I held my breath as I stared at the doctor. Ivanna clutched my hand, but I was too numb to feel anything. The doctor looked at me. “Your daughter has suffered a concussion, subdural hematoma, and facial soft tissue injury, but her vital signs are stable. Since she’s not awake yet, we must continue observing for 24 hours. She might wake up soon or—"Before the doctor could finish speaking, I fainted.I woke up in a hospital bed. Matthew, Grace, and Ivanna were still there. Even Johnson came. I pushed myself up and asked Ivanna, “Where’s Ava? Where is she?” “Calm down, Chloe! She’s still under observation in the ICU.”Despite Ivanna's efforts to stop me, I rushed out of bed. “I have to stay by her side, okay? She’s terrified of doctors!”“Honey…” Matthew said.“Go away!” I shouted, “Get the hell out of my face! Both of you!” They filled me with disgust. How could he, my husband of ten years, allow his daughter to be assaulted?This family was truly one of a kind. I wished I
Several doctors were examining my daughter. One of them said something while looking at the brain CT scan. The others nodded in agreement, and then he carefully examined Ava again. Standing outside, I could hardly breathe as I stared at what was happening.After an hour, the doctor emerged. He said to Atlas, “Mr. Atlas, it appears that there's no damage to the intracranial nerves for now, so she should wake up soon.“However, due to the concussion, there are multiple areas of soft tissue and subdural bleeding, and the subdural hematoma is extensive. Anyway, I’ll stay here until she wakes up to run further tests.”Matthew kept thanking the doctor that Atlas had engaged for us. Ava woke up from the coma after 28 hours, to everyone’s relief. She obediently stared at me through the window while the neurosurgeon examined her. I smiled and waved at her as I cried, pressing myself against the window to calm her. After the tests, Atlas arranged to transfer Ava to a luxurious room
As I tensed up, I looked at the door. Matthew appeared, and he widened his eyes. Seeing him unexpectedly made me nervous. I tightened my grip on the two big suitcases I was dragging. They mainly contained clothes and other things that were memorable to me.“Honey, you’re back!” Smiling warmly, he strode over. “Honey…”I took a step back. He was a stranger to me now, and I couldn’t stand him being near me. When he did, I felt a mix of disgust, fear, and hatred.He frowned slightly but then smiled as he saw my suitcases. “Honey, where are you going?”“I’m here to take my stuff,” I said blandly, then pulled the suitcases toward the door.He grabbed my arm. “No, honey, you can’t go!” Disgusted, I yanked my arm from his grip. “Never call me that again!”“Honey, why are you so pig-headed?” Matthew looked helpless. “Must you be so cruel?”“Yes, I’m a pig-headed woman! If I weren’t, I wouldn’t have ended up like this and almost got Ava killed!” Seeing him made me lose my cool again.
Glaring at us, she snapped, “Matt, what the hell are you doing?” Matthew quickly let go of me and stared stupidly at Melanie. His flustered look was hilarious. He looked like his wife caught him cheating. “Chloe, have you no shame? How dare you try to seduce Matt again?” She stepped inside the door and glared daggers at me.“You got my dad jailed and swindled all the money. Isn’t that enough? Also, you’ve hooked up with someone new, haven’t you? Why are you back here seducing my brother, you whore?” “Shut your mouth!” I stared back at the evil bitch. “I have no interest in any man you sleep with. Of course, if you could steal him from me, others could do the same to you. A tiger can't change its stripes after all.”“Chloe…” “You stupid cunt!” Melanie almost threw herself at me. Staring at her stomach, I said coldly, “Don’t forget you’re pregnant, all right? Who knows if I might hurt you?”Hearing this, Matthew quickly held Melanie back and glared at me. I chuckled an
Although I was no longer fond of the Murphys, Grace hadn’t mistreated me for the past few years. I could also forgive her for giving me the cold shoulder that day because she only tried to protect her interests.She asked me to return to their house, but I declined because that place traumatized me. Instead, I chose to meet her at a cafe near her house. I softened my attitude when I saw her. After all, I couldn’t be mean to an older woman.Grace looked worn out and conflicted when she saw me. I understood her feelings and ordered her some hot milk. I waited for her to speak, and her lips twitched as she asked, “How’s Ava?”Immediately after, she burst into tears. I had to admit she doted on my daughter.“She’s okay but not as perky as before,” I spoke blandly despite myself. I noticed her sad expression and added, “You’re welcome to visit her anytime.”My words encouraged Grace, and she held my hand, “Can you reconsider the divorce?”I wanted to pull away but refrained. I somehow
Grace’s sudden action startled me and the other customers as they looked at us in puzzlement. I tried to pull her hands off me, but she wouldn’t let go. “Chlo, you have to promise me, okay?”I was upset and straightened up, saying, “I’m sorry, but I’m not you. I can’t accept Matthew’s rotten behavior, so go home. Your son can always marry someone else. Besides, Melanie’s pregnant with his child, isn’t he?”“Chloe, you can’t do this to us!” Grace held onto me. “You can leave after all these years. You’re being irresponsible!”I scoffed, wondering how I was the one being irresponsible. However, what Grace said next made my jaw drop, “It’s enough that you took Ava. How could you also take Matthew’s hard-earned money? Worse, you’re taking him to court over it.”Grace looked at me resentfully as she continued, “You can’t take all the money. It’s fine if you want to get a divorce, and we can let you keep your old place. The apartment belongs to Matthew!”She spoke as if I was someone wh
