Chapter 75
+25 BONUS
Stephen observed Ethan, noticing the latter’s improved complexion. In fact, Ethan looked like he was doing better than when he was in prison.
How did that happen? Stephen was baffled.
Ethan was trapped in the mountain with no one to talk to. Despite having internet access, the residence’s settings had been configured to block all forms of communication. Stephen would not want to be in Ethan’s situation, yet Ethan was having the time of his life.
Unbeknownst to Stephen, Ethan was pretty much alone when managing Riveria too. Communication only happened when he assigned work.
Now that Ethan lived in a remote villa, work was the least of his problems, and that was a huge weight off his shoulders. He now had time to write his novel.
Stephen asked, “Don’t you feel bored living here alone?”
Ethan smiled, his book still in hand. “Living here is no different than my life in the city.
Riveria faced a turbulent time under the leadership of Stephen, and Ethan had his ways to keep himself informed, so he could watch the drama unfold anywhere.
Well, there was a slight difference. Ethan was in a much quieter area and free of disruptions. He could even live off the land. Besides, with Stephen at the helm, there was never a dull moment.
Stephen, however, did not get it. He believed life in the mountain was the most boring and excruciating thing ever. There was no comparison to living in the city, but it made no difference to Ethan.
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Nevertheless, Stephen decided to drop the matter, or Ethan might mock him for diving deep into the subject.
He called on Ethan’s bullshit.
“I came to tell you one thing. I have stopped the chaos in North Hill City. The city will be back to its former glory in a few years.”
Ethan still would not look at him.
“A few years?” Ethan said, “How many years do you need to push North Hill City’s GDP from 500 billion to one trillion dollars?”
Stephen replied proudly, “That’s the fastest speed possible.”
“Do you know how long it took me to raise North Hill City’s GDP to one trillion dollars?”
Stephen’s heart skipped a beat as he replied, “How long?”
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Chapter 75
+25 BONUS
Ethan finally put down his book and said, “Six months.”
Stephen shuddered in shock, his eyes bulging. To think North Hill City enjoyed a trillion dollars in GDP in just six months!
“That’s impossible.”
There was a huge gap between six months and six years.
“You’re lying!”
Ethan smiled, not saying a word. He did not want to waste his breath on someone who could not face reality.
“I get it. You’re trying to upset me. You know you’re stuck here, so you’re playing this silly game to get on my nerves.
“Ha! You’re sweating, Ethan.”
Stephen pulled himself together. That could very well be the case now that Stephen thought about it.
Ethan would be trapped in the mountain for the rest of his life, and he had not beaten Stephen. The only thing he could live for was deceiving Stephen, making the latter a fool, and looking back to that tiny moment for his personal enjoyment.
“Too bad, though. You can’t trick me.”
Stephen was sure that Ethan was putting up a brave front. The next time Stephen would be at the residence, Ethan could just be a lifeless body.
As Ethan went back to his book, Stephen said, “You can pretend like nothing–ever happened, but I know you’re panicking.
“I have said what I came here for. Your contribution to the city is now in the past.
Everybody will only remember my name. I will be the one to save North Hill City and make
the city great again, while you can only spend the rest of your life here.”
Stephen then rose to his feet and took off without looking back.
