"He smirked and told me that Louis and Tammy had died in a plane crash, and I was 'dead' along with them,” my father choked.“At that moment, I passed out. When I woke up again, I wasn't in that small dark room anymore. He had moved me to a bamboo building deep in the mountains with two guards.""Did you know where that was?" I asked, my heart aching with anger. I wanted to kill Clark.He shook his head. "I had no idea. I didn't even know how far we had traveled. I'm sure they used something on me. My head was spinning when I woke up."I wanted to leave. I wanted to verify what Clark said. I simply couldn't believe that Louis and his wife could have died in a plane crash. They were so alive in my memories.”My father choked up again, and he clutched the bedsheet tightly with both hands. "He was my closest friend. We understood each other very well. We still had so much to do, including the BZ plan. How could he leave just like that?"By now, my father’s neck and face were red fro
"Yes. They weren't naturally mute. Their tongues had been cut out.""How cruel!" I couldn't help but exclaim."I spent every day looking for an opportunity to escape. I didn't even know where we were or what time it was. But judging from the environment and vegetation, it seemed like we were in Southeast Torado.""He really put a lot of effort into this." I gritted my teeth in anger."But to me, it didn’t matter where I was. What was terrifying was that I didn't know what was happening outside those mountains. I didn’t know if Clark’s words were true."I didn't see Clark for a long time. I threatened those two guards later, saying I wanted to see him. I had no choice, so I resorted to a hunger strike. I had to find out what was happening outside."If it was true that Louis and Tammy were dead, how had their death been handled? And what about ATL Empire? To be honest, I was more worried about Lucille. I had no idea how she would have reacted to the news of my death. And you two…”
"But before I could carry out my escape plan, they showed up and gave me a needle injection. I lost consciousness and was transported somewhere else. It seems that this is when Clark sensed something. "The environment there was better. Judging from the cement room where they kept me, this place was closer to civilization. That gave me hope! However, the good times didn't last long. After staying there for just a few days, I was taken away again,” my dad said."That's right, Celine sensed that Clark was up to no good. She didn't even know where you were hidden, so she started looking for your whereabouts and began hunting down Clark," Atlas added.Dad nodded. "They appeared apprehensive and did not give me a shot. I guess someone was after them. I seized the opportunity and escaped barefoot. I was eventually captured again due to my distinctive appearance.“However, it was not just one group chasing after me.""The Cross family and the Lively family were also searching for you!" A
However, we kept listening to Dad without bringing up this point."Navi is very cunning. At first, he was quite respectful of me and made an effort to obtain information from me. I pretended not to know and avoided the topic, never mentioning the BZ plan. I only mentioned that I was the son-in-law of the elite in Yare."I looked at Atlas. "That’s why another 'me' appeared in Yare! Navi is likely behind it!Dad looked at me in astonishment, asking, "What are you talking about?"Atlas spoke before me, "Several months ago, Yare welcomed a woman who resembles Stella and is greatly favored by the old lady! Her origin is unknown.""The Avila family?" Dad fell into contemplation.I asked, "Did you know about the organization at that time?""Yes, but I learned about it from Clark. The organization was after me too. When Louis and I were prospecting for minerals, we encountered them. They’re a group of thugs and crazed plunderers. Louis and I always kept our distance from them."Atlas s
”Clark’s son and grandson are also in our hands!" Atlas said, "But we'll wait until your condition improves before meeting them! Don't worry, I'll settle the score with them!"At this point, Dad looked very tired sitting up. Atlas quickly went to lower the bed and helped him lie down. "Dad! Don't overexert yourself. We have plenty of time to deal with things later. You must recover as soon as possible. Once all your indicators are back to normal, we'll figure out how to treat your leg.""D-Do I still have hope?" My Dad's eyes suddenly lit up, then dimmed with disappointment. He sighed, "It's been almost fifteen years. It's probably impossible!""Don't give up. I'll hire the top surgeons from around the world. As long as there's a glimmer of hope, we shouldn't give up!" Atlas said firmly, "I’ll help you stand up again! There are too many things we still need you for."I quickly reassured him, "Believe in Atlas, he can do it! It's safe here."After comforting him, we left his room
Atlas immediately hugged me from behind. "Let's go back!""No, I just want to take a look at him and make sure he's safe!" Despite my agony, I persisted in my stubbornness.The night shift nurses were shivering as they cautiously peered outside in the brightly lit corridor.Atlas's men were putting a body into a body bag and carrying it away. The room they brought out was my father's ward. I suddenly felt uneasy.When others had already entered my father's room, he continued to assure me everything was fine. I was dying to find out exactly what he meant when he said it was "fine."I shook off Atlas's hand and rushed in. I saw another injured person kneeling on the ground, with a large puddle of blood on the floor, which looked horrifying.However, the hospital bed was empty and unoccupied.I looked at Atlas with a questioning gaze and asked, "Where's Dad?"Atlas smirked sinisterly. "Don't worry!"He then led me inside after that. Then, in front of that injured member of the or
Good news arrived early in the morning. Loak was transferred from the ICU into a regular ward.My father insisted on going to see him. His spirits seemed much better today. His eyes looked exceptionally bright.So, I had to have the special guard bring a wheelchair and personally wheel my father to see Loak. After all, my father's life had been saved by Loak and his sister.Last night, my father told me that if it hadn't been for this child's quick thinking, there wouldn't have been a chance to escape.When we arrived at Loak's ward, doctors and nurses were examining him. Atlas and Cane were also present.When Anya saw me coming in, she rushed to my side and said, "Madam, the doctor said he'll be fine!""Of course, he'll get better soon!" I smiled at her and spoke reassuringly. She looked delighted. I wanted to say a lot to her, but our language barrier prevented us from speaking openly.Atlas approached me and said, "After the doctors finish their check-up, let's go back to Fre
Ivanna drew me to a seat in the ward's lounge area and inquired, "Is Rory really back? Tell me about his condition. Is he okay? Is it true that he can’t walk? What did the doctor say…?"Ivanna bombarded me with so many questions that I felt a little overwhelmed."He’s not doing so well right now. But fortunately, our plan was solid, and we managed to bring him back. If we had found him any later, he might have... sigh!"My eyes welled up with tears, but I continued, "But he's back now, and he’s alive. We need to take good care of him from now on. As for his leg... we'll have to wait for the final test results. Atlas is confident he’ll recover, and he’s hired an excellent orthopaedic surgeon. I trust him!""That's good. As long as Atlas is confident, there shouldn't be any problems." Ivanna nodded.I looked at her belly and touched it gently with a smile. "How about you? Is the baby behaving? Are you still experiencing morning sickness?""I'm much better now. The morning sickness
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