Chapter 208
+25 BONUS
Rachel’s efforts could not be denied.
Stephen stood frozen in place, surprised that Rachel had done so much for him. What had he done? He had only hit and insulted her. Even his attempts to apologize felt hollow, lacking any real sincerity.
He felt an overwhelming sense of guilt, and as if that was not enough, the memory of Snow’s sacrifices resurfaced, reminding him that he had hurt her too.
Stephen felt like his heart was being ripped apart. The pain was unbearable.
Disappointed in him, Rachel said, “I’m not feeling well. You should leave.”
Stephen wanted to say something, but she added, sounding a little impatient, “Just go.”
Left with no choice, Stephen quietly left the room, heading to find another room for himself. However, as he lay in bed, sleep would not come.
Every time he closed his eyes, all he could see was Snow’s sobbing face and the look of disbelief on Rachel after he slapped her. He wished he could slap himself in return.
The next morning, Stephen dragged himself downstairs with dark circles under his eyes. When he arrived, George and Rachel were almost finished with breakfast.
Stephen stayed silent. In the past, no one would have started eating without him, but now they had not even bothered to wake him up, much less wait.
“Good morning.” Stephen took the initiative to greet them first, but George put down his fork and said, “I’ll be getting to work now.”
The crisis in Aqua City had been mostly handled, but George still had to boost Riveria’s GDP again. Only by raising the GDP could the Lowes gain power and recognition from the citizens.
Now, Stephen and Rachel were the only ones left at the table.
Stephen said guiltily, “I’m sorry.”
Rachel glanced at him. “What did you do wrong?”
Stephen was immediately left speechless. Rachel let out a cold laugh and said nothing much, too disappointed to even argue.
Meanwhile, as George was choosing which city to focus on developing next, someone had set their eyes on Riveria.
Outside the borders, nestled within a sprawling three–hectare estate, stood a luxurious
malior.
Chapter 208
+25 BONUS
“Riveria is in chaos, but Ethan still hasn’t made a move,” a slender man muttered to himself under his breath, his face marred by a vicious scar, and his eyes gleaming with a chilling light. “It looks like Ethan has really fallen.”
The man was none other than the South Regent, one of the top entities beyond the border!
He had received word earlier that Ethan was gone, but his fear of Ethan had prevented him from making any moves. Hence, he had been watching and waiting.
Today, he had finally witnessed North Hill City’s downfall, Seaside City’s destruction, and now the decline of Aqua City. Through all that, the man of his nightmares had yet to appear.
The South Regent could finally confirm that Ethan had fallen. Riveria no longer had Ethan, and it was time for him to make a move against Riveria!
“What a pity, Ethan.”
The South Regent recalled his first encounter with Ethan three years ago.
Three years ago, Riveria was in utter chaos. With the Grand Marshal’s death added to the situation, the entities barely kept in control rose again, causing more disorder in Riveria. Things were equally bad beyond the border as several forces were almost as strong as the South Regent.
With the Grand Marshal gone, everyone thought nobody in Aqua City could stop them now. Hence, their ambitions grew, wanting to seize control over Riveria.
The South Regent had recently conquered a few forces, securing his position as the King Beyond the Border.
It was at that moment that one of his aides rushed in to report, “Sit, there’s a young man outside requesting to see you. He claims to be Ethan, a mentee of the Grand Marshal.”
“Hm?” The South Regent’s curiosity was piqued.
The Grand Marshal had a mentee? The Grand Marshal had just only passed away, but instead of mourning his mentor, the boy had come to him?
“Hmph! Is he here to surrender?” The South Regent smirked. “An inside man could be useful. Let him in.”
He assumed Ethan had come to pledge allegiance. He planned on using Ethan as a spy to secretly destroy Riveria from within.
Ethan slowly walked into the hall, standing face to face with the
South Regent.
