This must be David's bedroom. A wooden board divided the interior.In front of the board, there was a set of redwood tables and chairs, with three seats on each side.David, who was wearing a white suit, was sitting on the main redwood armchair.As we approached him, I could see that although he was thin, he didn't seem frail, which contradicted the news we had heard on the phone, that he had been gravely ill.Atlas’s expression was cold, indicating that he had anticipated this.However, I felt unsettled. They had claimed he was critically ill, but everything seemed fine. What was the point of that deception? Why was Celine so eager for us to return? What was her motive?Thankfully, Atlas remained composed, indicating he had anticipated this.But that woman had said things weren't looking good when he called her. I had clearly heard her, and I knew she wasn't our nanny.David was the first to speak, setting down his teacup and looking at us as we approached."If it weren't for
Celine was there before me. She was dressed meticulously, and although she was middle-aged, she still took great care of herself.We were standing very close to each other, so I could see the expensive foundation on her face that was failing to conceal her wrinkles.Not far behind Celine stood her 'shadow,' the sinister Kenzie.Celine didn't seem surprised to see me emerge from the room. However, Kenzie’s eyes widened, and she looked at me in disdain.I glanced at her and cursed silently. ‘Damn.’Celine faintly said, "So, you've finally become part of the Pierce family?”I smiled calmly and replied, "I have, Celine. Didn't you say grandpa was critically ill? As his granddaughter-in-law, I had to come see him, of course."She probably hadn’t expected me to be so bold. Her eyes darkened slightly, and her complexion turned pale."Granddaughter-in-law?" She repeated skeptically. "You seem quite eager to claim that title."I glanced at her and calmly walked out of the room.I mo
I intentionally made that remark.Suddenly, I noticed the old man glancing at me.I had heard about the Pierce family's history from Grandma Rose.When the Pierce family first arrived in Nocturnia, things weren't easy for them. Their fortunes had completely turned around only after David had married the eldest daughter of the Cross family.I figured this mansion must have been built during that time. Everything about it, from its location and architectural style to the overall maintenance of the courtyard, exuded an ancient style. However, Celine's mother was just a mistress who favored luxury and fashion, so she wouldn't have liked it here. Even if she had, she wouldn't have been entitled to live here, as it belonged to the eldest daughter of the Cross family.So it was only natural that Celine had never lived here.The drizzle continued, and I couldn't be bothered to contend with Celine. Instead, I strolled leisurely in the courtyard, admiring the view of the garden. I didn't
He turned to me and said, "Why don't you go change and rest for a while? Dylan and I need to go out. We might not make it back for lunch, but I'll join you for dinner. After eating, you can take a nap until I return, okay?""Sure," I replied meekly. I could sense that Atlas had important matters to attend to since we returned here.He swiftly left with Dylan, and I watched their car disappear into the rain.As expected, Atlas didn't return for lunch with me.However, with Sandy and Iris keeping me company, I didn't feel lonely at all. In fact, I was quite content.They entertained me with stories, although I couldn't recall any of the events they described. Still, I found their tales exciting.To be honest, the more I learned, the more intrigued I became by the estate currently under Celine's control.After lunch, Sandy suggested I take a short nap upstairs. I simply agreed and went back to my room.I checked the time, and it was about 3 p.m. back home. After a moment's thought
"I can assure you that she didn't." I affirmed confidently. "Before we came, Atlas gave me reassurance.""Oh? What did Atlas say?" Lauren asked with great curiosity."He said that I'm the true lady of the Pierce family, and I shouldn't worry about anyone else. Of course, he was referring to Grandpa. He was afraid that Grandpa would cause trouble for me, so he comforted me in advance," I explained."Atlas really spoils you." Lauren sighed in admiration."Besides, Celine is focused entirely on Grandpa and Atlas during their discussions. She has no time to bother with me anymore. That's why I say she's nervous.“But I have to admit that she's good at maintaining her composure, pretending like nothing's wrong. Just thinking about Celine's face, honestly, I really want to slap her.""Desperation makes people do strange things, don't you know?" Lauren scoffed. "But let me remind you, the more desperate she is, the more cautious you should be. Be careful of her making reckless moves and
Atlas led me to the dining table, and the dishes were promptly served as soon as we sat down.I was actually hungry. My pregnancy symptoms were mild this time, with hardly any morning sickness. I was just incredibly sleepy. Additionally, I noticed I had a hearty appetite. Despite having a bland taste in my mouth a few days ago, I always felt hungry.Today's dish was lobster. The white, steamed lobster meat looked appetizing, and I wanted to dig into it immediately.Seeing my eagerness to eat, Atlas smirked. "You've got quite the appetite, huh?""It seems like I want to eat everything Sandy makes,” I replied honestly.Atlas chuckled even more. "Everything she made was what you used to love. Take this lobster, for example. You’d only eat it with garlic oil drizzled on top. You don't like the spicy kind."As he spoke, I realized I craved spicy flavors the most.Back in my hometown, there were no cinnamon toasts, so every time I ate toast, I felt a strange emotion. I vividly remem
"You know, this time she used Grandpa as bait, which means she's eager to get me back. There must be something fishy going on. Plus, I verified what the old man told me.” Atlas was very clear in his explanation to me, actually answering a question I'd been wanting to ask him."The things Grandpa told you? Is it what he mentioned yesterday?" I asked curiously. "Do you believe him?""That's why I needed to verify it," Atlas answered ambiguously.Clearly, his words indicated that he didn't trust his grandpa."Celine is the one who fabricated the military information, but the idea came from Grandpa. Celine currently has no idea about his true health condition as well," Atlas asserted confidently."How is that possible?" I found it hard to believe.Atlas raised an eyebrow. "I found out that for a long time, Grandpa didn't meet anyone. The news of my marriage was indeed reported to Grandpa by Celine, but he was just putting on an act.""What exactly does he want?" I was a bit puzzle
As we drove along, he patiently introduced each place to me. Yesterday, amidst the rain, everything was murky, including my mood, so I didn't pay attention to the scenery.Today, with the weather being nice, my mood naturally lightened, and I finally felt like I was in a foreign land.In my mind, Foswood was always my home. Even small towns in the northeast didn't compare.Especially after bringing my parents to Foswood, I felt that Foswood was my hometown.But here, everything was unfamiliar. Even the air felt different. Yet, it held a strong allure for me.At the hospital, we were greeted by several doctors, including the hospital's director. Atlas told me that this hospital was actually under ATL Empire.Atlas didn't just want them to perform a prenatal check-up, but he wanted a full-body examination for me."It doesn't need to be so complicated. My health has always been good, and this pregnancy has been going really well. I hardly have any morning sickness. Don't worry so m
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