Chapter 117
Then, he pushed the reporters aside and left.
After Stephen left in a hurry, the scene erupted into chaos.
“Is he going to abandon Seaside City? Abandon us?”
“Was everything he said just a lie?”
“Why didn’t he answer the question?”
Everyone was doubtful.
The moment Stephen left, he hurriedly pulled out his phone to call Simon.
Simon had been watching the broadcast, so he knew everything that had happened and even found the situation tricky.
Howard had made two–major moves. The first was bribing someone to go to the scene and play the recording. Since the scene was broadcast live, many people heard it, and that alone was causing enough trouble.
The second was him uploading a video online. The video contained a conversation between Stephen and Dennis, proving that Stephen knew about the situation in Seaside City all along.
That video shattered their plan to use a scapegoat! It could even backfire on them and make the consequences more severe!
Even though the video was quickly deleted, it was too late. Some people had seen it, and some had saved it. People abroad could also easily find the video.
Cold sweat broke out on Simon’s forehead.
Both of Howard’s moves were merciless. Even though Simon had weathered many storms, he was at a loss as to what to do.
What should he do?
Simon paced the room, trying to find a solution.
“For now, don’t respond to anyone’s questions. Don’t worry too much. I’ll figure something out.”
Meanwhile, the news had spread online, and discussions were raging everywhere.
“Was Howard forced to flee? Did Stephen know about Seaside City all along? Is that all True?”
“I think it’s true. Someone saw a video where Stephen met Dennis. Dennis told him the
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truth.”
“They destroyed the loudspeakers instantly and Immediately deleted the video. There’s no way they’re innocent.”
“It looks like they’ve got a guilty conscience!”
Someone even made a video and uploaded It online. One of those videos showed the
moment the loudspeakers were shot down and how Stephen could not answer the questions the reporters threw at him.
That video went viral instantly.
“I didn’t watch the livestream, but wow! The things that came out over the loudspeakers were mind–blowing!”
“Why shoot the loudspeaker if there’s nothing to hide?”
“Did you see how panicked Stephen looked when he was being questioned? There’s definitely something going on.
“The moment the loudspeaker was destroyed, the truth came out!”
“When Stephen couldn’t answer, the truth was revealed!”
Even though Stephen did not say anything, to the audience, it was as if he had confessed everything. However, when the newly uploaded video was deleted, everyone understood it was true–the words from the loudspeaker were true, and the deleted video was real.
All the evidence pointed to Stephen knowing about the situation in Seaside City. It was his fault Seaside City ended up the way it did.
“Stephen Quinn, come out and explain yourself!”
“How dare you ruin Seaside City and then hide now?”
“Weren’t you all talk during your visit earlier? Why are you staying silent now?”
Stephen hid in a room, on the verge of breaking down as he read the comments. His mind was spinning, struggling to process everything.
The situation was bad, really bad. What was he supposed to do now? Could he still save himself?
He was already thinking about running back to the Quinns.
“Howard and Dennis have both fled overseas. Why are they still targeting me? What did I do wrong to deserve this? I didn’t want this to happen either. None of this would’ve happened if they had just listened to me!”
Stephen was still clueless as to what he had done wrong, but then, he thought of Ethan.
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He did not get it. They both managed the same cities, yet
I could govern them so smoothly. There was not a single issue over the last three years, and the economy took off like never before.
However, as soon as he took over, North Hill City’s GDP fell from 1 trillion to 20 million, Seaside City’s GDP fell from 1.8 trillion to 80 million, and Riveria’s GDP fell from 15 trillion less than to 1.4 billion!
Stephen could not understand it.
What was he doing wrong? Was Ethan really that much better than him? Could people be right about Riveria falling apart without Ethan?
“Impossible. I’m not much worse than him.”
However, as he thought of the current situation, he trembled again.
“What should I do? I…”
A thought suddenly came to him. “Can I ask Ethan for help? If he’s willing to help me, Howard might back off, and my problems should be lessened!”
Stephen refused to believe that Ethan was much more capable than him. Yet now, he was desperate enough to seek Ethan’s help.
