Chapter 5

“Ethan has no talent. Riveria’s success is all thanks to my father!”

The manager was stunned. Ethan had no talent? Riveria’s success was all thanks to George? He thought he had heard the most ridiculous joke in the world.

Everyone in Riveria knew that George had no concern for the province. It was all Ethan’s efforts. Without Ethan, Riveria would not be a province with a GDP of 15 trillion dollars. Instead, it would be a poverty-stricken place plagued by trouble!

If not for the fact that Ethan was George’s future son-in-law, they would not have voted to re-elect George. Even the hotel, which was the largest in Riveria, was founded thanks to Ethan.

The manager frowned and said, “That’s not right. We common folks know Ethan well. Ask anyone, and they’ll sing his praises!”

George and Stephen’s expressions instantly darkened when they heard everyone would sing Ethan’s praises. That was not the news they wanted to hear, and they needed Ethan’s reputation to be thoroughly destroyed.

“Shut up.” George said coldly, “Don’t concern yourself with that. You just have to manage the hotel.”

The manager wanted to say more but hesitated. He understood now that Ethan had been used and discarded.

In his heart, he thought, ‘What a bunch of shameless people.’

Then, he began to worry. Although Riveria was currently peaceful and prosperous, there were hidden undercurrents. Everything was fine because Ethan maintained stability. Without him, Riveria would be done for!

“Why are you still standing there?” Rachel scolded, “Serve the food.”

The manager sighed and signaled for the food to continue being served.

Just then, a middle-aged man hurried in. It was none other than the lieutenant governor, Zane Sutton!

“Mr. Sutton,” the manager greeted respectfully.

Zane nodded and looked solemnly at George and Stephen.

“Who came up with the ridiculous idea to accuse Ethan Rivers of embezzlement and bribery and have him arrested?”

George stared at Zane, never expecting the man to be defending Ethan. He thought Ethan and Zane had no connection. After all, Ethan rarely left the house.

“Ridiculous?” Rachel said, “It’s the truth. There’s solid evidence!”

“Where?” Zane held his hand out.

“Uh…” Rachel was at a loss for words.

Where was the evidence? It was all fabricated charges. Her father was the governor, so who would dare ask her for evidence?

“No evidence, huh?”

Zane looked at Stephen and said, “It seems to me that you want this young man of the Quinns to replace Ethan and take credit for his achievements! Listen up. Not any Tom, Dick, or Harry can replace Ethan.”

Zane had been the lieutenant governor for five years, so he had witnessed firsthand how Ethan developed Riveria. He had even worked alongside Ethan on more than one occasion.

That man had faced the South Regent at the border before and remained calm even with several guns pointed at him. In the end, the South Regent was forced to swear that as long as Ethan was in charge of Riveria, he would not cross the border by even an inch!

Zane was astonished at the time. The South Regent’s subordinates were notoriously ruthless. Whenever they tried to sneak across the border and were caught by soldiers, a gunfight would break out, causing distress among the citizens along the border and many casualties among soldiers.

Yet, Ethan alone managed to keep the South Regent and his men from ever approaching the border again!

There was a saying widely circulated outside the border: Riveria was called Riveria because Ethan’s last name was Rivers!