"What should we do next?" I anxiously grabbed him. "If Navi goes back, won't he be in even more danger?""Don't worry, we have the next step of the plan. Once we find him, we'll rescue him! Then we'll collaborate from inside and out," Atlas said."But what if... we can't find him?" I gulped nervously.Atlas pondered for a moment. "It seems we'll have to head to the base too."He turned to Cane and said, "Get ready to leave!"Cane immediately turned and left. Atlas asked me to call Anya.I hurriedly went to Anya's room, but she was already asleep. I woke her, "Anya, wake up. We're leaving!"Anya woke up, staring at me blankly. Her little look was adorable. I said softly, "We're leaving for the base!"She looked at me with some confusion. She quickly got up and followed me out of the room after putting on her clothes.Atlas handed Anya a set of clothes and shoes to change into outside the room.Atlas took me back to the room and took out a set of dark combat uniforms for me
My heart leaped, and I wanted to leave the car. When I was about to reach for the car door, Anya grabbed me and said, "Madam, don't!"I forcefully shook off Anya's hand. "Let go of me, I want to get out, they...""Madam, Mr. Atlas said, don't get out of the car!" With a loud voice, Anya gripped me tightly and wouldn't let go.Atlas seemed to sense my intention outside the car. He stepped back to block the car door on my side, with the black gun still pressed against his head.At that moment, I heard Atlas say in Cirencester's language, "Put down your gun!""They are not Cirencester nationals! Haha.."The person holding the gun against Atlas's head said, "He’s still acting tough!""If you don't put it down, you won't have a chance!" Atlas said grimly. As soon as he finished speaking, I couldn't see how he moved, but the gun was suddenly in his hand.The next moment, I heard two shots, and the person fell.Anya and I screamed in shock. The suddenness of the two shots stunned the
I sighed. "How dare the people from the Huffman family act that way?""Not surprising!" Atlas said indifferently, "They were once folks living on the edge. They were living in a lawless place, so there are inevitably some underhanded actions.""Did you know they're from the Huffman family?" I asked Atlas ahead."At first, I didn't know. I asked them questions and guessed," Atlas said."What questions?" I asked.He glanced back at me and smiled faintly, "Related to Navi."It seemed that when he got out of the car, he tested them by speaking Cirencester's language to them."Besides, not many would dare to do such things with firearms. I was afraid they were from two different factions, hence, I had to make sure. The fact that they addressed you as 'Miss,' confirmed that they belonged to the Huffman Family," Cane explained to me.I could understand this. There would be a significant risk in releasing them once two opposing groups were involved.Just as we were talking, there were
I sat there, listening to them chat nonstop. It was a very dark night, and just two small lamps, like fireflies, were lit dimly out of dread of being found. It was so dark that there was no way to see far ahead!However, I was aware that I was surrounded by our people.After a while, Atlas walked towards me and reached out his hand. "We need to get closer. Can you still walk?""I can!" I insisted.I grabbed his hand and stood up with his support. He hugged me and said, "You've worked hard!"I leaned my forehead against Atlas’s chin and then strode forward.I should be thanking everyone here. They had been here day and night for a long time, walked this path countless times, for my father's sake. What right did I have to whine? What right did I have to pity myself?However, it was physically taxing for me—I had never done a hike like that before.Atlas always mentioned that I needed to exercise more after our intimate moments. I used to refute him resentfully, but now I admit I
After Atlas finished speaking, he turned away and thought for a moment. "We need to figure out a way to do something before their people arrive. We must find him."Dylan looked at Atlas. "Let me go in!"Atlas said, "Loak is missing, and you don’t really know what’s inside. It might be a waste of time for you to go in. Looks like only I can go to buy time for the people inside.""You're going in?" Both Dylan and I looked at him in astonishment."No, you can't. The situation is uncertain. We don't know Navi's intentions. You can't take that risk," Dylan immediately objected.I nodded, "Dylan is right. If the people from the Non-Organization are here at Navi's invitation, it means Navi is still wavering. According to your analysis, he hasn't made a final decision yet. It's too dangerous!""But we're running out of time! If I do go in, at least I can distract Navi," Atlas said. "If we divert Navi's attention to me, he’ll relax his defenses!""How do you plan to get in?" I questioned
I watched nervously as they went down. We could barely see anything below us. The sky was so dark it was nearly black.As I lay there looking down, Atlas silently embraced me tightly. "Are you sure my dad is here, Atlas?" I asked, feeling inexplicably tense. "Why can't we find him?"After all, we had been searching for so long but hadn’t been able to find a precise location. Wasn't that strange?"He must be here. But Navi is cunning. The more elusive he is, the more it shows that things aren’t simple. Your father must be hiding some secrets." Atlas's expression was solemn. "He rushed back here overnight, so this place must be important. And think about it: what’s the crucial point?""...It's my dad!" I answered."So he came back here because of him."Atlas continued his analysis. "And what does it mean that Non-Organization people come here regularly? Someone here must be communicating with them. Navi rushed back overnight, which didn’t make sense, and people from the Non-Organ
Atlas snorted disdainfully, "He knows that Rory must have greater value, but he doesn’t dare keep him. He wants to get the notebook, but he's also trying to figure out how to get rid of him quickly. He must have promised something to the Non-Organization, which is why they're assisting him."As far as I'm aware, the Non-Organization is independent of all parties. But they're being patient with Navi this time. It's clear that your father is the focal point here!"Atlas provided an obvious and accurate explanation, but the more persuasive it was, the more terrified I felt."But this situation won't last long. Once the Triple Alliance realizes what’s going on with General Xavier, there might be trouble.""What trouble?" I asked nervously.“Xavier wants to act alone and eliminate this cancer directly. Navi's boldness has already incited conflict within their group and jeopardized their interests. Xavier still has some sway for the time being. But if the Non-Organization intervenes to
"No, she can't leave my sight!" Atlas said firmly as he tightened his grip on me. I knew he was afraid of losing me.I felt a little guilty. I must be a burden to him at times like these.Cane naturally understood Atlas’s intentions and didn't say much. He led the way ahead with long strides.After walking quickly for over ten minutes, we left the woods and saw a village ahead. Two cars immediately approached us, and Atlas hurriedly ushered me into one of them.When Cane retrieved our clothes from the car's trunk, Atlas said, "Change immediately!"Glancing at my clothes, I realized they would easily reveal where we had been.We changed into clean clothes, so we looked decent when we were in the car again.By now, it was bright outside.The sky was a grayish-white, and the air was refreshing.As the car drove on the road, I realized we had emerged from behind a village.The car sped up and soon turned onto an inconspicuous and secluded road, with banana trees on both sides obs
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