I went to ATL Empire the following day. However, I didn’t see Atlas, but Nick signed the contract with me instead. He shook my hand and said, “We’re looking forward to working with you.”“Keep your projects coming, all right?” I said with a smile.With the contract signing, I officially launched my company, Hartz Construction. Although I had Urban Builders’ support, I felt nervous about taking on such a massive project as my first. However, I was thrilled because I could provide for myself and Ava.Soon, the news spread throughout the industry, and everyone wondered who was behind Hartz Construction.As I stepped out of ATL Empire, I hesitantly called Atlas. After all, I couldn’t have signed the contract without him. The phone rang for a while before he answered huskily, “Yes?”He always spoke little and bossily, so I lost my mood to speak. Suddenly, he grew anxious and asked, “Chloe?”“I-I…just wanted to tell you that I signed the contract with ATL Empire,” I tried to sound spir
I was angry and resentful the moment I saw Matthew. How could he stoop to doing this? He smiled and said, “Honey, I know you miss your parents, so I fetched them to our new apartment.”He shamelessly brought my parents in as he spoke. My parents looked around the house, saying, “The place looks great! Your hard work has finally paid off.”As they entered, Ava exclaimed, “Grandma! Grandpa!”She wanted to run to them but saw Matthew. After some hesitation, she threw herself into my mother’s arms. Meanwhile, Matthew attended to my parents’ needs and acted like a good son-in-law.He didn’t even tell my parents what happened between us.“Honey, I didn’t get to eat anything on the plane. Why don’t you keep me company while I whip up something?” Matthew rolled his sleeves and headed toward the kitchen.I gritted my teeth but didn’t dare to scold him. After all, my dad’s condition had just stabilized, and I couldn’t afford to agitate him. I reluctantly sat down as my mom looked me up and
Four months later, at a hospital in Foswood.After being wheeled out of the delivery room, I saw my entire family waiting for me outside.My grandmother, supported by Hana, walked up to me, trembling. "Chlo, my Chlo, you've been through so much!"Beside my grandmother was a girl who looked a lot like me, standing silently beside my grandmother. She was the one who had been crafted to be my counterfeit.What was even more dramatic was that the DNA test results had revealed that she was actually my parents' daughter. When we found out, we cried tears of joy. It was truly heaven-sent. From then on, I gained another sister, who was like a twin to me.Feeling a little weak, I looked at her kind smile and said, "Grandma! It's two boys!""We all saw them. They’re very handsome and healthy! I can finally rest assured. My daughter has a life partner now," Ivanna said as she eagerly squeezed by my side.Everyone burst into laughter. Jared reached out his long arm and pulled her back. "Com
I closed my eyes, trying hard to recall my dreams. Usually, this scenario always appeared in my dreams, but now I couldn't remember any details.Atlas looked at me indulgently. "Take your time, don't rush. Your mom will help us."I took a deep breath, clearing all the distractions from my mind. I seemed to see my mom holding my hand, eagerly walking into the woods, looking around and at the treetops. As we ventured deeper into the woods, I asked, "Where are you taking me, Mom? The woods are so dark. I'm scared! Don't go in, Mom. There might be wild animals!""Don't be afraid. I'm here with you. We need to find the tallest tree.""Why do we need to find the tallest tree?""So you can remember!""But I can't walk anymore. I'm scared!""Go sit on that rock for a while. I'll come to you.""A rock," I murmured as I suddenly opened my eyes.I quickly stood up, searching for a place with rocks."Search where there are rocks," Atlas instructed the others.Everyone dispersed quickly,
I gazed at Atlas's anxious face, his features wavering before my eyes. "Chlo... tell me what's wrong," he said, concern etched on his handsome face. I glanced around the room, noticing all our loved ones present, their faces filled with worry, both inside and outside the door.Closing my eyes, I nestled into Atlas's embrace. I felt exhausted like never before. With a soft murmur, I confessed, "I'm... I'm okay." My head throbbed fiercely with an unbearable sensation."I'm fine," I repeated before settling back into his arms, still as a statue. In my ears, the echoes of my dream lingered.A team of medical staff rushed in. Atlas patted me gently. "Let the doctors check you out, sweetheart. You've been out for 48 hours! Let them examine you, okay?"He eased me onto the bed. After the doctors finished their examination, they briefed Atlas on the results.I drifted back to sleep, this time for real, unaware of anything.When I woke up again, the room was bright. Blinking, I look
Ernest was truly shaken by the sight before him, visibly trembling in fear."Everyone in the car, get out! You have one minute." After Atlas's words, several red dots appeared on the foreheads of the people inside the car.The driver immediately wet himself in fear, raising his hands. "N-No... please!..."As his hand reached for the door handle to exit the car, Kenzie shot him dead. I screamed in terror, but at the same time, the man in the passenger seat slumped over, also dead.However, that shot came from a sniper outside.The others were dumbfounded. The two men beside me immediately grabbed their heads and crouched down."Get out of the car!" Kenzie shouted loudly.The two men beside me acted as if they had been granted clemency, reaching to open the car door and shouting, "Don't shoot!" Then, they rolled out of the car, clutching their heads."Kenzie... release Chloe... save me!" Ernest wailed, his appearance filled with disdain.Kenzie's voice trembled. "Ernest...""
