Ethan did not want money, power, or even Rachel. Stephen felt that there was no way to persuade him.Now, the best solution was to find Ethan’s weak spot and use it to threaten him. That way, Ethan would have no choice but to help. He thought about it. Family?Before coming to Riveria and seizing Ethan’s achievements, the Quinns had already investigated his background. Ethan was an orphan, and his parents were unknown. Three years ago, he joined the Lowes and secretly helped them manage Riveria. At the same time, he helped George become the mayor.Looking back at it now, the only person with a close relationship with Ethan was the Grand Marshal, but he had passed away three years ago. Since then, Ethan returned to a solitary life.Friends?Stephen could not think of any. In his memory, Ethan was always alone. It seemed he did not have any friends.Health? Ethan did not have to worry about his meals. He had a disciplined life, exercised regularly, and had a healthy body. Stephen c
“Unfortunately, your arrogance and pride haven’t changed. Did you think you understood me so well that a few words would convince me to help you? If it were that easy, there would not be any poor people left in the world.”Stephen was stunned. Ethan’s response caught him off guard. He thought that Ethan would agree to help him.“I do have a way to help you.” Ethan smiled faintly.Stephen’s eyes lit up. “What is it?”“Go down the mountain now, head home to charge your phone, and take bus No. 11 to the plaza. Then, start a livestream to confess the whole truth, then kill yourself on camera. After that, I’ll come down from the mountain and take over Riveria again. I’ll enter the cabinet and destroy the Quinns for you.” Ethan smiled. “If you were to take the Quinns on for yourself, it would take twenty or thirty years, but if I handle it, it won’t take long. I’ll get rid of them in just fourteen days.”Swoosh!Stephen stood up, glaring at Ethan furiously. “Are you mocking me?”Ethan
“You noticed Snow gave me five million dollars but failed to see that it was her entire life savings, and you certainly missed her subsequent death," Ethan said."You saw the South Regent gave me 10 million dollars but missed the fact that he and Jeremy had only met once—and Jeremy was actually an enemy who infiltrated his company to steal information."Stephen's head drooped lower and lower as Ethan continued."If you can give me the Quinns’ entire fortune, kill Simon, and somehow survive afterward… I might consider helping you once. Or, if you can get one of your enemies to ask for my help with money in hand, I might consider it. I won't ask for much. Just a single dollar would do."Stephen was speechless. Those conditions were impossible to meet.He slumped back onto the sofa, his energy visibly draining away. After being mocked, Stephen had no counter to Ethan's arguments, both emotionally and logically. Though frustrated, Stephen truly could not think of any solution.At tha
Instead of rushing, Stephen rushed back to Hill City while contacting Howard and the others. Although Ethan had not provided any help, he managed to come up with his solution. He did not need them to vouch for him; he just needed them to stop talking about the Grand Marshal's mentee situation.Stephen spent several hundred million dollars, successfully silencing Howard and the others. After resolving that issue, he had his team prepare a statement. The content focused on an apology, explaining that everything was a conspiracy and claiming that someone was deliberately trying to frame him.Since he had paid Howard and the others to keep quiet, he could loudly proclaim his innocence without worrying about them coming forward with explanations. As long as they stayed quiet, even if people had doubts, there would be no concrete evidence to prove anything. Then, he would video himself helping others, promote those videos heavily, and continue suppressing the negative voices. Before long
Hearing that, Stephen finally felt the weight lift from his shoulders. At least, part of the issue was settled now. All that remained was to hold a meeting to discuss how to increase welfare in Hill City, and that incident would be over. However, Stephen dared not rest yet. He immediately called people over for a meeting.In the conference room, Stephen spoke gravely, "I'm going to increase welfare in Hill City. I want everyone to report which areas need improvement."Everyone found it strange that Stephen would suddenly think about increasing welfare.Nolan frowned and said, "Sir, we understand what you want to do and how you’re feeling, but Hill City's current situation doesn't allow this."Hill City's GDP had fallen to just one trillion dollars, and it was taking everything they had just to prevent it from dropping further. Increasing welfare now would only burn through Hill City's GDP, meaning that the disadvantages of the decision outweighed the benefits.Stephen looked at
