Gavin's appearance was very similar to that of Grayson. I could never have told them apart.I asked Atlas, "If both of them are together, can you tell them apart?"Atlas confidently replied, "That's the understanding between us!"I scoffed and gave him a sidelong glance. "If I spend enough time with them, I can do that too!"Everyone laughed.Sean hurriedly showed up shortly after, and Atlas formally introduced them.Sean remarked, looking slightly uncomfortable, "How can I lead the team like this? I'm worthless in comparison to all of you!"His words provoked laughter from everyone.Even I was somewhat surprised. It turned out that Gavin and the others were such elite soldiers.Sean's words lightened the mood. I knew precisely what Sean felt embarrassed about, indicating that Atlas's subordinates were formidable.Sean didn't let up and cleared his throat. "Since Mr. Atlas has called you all here for this case, I apologize for the inconvenience. Even if I'm useless, I won't b
I saw Finn's hand bleeding profusely, so I wanted to bring him to the hospital. But he kept insisting that he didn’t want to go, claiming that the pain made him feel at ease.I forced him to go to the hospital with Lauren.In the car, he looked pained and said to me, "I like Beatrice. I've liked her since we were teenagers."Finn's words didn't surprise me at all."How did you meet her?" I asked Finn as I drove.Finn leaned back in his seat with a grim expression and said in a low voice, "We went to the same school. She's three years older than me. I started school early, so she was only two years above me"In high school, I had a year with her before she left for college. I hoped to finish high school quickly, then take the same college entrance exam as her and go to Foswood."Finn's words were naive, revealing his enduring affection. After all these years, he remained true to his feelings, which was rare to see these days.Lauren listened attentively but didn't interrupt."B
When Finn heard my question, he abruptly turned to me and asked, "I haven’t. Will that make a difference?""We can’t miss any details!" I asserted seriously.Finn said, "I'm frustrated with myself. I'm so useless. I can't even save the woman I love."I tried to visit the mental hospital almost every year, attempting to see her. But they would never allow any visits, claiming her condition was severe. Once, Hazelyn caught me and sternly warned that if I dared go there again, Jaxford Doors would vanish from Gerby."Finn clenched his teeth tightly."And she did cause a lot of trouble for Jaxford Doors. That's the real reason my dad hates Byron. Later, my dad gave me an earful because our company was being threatened, and I had no choice but to wait for the right moment. But I...""Does your father know... that you like Beatrice?" I asked cautiously.Finn lowered his head in silence for a moment, then nodded. "He found out later. It was after the Chandler family tried to make troubl
I grew anxious. "Why can’t we find her? Maybe you’re not sure what she looks like anymore?”Finn nodded confidently. "I'm sure. I remember the nurse very clearly."Sean also questioned the file clerk. "Are you sure all the nurse records are here?"The employee nodded. "Yes, they're all here."We all felt disappointed. Just then, an older file clerk approached and asked the junior one, "What's going on?""They're here to check the nurse records," the junior clerk responded.The senior file clerk looked at us. "Where are you from?"Sean showed his credentials, and after a quick inspection, the senior file clerk asked the junior one, "What about the ones who were transferred or resigned? Did you show them to the officer?"The junior clerk seemed unsure. "I didn’t know about those. These are the ones I found."The senior file clerk immediately said, "Please wait. There are some missing nurse records from this file."She turned and walked into the file room. After a while, she ret
In fact, my confidence wasn’t unfounded. When I entered her home, I was convinced that her life must have been a hard one.She looked at me, asking skeptically, "Can you really set things right?""We can." This time, it was Sean who answered."No matter how many years have passed, if someone has committed a crime, they must face the consequences, no matter how difficult it may be," Sean told her. "I didn't make this up. It's a statement from the top authorities in our province. They granted me the power to handle this case. That's why I went through so much trouble to find you."When Maisy heard that Sean was telling the truth, she let out a wail. "Thank the heavens. Finally, there's hope for me."After expressing her emotions through her tears, she quickly ushered us into her home. The place was destitute. It was barely a home.Feeling embarrassed, she gestured for us to take a seat, then choked up as she continued to tell us what happened."You're saying Beatrice was harmed?"
"But I saw her acting furtively, and her face turned red. I thought for sure that the woman had asked her to do something and had given her something in return. That's why she didn't want anyone to know. In reality, everyone does something like that."Since we weren't on the same shift, I didn't pay much attention to it. But as I was leaving, the head nurse and a doctor came looking for her. She hurriedly took something out of her pocket and stuffed it into her locker in the changing room. She was in a rush, so she didn't lock it properly. Those lockers had locks, and she had only secured one latch before rushing out."I felt like I was right there, seeing the nurse's anxious demeanor.Maisy continued, "It was partly my fault. I was curious, and since everyone was gone, I quickly returned, opened her locker, and checked what she had put inside."I thought to myself, curiosity could be fatal. I didn't know if she thought it was tragic. Maybe it was just fate."Sure enough, it was s
"Natasha Roy," Maisy stated. "But as far as I know, she's no longer working in the hospital. I suspect she colluded with the Chandler family to file a complaint against me."So, I was framed and accused of administering the wrong medication to a patient. This is impossible. As a nurse with ten years of experience, such a thing would never happen!"Maisy presented her reasons as if fearing I wouldn't believe her.I nodded. "What happened afterward?"Maisy paused, seemingly reliving a nightmare. Hesitantly, she said, "But that day, the patient’s condition suddenly deteriorated. After rescuing them, it was revealed that they were my patient. They claimed I administered the wrong medication. I was arrested and detained for days."Maisy wiped her eyes and sniffed. "I could never make such a mistake. I always double-checked the injections with great caution. It's absolutely impossible!"Then she looked up abruptly at Sean. "Then, someone threatened me. The patient's family sought me ev
Finn's offer astonished not only Maisy but all of us. I had considered suggesting to Maisy that she come to Foswood after the case was resolved. I didn't expect Finn to beat me to it.My impression of him had been improving steadily. He was a responsible and thoughtful man, and this arrangement was indeed the best.After Finn spoke, he looked at Sean and explained, "It's safer for her to come to my place. I'm not at ease if she stays here.”Maisy couldn't believe her ears. She stared at Finn in disbelief. "Jaxford Doors? I..."I encouraged her, “You should go. You'll find something you can do there.”"I'm willing... I can do anything, and I'll do it well." Maisy kept repeating, as if afraid that Finn might retract his promise.Sean nodded, gave Finn a pat on the shoulder, and said, "Thank you, Finn. Let's go with this plan. You take her there, and I'll return to the hospital to find Natasha's records."After saying this, he stood up, and pressed a button on his phone. I noticed
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