The police officer looked at Finn and smiled. "Since we’re sitting at the same table today, we're like family. There's nothing we can't talk about!"He gestured toward Arnold as he said, "We are particularly good friends—we’re classmates!"I smiled and told Mr. Cameron, "This is my younger brother, Arnold. He came to help me figure out how to visit Beatrice at the psychiatric hospital."The police officer said, "Anyone who pays attention to the Chandler family knows that something is amiss, but no one wants to expose it. Moreover, Byron Chandler has become overly confident since he took over Keller's Dairy! “He continues to grow his network and enjoys better benefits now that the Keller family has disintegrated. He'd dare to do anything!" The police officer's words resonated with all of us.Mr. Cameron shook his head, "Ordinary people can't get close to Byron now. It's not the same old Bryon who used to pretend to be humble."After remaining silent, Eleanor lost her composure
We all watched as he answered the phone.He listened briefly before saying, "How aboutHow about we don't mention we’re visiting Beatrice? Just for a tour, inspection, or as a potential investment. Whatever reasonworks, as long as we can get in!"I felt relieved to hear Sean’s words. "Yes, yes... Okay, we'll wait for the information. The sooner, the better. Yes, it has to be tomorrow! We'll leave after the visit." Sean said into the phone.After hanging up, Sean looked at Arnold and said, "Beatrice is there, but her situation is unique. They forbade anyone from seeing and contacting her except the Chandler family. I asked them to figure something out, so l.think of the rest when we are inside, alright?"Arnold glanced at me, and I could only nod. "As long as we know she's there, that's good! However, assessing her condition is tough when we can't see her! How do we know if she's sane or not?" Arnold said."We'll figure it out once we're inside!" I stated, "I'm sure we can find
The hospital's director, Wilbur Valencia, was very polite since our visit was facilitated by elite connections. It seemed that Sean’s plan was well thought out.Nick discussed the purpose of this visit with Wilbur, and what surprised me was that he came to represent the ATL Empire.Of course, this approach provided more credibility, as the ATL Empire possessed substantial financial resources and could find the information needed with a few clicks.After the discussion, Nick requested a comprehensive tour of the hospital. Wilbur was naturally cooperative, seeing this as a scarce opportunity for them.We stood up and followed Wilbur to the ward area. I felt a bit nervous.The condition inside the small building was quite good, with spacious, clean corridors much better than they appeared from the outside.Before examining the patient wards, we looked into the medical staff's credentials and the equipment used in the hospital.Wilbur reported that there were 206 patients in the war
Arnold looked frustrated, glancing back at Wilbur with a smirk, "Penny wise and pound-foolish!"Wilbur quickly caught up with Nick. "Mr. Nick, please calm down! I didn't say you couldn't see... but.""Never mind, I have the least confidence in troublesome situations like yours! Eleanor, contact the next one!" Nick said as he walked out.Brilliant as always, Eleanor immediately responded, "Yes!"She took out her phone and deliberately scrolled through the contacts.Seeing this, Wilbur said, "Mr. Nick, let me take you on a tour immediately!"Finally, I relaxed a bit. My palms were sweating with anxiety, and I could feel my face heating."Such enterprises are challenging to supervise. Let's forget it!" Nick remained stiff.I hadn't spoken all this time and quickly said, "Why don’t we look first? I feel that the conditions here are quite favorable, especially as one of the few well-established psychiatric hospitals in the province."Nick paused and asked me, "Do you think it has s
Arnold immediately said, "Are you sincere? We're here to invest money, not ask you for money. It's just a hospital room, right?"The assistant doctor looked conflicted, hesitating to speak.Arnold glanced inside and disdainfully said, "What's the big deal? We've seen mentally ill patients. Why is your situation so special? Open it! I must see who's so important inside."At this point, Wilbur also needed help to handle it. "Mr. Nick, it's indeed a bit challenging for us. This person is somewhat special. We can negotiate if there are objections, but we can't breach the contract. At least, not for now.""It's okay. We just want to see the interior conditions. If there's nothing special, then forget it!" Nick said.While they were talking, I kept my eyes on the person on the bed. She was unaffected by the external disturbances, motionless, with her hair covering her entire face. She might be asleep.I was so anxious that I almost shouted out Beatrice's name. But at a time like this,
I followed the group outside, feeling a little reluctant. I reflected on the glimpse of Beatrice I had just witnessed.As we walked out of the building toward the front of the main one, a Maserati entered the courtyard, casually parking without any regard for rules. A glamorous woman stepped out of the car.After getting out, she removed the sunglasses from her face and looked at us arrogantly with an air of superiority. This must be the legendary Hazelyn Marrow, daughter of the Chandler family.My anger surged, but I had to endure it for Beatrice's safety. After all, the Chandler family still had some influence in Gerby, and we couldn't confirm whether Beatrice was truly ill.We also lacked concrete evidence to prove that any wrongdoing had been done, and we couldn't take Beatrice away. If the Chandler family intervened, we wouldn’t be able to take Beatrice with us, and we might put her in danger.Byron definitely had issues. It seemed we had to bring down Byron if we wanted to r
Arnold dismissed him. "So what? A milk seller can act all arrogant now? You'd better tone it down, got that?""Don’t be unreasonable, Arnold. Let’s go." Nick said sternly as he cast a faint glance at Hazelyn. It was just a fleeting look, but it was enough to make Hazelyn guess what he meant. The cold aura emanating from him was intimidating.In the end, Hazelyn didn't dare pick a fight.Arnold remained silent and followed Nick, who walked confidently toward the exit.Then, we each boarded two luxurious cars. Under their watchful eyes, we left with heads held high.On the way back, I kept thinking about Beatrice's final gesture. Was she anxious for me to leave? But her vacant gaze and dull expression made me uncertain. Was she really sick? The way she looked at me sent shivers down my spine. It was not a gaze a normal person would give anyone.Our group returned to the hotel we had stayed at last night, and I went back to my room.Arnold immediately asked, "Did you see her, Chlo?
"What are you saying? Absolutely not! We need to handle this quietly ourselves. We can’t make this public. If the news leaks, the investigation will fail, and it might lead to unforeseen complications." Sean quickly told the man, "Use your brain. I bet this involves higher-ups for sure."Everyone agreed with Sean."I really want to meet this Byron guy," I said.Finn immediately added, "There's a business networking party in Gerby tonight, and many local and foreign businessmen will attend. Byron should be there."It was almost noon. If I wanted to return to Foswood by today, I needed to leave soon.I looked at Nick, and he understood my meaning. After thinking for a moment, he said, "We should stay. I want to meet those important people in Gerby, and Arnold’s here too. We can go together."After finalizing the plan, Finn left, saying goodbye until the evening. The rest of us went downstairs for lunch.Later, I went to explore the malls in Gerby with Eleanor. We were planning to
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