Seizing the moment, I called my mom.My mom promptly answered. "You’re back early today."I chuckled and replied, "Mom! How did you know I came back early?""How? It's been a few days since you called. I thought you were busy, so I didn't want to bother you." My mom knew me well."I was on a business trip for three days. I’ve been pretty busy, so I didn't have time to call you. How are things over there? Does it seem like we can sell the house soon? If we can’t, you should come back. We can entrust it to the Phillips family.""We had a few potential buyers, but nothing was finalized. Looks like we won’t be able to sell the house as quickly as we thought. Will it be too much trouble for the Phillips family? They're already helping us look at houses.""In that case, find a neighbor you can trust, leave the keys with them, and let them take care of it. Or you could hire a reputable real estate agent and let them handle everything," I suggested, knowing that if it were me, I would de
The last time we went with those parents to visit the farm, it had been an absolute blast. We had almost torn down the whole place.Before I could respond to her request, Atlas was already ruffling her little head indulgently. "Don't worry. I’ll make sure to invite your classmates to the farm for another round of fun."Ava cheered excitedly then ran off to share the good news with Jenny.As we left, I saw her rushing into her great-grandma's arms, chattering away about something.Atlas's phone rang at that moment, and he answered as he walked.I watched Atlas's face as he took the call. When his expression gradually grew serious, I knew something must have happened.Even Lauren looked at Atlas, and we exchanged glances.After he hung up, he said, "Get in the car. We're going to the hospital.""The hospital?" Puzzled, I grabbed Lauren and followed Atlas to his car.Once in the car, I asked Atlas what was going on.He told me, "Things have changed. It seems Liora has suddenly a
It was my first time entering the warehouse district from the outside. I used to access it through the secret passage from my home.Lauren was utterly astonished as she also experienced it for the first time. I explained that this place was an absolute secret and she couldn’t tell anyone about it. There was no need for me to say any more. Lauren understood.Atlas asked me to check on Anya while he went to the main building.I got someone to fetch Anya for me. It had been quite a while since I last saw her.She arrived quickly. She probably knew it was me. Her face lit up with joy as she ran over to me with a big smile on her lovely face, making her even more charming.Lauren stared at her and asked, "Where did you find such a pretty little girl?"I kept it brief.Anya looked completely different. Her complexion was brighter. She spoke to me in still awkward English. "You’re here, Madam!""Oh, you can speak English now?" I looked at her in delight, pulling her over and introdu
The next day, I went to the company with Lauren. She returned to her own office and instead of going to ATL Empire.Before I could reach my office, I saw Adelaide busy in the pantry.When she saw me, she quickly walked over with a smile. "Good morning, Ms. Chloe. Would you like a cup of coffee?""I don't like coffee," I said firmly. "Is Carol here yet?""She’s not in yet. You can tell me if you need anything," she replied eagerly."Tell her to come to my office when she gets here," I said, then walked into my office, thinking that Adelaide seemed to have completed her mission.Before long, Carol hurriedly walked in. "Are you looking for me, Chlo?""Are there any special documents I need to handle?" I asked. "And keep an eye on that one outside. Find a reason to kick her out.""There are no special documents. I asked Mr. Ryan to handle them yesterday. He's been in touch with the people in Bourdamun. He's been busy with that these days. He said he was going to Bourdamun today."
Melanie had a private room, and two police officers guarded the door. They knew who I was since I had handed her over to them last night. After a brief exchange, one of them accompanied us inside.Melanie still hadn't woken up. She looked solemn.The bandage on her head made her look even paler. If it weren’t for the beeping of the machines by her bed, you wouldn’t even have realized she was alive. Lauren said disdainfully, "I never thought she'd end up like this. She brought it on herself. I didn't know until now. What do you think her reaction will be when she wakes up and discovers the truth? When she realizes she was manipulated and silenced? Her life is a complete mess. Do you think she'll regret it?"As I looked at the motionless Melanie, I thought about Lauren's question and didn't know what to say.Sighing, I said, "It's really sad. People like her all end up the same way. You need to get to the end to realize how foolish you've been. You're right. She doesn't deserve any
Before I could even speak, Arton had already noticed me. He seemed a bit surprised, his eyes avoiding mine. "M-Ms. Chloe."I shot him a stern look, my gaze piercing as I asked, "What are you doing here?"The tall and sturdy Arton lowered his head, muttering, "I-I just wanted to check on her condition.""And?" I pressed on.At that moment, one of the policemen who had retreated into the room earlier ran out. He shouted for a doctor, his voice filled with urgency.Alarmed, I had a sudden premonition that something was wrong. I rushed toward the room.Lauren, the remaining police officer, and Arton all followed suit. Simultaneously, a group of medical staff hurried toward Melanie's room.Upon entering, they checked the instruments, and the doctor shouted, "Quick, initiate resuscitation."By now, I had also entered the room, witnessing Melanie continuously foaming at the mouth and her body convulsing.After bending down to smell the expelled substance, the doctor declared, "She's
Atlas glanced at Arton and nodded. "Let him go. He has no connection to the suspect!"Arton was relieved and said, "Thank you."The policeman guarding Melanie looked unwilling as he released Arton from the handcuffs.I asked sternly, "Aren't you going back?"Arton glanced at me hesitantly. Eventually, he walked away in a hurry.I understood his feelings. He wanted to stay and wait for news about Melanie.Cane walked in and reported to Atlas, "She must not have left. We checked all the exits, and no one matching her description had left. She couldn't have changed clothes in that short timeframe.""Check for Eugene's ward," Atlas immediately ordered.Cane quickly left and soon returned, saying, "Special ward 1203."Atlas's face lit up, and he said, "Come with me."With Atlas's command, everyone followed him, walking briskly outside. Lauren and I also followed behind them.I questioned Atlas, "Are you saying she might be in her father's room?""The most dangerous place is ofte
As soon as I heard their conversation, I could tell there was some history between them.Atlas's handsome face turned dark and icy, his voice penetrating even when spoken softly. He looked at Eugene and said, "I've said it before. One day, you'd witness your children being sent to prison. How about it, Mr. Eugene? Is my prediction accurate?""What are you saying? Y-You can't make baseless accusations. Atlas, don't push things too far!" Eugene trembled.Despite being a frail old man, just by looking at his appearance, I knew this old guy wasn't a good person.His eyes not only revealed a sinister nature but also a desperate struggle."Even if you manage to stand up again, you won't have a chance!" Atlas finished, then spoke to someone outside. "Come in."As soon as Atlas spoke, Liora stood up and tried to rush toward me…Before she could reach me, Atlas quickly pulled me to the other side. Without hesitation, he kicked Liora forcefully, sending her crashing to the ground.Eugene
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