My heart ached as I lifted my eyes to see my father in front of me, who seemed both familiar and unfamiliar."I had no family left, so all I could do was study. I devoted all my time to my studies, excelling in both middle and high school. I was a model student and was admitted to the prestigious University of Ithaca. Chemistry was my favorite subject, and later, I was admitted to a top-ranking university in Nocturnia, becoming one of the best there," my dad said slowly."My name is Oscar Parson. My real name is Jasper Paul, but I changed my surname to Parson to honor the ones who took care of me." My dad revealed his name."So, you’re Oscar Parson? But what about Lucas Paul?" Atlas interjected, looking at my father in disbelief.My dad looked at Atlas in shock. "How did you know?""I happened to see some information about Oscar Parson from a prestigious Nocturnia university. I also got the information about Lucas Paul from the Bermuda secret files," Atlas said calmly.I saw my d
Even though it had been twenty years, my dad appeared utterly mired in the shame of that moment as he spoke. It was clear how deeply the experiences of that period had impacted him and affected his self-esteem."I lost my mind back then. I tried to drive Moira away, yelling at her and smashing things. But she still took care of me until my injuries healed, even though it exhausted all her savings. I couldn't afford the high medical expenses and had to leave the hospital even though I hadn't fully recovered," my dad said.My mom covered her face beside me, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably."Moira was afraid I would be traumatized when I returned to school, or that I would become depressed and have suicidal thoughts because I hadn't fully recovered. She took me back to her house. Moira was by my side the entire month, taking painstaking care of me," my dad continued."After I got beat up, that wealthy girl never got in touch with me again. I don’t know if she just thought it was
After listening to my mom, my dad sighed deeply. "I gradually started depending on your mom. But when it rains, it pours. We only stayed in that house for a month.""Why?" I asked."Your mom didn't have time to work to support us while taking care of me. Plus, she had spent all her money while I was in the hospital, so the landlord kicked us out."That was the cruel reality. Your mother and I sat side by side with our luggage on the streets of Nocturnia that evening. At that moment, I vowed to myself then and there that I would become wealthy, well-known, and provide Moira with a secure home so she wouldn't regret saving me."My hand subconsciously tightened around Atlas's hand, imagining the embarrassment they must have felt.Atlas gripped my hand solidly to show that he recognized how I was feeling."Where did you go then?" I asked weakly.I could guess how easy it would be to go astray in such a situation.My dad shook his head, looking at me and Atlas. "When someone hits ro
Suddenly, I noticed a hint of hopelessness in his gaze."Our daughter was nine years old at that point. My "skills" allowed us to live a prosperous and carefree life. When the city where I was studying, Norton, called me back to the country, I didn't dare go back. I knew deep down that what I did was contradictory to my homeland. I had no way back, no way home!"I glanced at Atlas. He had made an irreparable mistake.It sent shivers down my spine.No wonder he had connections with Bermuda. And they had been relentless in their pursuit.My dad looked at us. "One day, I finally realized that I had led my family to the edge of a cliff. I wanted to hit the brakes. I changed my name to 'Tony,' which was the mysterious Tony Paul from Bermuda, and Moira changed her name to 'Yunia'."Then, to be more discreet, we moved the whole family to a remote and quiet town, wanting to live incognito and get away from the harassment of those people," My dad looked helpless, and I could imagine the u
My mom immediately answered, "Yes, I remember clearly, he was very tall and skinny. I heard him say, 'Send someone to watch over this girl! She knows me, and if she wakes up, it'll be over. That brat has been looking for her and he doesn’t know if she's still alive or dead.’"I was anxious. I knew that the little girl she described was me. These were fragments of memories I hadn't erased.The tall and skinny man she mentioned should be the man who took me away after I was thrown out of the car.I was about to say his name, but my mom continued, "The most crucial thing is, he also said, 'if it doesn't work out, we can only give her a sleeping injection after checking her injuries and take her away! Find a place to hide her, but we must not let any word slip out!'"I involuntarily looked at Atlas, only to see his face darken significantly.Atlas lowered his gaze to me, and we said in unison, "Clark Norton!"My dad continued, "When Moira returned from the hospital to tell me about t
My dad lowered his head and said, "But we were truly at our wits' end. She was trying every possible way to escape. However, we can't bear to let her go because she's still so young. “Also, since she's too clever, we're afraid of her exposing our whereabouts. We know full well that once the people from Navi's group find our trail, it's game over for both of us.""She also depended on us during these two years of escape, much like our daughter did before. She got away once, and it took us two whole days to track her down. It was really difficult to get her back because she was huddled with other beggars."I felt shivers running down my spine as I listened to my dad's story.“We were at our wits' end, and after hearing people say that hypnosis can erase memories, we made up our minds. To prevent her from running away, we could only find a hypnotist to seal her memories. After that, she became much more obedient. She never mentioned finding her friend again!""The friend she was loo
"That means Clark Norton had collusion with him!" Atlas analyzed."And me? I was still smugly thinking that I had completely escaped!" My dad chuckled, "Now looking back, I've never really escaped his clutches!""So, when you saw me pursuing Chloe, you already knew who I was?" Atlas looked at my dad and asked."I didn't know! I didn't even know who Rory White was, or how he ended up in Navi's hands later! But this time, Navi told me who Rory White was! We had a candid chat all night."“Why did he tell you these things?” I looked at Atlas and asked, "In theory, he shouldn't have revealed Rory White.""I used to only know that Rory White was Chloe's biological father! This was something we knew when we stole her from those villains. It was also one of the reasons we decided to erase her memories."Because we knew in our hearts that our daughter was probably no longer in this world, hence we cherished her even more. We simply didn't want to leave her!"But I didn't know how Navi ma
"Dad! What are you saying? You and Mom can't go anywhere. This is your home! Wherever I am, you'll be there too!"I quickly expressed my stance. Although I couldn't remember the days of fleeing, since they protected me and kept me alive, I had no reason to let them be alone."Even if my biological father comes back, you're still my parents. Although I don't remember what happened in my childhood or the days of fleeing, you've taken care of me for 20 years. I'll never forget that. Because of this, you have the right to live with me.""W-We're sorry for you! It's because of us that you were forcibly separated... that..." My mom spoke guiltily."Let's not talk about that now! You kept her alive regardless, so you're my benefactors!" Atlas quickly spoke up. "We don't need to dwell on this. The most urgent matter now is to rescue Rory. I'm afraid of unforeseen circumstances!""But... he went back..." My dad hesitated to speak.I knew he was afraid."Although I let Navi escape back 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