"I really haven't seen anything. What are you talking about? My dad never told me about this!" I gritted my teeth, holding onto this secret, but it was clear they already knew about the existence of the survey maps."If you want your children to live, you better tell me the truth. Otherwise, I won't hesitate to show you no mercy. Let me tell you the truth, I didn't plan on leaving alive!" Kenzie's admission was chilling."Then if I die, bitch, I'll take you down with me. Oh... no, scratch that. It'll be you and your children. Haha… So, tell me!" She hit me with the back of the gun."Kenzie, you know how Atlas feels about me. He wouldn't let me be harmed. Do you really think he'd tell me too much? About those maps you mentioned, not only do I not know, but I haven't even seen them. “Even if they exist, my father would only tell him..." I appealed to Atlas's protective feelings toward me, a reasonable plea since most men would be protective of their loved ones, especially Atlas.Ju
I adjusted my breathing and asked, "What do you want to know?"Although I asked this, my mind raced. "He's been back for some time now and has said too much... You've got to tell me, what exactly do you want to know?""Louis and Rory had a secret between them. What was it?" Kenzie said, her voice dripping with malice."They…" I deliberately gasped loudly, buying myself some time. I knew Atlas would come to rescue me. My priority was to protect my children."They... two of them had a... sizable sum of money..." Since that money was already in our hands, I thought it would be futile even if they knew.Kenzie completely released her grip and then shoved my head forward abruptly. My body plunged forward, but quick reflexes saved me as I grabbed onto the front seat, steadying myself."What money? How much?" Kenzie seemed very interested."The amount is significant, but I don't know exactly." I played coy with her. After all, everyone was interested in money matters.Of course, Kenzi
The screech of brakes pierced the air, and a gray car halted right in front of me. Instinctively, I stepped back, unable to discern the make of the car before two individuals leaped out and swiftly pulled me into the vehicle. Simultaneously, a panicked cry sounded from behind me, "Chlo…"Before I could even assess the situation inside the car, it bolted forward."What do you want? Who are you people?" I struggled and shouted.Suddenly, a hand reached out from behind, gripping my neck tightly, and a chilling voice whispered, "Enough."With just those words, I instantly recognized the person. The voice was all too familiar.I steadied my nerves and spoke with feigned calmness, "Kenzie, you've got some nerve, attacking me in broad daylight. It seems like you're really desperate. What? Your plan failed, didn't it?"My neck was forcefully pulled backward. The sudden suffocation drove me to claw at the arm, choking me instinctively."Don't move! If you don't want to die so soon, beh
Atlas's face darkened as he uttered a curt "Hmm" and hung up the phone.Turning to Tristan, he said, "Escort Mrs. Chloe back to the office."He looked at me and softened his tone, "You go back to the office first, I'll come to pick you up later." Atlas expressed a hint of apology."Okay." I nodded.Tristan escorted me to my office and gave me some instructions before leaving.Then, my phone rang. It was a call from Trinity. I quickly answered, "Chlo, I'm about to head to the airport, I’m going to Yare. Do you have any messages for the old lady?"Her sudden question caught me off guard. I really didn't know what message to convey. After all, the old lady of the Avila family to me was just an impression from a photo."No. Let's talk after everything's settled. I'll arrange a time to visit her," I said lightly.Although the travel ban for me had been lifted with the situation becoming clearer, Yare was in turmoil, and I was pregnant. I didn't want to make any promises to the old l
Atticus carefully watched the agitated Mia as he sat in the wheelchair. He pulled out a document and held it out for the media to see."ATL Empire invested 10 billion in Echelon Group a month ago, intending to work together to build a new real estate development and construction field in Zydan. I regret to inform you that you’re no longer a significant shareholder in Echelon, Miss Mia."Even I was shocked by that investment certificate. I looked at Atlas, who seemed confident."To be more accurate, Echelon Group had already signed this agreement before I went to Celestis Island. The real largest shareholder of Echelon Group is ATL Empire. I’m just a partner."As you planned, the shares had long been diluted, but unfortunately, not by you, but by ATL Empire. But I still want to thank you for helping me remove the scum from Echelon Group and purifying Echelon’s ranks."Mia suddenly stood up and banged her fist on the table. She shouted, "Impossible! Atticus, are you playing me?""Y