Trinity glanced at my belly."You really have everything going for you. So that’s why this little girl calls herself a big sister. I envy you," she sighed."Well, hurry up and find someone you love to have a baby with. It won't affect you being the head of the Huffman family," I quickly suggested to Trinity.I knew Trinity didn't have any friends. I was her first friend, and I genuinely meant what I said.A hint of shyness flashed across Trinity's face, though it vanished in an instant. But it was a genuine expression.Trinity had changed. I stared at her face, wondering what had caused such a change in her.What had she encountered in Yare? Or was this her true self? I had to admit, I didn't know her very well.Just then, a servant knocked on the door, inviting us to lunch.Trinity quickly took Ava's hand. "Let's go eat, little girl."I was a little hungry.On the way to the dining room, Ava chattered away like a little bird, amusing Trinity endlessly. I was pleasantly surpr
I was just about to doze off when my phone rang, jolting me awake. I quickly found my phone, surprised to see that it was Lauren. "Are you back?" she asked."Yes. I got back last night. Trinity called when I woke up this morning. She's back too, so I rushed over to the Huffman family’s place. I was just about to head back to Pleca Park," I explained. Then, I quickly asked, "How's Oliver doing?""He's doing fine, don’t worry. Alex is here. I thought about going to Pleca Park to visit your dad," Lauren said."You go ahead with your plans.""I'm already on my way out. I was just taking a break. They need some space," Lauren said softly. I could tell she was walking."Come over, then. I'm almost home." I looked at the street and realized I was at the intersection near our house."Alright, you get some rest. I'll be there soon." Lauren quickly hung up.Putting away the phone, I glanced at the two little beauties sleeping in the back seat.I had intended to go back and take a nap,
As the car pulled up to Pleca Park, Atlas got someone to carry the two little ones back to their rooms to continue sleeping. We thought that my father would also be in the middle of a nap right now.We sat in the living room. Atlas saw that I was silent, and he might have been afraid that I was upset, so he pulled me into his arms and whispered, "Grandpa says he wants to see you, but I'm sure Celine is involved in this. There are many things I need to clarify."After a pause, he continued, "I've changed my focus. I’ll take everything that belongs to the Pierce family back, including our house!”"Are you saying you want to reclaim the Pierce Corporation too?" I asked, looking at his serious and handsome face uncertainly. "That would mean kicking Celine out of the Pierce family. Do you think your grandpa will agree to that?""It's not up to him. No one can stop me." Atlas's tone was very firm.I didn't doubt Atlas's abilities, but just reclaiming everything from the Pierce family wo
"You're so thoughtful," I exclaimed. "It's rare for you to think about things for him like this.""He said he'll stay at my place and sell the house where we used to live together. He wants to buy a new house. He said although that place holds memories for us, those memories are unfair to me, so he insisted on selling it.""That's true. That place might be bigger, but Oliver's right. You shouldn't object to that either. Don't discourage his enthusiasm. After all, you're getting married,” I said to Lauren.Actually, as an outsider, I knew full well that although many were expecting them to get married, there would still be some opinions from the public.Once Lauren really got together with Oliver, she might receive some blessings, but it wouldn't be much. After all, Oliver, with his financial power and influence in the city, was a man women in Foswood flocked to.Whoever he married would become the enemy of the public, and most people would be jealous of them for a while.I had ch
Lauren was right.I nodded and said, "You're right. I've been careful in dealing with them, and sometimes it's quite challenging."Lauren reassured me, "You don't need to worry about this. Ivanna won't have any objections.""They’re like family, and I'm afraid any slight deviation might hurt the other." This was something I could only confide in Lauren. "I hope for a win-win solution to resolve their issues. After all, their relationship is unique.”"I understand." Lauren smiled at me. "It's tough on you. After all, they are not the same kind of people.”“We've got no reason to worry. Jared knows exactly how to balance the situation." I leaned back on the couch and added, "Jared probably already coordinated this matter.""How so?" Lauren asked eagerly.I recounted the recent events involving Anson and Jared visiting my father, followed by Jared bringing Ivanna to dinner at Pleca Park.This revelation surprised Lauren. She asked, "So, how was it resolved?""I'm also curious how
I was a bit stunned, but I grasped her meaning. She suggested that once Loak fully recovered, she would take over caring for my father.Anya quickly explained, "I've taken care of Mr. Rory before. I can handle it, and I want to take care of him."Grateful, I squeezed her hand and nodded. "Of course. When Loak gets better, you'll look after him, but you still need to keep up with school."Anya nodded earnestly. "I will."Loak, though still pale, smiled sincerely."Let's take a moment before going in. Don’t exhaust yourselves too much. I’ll just go in and check on my dad first,” I informed the doctor.Then, accompanied by Lauren, I entered my father's room. He was already awake, with a nurse checking his blood pressure.As he saw me enter with Lauren, he greeted her with a smile, "Hello."Lauren quickly walked to the bedside. "Hello, Uncle Rory."After the nurse finished, I gently rocked my father's bed. He sat up slightly, looking at us."Dad, this is my best friend, Lauren. S
My father thought for a moment. "Your mother did have a family crest—a brooch. Your mother carried it to commemorate her time in the Avila family.""Oh? Do you know where it ended up?" I couldn't wait to ask, thrilled that this family crest actually existed.My father shook his head and sighed, "I don't know. I never saw it again after your mother and I parted ways."His voice choked up as he spoke about it.Coming back home, he mainly reminisced about my mother. I suppose that was his greatest emotional wound. He returned, but his beloved was no longer with him.That kind of pain must have been unbearable. So, every time my mother was mentioned, he would tear up slightly.I pressed further. "So, where did Mom usually keep her jewelry? I mean, when you were together?""Your mother wasn't fond of jewelry. I think she avoided them to avoid putting pressure on me. After we got together, she knew I was struggling financially, so she rarely wore jewelry. That brooch was part of a set
It had been a while since I last contacted him, so there must be something important he wanted to tell me. I quickly answered the phone. "Mr. Fred."He got straight to the point. "Mrs. Chloe, I've moved to Bourdamun." "Is everything sorted in Solaris?" I asked in surprise. Even though we hadn't seen each other in a while, moving in just two months was quite fast."Everything's sorted. I did everything according to your plans,” Fred said simply. "I didn't even touch the personnel. Only one senior technician came with me.""Oh? Then what about your work?" His words made me anxious.Tanum, coupled with the projects in Solaris, was significant. If anything went wrong over there, I couldn't compensate for it."My projects are all large-scale. The amount of material needed is huge. If anything goes missing on your end, the consequences could be unimaginable," I emphasized, feeling the gravity of the situation.I started to feel a bit anxious, wondering if I had guided Fred onto the
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