Stephen fell silent as he recalled his thoughts. Ethan had remained calm throughout their interaction, while he was the one who had been anxious. Their interaction could not be considered an argument as Ethan had crushed him, one-sidedly.Nolan continued, "Being scolded is one thing, but you didn't threaten him or try to deceive him, did you?"Stephen remained silent. He had indeed tried to play innocent to trick Ethan into helping.Seeing Stephen's reaction, Nolan's heart sank. This was bad! The worst-case scenario had happened."Let me guess. You had a problem and tried to trick Ethan into solving it?"Stephen snapped out of his thoughts, asking in confusion, "What's wrong with that?"Nolan paused before responding, "You’ve invited disaster, and worst of all, you didn’t leave before it hit. I admire your courage, but it should be directed elsewhere."Too many people had tried to deceive and kill Ethan before. However, the many deaths that unfolded proved one thing: if they wer
"Who are you?" Charles asked nervously. Finding a stranger in his home, he suspected a burglar had intruded. However, based on how calmly the man was sitting on the sofa, it seemed like the man had been waiting.Charles quickly introduced himself, "I'm Stephen Quinn's assistant. What do you want here?"Ethan looked at him and smiled faintly. "I'm Ethan Rivers."Charles felt a shiver down his spine."You're Ethan Rivers?"Just moments ago, he had been talking about Ethan, saying if he ever got the chance to meet him, he would handle him for Stephen’s sake. Now, before him, in his house, was Ethan.Charles then recalled what Nolan had said about people across Riveria owing Ethan favors and that someone might come home to find Ethan waiting for them.He thought long and hard. He had never met Ethan before, much less owed him any favors. Since he did not owe Ethan anything, it meant he did not have to be afraid of Ethan!Realizing that, Charles sneered, "So you're Ethan Rivers. I
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
After everything was settled, the people from HQ went to Ethan again. They apologized to him and begged for his forgiveness.“We’ve dealt with everyone involved in this matter. Are you satisfied with the outcome, Mr. Rivers?”With that, they lowered their heads to the ground nervously. Their only hope now hinged on Ethan’s response.They did not dare to ask for much. All they hoped for was that Ethan would not leave the country.Ethan glanced at them calmly and said, “Send someone to help move my stuff down the mountain.”Hearing that, everyone was first stunned, and then ecstatic.“Of course!” they replied in unison.They understood what Ethan meant. He was staying! Although it was not his complete forgiveness, he was willing to give them another chance.They were all overjoyed. As long as Ethan did not leave, there was plenty of time to slowly make amends.They took out their phones and made arrangements to help Ethan move.After the call ended, they said, “We respectfully
The day of Rachel and George’s trial came.The livestream began at 10 a.m., and hundreds of thousands of viewers joined instantly.Rachel and George slowly walked into the courtroom in handcuffs.Bang! The judge’s gavel fell, and the room went silent.It was not a lawsuit. It was a trial to expose the sins of Rachel and George.The judge read out their crimes one by one, until Rachel and George’s faces paled to the point that they looked like corpses.The viewers in the livestream finally saw the full picture.“So that’s it! The Quinns and the Lowes conspired!”“They deserve to die! How could they frame Ethan like that? Are they even human?”“The death penalty! They deserve the death penalty!”They were all furious.Many people had lost their families as a result of supporting Stephen and scolding Ethan. After watching the livestream, they realized just how deeply they had been wrong.They were accomplices to the Quinns and the Lowes' crimes in framing Ethan!Their current
They suppressed their disgust and returned home, only to see their parents and wives’ panicked expressions.“What did you do out there?”“So many people came today, asking for you by name.”How were they supposed to answer those questions? They could not just say that they had insulted Ethan online.If they did, their parents would beat them to death before anyone else could.“It’s nothing,” they replied stiffly. They had no choice but to hide the truth. After all, they could not say that they had insulted Ethan, or that they had lost their jobs.However, the next second, their parents received text messages. After their parents glanced at their phones, their expressions instantly changed.It was a message from the bank, stating that their child had been listed as a defaulter and urging them to repay the loan immediately.“What have you done?” Their parents’ voices trembled.Seeing that there was no way to hide it anymore, they had no choice but to confess the truth.They los
Seeing that message, they immediately felt as if their world had ended.Because they had insulted Ethan, they lost their jobs, were blacklisted, and could not find work again.“How could this be?”No one expected this outcome. They thought, ‘So what if I insulted him? Are they going to punish me for it? Besides, so many people are insulting him. They can’t possibly punish every single person who did it. At most, I’ll post a public apology and promise that I’ll never do it again.’However, now they were all fired. Everyone who had insulted Ethan had been dismissed from their jobs.It seemed like there were several tens of thousands of people involved! It was hard to imagine just how many people had lost their jobs in real life.“Why are they going this far? Aren’t they afraid of causing unrest?”Of course, HQ had considered that. However, they knew what was more serious.If Ethan went abroad and cooperated with foreign countries, the consequences would not be limited to a few pe
