Seeing these two about to banter again, I quickly got up and said, "I'll go to the annex to check on them!"Ava immediately shouted, "I want to go see Grandpa too!"I had to try to reach out and grab her, but Bryon got there before and lifted Ava off the ground. I understood that he was afraid it would be hard for me to carry her."Oh, right! What about breakfast for the others?" I asked. After all, Loak's siblings and the medical staff were in the annex building."Don't worry, Jim has arranged everything!" Atlas reassured me.Feeling relieved, I held my daughter's hand and walked towards the annex building together.I don't know why, even though he was in the annex building, I felt like the whole Fremont Bay had meaning now.I went to see Loak first. He hadn't woken up yet, so his face was still very pale. It's possible that he was just relocated here yesterday and had only recently recovered. He looked a little worn out.Anya was by his side, with a tense expression on her yo
When my dad saw me and Ava walk in, he quickly stood up. "I seem to have lost control again. I'll go check on my plants outside. When you're feeling better, I'll push you out there to get some fresh air. Your daughter can keep you company for now."He looked at me and said, "Take good care of your dad. I'll go outside for a bit.""Okay, Dad." I nodded obediently. I didn't feel awkward, despite my unique family situation. After all, they were my close family. I couldn't do without any of them in my life.I rang the bell to have the dishes cleared and opened the windows to let in some fresh air.Then I sat beside him and asked, "Dad, are you feeling better? Did you sleep well last night?"He looked better than when he woke up feeling despondent."I slept better than ever." He sounded like he was in good spirits, and I smiled with relief."That was the best sleep I've had in years. I finally feel relieved since I’ve settled my life's work with Louis for our children. And Atlas trul
My father shook his head. "I need to get better as soon as possible. I want to help Atlas fulfill Louis's last wish and see if we can completely replicate those maps in my lifetime.""Those maps? You mean it's not just one map?" I looked at my father in confusion."Of course not. To be precise, there are six maps, one for each continent, excluding Wrekonia. We did send some people there, but the harsh environment forced us to abandon the mission. “However, we continued to explore around the edges of Wrekonia. What those seven members did was remarkable, even when they had no communication among themselves."Atlas says he only knows two of them. He has no idea about the other five, which means their fate is uncertain. So, restoring the maps to their original state might be difficult," my father said with a grave expression, sighing softly. "It would be best if we could retrieve the maps. It would save us a lot of trouble,” he continued."Don't worry about it, Dad. Just focus on
My father listened to my question and shook his head slightly. "I don't know the details. I was locked in the basement of the base, which had two levels, and I was on the bottom floor."I only had contact with two people. One was a woman named Taya, who was responsible for bringing me food. The other was Navi's right-hand man, Ierak. He was a sly character, and he was always smiling. Whenever he let Taya in to bring me food, he would leave immediately, and I never saw anyone else.""Ierak?" I repeated. "How did I miss him when I was there? I've never seen him.""He’s cunning and treacherous. Many of Navi's strategies were reportedly his ideas, which made him Navi's strategist. He looks harmless on the outside, but he's rotten to the core."My father's expression turned sour as he spoke about Ierak.I searched my memory, but couldn't recall ever seeing him.My father continued, "Loak used to take care of me. They didn't keep a close watch on me at the time. Only Loak and another y
"Yes, Atlas already filled me in on that. I was taken aback at first. She knew about my daughter and asked if I wanted to see her. I felt a mix of anxiety and joy. I suspected you were still alive, but I was worried if her questions implied anything else.”"I understand how you felt. I'll definitely settle the score with her someday.""She asked me if I wanted to see my daughter. That question made me tense up immediately. Just imagine how worried I was, fearing for your safety."I asked her where my daughter was. She arrogantly responded that the only way to see my daughter was to spill the beans on whatever secret Louis and I had been hiding."After finishing his sentence, he smiled at me."It was precisely that statement that put me on alert. She was using my daughter to manipulate me, trying to extract my secret. It was then I became certain that they realized I must be valuable, but they didn't know why."I looked at my father. He seemed wise and had managed to maintain his
Atlas raised an eyebrow, confidently saying, "We'll just have to be ready on all fronts.""What do you mean?" I asked."I'm planning to return to Nocturnia soon. Even though we know about the BZ plan, we don't have either of the keys in our possession, so we’re not in a good position right now. If we make a mistake, it could backfire. “I've already dispatched some people to start searching for the main players involved in the exploration of those continents back then, just in case."It seemed that Atlas had already begun planning.I looked at him, questioning, "Do you have any information on them? After all, it's been so many years."Atlas glanced at me, proudly saying, "While you were asleep last night, I had a long talk with Dad. He gave me detailed information on those people.""He still remembers, after all these years?" I asked in amazement. "If we can find them, that would be fantastic!"Atlas nodded. "I've always wanted to explore this area, so I've been in touch with p
Atlas bringing Dylan back showed his seriousness about the BZ plan.Dylan and Atlas's partnership reminded me of Louis and Rory’s, with an equally high level of understanding. I was sure Dylan was fully aware of Atlas's plan.Cane, on the other hand, played a peripheral role. But both of them were important to Atlas. With Dylan's return, I felt more at ease.When he mentioned going to Solaris, I quickly suggested, "I'll go with you. It must be cold in Solaris now. I promised Archie that I would visit when I returned. We can bring Ava along too.”Atlas paused, then asked, "Are you feeling alright?"I reassured him, "Don't worry so much. Solaris isn't dangerous. Worst case, I'll stay home and not go out. At most, I'll go to a mall to buy some clothes for Archie. I want to do these things for him.”Seeing him still contemplating, I softened my tone, saying, "I'll be careful. I want our baby more than you do.”Atlas's eyes softened with affection as he looked at me.Just then, Jim
No matter what Atticus's intentions were, I felt confident about the situation. After all, ATL Empire’s Design Division did the project's overall design in Rivendell, making communication relatively easier.Moreover, I believed I had some basic understanding of Atticus. He might be a cunning man, but he wouldn't resort to tricks with me. Our interactions, whether in the past or present, had always been heading in a positive direction.As businessmen in the same industry and having fought on the same front, we had a good starting point for our relationship.Furthermore, Atlas's involvement also played a significant role. Even if Atticus saw me as a competitor, he had to consider my current status, which was far from the struggling position I was in a year ago when I first took over Tanum.While the outside world might not understand the situation, he was well aware of it.Honestly, his assistance to me in the past had been considerable. So, this project was definitely within our gr
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