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Chapter 272
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The Guardian's Return Chapter 273
“Can’t you see we are talking?! Get out!” Stephen chased the patient out and then stopped Dr. Rodman from typing on his phone. “Dr. Rodman, we don’t have much time left. Please come with me.” Dr. Rodman realized things were much more complicated. He moved Stephen’s hand away and then continued to search for the name online. As he went through the search results and the related articles, Dr. Rodman’s expression darkened. Stephen and George had forcibly taken the villagers' homes, robbing them of their properties. When the village chief, Lucas, demanded an explanation, he was slandered and labeled a gangster. In the end, Lucas rammed himself into the wall to prove his innocence. “You!” Dr. Rodman stared at Stephen. The culprit himself was asking for help and even lied instead of telling the truth, hoping that the doctor would not find out. Stephen looked down in silence. He did not know what to say. George was also present. He stepped up and said, “Dr. Rodman, please calm
The Guardian's Return Chapter 274
Stephen was slightly stunned. “He only listens to two people in his whole life. The first one is the Grand Marshal and the other is Mr. Ethan Rivers.” “What?!” Stephen was baffled. Why would Dr. Rodman listen to Ethan? “I don’t know about the details, but he used to serve under Mr. Rivers.” Stephen went back and started looking into Dr. Rodman’s background. “He used to treat the Grand Marshal. When the Grand Marshal passed away, he followed Ethan and continued his practice. He was once abducted by the South Regent, but Ethan saved him. Ethan is his savior?!” Stephen was speechless. It seemed like Ethan was the only one who could persuade Dr. Rodman to help. He was the doctor’s savior after all. Only Ethan could request the doctor to save Lucas and Celestial City. Stephen wanted to make a move to Ethan’s place but quickly thought of something else. Just a few hours ago, he promised his father to never meet Ethan again. He also said that Ethan would spend the rest o
The Guardian's Return Chapter 275
Ethan chuckled. “You come to me for help, but you aren’t telling me the truth. Is this how you ask for help? You may leave now.” George grew anxious. He had just arrived, but Ethan was already asking him to leave. “Okay. I admit that it was us who made him do it. He rammed himself into the wall to prove his innocence. He’s a hero and he can’t die. You wouldn’t want a veteran to die in vain, would you?” Ethan nodded. “That’s what I don’t want to see, but too bad. I am now locked up here as a prisoner. If you people can’t save him, what can I do?” George explained, “No, there is something you can do. Dr. Rodman can save him, and you are the doctor’s savior. If only you’d talk to the doctor, he could be on his way to Celestial City.” Ethan said, “It’s Dr. Rodman’s freedom whether he wants to save the man or not. I respect his decision.” George clenched his fists and teeth nervously. “Hmph. You are just giving excuses. You don’t want the veteran to be saved!” “I see you are get
The Guardian's Return Chapter 276
George realized that the benefits he offered were totally useless to Ethan. How could he possibly convince him?After a long silence, George said, “For the sake of our past friendship, just help me once.”“What friendship?” Ethan asked, “The kind where you sent me to jail?”George fell quiet. He had nothing else to say and thought he could not convince Ethan anymore. Besides, he had no leverage to persuade him, except to release him. However, that was impossible. Once Ethan left and exposed the truth to the public, all of their efforts would be in vain. George turned and left without another word. He could not handle this. He planned to discuss it further with Stephen to see if anyone else besides Ethan could get Dr. Rodman Rodman to help. George left the mansion and called Stephen on the side of the road, telling him about the situation. “He refused to help?” Stephen sighed in his heart. The outcome was expected. “Let me think of another way.” He hung up. After thinking a
The Guardian's Return Chapter 277
Soon, he saw George in front of the mansion.“He refuses to help.” George said exasperatedly, “He wants a life for a life. To use my life in exchange for the village chief’s life.”Stephen frowned. Although he knew Ethan was quite ruthless, he did not expect him to be this brutal, demanding George’s death blatantly. Although the village chief was important, George was more useful to him. “Don’t worry. I’ve come for his help now. We’re like old rivals now. He shouldn’t sit back and do nothing.”Stephen walked to the door and noticed that it was tightly shut. “Why did he close the door?” Stephen was surprised. George was also curious. “The door was still open when I came out. It’s only been half an hour. When did the door close? Could it be that he doesn’t want to see me?”George felt a little hurt. After all, he had taken care of Ethan for three years. Sure, he locked him up in the mountains and wanted him to solve his problem, but was it enough to warrant being shut out?S
The Guardian's Return Chapter 278
After being scolded, George quietly stepped back and stopped talking. By midnight, Stephen almost could not feel his legs anymore while George sat on the stone bench and fell asleep, resting his head on a stone table. At 2 a.m., Stephen was tired and sleepy. His body swayed slightly in the cold wind. Although the area outside the mansion was lit, he somehow felt a sense of loneliness, coldness, and fear. Where was George?He looked around, trying to find someone to accompany him, but he saw George deep in slumber when he turned around. Stephen was speechless. For a moment, he did not know what to say. He stood there, tired and struggling, only to make Ethan help them once. And yet, George had fallen asleep!He was sleepy too!But he could not rest now. This matter could affect his future. At 6 a.m., Stephen had stood for the entire night. His body was stiff as if it had turned to stone. He could not feel his legs. Besides, his body felt unbearably heavy, as if a mounta
The Guardian's Return Chapter 279
What was going on? Why did Stephen suddenly kneel to Ethan?Simon had just said that Stephen was sacrificing for Celestial City while Ethan was cold and ruthless. Now, Stephen was kneeling to Ethan, which was like saying his so-called sacrifice was kneeling to Ethan, begging him to solve Celestial City’s problems!In the meeting room, everyone watched Simon with doubtful eyes. “Is this your son’s sacrifice?”What sacrifice? All he did was bring trouble to Celestial City and kneel to beg someone. Was that his contribution? Simon gulped. How could he explain this? Stephen had knelt to Ethan in front of everyone. He could not talk his way out of it!He regretted it now. He should not have connected the video to the big screen. Otherwise, only he would know about Stephen kneeling to Ethan. The others would not have seen it!His clever plan had backfired!“Get up now!” Simon roared into his phone. Stephen heard him and wanted to get up. He had wanted to stand up since he returne
The Guardian's Return Chapter 280
Simon had someone get Dr. Rodman’s contact information, and soon, they obtained his phone number. In the meeting room, one of them dialed Dr. Rodman’s number. They stated their identity and promised Dr. Rodman many benefits as long as he saved Lucas. Dr. Rodman knew it would be hard to refuse them this time. After all, it was a call from the federal government, and he could not go against them alone.He could only say, “I can help, but let me see Mr. Rivers first.”The group looked at Ethan. They could not understand why so many people sided with him. Contacting Dr. Rodman directly was their last resort, so they had to agree to his request and let him see Ethan. Half an hour later, Dr. Rodman finally met Ethan. “Mr. Rivers!” Dr. Rodman was excited. “So you’re here. A lot has happened in Riveria while you were gone.”Ethan nodded. “I know. But telling me this is pointless. I don’t manage Riveria anymore; they do.”Ethan looked at Stephen and George. They slightly lowered t
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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
