal government, potentially paving the way for a future cabinet position, but he could also gain nationwide recognition. It was a win-win situation with no downsides!"George, we have a problem!" Stephen was frantic. "A big problem!"The smile vanished from George's face. "What problem?" He was puzzled. Stephen was supposed to be opening the suitcases to check Ethan's embezzled funds, so why was there suddenly bad news?"Did Ethan have an accomplice who burned all the money? Or did someone help Ethan escape?"Stephen said, "It’s neither of those."George breathed a sigh of relief. "Then why panic? As long as we have Ethan, there's nothing to worry about.""There's no
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Guardian's Return Chapter 30
The reporter picked up the letter, initially puzzled about why he was being asked to read it. How could a single letter answer anything? However, as he read the contents, he felt a shock run through his body, and his eyes widened in surprise. "A thank-you letter? And it's addressed to Ethan Rivers?"His gaze shifted to the suitcases and he quickly crouched down to search through them. To his astonishment, he found that every single letter was a thank-you note from someone."No need to keep looking," said a bank employee standing nearby. "There are eighty-seven suitcases here, and each one is filled to the brim with thank-you letters."The reporter froze as realization dawned on him. Ethan Rivers was not a corrupt official! On the contrary, he was a great man who had helped countless people, so much so that thank-you letters filled an entire villa."Ethan owns over a dozen properties in this neighborhood, all filled with suitcases containing these letters."The reporter gulped,
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
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The Guardian's Return Chapter 524
“No!” Charles’ face paled. He pulled his phone out to call for help, but then his mother, Jessica, said, “You don’t need to call for help.” She had been fighting her illness for years and should have died a long time ago. It was Ethan’s subsidy and health insurance that helped her to stay alive, and after what happened, she believed she was the reason her son became twisted. She felt guilty, not just toward Ethan, but also toward her husband and their son. Years of pain and the burden she placed on her family had worn her down. She could not go on any longer. Maybe, just maybe, her death could help Charles find his way back.“I know what’s going on with my body,” she said, her voice strained and labored. “Son, I’ve hurt you enough. I’m so sorry. I will no longer be your burden. If you can, turn yourself in. You’re on your own now. We will always love you.” Charles teared up, his body shaking. He did not understand. He had worked so hard and taken so many risks, all to make s
The Guardian's Return Chapter 523
Was Ethan more important than their own son? Stephen said, “I understand. Please get up. Ethan Rivers has been accused of bribery, and it puts me in a tough spot.” Xavier argued, “He’s not capable of that! He has been fixing roads, as well as repairing hospitals and schools. He even used his own money to send other people’s children to school! Why would he take bribes?” Riveria used to be in chaos, and education was scarce. The adults in the family would rather keep their children at home to work than send them to school for education. Ethan then used his personal money to send every child to school, paying the families a stipend of 500 dollars a month. The children could also enjoy free lunches at schools, which drastically improved both attendance rates and nutrition levels in the region.Stephen said with gritted teeth, “It’s bribery! I don’t need you to tell me what he did!” He dared not look them in the eyes, so he quickly called security to send them off. After they
The Guardian's Return Chapter 522
A while later, Charles, who was enjoying his spa and massage with several other business owners, got a call from the hospital that his parents had discharged themselves. The delight on his face disappeared. Why would his parents leave the hospital? He quickly called his father but could not get through. The same happened with his mother. Anxious, Charles called the hospital, demanding an explanation. How could the hospital release his parents without informing him first? The nurse explained, “They said there were not enough beds in the hospital because of the current situation and believed other people needed the treatment more than them, so they insisted on leaving. We tried to convince them to stay, but they were adamant.” Charles was stunned. Not enough beds in the hospital? What kind of excuse was that? He had the money to pay for their medical bills! He had more than a million at hand, and if he kept working hard, the money he was making would be enough to last him a l
The Guardian's Return Chapter 521
Ganter and Austin witnessed the chaos that unfolded in Hill City over the past two weeks. The hospitals were overloaded, and more patients were being admitted. Even they, a psychologist, were asked to help. Ganter shook his head helplessly. He was a doctor in psychology, so there was nothing he could do for those people. All he could do was watch them leave, disheartened and desperate. When he went out on the street, he noticed the people walking around were fewer than before. Every day, he could hear robberies happening and gunshots in the air. The street where his clinic was located used to be a bustling area with merchants selling their goods, but they were all gone. His clinic was the only establishment left in the street. Austin looked worried. “Ganter, we should also think about leaving. Hill City is not safe anymore.” News of robberies, shootings, and outbreaks of sickness were so frequent that the growing fear among the people was palpable. Even Austin was scared too.
