They had always thought that they had the power to hurt Ethan, but in the end, they could not even handle Ethan’s subordinate. Worse, the group of them were so terrified of Rhys that they treated him as the second coming of Ethan and scrambled to find a way to get rid of him. When Rhys eventually passed away, he left with no regrets. He did not even consider them worthy of his attention. The Hugheses looked like clowns now. Just as Victor was still in a daze, still reeling from the emotional blow, the Hugheses informed him to keep his mouth shut, forbidding him from revealing the truth.They had always prided themselves on having the power to defeat Ethan’s subordinate, which gained them substantial financial and manpower support. If the truth came to light, and everyone knew that Rhys had died without a care about the Hugheses, they would be greatly humiliated. Not only would they become the laughingstock of others, but the financial and manpower support they had received could
“I won’t disturb you any longer,” Victor said and quickly left. After leaving the villa, he reported the outcome to the Hugheses, giving them a sense of relief.“Don’t go looking for him again unless you have to.”The Hugheses were also afraid that Ethan would reveal even more shocking news. The fact that Rhys Estrela had died of illness and left no regrets was enough to ruin their reputation.“Got it.” Victor also did not want to see Ethan again.The next day, he boarded a plane to Breeze City. When he landed at 10 a.m., Stephen came to greet him.Upon meeting, Stephen could not help but size Victor up. Dressed in a suit, Victor’s good looks, height, and figure were no inferior to Stephen's, suddenly making him feel pressured.However, he forced a smile and said, “Long time no see.”Victor also smiled. “It’s been four or five years.”“Time really flies.” Stephen was running out of things to say.Victor could tell that Stephen was awkward and chuckled. “Let’s go. I’m feeling a
Victor glanced at the news online and had someone gather information on which celebrity was receiving the most criticism and why.Soon, he received news that a wealthy man had nearly bought up all the reserve grain and sold them, causing public outrage.Victor immediately approached the man for a partnership. He issued the man a small fine to release some of the public’s dissatisfaction while also cooperating with other cities to obtain a large amount of cheap grain to calm the public’s anger. Then, he also gave the rich man some benefits.That way, the rich man reaped benefits, Victor gained recognition, and the public would be fooled into thinking that the rich man had been punished and that they would soon get healthy, safe food. They would become grateful to Victor.After negotiations, the rich man agreed to Victor’s suggestions.The grain from other cities was also about to arrive. Stephen had fought for a large portion of it, while the rest was prepared in advance by the Hug
Stephen could not swallow his anger. Being criticized in the past was one thing, but he had truly worked hard to help this time. How could they still scold him?He decided to find Victor and ask him to clarify the truth that Stephen had indeed procured grain from other cities.Victor was staying just next door, so Stephen quickly found him and stated his request, hoping that Victor would speak up for him.Victor narrowed his eyes. “Speak up for you? You didn’t do anything. Why should I help you?”Stephen was stunned and widened his eyes. “I did! I brought in grain from other cities.”“Is that so?” Victor chuckled. “When? I didn’t see anything or get any paperwork.”Stephen was instantly speechless. He wanted to explain but did not know where to begin.Victor continued, “You don’t show initiative, but you have your life figured out for you. Despite having the ability to do good, you’d rather not do anything at all. When you see others accomplish something, you shamelessly try to
Although Victor knew the truth, he had no qualms about distorting it. He painted Stephen as an idle and useless person who tried to claim credit for others’ hard work.Naturally, Victor did not say that he leaked the information. He said that a janitor overheard the news when she was cleaning and even recorded the conversation.When Stephen came to confront him, he would simply fire the janitor.As soon as the news was released, with the help of the netizens, it immediately attracted the attention of many people on the internet.“Is Stephen a dog? How could he try to steal credit?”“I can’t believe it. He really is useless. He’s been doing nothing all this time, but now that Victor is helping, he’s trying to claim credit.”“I want to beat him up. How could the Grand Marshal’s mentee be someone like him?”“Stephen isn’t that different from that trash, Ethan. With people like them around, it’s no wonder Riveria fell.”“Victor, please save Riveria. You’re our final hope!”Stephen
“Ethan Rivers, we’ve received a report accusing you of multiple crimes, including embezzlement and bribery. Please come with us.”At Villa 88, Grand Tomson in Riveria, two uniformed officers stood before Ethan, their eyes fixed coldly on him.“Do you have the wrong person?” Ethan frowned.He was the future son-in-law of the governor, currently managing the entire province on the governor’s behalf. Over the past three years, he had worked tirelessly to increase the GDP of Riveria by fivefold.Thanks to him, Riveria was transformed from a poor backwater into a developed province with a GDP of 15 trillion dollars!“There’s no mistake.” A cold voice suddenly sounded from the front.Ethan was stunned to see the speaker. It was a beautiful woman, who was the governor’s daughter and his fiancee, Rachel Lowe.Rachel approached slowly, her gaze indifferent as she looked at Ethan. “I was the one who made the report. They’re here to arrest you.”When he heard her and saw the look in her e
