The Guardian's Return by Old Pumpkin

Ethan said calmly, "Even if he can't take it, that has nothing to do with me. By now, Jeremy should have arrived in Hill City."

Jeremy's involvement and Andy's peacemaking operations both required money, so Andy planned to ask Stephen for another 10 to 20 million dollars. Since Jeremy was now working with Andy, he would go along with Andy to make the request.

Austin's body immediately tensed up. "What? Jeremy is at Hill City?"

His worst fear had come true. He had to hurry back to Hill City to stop Stephen from meeting Jeremy.

The sight of Jeremy could trigger something devastating for Stephen, just like with Snow. Even though she was still alive, he could never find her. His guilt grew with each passing day, weighing heavier on him until the day it would break him entirely.

Austin understood that feeling all too well. As a psychologist, he had seen many patients who developed psychological issues due to relationships. One patient's words still stuck with him.

"The day she died, I actually felt okay. Everyone else was crying, but I didn't feel sad. I ate, slept, and scrolled my phone as usual. But one day, I saw a joke online and wanted to share it with her. Only then did it hit me that she was gone. From that point on, each day became increasingly painful."

Snow was already too much for Stephen to bear. If Jeremy were to be added to the equation, Austin was not sure even his mentor would be able to help Stephen.

way back, Austin called

because he had known for a while that Jeremy was

"He's utterly disappointed in Stephen. You have to keep them from meeting. If they see each other, it's

Jeremy was

recording evidence was in Ethan's hands, Jeremy was a living witness. If Jeremy

understand," Nolan

something he would do even

moment, Andy had brought

hospital. Follow me," Andy said while holding his phone with Stephen's

themselves in the hallway to

won't go in. I'll just

so he just nodded and replied,

and Marcus then entered

in bed, while Nolan sat uneasily by his side. A doctor and nurse were also conducting a check-up on Stephen. Simon was not there as he had gone to prepare some

walked in, Stephen

Andy still cares about me. He heard I was hospitalized, so he's here to visit