The Guardian's Return Chapter 520
Charles went to the hospital to take care of the medical bills and then talk to his father. He believed even without Ethan, he and his family could live a good life. “Ethan committed a crime and was jailed for it. If you want me to take him as our savior, I can’t do it. Besides, I have the money. I have 500 thousand dollars.” Xavier was astonished by the astronomical amount. He looked at Charles, but there was no happiness or excitement in the man’s eyes. As a father, he knew exactly what happened. “You took bribes.” Charles’ expression froze, but he forced a smile and said, “What? No. I’m not that kind of person. I will never bow down to money.” He was slightly stunned when the words escaped his mouth. They felt familiar. It was what Ethan had told him last night, and in less than twenty-four hours, he had done the complete opposite. It was a slap in his face.Nevertheless, he feigned a calm look and said, “The money is clean.” Xavier looked at him but said nothing. He si
The Guardian's Return Chapter 519
Charles went to visit his mother, but his mother was asleep after taking the medication. He sighed. Not wanting to disturb his mother, he left the hospital to go back to work. If he skipped work for even one day, he might not get his full salary at the end of the month. As such, he got into the car and went to pick Stephen up. When he saw Stephen, he felt a mix of feelings. They arrived at the office soon after, and Stephen called a meeting, asking everyone whether they had thought of a way to increase the benefits. Everyone shook their heads, including Nolan. Hill City’s economy was no longer thriving, and things were getting increasingly expensive. The people’s salaries, however, were getting lower or stagnant. With the people lacking the money to survive, why would they care about the benefits? Stephen sighed. The matter was more complicated than he had expected. Not even the experienced Nolan had a suggestion. “I’ll give us more time to think of a solution. Let’s end the
The Guardian's Return Chapter 518
After the doctor came out, he informed Charles about Xavier’s condition and mentioned that the medical bill would cost 30 thousand dollars. Charles went to the reception to make the necessary payment. As his mother was also in the same hospital, he dared not tell her about his father and Ethan when he visited her. With Ethan jailed, the medication subsidy discontinued, and the health insurance expired, the monthly medical expenses reverted to costing tens of thousands of dollars.Charles talked to his mother for a while before leaving. “My salary is only 8000 dollars per month. How am I going to do this?” He felt lost. Suddenly, his phone rang. Looking at the screen and seeing an unregistered number, he answered it. “Hello, we’re from the loan company…” Charles hung up immediately. For some reason, the loan company had caught wind of his situation and reached out to make him an offer. He sighed, baffled by how quickly they had obtained such accurate information. His father
The Guardian's Return Chapter 517
As the only mentee, Ethan took over governing Riveria after the Grand Marshal passed.First, he tackled the issue between Riveria and the land beyond the borders, calming all the conflicts. After that, he entered the Lowes and used George’s identity to continue governing the state. Since George never really did his job, Ethan took full control, which led to his hair growing white at a young age. However, now that he had stepped down, it only took him half a year of rest at Drakthorn Ridge to regain his health. Charles looked at Ethan blankly, not knowing how to react. He was rude a moment ago, calling Ethan a criminal and threatening to serve justice. Now, Ethan turned out to be his family’s savior. He tried to speak but lacked the courage to do so. Ethan said, “Let’s leave the past behind for now. I’m here today to tell you that I’ve been imprisoned, so everything under my name will be forced to cease operation, including the institute. The health insurance plan and the medic
The Guardian's Return Chapter 516
Justin pulled out a bank card and handed it to Ethan with both hands. “There’s one 100 thousand dollars here.” Ethan nodded and said, “Give him the card.” Justin turned around and gave Charles the card with one hand. Charles was confused. Why would the director of the Security Bureau give him 100 thousand dollars? “Are you bribing me? Is that what you can do, Ethan Rivers?” He laughed. “I’m telling you, money is not almighty! I won’t take this! I won’t take whatever you have to offer, and I will not bow to money! And most importantly, I will not bow to you! “You are a criminal! So is the director of the Security Bureau! The hammer of justice will be waiting for you!” He tapped Justin’ hand away, sending the card flying. “This is my answer! I will never compromise!” Charles looked at Ethan scornfully. Ethan glanced at the card on the floor. “The money inside the card was originally yours.” “Huh?” Charles was surprised. “What do you mean?” Then, a middle-aged man stro
