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
"Of course I remember! I mean, I spent ten years making memories here!" I said without hesitation. Then, I looked at Celine and asked, "Are you comfortable here?"Celine looked at me, suppressed her smile, and showed her usual arrogance. "This has been my home for a long time. Of course I’m comfortable!"I giggled and looked at Atlas, saying mischievously, "Look at how domineering Celine is. She’s still acting so self-righteous even though she’s occupying the house. Such admirable courage!"Atlas looked at my face, then kissed me indulgently in front of Celine and said, "How silly! You can come back here anytime you want."His tone was invincible. He sounded like a landlord coming to collect rent as if it were a matter of course.Celine watched our interaction indifferently, smiling lightly as if she didn’t care about what we were doing. But out of the corner of my eye, I saw her clenching her hand fiercely until her knuckles went white."I need to check if my piano is still here
Celine couldn’t keep her composure. She glanced at me and calmly said, "Kenzie is serious and doesn't smile much.""Is she the same with you?" I asked as I turned to Celine.Although Kenzie maintained a cold and arrogant expression, I could tell from her tightly clenched fists that she was exerting a lot of effort to control herself.When I saw that, I smirked mischievously and pulled apart Kenzie’s hands that were clasped together, saying, "Don't grip your own hands so tightly. Doesn't it hurt? Why are you so at odds with yourself?"Kenzie suddenly raised her head, and a fierce glint shot out from her eyes, piercing straight toward me. I quickly leaned into Atlas's embrace, pretending to be afraid as I said, "What's wrong? Why are you being so fierce? I was just teasing you. After all, I'm happy to be back home. Do you really have to look at me like that?"As he glared at Kenzie, Atlas's eyes immediately turned cold like a hawk's. An indescribable chill emanated from him, sending
I pretended to be cheerful as I approached, but the old woman stopped me before I could reach her rocking chair."Girl, I'm not a Cross!" Her tone was sharp. "Atlas, where did you find such a rash girl?"I immediately interjected, "Am I rash? But I've known for a long time that Atlas's grandmother is surnamed Cross, right, honey?""Right, my grandmother is indeed surnamed Cross." Atlas spoke to me in a lovely manner.I then pretended to look puzzled and glanced at the old woman in the rocking chair. "So, who are you, Grandma?""How insolent! Where did such an impudent brat come from?" The old woman was getting angry at being played by me."This is my home! I was just about to ask you the same question! How can you sit so comfortably in my home? And what's with the thing you're sitting on? It's ruining the attractiveness of this hall. It's really tacky!" I ruthlessly criticized the rocking chair beneath her without holding back"Honey, I'm back. Please quickly get rid of this t
The mother and daughter’s faces turned red.I said, "Anyway... wait! After all, even after doing all these vulgar and despicable things, they can still brazenly spout nonsense, flaunting their virtues in public and behind people's backs. Such people are everywhere, right?"I was really on the verge of laughing out loud.I held back my laughter and continued, "I just said a few words about the chair, and it's considered a sign of the decline of morality! Grandma, you haven't seen the world! Don't go around accusing people. I've never liked that kind of thing!"As for manners? People without manners naturally don't understand a refined upbringing! Otherwise, how could they engage in such underhanded deeds? Grandma, you simply don't understand our upbringing, just as we don't understand yours!"After saying that, I looked at the mother and daughter with great seriousness, pretending to be carefree. However, I was sure they wouldn't dare respond. After all, it's a matter of dignity.
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