Chapter 97
“You know I was wrongfully accused, but instead of immediately revealing the truth, you want me to solve the problem first and then reduce the charges against me?”
Howard laughed. “What a great plan. You’re just going to lock me up again after I solve the problem, aren’t you?”
Stephen fell silent. He had thought about giving up on seeking Howard, but Howard was the only one who could go against Crestwood now.
As such, he asked, “What will it take for you to come back?”
“I’m not going back.” Howard’s response was firm.
“You’ve loved Seaside City for years. Can you bear to sit by and watch it fall apart?” Stephen began to appeal to Howard’s emotions.
“Think of your family and friends living in Seaside City. They’re suffering right now!”
“Heh.” Howard chuckled disdainfully. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I sent them out of Seaside City long ago.”
Stephen was stunned. He had not expected Howard to act so swiftly and decisively. Howard probably knew that Seaside City would be in trouble after his arrest.
Despite that, Stephen tried again. “No matter what, Seaside City is still your home.”
“For people like me, home is wherever I can fill my stomach,” Howard replied.
Stephen realized that tugging on Howard’s heartstrings was not going to work. He needed another plan.
‘What else can I do? What could possibly persuade him… If not something, then maybe someone,‘ he pondered for a moment.
Then, it hit him–Ethan! Yes, Ethan could persuade him!
Stephen immediately said, “If you’re willing to return to Seaside City, we can let Ethan go.
Upon hearing that, Howard finally stopped refusing. The mention of Ethan’s freedom gave him reason to reconsider.
After a brief silence, he said, “I want to see him first.”
“Okay, I’ll arrange for that.‘
>>
Stephen then arranged for someone to bring Howard over, hung up the phone, and smiled.
Howard may seem like a tough nut, but as soon as Ethan was involved, his resolve crumbled.
Chapter 97
+25 BONUS
“It looks like as long as I’ve got Ethan, I can control Howard too. I don’t have to worry about him not listening to me anymore!”
With Ethan in his hands, Howard would not dare step out of line. In fact, he would have no choice but to obey.
At Drakthorn Ridge, Howard immediately knelt on the ground when he saw Ethan.
“Come with me, Mr. Rivers. I’ll take you away from here!”
He was not there just to see Ethan but to take the man away with him. As long as Ethan could leave that place, he would be safe.
Ethan sat on the chair and looked at him. “I quite like this place.”
“Why?”
Howard did not understand. Ethan’s freedom was restricted here, and danger could come at any moment!
Ethan smiled. “No one can stop me from leaving if I want to.”
Did the thousands of people from Lytton in North Hill City manage to stop him? Did the tens of thousands of people from Crestwood in Seaside City manage to stop him?
Did the South Regent’s hundreds of thousands of subordinates from outside the borders manage to stop him?
“Go.”
Knowing why Howard had come, Ethan said calmly, “Stephen has given you a chance to leave. Leave Riveria as soon as possible.”
Howard nodded.
“I understand. I hope we’ll meet again, Mr. Rivers.‘
He nodded at Ethan one last time, grateful for Ethan saving his life and teaching him all there was to know. Then, he stood up and left.
After leaving Drakthorn Ridge, he called Stephen back.
“From now on, I’ll serve you as my master. I’ll return to Seaside City and help you resolve all its problems.”
Stephen was overjoyed. “Good, good!”
He never expected the man to willingly agree to pledge loyalty to him after meeting Ethan. It was an unexpected victory.
With Howard on his side, there was no need to worry about Seaside City’s future anymore.
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Chapter 97
Without wasting any time, he immediately ordered Howard to return to Seaside City.
In the mayor’s office, Stephen and Howard met face to face.
“You’ve made a wise choice. I can give you everything Ethan gave you, but I can also give you what he can’t give you.”
The situation in Seaside City was chaotic, and Stephen knew he needed someone with enough presence to maintain order.
