Chapter 269
Others were unaware, but Simon knew the entire truth.
Stephen was not the mentee of the Grand Marshal. He was just an impersonator!
Ethan was the one who brought peace to Riveria three years ago and was currently locked up in Drakthorn Ridge!
Riveria had no one who could rival or suppress the South Regent, hence his recent movements.
If the South Regent was not dealt with, he would continue to harm the entire province.
As the King Beyond the Border, he had the power to run over Riveria easily.
Simon feigned a calm look and said, “Stephen will deal with the South Regent. Meanwhile, we have to find out what the mayor has done to Celestial City.”
Soon, Stephen came back with results.
As the restrictions on housing purchases were lifted, the mayor raised prices and sold them at a peak, raking in a fortune.
The development areas were left idle without any real construction going on and were all sold out in the pre–sales.
He fled with all the money, leaving behind empty, undeveloped lands and expensive houses.
For
“Here’s the problem.” Stephen’s voice was shaking, his forehead glistening with sweat.
“The companies are leaving and asking us for a refund. The prices of the houses are too expensive, so people left, leaving behind many idle properties. It’s creating an economic bubble.”
Once the economic bubble burst, everything would be meaningless.
Simon was stunned after listening to the update. The issue was much more serious than anticipated.
He told everyone in the meeting room, and they were all left speechless. They had a severe headache just from thinking about the issue.
The undeveloped areas and the idle but expensive houses–both were terrible issues that could ruin the economy.
“There’s only two ways around this.” Someone said, “First, we spit back whatever money we got, which can solve most of the problems, but it will also ruin the economy of Celestial City.”
1/2
Celestial City’s GDP had risen to a trillion, and the real estate business contributed to half of that since it was the fastest way to make money,
“The second way would be to let the people take the responsibility?
They could sit back and let the people go after the mayor and the South Regent for an explanation.
The undeveloped areas would be left idle, but the people would still have to pay a mortgage every month. They could stabilize the economy with that, but the people would feel aggrieved, which would drive more investors away.
With housing prices matching those of a big city but salaries resembling those of a village, it would deter people from coming to Celestial City to seek a livelihood.
It would also affect the local businesses. They could not make enough money and they would lose employees while their rent could double or triple.
Simon and his colleagues could only come up with two temporary solutions, but neither of them was optimum.
Unless they could catch the mayor and take the money back, it was impossible since the money would be in the South Regent’s pockets by now.
After some serious discussion, they chose the second option, which was to do nothing and let the people figure it out themselves.
Celestial City’s economy was the priority. The city’s GDP had dropped to two billion, and they could not afford to lose more.
After the meeting, Simon called Stephen to inform him of their decision. He then called the South Regent.
“You people are despicable!” Simon was agitated.
They had been tricked by the mayor once more, and this time was worse than the previous.
“It’s you people who are being dumb. Your son is the mentee of the Grand Marshal, isn’t he? Can’t he see through this little trick? Even if he can’t, you should know that the rules Ethan set up are meant to play a specific role and purpose.”
Simon clenched his teeth. “Give us back the money!”
“You must be dreaming!” The South Regent cackled.
“Don’t force me to march on you!” Simon threatened. He was considering escalating the conflict.
“What’s wrong? Your son is too stupid and you decided to join the fray?”
