The Demon is Released

Chapter 4

However, Ethan calmly said, "Sure. It's just a small matter."

"A small matter?" The others were shocked when they heard Ethan say this—a hundred million-dollar loan was no small deal.

Lydia immediately cursed, "A former convict just out of prison! And a hundred million-dollar loan? Do you think the bank is your personal piggy bank? You're just a worthless show-off."

Ethan's expression turned cold. He said harshly, "Are you done talking?"

If it weren't for helping Henry and repaying the Sullivan family for taking him in ten years ago, he wouldn't even want to enter their house, let alone marry Vivi.

'After all, with my current status, I can have any woman I want, including the President's daughter! But it doesn't matter. In a few days, they'll see how strong I am.'

"What? You, a former convict, want to hit me?" Lydia was startled by Ethan's grim expression, but she stubbornly retorted.

"Auntie, there's no need to get angry. Let me help Vivi by contacting Bank of Amelia." Peter quickly stepped forward, eager to show himself.

"Thank you so much, Peter." Lydia's expression brightened, and she nodded with a smile.

"Uncle Henry, it's late. I'll head to Phoenix Mountain to pay my respects to my mother." Feeling uninterested, Ethan grabbed his bag and left the Sullivan house. He was already in a bad mood and didn't want to waste any more words with these women or deal with their cold stares.

Lydia immediately complained, "Just out of prison with not a penny to his name, he still dares to leave so arrogantly! Who knows how many bad habits he picked up in prison over the years!"

"Auntie, don't be upset. If that ex-con wants to leave, let him go. Whether he ends up homeless, starving, or dead, it's none of our business!" Hannah tried to comfort Lydia, while Peter secretly rejoiced on the side.

However, what Peter and Hannah didn't know was that just under a kilometer from the Sullivan villa, thirteen military Humvees surrounded a black Mercedes-Maybach S680, waiting for Ethan. The whole area was on lockdown.

As soon as Ethan appeared, the doors of the thirteen Humvees opened at once, and dozens of black-clad bodyguards rushed out, forming two lines. They turned to face Ethan and bowed together, "Paying the utmost respect to Ethan."

Then, from the lead Maybach, a middle-aged man wearing an aristocratic dress stepped out.

In the dark, under the streetlights, the middle-aged man walked briskly to Ethan with a serious expression. He saluted Ethan and said, "I heard the King of Hell has arrived in Rivernorth. I, Theodore, the wealthiest man in Rivernorth, have come to welcome the King of Hell."

"I remember you. The Rivernorth King, Aiden Smith, who served time at ADX Florence, is your brother." Ethan glanced at Theodore and said calmly.

Theodore respectfully replied, "Yes, Aiden Smith is indeed my brother. Upon hearing the news of your release, I flew to ADX Florence three days ago. Unfortunately, you arrived in Rivernorth first on Air Force One, and I missed the chance to meet you. But from now on, whenever you need me in Rivernorth, I'll be at your service."

Ethan nodded, then glanced at the line of bodyguards and the many military Humvees, feeling a bit displeased. He said, "Next time, if there's anything, we can talk in the car. You don't need to be so formal."

When Ethan was five years old, he and his mother were hunted by Vanessa's people, so he grew up with a low-key personality. Before getting into the Maybach, he reminded Theodore again, "And don't call me the King of Hell anymore. Just call me Mr. Quinn."

"Yes, Mr. Quinn." Theodore nodded seriously.

Soon, thirteen military Humvees escorted the Maybach S680 as it drove toward Moonview Mountain.

Moonview Mountain was a wealthy area in Rivernorth, with over twenty villas on its slopes, the cheapest of which was worth five hundred million dollars.

At the top of the mountain, the number one villa, called "Capital Mansion," had an indoor area of over 3,000 square meters and was worth three billion dollars. It originally belonged to Tyler, the War God of the North, but now the owner of this villa was Ethan.

"How could it be him?" Samantha suddenly hit the brakes on her Ferrari, shocked. She had just returned from delivering medicine to an old general's house and didn't expect to see thirteen military Humvees escorting a Maybach S680 as soon as she arrived at Moonview Mountain. And judging by the direction, it was heading to the top of the mountain.

"Who was that, Miss?" Yvette asked from the passenger seat.

Samantha frowned, watching the grand convoy in the rearview mirror. "I think I saw Ethan in that Maybach, and there was a big shot with him!"

"Ethan in a Maybach? With a big shot?" Yvette laughed. "Miss, you must be tired and imagining things. How could a convict, who can't even find a job, be with a big shot? Or live in a villa at Moonview Mountain?"

Samantha smiled and shook her head. Moonview Mountain was the most expensive area in Rivernorth, with the cheapest villa costing five hundred million dollars. Ethan had just gotten out of prison; how could he afford a villa there?

There was definitely a big shot in the car, but seeing Ethan was just her imagination.

***

The next day, after Ethan paid his respects to his mother at Phoenix Hill Cemetery, he turned away, tears streaming down his face.

After a while, Ethan took a deep breath, lost in memories. He looked at Theodore with a serious expression and said, "Ten years ago, before I was imprisoned, my mother was assassinated by 108 martial arts masters in the southern suburbs of Rivernorth. She died on Christmas Eve. I spent years in prison investigating and found out that besides Vanessa, other terrorist forces were also involved. But every time my confidants looked into this group, they died in some accident, so I still haven't found the mastermind behind it!"

"Theodore, you just began following me yesterday, so we don't have a close relationship. Today, I'm giving you this task. Can you give me a satisfactory answer by December 21st?" Ethan stared at Theodore, his words a mix of request and command. At the same time, a surge of hatred and anger seemed to explode from within him.

"This..." Theodore felt the temperature around him suddenly spike, causing him to shiver, sweat streaming down his face. If so many of the King's loyal men died in accidents investigating this, wouldn't it be suicide for him to get involved?

But then Theodore remembered how, just yesterday, at ADX Florence, he had seen the White House Chief of Staff personally invite Ethan to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This clearly showed how powerful and connected Ethan was.

If the truth behind Ethan's mother's assassination was uncovered, the Williams family could rise beyond Rivernorth and become one of the top families in Celebia.

Sure, investigating this was extremely dangerous, but the potential rewards could change the fate of his entire family. As Rivernorth's wealthiest man, Theodore understood this well. After weighing the risks and benefits, Theodore loudly promised, "Rest assured, Mr. Quinn, I will do everything in my power to uncover the full truth behind your mother's murder and the forces involved in it!"

Ethan nodded. He was about to get off to deal with the Sullivan family's loan issue when he suddenly heard a voice full of complaint from behind: "Dad, why did you come to Phoenix Hill again?"

Ethan turned around and saw a middle-aged man in a military uniform helping an old man to sit on a large rock, a few dozen meters away. The old man's face was pale, his mouth open, making gurgling sounds.

A big, muscular man stood next to the old man, watching carefully for any danger.

At the bottom of the mountain, over a dozen special assault vehicles were parked. Several dozen special forces soldiers got out, holding guns, sealing off all the entrances and exits of Phoenix Mountain.

“Can't believe we ran into them here at Phoenix Mountain.” Theodore, who was about to follow Ethan, stopped in his tracks. He was surprised when he saw the old man on the rock.