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Chapter 604
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The Guardian's Return Chapter 605
Once the meeting ended, Stephen loosened his control over Edward’s company, letting the latter take full responsibility for the enterprise.After receiving the news, Edward let out a heavy sigh of relief. Lifting the restrictions on him meant that Victor and he could act even more recklessly.Not long after, orders from Victor arrived, telling Edward to use the expanded authority to bring in more investors while also launching the ‘healthy and safe grain’ brand. The grain was no different from ordinary grain, but they would advertise it as having undergone strict selection to ensure no problems with it.The slogan ‘absolutely safe’ would tempt the people of Breeze City since they had been deceived before and were terrified of eating contaminated grain again. Most importantly, the healthy grain brand was not priced that much higher than ordinary grain, so it fell within an acceptable range for most people.As soon as the brand hit the market, people immediately went into a frenzy, a
The Guardian's Return Chapter 606
After saying that, Victor walked away.In reality, he was not helping Stephen or the people of Breeze City. His only goal was to make money and ruin Stephen’s reputation.The proposal was the final step of his plan. As long as Stephen classified all the farmland as developmental zones, Victor’s plan would be complete.It would be suicide for Stephen!That night, Stephen returned home to Rachel approaching him with the document and saying, “I thought of another plan.”“What plan?” Stephen’s eyes lit up.The previous plan to develop the riverside areas had received unanimous praise. Only several foolish and ignorant people kept causing trouble, trying to get rich without effort.Rachel handed him the document. As he read it, he immediately frowned. The proposal was to convert all the farmland into development zones and establish industrial and residential areas.The plan stated that Breeze City was no longer suitable for farming and urgently needed to change. Industrialization wa
The Guardian's Return Chapter 607
That night, Desmond went home to find Victor already there, chatting with his wife.“Mr. Hughes!” Desmond was very shocked. He never thought that Victor would show up in his house.When Desmond came back, his wife excused herself, knowing she was not privy to their conversation later.“Sit, Desmond.” Victor smiled.Desmond sat down, confused. It was his home, yet someone else was offering him a seat.“What brings you here, Mr. Hughes?” Desmond asked.He could not think of any reason why Victor would approach him.Victor asked, “What are your thoughts on the future of Breeze City?”Desmond frowned. “What kind of question is that?”“Just tell me honestly,” said Victor. “After Stephen’s arrival and all that’s happened in Breeze City, do you have any confidence in the city’s future?”Desmond hesitated. He wanted to say he was confident, but everyone knew what Stephen had done.No city had escaped Stephen’s clutches, and Riveria’s GDP had plummeted from 15 trillion to less than
The Guardian's Return Chapter 608
Stephen had no idea that his authority was being undermined. As he looked over the reports handed to him by Desmond and Rachel, everything seemed perfect. It eased the tension that had been gnawing at him for a while.As he read the fabricated reports, he felt optimistic about Breeze City’s future. He had failed too many times, but Breeze City would be the critical point to turn everything around. He would bring it to new heights, and not just here—every city he had touched before would feel the ripple effects of his success.“Riveria will collapse without Ethan? I don’t think so!”Two weeks later, Stephen noticed something off. Although the reports looked good, the construction in the development zone had not started yet. Furthermore, occasional complaints online stated that they had only received a hundred thousand as compensation for five acres of land.He called Desmond in for questioning.“Work in the development zone is already starting. We just finalized the negotiations wi
The Guardian's Return Chapter 609
It was early evening when he got the call.“There are indeed many discrepancies in the accounts. The news about farmers receiving only several hundred thousand dollars for a few acres of land is also true…”The report continued, but at that moment, Stephen could not hear any of it. From the moment he heard the first statement, it felt like he had been struck by lightning.There were discrepancies in the accounts, and the data he read was falsified?Stephen quickly rushed home and ordered Desmond’s arrest.When he arrived home, he saw Rachel sitting on the sofa on the phone with someone. He immediately grabbed the phone to see who she was talking to. However, it was just an ordinary friend of Rachel’s.“What are you doing?” Rachel asked furiously, startled by him suddenly snatching her phone.Stephen held back the urge to slap her.“Why did you falsify the data?”Rachel was confused. “What data? What did I falsify?”“There are serious discrepancies in the data of all the repor
The Guardian's Return Chapter 610
“According to the dashcam, it’s highly likely that the accident was caused by brake failure.”“Brake failure?” Stephen said, “So it was just an accident?”“From what we observe, it’s just an accident,” the subordinate replied.Stephen stepped away from the scene, took a deep breath, and ordered, “Detain his family members.”The subordinate said awkwardly, “His wife is also dead.”“What?” Stephen hurriedly asked, “How?”“Car accident,” said the subordinate. “The same one.”Stephen fell silent for a moment. The phrase "what goes around comes around" crossed his mind, but the important thing was that the missing money still had not been recovered. As such, he instructed someone to trace Desmond’s money.When he returned home, Rachel rushed up to him and asked, “How was it?”“Desmond is really dead. He got into a car accident with his wife. They died on the spot. We’re still investigating where the money went.”Upon hearing that both Desmond and his wife were dead, Rachel felt ev
