Semua Bab The Guardian's Return: Bab 231 - Bab 240

Stephen immediately recognized the golden opportunity. Without wasting a second, he contacted the media to set up a live broadcast to explore the place where the Grand Marshal once lived on the foot of Sky Peak. Soon, they found a cave at the foot of Sky Peak. At the entrance stood a wooden door covered in dust, indicating it had been abandoned for a long time.Stephen pushed the door open, and a musty smell wafted out. He waved his hand around and waited a while before leading everyone inside, where there was electricity, lights, and a fan in the cave, which were all still functional. When the lights turned on, everyone saw the simple structure in the cave. A large table sat in the middle, clearly used for meetings, and a map of Riveria’s surroundings was hung on the wall. What drew everyone’s attention the most was the display beneath the map. A few framed photos sat on a wooden counter, and there, in the center, was a portrait of the late Grand Marshal himself. Seeing the Gra

Stephen’s flashlight was as bright as the sun, stopping right beside Ethan’s face, blurring his features. Hence, people could only make out his figure. “He looks a little familiar, but I can’t recall where I’ve seen him before.”Many people commented, “Yeah, he looks familiar.”“Where exactly have we seen him before?”“Search the internet! Find any young man that looks similar to this person in the photo!”The internet started searching for the identity of the Grand Marshal’s mysterious mentee. When Stephen saw it, his back was drenched in sweat. In a panic, he dialed Simon’s number. “Dad, someone has posted a recording online, and everyone is looking for Ethan now.”Simon also saw the video online. He immediately ordered the video to be deleted and banned it from being posted online. “They might be searching, but they can’t possibly find Ethan that quickly.” Simon comforted Stephen while also assuring himself. “The people will start with the young and promising individual

All of the passersby were shocked. They quickly looked at those women, gazes full of admiration. Reporters caught wind of the news and arrived to interview the crowd. “Ethan impersonated the Grand Marshal’s mentee and is now hated by the majority. Why are you helping him?”“Mr. Rivers did not impersonate anyone. He is the Grand Marshal’s mentee.”“Do you have evidence?”A few women silently took out photos of their late husbands and proof of their sacrifice. The reporters looked at them, stunned. “Our husbands were once at the frontlines with Mr. Rivers.”“Is this evidence enough?”The usually quick-witted reporter was at a loss for words at that moment. Should she question them or their husbands? If she did, she might as well resign now. Should she question Ethan? That would be questioning the widows of those heroes before her, and public opinion could kill her. “Mr. Rivers brought Daddy back to us himself. He kept apologizing to us,” a girl said loudly. “Mr. Rivers

Simon fell silent.“Say something,” someone urged.“I don’t know,” he replied, struggling to come up with an excuse. He could only attempt to argue, “Maybe he really thinks stirring up trouble is more important than revenge.”Everyone looked at him in disbelief.Was the South Regent a fool? If he truly thought that way, he would not have held the title of King Beyond the Border for three years.“If you can’t explain the South Regent, what about the heroes’ widows? They’ve all spoken up. Are they lying too?”That was the part Simon found most frustrating. How could he possibly cover it up?Slowly, he sank into a chair, speechless. Even though he had turned many situations around before, he felt utterly doomed this time. The widows and the South Regent’s statements together were a fatal blow.Simon regretted everything now. If only he had not made such a big deal out of it, and the widows and the South Regent had remained in the dark, none of it would have happened.He thought

If not for George’s quick thinking this time, they would have been in serious trouble.The South Regent asked, “So, why did you call me? Did you want to show off?”“No,” said Simon. “I’m here to negotiate.”The South Regent understood that Simon wanted to buy his silence.“500 billion dollars.”“That’s too much.”Simon could accept 50 million, but 500 billion? Not even tycoons had that much money.“Think carefully. The money you pay this time isn’t just to save Richard but also your entire family.”Simon gritted his teeth. “300 billion.”The South Regent said, “400 billion.”“300 billion, take it or leave it. Riveria doesn’t have as much money as it used to.”If it were during the peak of Riveria, he would not have been concerned about 300 billion. After all, Riveria used to have a GDP of 15 trillion.“Deal.”The South Regent knew it was the maximum offer, and 300 billion was still a significant amount, enough to support his 200 thousand men for a year.While 300 billion