“Besides, the Quinns from the capital will have a marriage alliance with us. Once Stephen Quinn comes to Riveria, he’ll easily raise the GDP to 20 trillion within a year!”Rachel walked over to the table and continued with a smile, “The Lowes’ affairs are none of your concern. You should worry about yourself now.”She smiled faintly. “After all, you’ll be spending the rest of your life behind bars.”One of the officers then took out a pair of silver handcuffs.Ethan knew that the Lowes must have planned it thoroughly. There was no chance they would let him walk away today, but he did not plan on walking away anyway. He was feeling a bit tired, after all. Over the past three years, he had constantly worked to attract investors, protect the environment, and maintain the delicate balance with the various forces. Now, he finally had some time to rest.Ethan looked at them calmly and said, “I’ll walk out myself.”The two officers frowned and moved forward to handcuff him. However, w
Ethan did not bother looking at them again and pulled out his phone instead. “Whether you call him or not makes no difference to me, but… whether I’m the one who calls him or you would make a significant difference for you.”The two officers gasped in shock. Just the comment he made carried more weight than the chef chewing them out for three hours straight!Seeing that Ethan was about to dial the chief’s number, they shouted in unison, “We’ll call him right away!”They then turned and bolted to find the chief, not daring to waste any time.A minute later, the police chief, Liam Yates, came rushing over. He felt a chill run down his spine when he saw Ethan sitting in the lobby.“Why is he here? He’s usually holed up in that villa. The last time he went out, he went to Crestwood alone and came out unharmed a few hours later. The entire town saw him off! Since then, Crestwood has been quiet and engaging in legitimate business!”The people in Crestwood were notorious for being tough
Although Victor knew the truth, he had no qualms about distorting it. He painted Stephen as an idle and useless person who tried to claim credit for others’ hard work.Naturally, Victor did not say that he leaked the information. He said that a janitor overheard the news when she was cleaning and even recorded the conversation.When Stephen came to confront him, he would simply fire the janitor.As soon as the news was released, with the help of the netizens, it immediately attracted the attention of many people on the internet.“Is Stephen a dog? How could he try to steal credit?”“I can’t believe it. He really is useless. He’s been doing nothing all this time, but now that Victor is helping, he’s trying to claim credit.”“I want to beat him up. How could the Grand Marshal’s mentee be someone like him?”“Stephen isn’t that different from that trash, Ethan. With people like them around, it’s no wonder Riveria fell.”“Victor, please save Riveria. You’re our final hope!”Stephen
Stephen could not swallow his anger. Being criticized in the past was one thing, but he had truly worked hard to help this time. How could they still scold him?He decided to find Victor and ask him to clarify the truth that Stephen had indeed procured grain from other cities.Victor was staying just next door, so Stephen quickly found him and stated his request, hoping that Victor would speak up for him.Victor narrowed his eyes. “Speak up for you? You didn’t do anything. Why should I help you?”Stephen was stunned and widened his eyes. “I did! I brought in grain from other cities.”“Is that so?” Victor chuckled. “When? I didn’t see anything or get any paperwork.”Stephen was instantly speechless. He wanted to explain but did not know where to begin.Victor continued, “You don’t show initiative, but you have your life figured out for you. Despite having the ability to do good, you’d rather not do anything at all. When you see others accomplish something, you shamelessly try to
Victor glanced at the news online and had someone gather information on which celebrity was receiving the most criticism and why.Soon, he received news that a wealthy man had nearly bought up all the reserve grain and sold them, causing public outrage.Victor immediately approached the man for a partnership. He issued the man a small fine to release some of the public’s dissatisfaction while also cooperating with other cities to obtain a large amount of cheap grain to calm the public’s anger. Then, he also gave the rich man some benefits.That way, the rich man reaped benefits, Victor gained recognition, and the public would be fooled into thinking that the rich man had been punished and that they would soon get healthy, safe food. They would become grateful to Victor.After negotiations, the rich man agreed to Victor’s suggestions.The grain from other cities was also about to arrive. Stephen had fought for a large portion of it, while the rest was prepared in advance by the Hug