The Guardian's Return Chapter 611
Edward was penniless, left with nothing but his title as CEO. However, his company was now empty, reduced to ruins, and his accounts were completely drained.In other words, Stephen Quinn could not recover any money or get anything from Edward.Stephen grabbed Edward's collar and shouted, "How could you do something so extreme? Are you even human?"Edward gave a bitter laugh. "I had no choice."In Breeze City, the Spencers were a powerful family, but compared to the Hugheses in Metropolis, it was like comparing a firefly’s radiance to the moon’s.He could not resist Victor Hughes. Splitting up the assets to preserve some of the Spencer family’s fortune was already the best he could do with everything at his disposal."Who is it?" Stephen gritted his teeth. "There's clearly someone behind you. Who?"Edward's accounts had been emptied from abroad, and neither Nolan nor Tyler Spencer's accounts showed any sudden influx of money. The money had not gone to any of them. This meant tha
The Guardian's Return Chapter 612
Stephen wanted to resolve everything quickly before things got out of hand. However, Victor would not give him that chance. He immediately called the reporters and started a live broadcast."I regret to inform you all of some terrible news," he began. "I just received notice that after Stephen Quinn approved Edward Spencer's grain company to operate independently, the company heartlessly drove down purchase prices for grain, then repackaged ordinary grain as premium and health-conscious products for sale and pre-order, causing massive losses for everyone."As soon as I learned of this, I immediately investigated the embezzled funds. However, due to Stephen's negligence, all the money has been transferred abroad and cannot be recovered."The worst has yet to come, however, as the development zone project that Stephen proposed has been severely misappropriated and sabotaged by the mayor he selected. I sent people to arrest the mayor and track the money, but the latter died in a car ac
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The Guardian's Return Chapter 802
That step was called "forging the heart." The logic was simple: if they could kill someone they loved, what else would they hesitate to do?Yet, even with such brutal training, those assassins failed, and their organizations were eventually destroyed root and branch."If it were me," the South Regent said, "I would ask him: 'Everyone around you, in every city you've been to, has met with misfortune. You had solutions to all these problems, so why did you just stand by and watch it happen?'"He turned to Ethan with a grin. "What do you think of my question, Lord Rivers?""Don't ask such foolish questions during dinner," Ethan replied coolly. "If you want to break him, just have Hugo ask him when he plans to die."The South Regent froze, stunned by the vast difference between his approach and Ethan's. Ethan's question was not just more concise; it was lethal.Hugo was Stephen's greatest weakness. If Hugo were to ask Stephen about his death, the results would be devastating. A blow
The Guardian's Return Chapter 801
Perhaps he would end up coughing up blood and being hospitalized again. Then, all their previous efforts to comfort him would be instantly ruined. On top of it all, those questions would reveal many truths they had desperately tried to conceal.Simon quickly had someone escort the lucky audience member away while ordering others to forge Stephen's spending records. After that, he hurried up on stage himself."I’m sorry. There was a small interruption just now. I know all of you have many questions, so let me explain everything. Stephen is indeed the Grand Marshal's only successor. As for what that person said about the spending records, those were baseless lies. I've gotten someone to retrieve the spending records, which will be published online later.”Simon spoke with conviction. "That person earlier was deliberately trying to sabotage the event."Due to our excellent security measures, they found no way to disrupt the event. And so, they got desperate and started making up lies
The Guardian's Return Chapter 800
The number of viewers in the livestream skyrocketed.Everyone wanted to know if Stephen’s skills really came from the Grand Marshal. Would the Grand Marshal really have trained a student like him?All eyes were on Stephen.Now, it was Stephen’s turn to be silent. He had not expected this question, and he instinctively wanted to lie.However, just as he was about to speak, Ethan’s words from today flashed through his mind.“You don’t even dare to tell the truth. What right do you have to apologize?”Maintaining a lie often meant weaving an even bigger one, over and over, until the truth was inevitably exposed.Should he admit the truth?Stephen hesitated. If he revealed the truth here, everything would end. He would not have to be so exhausted anymore.“What are you waiting for?” Suddenly, Simon’s voice rang in his earpiece, “Hurry up and answer. You are the Grand Marshal’s student. The gala is our only hope. Nothing can go wrong!”Stephen’s heart instantly sank. He wanted to
The Guardian's Return Chapter 799
