The Guardian's Return (Ethan Rivers) novel Chapter 123

Chapter 123 

Chapter 123 

“Just go. It’s getting late,” Ethan said. 

Stephen had no memory of how he left the place. He only regained his senses when he felt the cool mountain breeze on his sweaty face. 

He turned around for a glance at the mansion. An uncontrollable fear flickered in his eyes before he rushed down the hill. 

On the way back, he could not help but give his father a call. 

“I offered him money, women, and freedom, but he rejected all of them. He doesn’t want to help.” 

Simon gasped when he heard the news of Ethan rejecting the offer. 

“What? Why did he reject you?” 

“He said he doesn’t need any of those.” 

“He doesn’t need any of those?” 

Simon thought he had heard wrong. A man locked up in a mansion on the mountain had no need for money, women, and freedom? 

He pondered, but he could not figure it out either. He simply thought Ethan was bluffing. However, Ethan’s rejection made things more difficult for Simon, and he could not think of a better solution for the time being- 

“Go home and take some rest.” 

When the call ended, Simon was still feeling troubled. 

How could Ethan reject the offer? Money, women, and freedom were likely the things Ethan desired most at the moment. 

“What else should I do?” He continued to ponder for a better solution. 

When Stephen arrived home, George and Rachel went up to him. 

“How did it go?” 

“Did Ethan say yes?” 

Stephen did not answer them. He simply walked past them and went straight to his room. 

The father and daughter exchanged a baffled look. They had never seen Stephen so defeated before, but it was probably because Ethan rejected the offer. 

The two of them sighed bitterly and walked away. 

1/2 

+25 BONUS 

Meanwhile, Stephen went on his phone in his room. His name and Howard’s were still trending. 

“Stephen Quinn, it’s been a day! Where are you? Stand up like a man and don’t be at coward!” 

“How can you be so shameless? You made a mess, and you want to shift the blame?” 

“Don’t hide! The longer you hide, the shittier you are!” 

Stephen went through the comments in silence. Each comment felt like a dagger to his heart, too painful to even process. 

“How did it come to this? Why are they targeting me?” 

He felt a wave of frustration wash over him. He had not done anything wrong, but the people saw him as the worst criminal who had ever lived. 

“It’s unfair. Instead of understanding or showing any sympathy, they’re all blaming me!” It was not his intention to bring down North Hill City and Seaside City. It was Shawn’s, Dennis’s, and the others‘! They were the ones with the schemes, not him! 

However, he dared not post any comments online, afraid of the backlash it would bring. That night, many people lost sleep over the incident.