“I won’t disturb you any longer,” Victor said and quickly left. After leaving the villa, he reported the outcome to the Hugheses, giving them a sense of relief.“Don’t go looking for him again unless you have to.”The Hugheses were also afraid that Ethan would reveal even more shocking news. The fact that Rhys Estrela had died of illness and left no regrets was enough to ruin their reputation.“Got it.” Victor also did not want to see Ethan again.The next day, he boarded a plane to Breeze City. When he landed at 10 a.m., Stephen came to greet him.Upon meeting, Stephen could not help but size Victor up. Dressed in a suit, Victor’s good looks, height, and figure were no inferior to Stephen's, suddenly making him feel pressured.However, he forced a smile and said, “Long time no see.”Victor also smiled. “It’s been four or five years.”“Time really flies.” Stephen was running out of things to say.Victor could tell that Stephen was awkward and chuckled. “Let’s go. I’m feeling a
They had always thought that they had the power to hurt Ethan, but in the end, they could not even handle Ethan’s subordinate. Worse, the group of them were so terrified of Rhys that they treated him as the second coming of Ethan and scrambled to find a way to get rid of him. When Rhys eventually passed away, he left with no regrets. He did not even consider them worthy of his attention. The Hugheses looked like clowns now. Just as Victor was still in a daze, still reeling from the emotional blow, the Hugheses informed him to keep his mouth shut, forbidding him from revealing the truth.They had always prided themselves on having the power to defeat Ethan’s subordinate, which gained them substantial financial and manpower support. If the truth came to light, and everyone knew that Rhys had died without a care about the Hugheses, they would be greatly humiliated. Not only would they become the laughingstock of others, but the financial and manpower support they had received could
“One more thing.” Ethan calmly said, “Rhys did not die at your hands.”Victor was stunned. “How is that possible?” Although they did not witness Rhys’ death, they had heard the news of Rhys passing in the hospital a month after they left Riveria. They were confident their plan to break him had worked, pushing him over the edge.Ethan took out a paper from his book and handed it to Victor. Reading it, Victor was dumbfounded. It was a medical diagnosis, stating that Rhys had died of cancer, not from their schemes!While Victor stood there in shock, Ethan continued, “You thought Rhys died because he couldn’t handle the blow you dealt him, but he never told you, and you never bothered to dig into his past. “He lost his family when he was eight, and his childhood sweetheart gave up on him when he was seventeen, choosing his best friend instead. After college, he worked alongside me and was always dedicated to Riveria’s affairs. Saving Riveria was the only thing on his mind every da
Besides, the Hugheses had defeated Rhys. It was something no one had imagined possible. “Good. You’re smart.” Victor smiled slightly, got up, and left. He had not arrived in Riveria ahead of schedule to pay a visit to the Spencers; he had another person to meet—Ethan.The Hugheses had never crossed paths with Ethan directly. Rhys had always been in their way, until he perished alongside them, forcing them out of Riveria. Even then, they had not had the chance to face Ethan head-on. He had spent three years studying abroad, honing his skills and becoming stronger and more experienced. Moreover, the Hugheses were not less powerful than the Quinns. They had plenty of talented people at their disposal, and whether they were dealing with Rhys or Ethan, it was supposed to be an easy victory. It was a pity that Rhys was now dead and Ethan was imprisoned. They no longer had the chance to confront Ethan, and Victor found it disappointing. He wanted to see Ethan kneeling on the ground,
Edward and Tyler were stunned. Even the Hugheses knew about Ethan and saw Ethan as an enemy? “We don’t understand what you mean,” Edward spoke. He did not understand why the Hugheses would see Ethan as an enemy. Could it be that they wanted to take control of Riveria like the Quinns? Victor’s eyes held a trace of nostalgia. “It’s not something I need to hide anymore. Four years ago, we were already in Riveria.”When he said that, both Edward and Tyler appeared shocked. They even seemed terrified. That single sentence carried an enormous amount of information.The Hugheses came to Riveria four years ago, at a time when the region was far from peaceful, chaotic, and full of dangerous characters. Afterward, the Hugheses disappeared without a trace. Now, connecting that with what Victor had just said about Ethan being an enemy, a terrifying thought emerged in their minds. The Hugheses had also tried to seize Riveria back then but was driven out by Ethan. Now that Ethan had fall
He wanted to object to it, but no words came out of his mouth. Stephen’s track record was clear—he had failed too many times. Unless he could succeed once, there was little hope. The meeting concluded, and it was decided that Victor would head to Breeze City to help clean up the mess there. “Dad?” Stephen’s voice snapped Simon out of his thoughts. Simon said, “The decision has been made. Tomorrow, Victor will head over to help you manage Breeze City’s issues.”“Victor?” Stephen frowned, remembering the name. “Is he from the Hughes family?”“Yes.” Simon nodded, “He’s from the Hughes family. He furthered his studies abroad three years ago and returned half a year ago. You really need to step it up. The federal government has little confidence in you. Victor is also here to compete with you. If you fail again, you might be forced to return to the capital.”Stephen fell silent. Although he had expected that day to come, he did not expect it to happen so soon. Would he really have