Upon hearing Liora's heart-wrenching scream, I involuntarily paused for a moment, knowing full well that something had happened in that hospital room. However, for a murderous demon like her, I didn’t feel much sympathy.In the afternoon, the authorities officially announced the arrest of Liora and the news of Eugene's death at the arrest scene.This caught me off guard. I never expected the authorities to act so swiftly.The news outlets reported briefly on this father-daughter duo's involvement in multiple homicides, linking them to Melanie's escape and the entire case. It also stated that Eugene was suspected of conspiring to murder Glen and Margaret. The case was under further investigation.The Thompson family was suddenly exposed to past grievances, starting from Liora's early misdeeds.Gradually, layer by layer, the truth emerged. It revealed the fact that the Thompson family had suppressed the Cole family due to the wine party incident. Many pieces of evidence were provide
When I saw the state of my office, I told Atticus, "I'll call you back later.""Sure," Atticus said, and he hung up the phone.I looked at Carol, who seemed furious, and asked, "What's going on?"Adelaide immediately jumped in. "Ms. Chloe, it's all my fault. When you and Ms. Carol weren't in the office, I was so busy that I forgot to tidy up your office."Her explanation sounded reasonable, but the current situation told a different story. Was my office really in such a mess just because I wasn't around?She was eloquent, but I wasn't buying it. It was evident that someone had messed with my office while I was away.Carol looked at me, intending to explain, "Ms. Chloe—""Ms. Chloe, don't blame Ms. Carol. It's my fault. Ms. Carol wasn't here, and I should have taken more responsibility. It's all my negligence." Adelaide humbly apologized and glanced at Carol, speaking cautiously, "Ms. Carol, I'm not trying to complain. I understand that you might have had something to attend to
After the meeting, I asked Grayson to come to my office to inquire about the progress in Solaris. He reported everything truthfully, and it seemed that things were going smoothly there."What about the situation with Fred I asked you to keep an eye on?" I asked.I had asked Grayson to keep an eye on Fred and the Myers family. I had my reasons for not asking Fred about it directly. Some things were clearer from a third person's point of view."I've got Fred under close watch now. He's learned to behave, but there are subtle movements happening behind the scenes. The old man still leans toward Fred, so the next steps shouldn't be a problem," Grayson reported."Keep monitoring him. If he starts to lose control, give him a little push," I instructed Grayson."Understood! You can trust me on this one." Grayson nodded. "But there's one thing bothering me.""What is it?" I asked."The situation in Yare is too tightly sealed. We can't dig anything out, and it's hard to monitor anything
I stopped, turning back to face him. "Is there something else? Aren't you busy?""Aren’t your parents home yet?" Ryan inquired about the situation in the small town."Yeah, it's been almost a month. I guess they can't agree on the price. They don’t want to compromise. Otherwise, I feel like it would have been settled by now," I said, frustrated. "I'm so used to having them around, and I’m getting uneasy not having them at home. Rose is always the one holding down the fort. We have plenty of maids, and the little girl doesn't even want to kiss me anymore."I sighed. "But Rose is getting up there in age, and it worries me.""I'll ask my dad about it," Ryan said. He pulled out his phone and dialed his father to inquire about our house.As Ryan kept saying "uh-huh" on the phone, my eyes stayed fixed on him. By the time he hung up, I had a pretty good idea of what had transpired.After a lengthy conversation, he finally ended the call. "Your speculation was right."I thought for a mo
I had just reached the doorway of the pantry when I heard voices inside. The one speaking was none other than Adelaide. Her tone carried a peculiar mix of sarcasm."What's wrong? I've made myself quite clear, haven't I? It seems like you have some issues with me, Ms. Carol. You've been making things difficult ever since I arrived. Do you think I can't see it?" Her voice was arrogant, exuding baseless confidence."You’d better watch your manners, Adelaide," Carol warned firmly."What do you mean, 'manners'?" Adelaide's laughter carried a hint of disdain."Don't think you're above me, Carol. I can take your place if I want to. Do you believe that?" Adelaide continued."Adelaide Mcclain, you're in over your head! Do you really think this is a place for your tricks?" Carol was becoming agitated."What are you talking about? Stop acting like a lapdog."Adelaide's voice disgusted me.I took a step forward to enter, but what happened next shocked me even more.As I stepped into their
Just as we were talking, the police arrived surprisingly quickly. I exchanged glances with Carol, who promptly explained the situation to the police. She handed a small USB drive to the officer and personally removed a pinhole camera right in front of them.Adelaide started to panic. She hurriedly approached me, grabbing my hand. "Please spare me, Ms. Chloe! I know I was wrong! I won't do it again next time...""Next time? There won't be a next time!"I shook off her hand and sternly said, "Don't play your tricks where you shouldn't. I knew what you were up to the day you stepped into Tanum. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have captured your master so quickly.""What are you talking about?" Adelaide looked at me with a despairing gaze."Evil deeds will bring about self-destruction. Get that?" Carol looked at her. "Just stay inside, Liora's accomplice."Her words made everyone understand what was going on.The police, indifferent to her pleas, only recognized evidence in front
I looked at Johnson, taking a minute before I spoke."Tell me when he’s leaving. When his mother passed away, she left some money. I'll give him some," I told Johnson."Isn't that money for Ava?" Johnson asked. "I’ve already taken care of his travel expenses. That should be enough.""I can't just leave it to you all. Ava has me, and she doesn't need that money. I didn't even want it. I planned to return this money to him if he really turned over a new leaf and started doing honest work."I had only discussed this with Atlas, and he completely supported my decision. That money was just a drop in the bucket to him.For Matthew, it was a significant sum. Besides, Atlas wouldn't let me spend someone else's money.Continuing, I said, "I won't give it to him now. I don't know what he's up to. Also, all of Melanie's assets, even those her mother stole, are currently in my custody. I'll return them to him in the future, but on the condition that he follows the right path. I'm telling
He waved me off in the hall and walked away happily. I bet he's running home to tell Myra the fantastic news.I was also in a terrific mood. After getting my car at the garage, I drove to the Huffman family home.On the way, I called Atlas to inform him that I had gone to check on Anson.He mentioned that he had something to do in the evening but would come to pick me up later.When I arrived, I discovered Anson was not there.After some thought, I informed the Huffman family’s housekeeper that I would return later. I turned and left.Since the Reese family was nearby, I decided to visit Charlie. It had been a long time since I had seen him.As soon as I entered their living room, I saw the little guy in a baby walker. Arton was leading him and teaching him how to walk.When he heard movements, the smart little one turned his head toward the door. His tiny mouth opened, and his small eyes fixed themselves on me.After a while, he used his little hands to clap the walker. He th
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