The celebrity host took the stage, delivered a welcome speech, and introduced the theme of the gala. The host was quite well-known and starred in several hit dramas. The audience below the stage cheered her name.Three minutes later, Simon stepped onto the stage and gave his New Year’s greetings to everyone following the prepared script.Then, the opening performance began!Five major celebrities participated in the first act, combining singing, dancing, and a dazzling light show with fireworks, leaving the audience in awe.Each of the five celebrities took turns singing a few lines one after another, mesmerizing everyone. When they came together for the chorus, the crowd could not help but applaud.As the song neared its end, even more stars and singers joined hand in hand on stage, singing together and igniting the crowd’s atmosphere.The audience stood up in excitement, some even moved to tears.Meanwhile, the viewers in the livestream took screenshots, recorded videos, and s
The Guardian's Return Chapter 798
Avery said faintly, “If you’re done apologizing, you can leave now. We’re about to have lunch. After lunch, we have things to do. We’re not idle like you. We’re very busy.”Those words hit a nerve. Stephen did not want to be idle either.Now, he had no friends left. Everyone kept their distance from him. It was New Year’s, but the only person he could think of who he could talk to was just Ethan.However, Ethan was not like him. He had a happy family, and there were countless things to do as a couple such as going for walks or visiting family and friends...Stephen let out a heavy sigh.“I see.” His voice was soft. “Sorry for disturbing you.”Then, he turned and left. When he walked out of the villa, the cold mountain breeze cleared his mind a little.Stephen let out another sigh, then took out a bouquet from his car and slowly walked to the summit. He wanted to go to the place where Lily died to give her a bouquet of roses and tell her that he missed her.Not long after he lef
The Guardian's Return Chapter 797
The next day at noon, Stephen gathered enough courage to go back up the mountain.He was scared now.He was scared of seeing Ethan with a happy family while he himself was a lonely, pitiful man. The comparison would make him feel so miserable that he would not even be able to lift his head.At the same time, he was also afraid of missing this perfect opportunity to apologize to Ethan on New Year’s Day.Stephen arrived at the villa again. Holding a gift in hand, he took a deep breath and slowly walked in. He saw Ethan in the living room and quickly greeted, “Ethan, Happy New Year. I brought you a gift. Please accept it.”Ethan looked at him calmly. “There’s still a gala in Breeze City tonight, and you’re an important guest. Do you have time to run around like this?”Stephen smiled wryly and gently placed the gift on the table. “I’m not interested in that gala.”He knew what the purpose of the gala was. It was just to stimulate Breeze City’s economy. However, that was not a long-t
The Guardian's Return Chapter 796
Stephen immediately opened his eyes, but there was no one beside him.“Stephen, I wish you an early happy birthday too!” Lily’s voice rang out from his other side.Stephen turned his head and saw Lily lying beside him, smiling sweetly.Then, he looked toward where Snow’s voice had come from. Snow was also lying beside him, looking at him with gentle eyes.Stephen knew in his heart that it was just an illusion.“Aren’t you making a wish?”“What’s your wish?”Stephen closed his eyes again. At that moment, a thousand thoughts rushed through his mind.Who was he?He was the heir of the Quinns. From the moment he was born, he held a position that countless people envied.However, out of a million possible paths, not one was truly his own.He could not be with his loved ones. He could not achieve success overnight. He was not admired by all or surrounded by family and friends.Stephen thought that at least one of those fates belonged to him and her.However, their final meeting
The Guardian's Return Chapter 795
Stephen would be lighting the first segment, and Simon would light the final one.As the celebrities arrived, the riverside became even more lively. People called out their favorite celebrity’s names or nicknames.Seeing this, Stephen felt emotional. If he had not made mistakes, perhaps these people would be calling his name too.When it was nearly midnight, Simon approached Stephen and said, “It’s about time. Get ready to light the fireworks.”He pulled Stephen over to the spot where the fireworks he was responsible for were, and a staff member handed him a torch.“When the countdown ends, use the torch to ignite the fuse, then run and pass the torch to the next person, who will continue lighting the fireworks.“Good luck,” Simon encouraged him. “You can do it!”Stephen took the torch and sighed inwardly. He felt like this whole thing was meaningless. However, when the countdown began, he started to feel a little nervous.“Ten! Nine!”Stephen instinctively tightened his grip
The Guardian's Return Chapter 794
After Simon’s livestream, everyone felt slightly more reassured about Breeze City’s situation.“If he dares to guarantee this, he must have prepared thoroughly.”“It should be safe to attend the gala, right?”“My favorite celebrity will be there, and right now, Breeze City has 40% off train fares, 20% off flight tickets, and 50% off tour packages. It’s so tempting.”Simon placed all his hopes on this gala. He was willing to pour money into it to ensure its success.The event venue was fully set up three days before the new year. The tickets were completely sold out, and the city’s visitor count was now dozens of times higher than before!Breeze City’s declining economy finally showed signs of rising!Simon’s eyes nearly welled up when he saw the financial reports.Two days before the gala, the celebrities attending the event started arriving and followed Simon’s instructions to interact with fans so that more tourists would be attracted to come and spend.Even some celebrities
