The Guardian's Return (Ethan Rivers) novel Chapter 476

Ethan said calmly, "Even if he can't take it, that has nothing to do with me. By now, Jeremy should have arrived in Hill City."

Jeremy's involvement and Andy's peacemaking operations both required money, so Andy planned to ask Stephen for another 10 to 20 million dollars. Since Jeremy was now working with Andy, he would go along with Andy to make the request.

Austin's body immediately tensed up. "What? Jeremy is at Hill City?"

His worst fear had come true. He had to hurry back to Hill City to stop Stephen from meeting Jeremy.

The sight of Jeremy could trigger something devastating for Stephen, just like with Snow. Even though she was still alive, he could never find her. His guilt grew with each passing day, weighing heavier on him until the day it would break him entirely.

Austin understood that feeling all too well. As a psychologist, he had seen many patients who developed psychological issues due to relationships. One patient’s words still stuck with him.

"The day she died, I actually felt okay. Everyone else was crying, but I didn’t feel sad. I ate, slept, and scrolled my phone as usual. But one day, I saw a joke online and wanted to share it with her. Only then did it hit me that she was gone. From that point on, each day became increasingly painful."

Snow was already too much for Stephen to bear. If Jeremy were to be added to the equation, Austin was not sure even his mentor would be able to help Stephen.

On the way back, Austin called Nolan. "Jeremy isn't dead!"

Nolan was unsurprised by the news because he had known for a while that Jeremy was still alive.

Austin pressed on, "He's utterly disappointed in Stephen. You have to keep them from meeting. If they see each other, it’s over!"

Nolan froze. Jeremy was in Hill City?

Nolan started panicking. Although the audio recording evidence was in Ethan's hands, Jeremy was a living witness. If Jeremy revealed the truth to Stephen, he would be doomed.

"I understand," Nolan immediately agreed.

Preventing Stephen and Jeremy from meeting was something he would do even without it being mentioned.