I heard a loud crash behind us, followed by two explosions.Despite the impact, the car continued to move forward steadily. Dylan slapped the steering wheel and breathed a sigh of relief.Only then did I open my eyes. The crossroad we had just narrowly crossed was now engulfed in flames, with the sound of exploding cars becoming more distant by the moment.I could feel Atlas's arm tightly around mine, which was relaxed slightly. He nervously asked, "Chloe, are you okay?""I'm not—"Before I could finish my sentence, there was a sharp, cracking sound. My body immediately lurched to the left with a tremendous bang.Atlas blocked my body with a powerful arm, wrapped another hand around my waist, and his head slammed against the car window.I felt his hand loosen slightly for a little second. However, as soon as he realized it, he pulled me back into his embrace.I clung tightly to his body, shivering from dread."Atlas... are you okay?" I asked quickly."I'm fine! It's nothing t
I took a deep breath, trying to ease my tension. The car was speeding forward, constantly dodging the relentless pursuit from behind. The car swayed from side to side in a large arc.Finally, we all noticed a container truck driving steadily ahead. I saw a glimmer of happiness appear on Dylan's face.When I looked up at Atlas, he comforted me immediately, saying, "Don't worry! He's got this!"His big hand clasped my head against his chest. I could faintly hear his strong heartbeat, knowing that he was nervous.Dylan stepped on the gas and quickly caught up, driving side by side with the truck.Perhaps the truck driver noticed we had caught up, so he also accelerated. To sustain this calibre of driving, one needed to be exceptionally skilled. If there was even a slight mistake, it could result in a fatal accident.My hands tightly gripped Atlas's body, and I dared not breathe.The cars following us were afraid to approach because if the truck slowed down slightly, it would be
"Are you guys okay?" He looked us up and down before he asked, "This must be my beautiful sister-in-law, right?"He mischievously waved at me and called out, "Sister-in-law!"I looked at Atlas, not knowing who this was.Atlas introduced him to me, "This is my cousin, Melvin Lively, the youngest son of my aunt from the Lively family."I nodded and softly said, "Thank you for helping us.""Wasn't it fun?" He asked.This cousin seemed a bit off. How could he ask if it was fun in such a life-threatening situation?Then, Melvin asked Atlas, "Wasn't my move great? A deadly move, ensuring complete annihilation. Moreover, it made dealing with the aftermath easy!"Atlas smirked. "Nicely done!"Dylan, however, didn't think much of it and said, "Ha! Easy to deal with indeed, but leaving no survivors, how do we investigate?""My plan was flawless, but if you can't find anything, it's because your skills are lacking!" Melvin retorted.Atlas's deep gaze turned toward the distant flames on
Atlas didn't answer my question! It seemed he was not too sure, either."Father only mentioned that the distribution maps were kept separately. My father's map shows geographical locations, while your father's map indicates mineral deposits. They need to be combined to make sense," Atlas explained.At that time, my father also mentioned the details of these distribution maps, but I only had a vague understanding and didn't fully comprehend them. Now, Atlas explained it to me in detail again."Even the instructions are kept separately. I have no idea about my father's, he never told me, nor do I know where they are kept," Atlas truthfully told me about Louis's part."Perhaps Dad never thought he would suddenly pass away! After all, they were still too young." I sighed, feeling somewhat regretful.Atlas would have remembered if Louis had just mentioned a few words to him back then. We wouldn't have gone through so many detours.In fact, in terms of business acumen, Atlas surpassed
Atlas nodded at me. He was very alert. As he glanced at the rearview mirror, I followed suit and checked; everything seemed normal.He continued, "On the surface, I seemed to have grown distant from these two families over the years since I went to Torado and settled in Foswood. But in reality, the more distant on the surface, the closer internally! Many things they've been looking out for me behind the scenes! Of course, we also have a business alliance!""So, from the current situation, the possibility of things falling into Celine's hands isn't too high!" Atlas affirmed, "That's my secret. I didn't want you to worry! And there wasn't a suitable opportunity to talk to you about these matters.""I understand." I placed my hand on his large hand, and he clasped it in return."Celine might have caught a whiff of some information, knowing our fathers had secrets, but she may not even know about the existence of this map!" Atlas said confidently."Why do you say that?" I asked Atlas.
I looked at Atlas helplessly, saying, "Is this a dead end then? Since her passing was so sudden, nobody would have known."I felt a bit disheartened; trying to find this map was like finding a needle in a haystack."Your father told me that he repeatedly told Lucille that this was something very important, and she had to keep it safe for him. However, Lucille was unaware of the purpose of the map.""Why?" I asked, puzzled."Your father said he never told her what exactly it was. But when Lucille suddenly passed away, it was lost."Neither of us knows, and the people at the old mansion are all gone. Nobody knows where she stored the map. This is truly a dead end." Atlas's tone was somber."Didn't you ask my dad about it again before we came here?" I said in a tone tinged with urgency as I turned to him."He mentioned a few possible places and was waiting for us to return to the Pierce residence to check. That's why I was eager to reclaim the Pierce residence." Atlas smiled at me
I looked at him, not entirely understanding what he meant. I met his questioning gaze and asked, "Are you saying you want to send me back to Foswood?"Atlas nodded and softly explained, "Yes. Fremont Bay is the safest place for you right now. I've ensured tight security there since it was constructed."Atlas was right about this. I fully believed it; Fremont Bay had secret passages, and the entire estate was very well-protected."I’d like to send you back to Fremont Bay so you can rest and get ready for our babies to arrive. I can't afford to have you in any danger. I'll only be at ease when you're in Fremont Bay.""Don't be so nervous. I'm fine! I’ll go back, but I want to return to the Pierce residence first," I asserted firmly.After all, that place had a different allure for me.When Atlas saw my firm attitude, he smiled and gently kissed my hand. "Okay. We'll go to the Pierce residence tomorrow."I knew he still had business to attend to, so I grinned broadly and remarked,
The next day, Atlas was by my side when I woke up. I didn’t know when he had come back.He sensed my slight movements and quickly opened his eyes to look at me. "You’re awake! How do you feel? Is there any discomfort?" he asked, as his large hand gently caressed my belly.He was divulging his deepest secret with that sentence. He must have come back early because he was really concerned about me.I quickly leaned over to nestle into his embrace and comforted him. "Don't worry, I'm fine. I'm not that fragile, and besides, you took good care of me yesterday. I didn't feel any discomfort at all!"He hugged me with a smile and kissed my forehead lightly. "We can't take any more risks.""Okay," I responded. "I’ll return after visiting the Pierce residence today."When I finally stood in front of the Pierce residence gate, I was a little shocked. The magnificent gates were gorgeous, grand, and breathtaking —just what I had imagined them to be.I could vaguely see the white palace-like
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