George thought that Rachel had already escaped abroad, so he was not afraid when he arrived.Now, when he saw Rachel there as well, he completely panicked.This was not what he had expected!“Where else would she be?” someone from HQ asked.George looked nervous and stammered, unable to say a word.With Rachel caught and him being brought here, it was clear that HQ already knew the truth. Coupled with his fear of Ethan and his helplessness in the face of reality, he no longer had the strength to make up any excuses.He had resigned himself to fate.“You really have some nerve." The people from HQ sneered. “You fooled us all completely.”“You’ve been hiding Ethan’s contributions all this time, haven’t you?”“You two are nothing but disasters to this country! You deserve to die a thousand times over.”George kept his head down while Rachel sobbed. “I was wrongfully accused!”“Shut up! Are you still trying to fool us at a time like this? You were wrongfully accused? By who? Sim
They brought this on themselves, forcing themselves into a corner with no way out. “Ah!”Simon could not take it anymore. He suddenly ran towards the window, trying to end his life. Fortunately, the officials quickly stopped him. “Don’t be reckless! Think about Stephen. You’re all he has now!”That sentence made Simon stop. Now, Stephen and Simon were each other’s support and burden. Simon slumped on the ground weakly. Right now, they both wanted to die, but neither of them had the courage to follow through. All they could do was live on in pain. After a long silence, Simon said, “I’d like to file a report on someone.”To obtain some kind of reward and survive a little longer, Simon decided to turn in George and Rachel. When the officials heard him, they were stunned. They did not expect Rachel to be involved in framing Ethan. “Shit!” Someone exclaimed. “I heard Rachel bought a flight ticket overseas. Could she have fled?”The room was filled with dread. If Rachel ra
Seeing that Stephen was awake, the others rushed to get the doctor. The doctor was astonished as well. Stephen’s sudden awakening was nothing short of a miracle. However, after examining him, the doctor’s expression darkened. Stephen had regained consciousness, but the prognosis was far from hopeful.“He can’t move,” the doctor said. “As of now, he’s paralyzed.”Stephen could open his eyes, but the rest of his body was unresponsive. He could not move his limbs or his neck and mouth. The only part he could move freely was his eye. Even his breathing was dependent entirely on medical equipment. “He might never be able to leave the bed again.”Upon hearing that, Stephen closed his eyes in despair, tears continuously rolling down his cheeks. He had fought so hard to wake up, only to realize he had missed his final chance to meet Snow and Lily. Worse yet, he also lost the ability to move. From now on, he would be confined to the bed and hooked up to machines just to stay alive.
His father died a miserable death, his son was in a coma, and the Quinn family was shattered, leaving only Simon behind to finally realize all his mistakes. However, it was too late. Harrison could not come back to life, the Quinn family could not be whole again, and Stephen could not recover. Simon would forever be haunted by pain, despair, and regret for the rest of his life. At that moment, in complete darkness, Stephen heard Simon’s voice. He was conscious but failed to open his eyes or speak; he could not move a muscle. He wanted so badly to sit up and tell Simon that it was not solely his fault. They were all wrong, and this was their retribution!Just then, two women walked into the ward. When the officials saw them, their eyes widened in shock. For a second, no one even breathed. They were Snow and Lily!The officials thought they were seeing ghosts. Those women were supposed to be dead. Why were they there? Snow and Lily noticed their shocked gazes and offered them
Due to Harrison’s previous incident, the officials reacted quickly by sending Stephen straight to the hospital.After an emergency rescue, Stephen’s life was saved. However, he paid a heavy price. When the doctor walked out of the emergency room, the officials asked, “How is he?”“The situation isn’t looking good,” the doctor said grimly. “His body is in a bad state, and due to long-term emotional distress, he suffered a brain hemorrhage from the emotional shock.“He’s still in a coma, and we can’t say for sure when he’ll wake up again. It depends on his will to live.”The officials drew a sharp breath. “Do you mean he might end up in a coma forever?”The doctor nodded. No one saw coming that Stephen would fall into a coma, with little chance of ever waking up again. However, it also meant he did not have to die anymore. He would be alive but confined to a bed. Suddenly, they thought of Harrison’s desperate pleas to Ethan back in his villa. “I’m willing to trade my life fo