Chapter 797
Chapter 797:
Leonardo’s expression shifted uncomfortably as he muttered, “We agreed to each keep one. How did they all end up with you?”
Hamlin quickly tugged at Leonardo’s sleeve and interjected, “Stephen, we didn’t come here to fight. After Ashton’s research over the past two days, we realized we were deceived. Those aren’t secret treasures at all, and we can’t make another wish when the thirty-two-year time limit is up. Once the time is up next year, we’ll go bankrupt and die!”
Leonardo nodded quickly, adding, “The only way to save yourself now is to hand over all the Crawford family assets to Ashton!”
Although this conflict seemed almost impossible to resolve, Stephen had been friends with Leonardo and Hamlin for fifty years. Both men genuinely wanted to help him.
After hearing their advice, however, Stephen froze for a moment, only to burst into a harsh laugh.
When the laughter subsided, Stephen sneered with disdain. “Leonardo, Hamlin, we’ve known each other since childhood—fifty years of friendship—and yet, I never realized how foolish you both could be. You’ve been completely deceived, and now you want to drag me down with you. Transfer all assets to Ashton? Are you out of your minds? Your families’ assets are worth at least eleven billion each! Do you know how many years it took us to amass such wealth? That kind of fortune is something most people couldn’t even dream of achieving in a lifetime. And you’re just going to hand it all over to that damned Ashton without a second thought?”
Hamlin furrowed his brow, attempting to explain. “Actually, we…”
But Stephen cut him off. “Don’t bother with your excuses. You’ve both been played by that brat. If you regret it now, it’s still not too late. I can help you get your assets back, but only if you agree to my condition. You must cooperate with me to retrieve the secret treasures from Ashton. All we need to do is wait another six months. Once the thirty-two-year limit is up, we can make new wishes again. With that kind of money, the three of us could wish for immortality and live the life of luxury forever!”
Leonardo and Hamlin exchanged a glance before shaking their heads in unison.
𝖈𝖍𝖊𝖈𝖐𝖊𝖉 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞 𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊: 𝖌ⲁ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⫺𝖼𝗈𝗆
They already knew Ashton’s background. As a member of the Baldwin family—one of the four guardian families in Tacland and even the country—Ashton had no reason to deceive them.
However, since Ashton had strictly instructed them not to reveal his identity to Stephen, they held their tongues, suppressing what they truly wanted to say.
Watching Stephen remain fixated on the power of these so-called secret treasures, they couldn’t help but pity him. Leonardo, not one for eloquence, continued to speak earnestly. “Stephen, the three of us grew up together. Even when we made that wish all those years ago, we did it together. Over the years, our families have done so much to support you. Do you truly believe we’d ever try to harm you, a dear friend?”
Stephen let out a cold, mocking laugh, his confidence in his own cleverness evident. “Who’s to say you two haven’t been completely brainwashed by Ashton? The schemes of that brat are truly uncanny—he’s managed to make you willingly surrender assets worth more than ten billion. And you actually believe him? That’s absurd!”
“Ashton is doing this for our own good,” Leonardo said urgently. “He wasn’t even willing to help you at first, but he gave in because we begged him to. This is your last chance, Stephen!”
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