Chapter 240
Once, Ethan had been the Grand Marshal’s mentee.
The Grand Marshal had sacrificed everything for Riveria, and as his mentee, Ethan inherited the Grand Marshal’s responsibilities after he passed. In other words, it was Ethan’s duty to carry on the Grand Marshal’s legacy.
Now that Stephen had taken Ethan’s identity, he had also taken on the responsibility of carrying on Grand Marshal’s legacy! Now, he had to face all the enemies, both inside and outside of Riveria!
What about Ethan? Since he was no longer the Grand Marshal’s mentee, Riveria’s affairs no longer had anything to do with him.
How could that happen?
Stephen could not smile anymore. That was not what he had anticipated. He thought that by stealing Ethan’s identity, Ethan would be left with nothing. However, contrary to his expectations, Ethan was freed from all burdens!
“It seems you finally understand,” Ethan said with a calm smile. “So, let me ask you again. Are you truly ready for this?”
Stephen gulped. He was already considering giving everything back to Ethan. That identity was not an honor. It was a crushing responsibility!
Shawn, Eric, Brandon, Danny, Howard, Dennis, and Oliver–any one of them could play him like a fool, so what if someone even worse came along?
Stephen began to panic.
“Actually, it’s too late, even if you’re not ready.” Ethan said calmly, “They won’t give you a chance to prepare.”
Stephen took a deep breath and replied shakily, “You’re just trying to scare me! You must be lying. Riveria is thriving now and has even earned the title of the top province in Draconia. How could it be as dangerous as you make it sound?”
The more Stephen thought about it, the more it made sense. Ethan had to be bluffing, trying to throw him off and make him look foolish.
“You sure know how to talk. I was almost fooled. Unfortunately, I won this time. You can only stand by and watch as I take your identity and claim all the good deeds you’ve done before. Under my care, those widows will soon forget about you!”
Ethan smiled faintly. “As long as they’re living a good life, it’s the same no matter who takes care of them.”
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+25 BONUS
Stephen froze.
At that moment, he felt that he was inferior to Ethan. Ethan took care of them because he wanted them to lead good lives, but Stephen did it to one–up Ethan! How humiliating!
“Heh.” His face burned as he forced a sneer, dropping the subject of the widows.
“In any case, you can’t trick me, This time, I’ve won, fair and square. No matter how nonchalant you act, it won’t change a thing! I bet you’re so furious right now that it’s driving you crazy.”
Ethan could not be bothered to explain himself. “If thinking that makes you feel better, then go ahead. After all, how many more times will you have the chance to claim a ‘victory‘ like this?”
Stephen clenched his fists.
“Still pretending, huh?
Just as the words left his mouth, his phone suddenly rang. Stephen pulled it out to see that it was George calling.
“Bad news!” George’s anxious voice sounded as soon as he answered the call.
“A large number of businesses are suddenly leaving Celestial City, and it’s not just Celestial City. Enterprises across Riveria are pulling out. Even the ones that planned to move here backed out! Richard’s family is here to take him away!”
Stephen stood there, frozen in place, his mind going blank.
Businesses were leaving Riveria, especially Celestial City? Even Richard was leaving?
Stephen hung up the call in a daze.
“Riveria is plunging into chaos again. Stephen, the Grand Marshal’s mentee who stabilized Riveria three years ago, can you pull it off again? If you can’t, you know the consequences. Neither you nor the Lowes or the Quinns can afford it.”
Sweat soaked through Stephen’s clothes, and beads of cold sweat trickled down his forehead. At that moment, he finally realized that the problem was far worse than he had imagined!
When things went south in the past, he could claim he was deceived, but what about now?
He was the Grand Marshal’s mentee, the person who stabilized Riveria three years ago. How could he have been tricked?
All the excuses he used before were now useless, and he could not afford to fail again. This time, he had backed himself into a corner.
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Even if he succeeded, no one would praise him. After all, success was expected for the Grand Marshal’s mentee. However, if he failed, it would be disastrous!
