Escorted by the team, Andy returned to Riveria that very night. Stephen and Marcus personally came to welcome him. When they saw him covered in mud, looking worse off than a homeless man, their heart ached.They could not imagine what Andy had experienced out there. “It’s good you’re back.” The weight finally lifted from Stephen’s chest. He was worried Andy’s life might be in danger out there. Just recently, the South Regent had given him a bullet as a wedding gift. If anything had happened to Andy outside the borders, he would be blamed. Marcus stepped forward and comforted Andy, “You’re back now. It’s safe here. You don’t need to worry.”Andy looked at them, and the first words he said was, “I want to meet Ethan.”Marcus and Stephen were taken aback. They exchanged glances, failing to understand why Andy suddenly wanted to meet Ethan. Could it be that Ethan was involved in his capture?“Whatever it is, let’s leave it to tomorrow.” Stephen said, “It’s too late now, and you
After Andy fell asleep, Marcus asked the doctor, “What happened?”The doctor’s expression was solemn. “He might’ve experienced something traumatic, but don’t worry. He should recover over time with rest.”Marcus felt slightly relieved and then video-called the White family to explain the situation. Concerned, the family instructed him to bring Andy back to the capital as soon as possible. Marcus agreed and said they would leave first thing in the morning. Not long after he ended the call, Stephen called. “How’s Andy now?”Marcus sighed. “I have no idea what he experienced outside. He seems very much affected. He suddenly broke down crying when he was eating just now.”“It’s that bad?” Stephen gasped. Marcus added, “The doctor said it’s something he’ll have to rest and work through gradually.”Stephen nodded. “I’ve assigned more men to keep an eye on Ethan. If anything did happen to Andy, he wouldn’t be able to escape. When Andy wakes up tomorrow, we’ll know what Ethan did.”W
Marcus rushed over and asked in confusion. “Why did you hang up? They were really worried about you.”Andy said, “I have something more important to do.”Marcus frowned. “What is it?”“I want to see Ethan.”He wanted to apologize and convey the words of those who helped him escape. They sacrificed their lives for him, so he owed it to them to pass on their message to Ethan.Marcus said, “You’re injured. Wouldn’t it be better to go to the hospital first?”“I want to see Ethan!” Andy ordered.He could not rest until he met Ethan. Hence, Marcus had no choice but to drive Andy up the mountain.It did not take long before they arrived at Ethan’s mansion, where Stephen was already present. He had brought reporters with him too.“Ethan, Andy is back. He says it was you who helped people outside the border capture him.”The cameras were already rolling, and viewers began to join the livestream.“I just joined. What is this shocking news?”“Ethan helped the foreigners kidnap Andy? H
He understood what Ethan meant. No matter what he accused Ethan of and how well he planned it out, they were not real. If Brandon, Shawn, or the South Regent revealed the truth, his false accusations would be instantly revealed. When it came to that, Ethan would be fine, and Stephen would face the backlash instead.Stephen’s body trembled, and his expression turned sour. He did not expect his carefully crafted scheme to frame Ethan would be so easily unraveled by the latter. However, the viewers in the livestream did not understand what Ethan meant.Ethan asked calmly, “Now, you answer me. Who sent people to capture Andy? And who caused Julius’ death?”Stephen lowered his head.“Andy’s capture is still under investigation, so we don’t know the details yet. Julius’ death also has nothing to do with Ethan, and Ethan has no connection to the South Regent.”He looked at the camera and clarified that nothing had to do with Ethan.The viewers were stunned. Stephen had just been accus
Andy shook off Stephen’s hand. “Because I was wrong.”Stephen took a few steps back, unable to believe that Andy was willingly kneeling to Ethan and refusing to be helped up. His mind buzzed in confusion. He could not understand what was happening. He thought Andy wanted to see Ethan to expose him and take revenge, but it was actually to apologize. All his efforts in calling the reporters for a live broadcast were in vain.Ethan looked at Andy. “It seems you’ve been through a lot.”“Yes.” Andy lowered his head. “In the past, I thought my fists and physical prowess were real strength.”When he was outside the borders, he had been beaten down time and time again. What he had once considered impressive skills turned out to be nothing more than a joke in the eyes of others.“I insulted you and even wanted to get back at you. Please forgive me. I realized how wrong I was.”Stephen stepped forward, unable to believe what he was hearing. “Why are you apologizing to him? Wasn’t it he w
“Exactly!”How much danger had Andy faced because of that reward? How many people had lost their lives? If he had not claimed to know Ethan, he would not even have survived.Andy glared at Stephen. “Did you know? There was a family that saved me when I was on the brink of starvation, but I didn’t even get a chance to thank them. Because of your reward, someone came to their home with a gun and shot the man of the house. They even tried to kill his wife and daughter!“Later, I was hunted by countless people. All of them were after the reward you posted. Do you know how many people died along the way just to protect me? I wouldn’t have made it out alive if not for Ethan.”Andy stormed forward and grabbed Stephen’s collar. Stephen’s eyes widened, his face turning pale, and Andy punched Stephen again, knocking him back several steps.Stephen was hit a second time, but there was no trace of anger on his face this time. In fact, he had no reason to be angry.He had never anticipated th
“If Ethan really did save Andy, did we curse him too soon?”As soon as that comment was posted, everyone fell silent.Every word they said earlier echoed in their ears, each one filthy and cruel, like sharp knives stabbing into their hearts, leaving them bleeding. Their cheeks burned with shame, and they wished they could disappear into the ground.Those who left nasty comments hurriedly deleted them, and the ones who posted long passages condemning Ethan also erased them. As they read over their posts one last time, it felt as if those words were not condemning Ethan—they were condemning themselves.They all closed their eyes and pressed ‘confirm delete’ with shaking hands.In the living room, Andy broke down in sobs, and Stephen cried with his head down. The livestream viewers averted their eyes, unable to face what they had just seen. Guilt and regret weighed heavy on their hearts.The reporters, cameramen, and Marcus were unsure of what to do. Only Ethan looked on calmly.He
Andy understood how much those people longed for Ethan’s arrival. However, it suddenly struck him that Ethan was locked up on Drakthorn Ridge, which meant they would never see him.Andy said powerlessly, “I’m sorry.”He felt that he was too weak. The apology was not only directed at Ethan but also at himself and all the people who had sacrificed themselves for him.Ethan said, “You can go now.”Andy looked at Ethan and finally said, “Thank you.”Then, he turned around and slowly walked away.Marcus also lowered his head in respect. “Thank you.”While he hurried after Andy, Stephen stood frozen, staring at Ethan without saying a word. He had come today to take down Ethan but the whole plan had backfired, leaving him furious. He gritted his teeth in frustration. If he had known, he would not have hosted a livestream. Now, everyone knew that he had put Andy in danger, and worst of all, Ethan’s reputation improved!Without wasting any time, he fled. He had to smooth things over b