My heart raced as I rushed forward, my main concern being Uncle Kenny's safety.In the next instant, I witnessed a sudden burst of blood from Kenzie's wrist. She instinctively let go of Uncle Kenny, dropping the gun, and clutched her injured wrist. With a sinister smile, she quickly fled into a waiting car, which sped away with an unusual engine sound.Outside, we stood frozen in disbelief at what had just unfolded.I held Atlas tightly around his waist, seeking comfort."Don't be afraid," he assured me.It dawned on me that Kenzie had been shot in the wrist, likely with a silencer.The hall fell into a chilling silence.Atlas and I quickly made our way to the door, where someone was already helping Uncle Kenny up."Uncle Kenny, are you alright?" I asked anxiously, checking his wound.Tears streamed down Uncle Kenny's face as he looked up at Atlas. "Mr. Atlas, you shouldn't have let that evil woman go."Atlas grasped his hand firmly, whispering, "She still has value to us. Sh
"After all, the involvement of both families is extensive. If we strike, it must be a fatal blow, and there is no room for mercy. Once the others see the Ellis and Burnett families in trouble, they'll be left leaderless. To protect ourselves, we mustn't hesitate.""Are we just using them to warn the others?” I looked at Atlas somewhat skeptically. "So soon?""Yes, Johnny was also one of the masterminds behind the plane crash all those years ago. He’s the strategist in their group." Atlas explained to me. "Releasing Celine was to draw out the true leader of the non-organization.""Don't we already know who he is?" I asked, puzzled.Atlas shook his head. "His information has been sent to me. After studying it, I realized his influence isn't very wide yet. There must be a hidden mastermind behind him.""Another mastermind?" I was surprised."Yes." Atlas's expression was unusually serious as he answered."Why did you suddenly decide to deal with Celine today?" I asked him."After I
"Once Dylan came in, he disappeared," Atlas said with a casual smile."He knows Dylan?""Yes, and he's had a confrontation with him. Among these people, he's only familiar with Dylan. I think he might have thought nobody here recognized him," Atlas speculated."But for now, we can't move against him. Since he's so close to Celine, it indicates that there's some kind of conspiracy between them, with a definite purpose behind it," I said, feeling a bit uneasy upon hearing Atlas's explanation.If he was Navi's strategist and showed up at Celine's mansion after Navi's death, there must be something fishy going on."It seems this guy is really something." I couldn't help but comment."We haven't confirmed anything yet. But when I saw him in the hall, I knew the imposter still had some value," Atlas assured me confidently. “So I decided to reclaim the Pierce mansion today, which caught them off guard.""Honey, you're so brave and decisive!" I praised him generously. "Especially when y
Atlas noticed my determined gaze and gently rubbed my head."Don't be in such a rush. I'll tell you all about it slowly," he said with a smile, brushing it off."I just want to listen to this part," I insisted stubbornly.He chuckled and pointed outside the window.I glanced outside and realized we were already back at the estate."Let's go inside first, take care of Kenny's wounds, and fill your stomach. I can't let my little darlings go hungry," Atlas said indulgently.I chuckled too, teasingly saying, "I am really hungry. I was supposed to eat at the banquet, but I ended up not having a single bite.”Atlas warmly said, "I wouldn't have let you touch the food there. I asked Sandy to make plenty of delicious food for you." It was as if he had read my mind."Really?" I asked in surprise. Unable to resist the temptation, I eagerly opened the door and got out, hurrying to assist Kenny inside.By now, the bloodstains on his back had dried up.When we entered the hall, we found t
I hadn't come down from the excitement of such a big event, so there was no way I could fall asleep.The scenes that had just happened in the Pierce mansion played out in my mind like a movie.I didn't know if those keys were what we had been looking for.I really couldn't wait to find out, but that would have to wait until morning.While I was thinking about that, my phone rang. It was Trinity.I hesitated for a moment. Just thinking of her made me automatically think of the Avila family.I unlocked my phone. "Hey, Trinity.""Are you in Nocturnia, Chloe?" she asked."Yeah. I've been here for a few days. I received sudden news that Grandpa was critically ill, so I rushed here without saying goodbye to you.""How's the situation? Is everything okay?" she asked."It’s fine. It was a false alarm," I complained.As I said that, even I was surprised. A thought flashed through my mind. Who was the mastermind behind this false alarm?Was it Grandpa or Celine? Why did I suddenly fe
Everything felt chaotic when I thought about it.If my guess was correct, what special significance did that brooch hold? It was truly intriguing to me.That involuntarily led me to think about Hana. She had never admitted to being part of the Avila family, so was it just a coincidence that she had come to me?It seemed it would be necessary for me to meet Hana and talk to her when I returned. She hadn't told me the truth last time.As I lay there lost in thought, I hoped I was just overthinking it. Perhaps I had been tossing and turning for too long. Finally, exhaustion overcame me, and I gradually fell asleep.In the middle of the night, a thunderous clap woke me up, but to my surprise, Atlas hadn't returned to our room yet.The wind and rain were raging outside. Although it was the rainy season in Nocturnia, thunderstorms were rare.The wind lifted the curtains high, and the chilly breeze blew in.When I got up to close the window, lightning flashed across the night sky, fol
My attention was drawn to a box on the coffee table. It was an open jewelry box containing the jade jewelry set I had seen Adeline wearing at the Pierce mansion yesterday.Atlas noticed me coming downstairs and pulled me to his side. When I sat down, he gently said, "You’re awake."I glanced at Tristan, who was sipping black coffee. "You're here early. Couldn't sleep last night?""Yeah. Got a lot on my mind," Tristan replied, looking tired.Atlas pointed at the jewelry set and said to me, "Keep this safe. It belonged to my grandmother."I was surprised. No wonder Atlas's demeanor had changed when he saw Adeline yesterday.So, that was the reason.Adeline was audacious indeed. She had boldly worn his grandmother’s jewelry in front of him, openly provoking him. No wonder Atlas couldn't stand it.Atlas's voice was cold as he continued, "This jewelry set is a priceless family heirloom of the Cross family. When my grandmother married my grandfather, the Cross family gave it to her a
I discreetly assessed the newcomer and I found him to be a gentlemanly and refined middle-aged man, accompanied by our little cousin who had saved us the night before, Melvin.Atlas quickly went to greet him. "Hello, Uncle."The man nodded. "I've come to discuss a few things with you, Atlas."Atlas nodded, walking side by side with the man into the study on the first floor.Melvin immediately approached me with a mischievous smile. "How are you, Chloe?"I gestured for him to sit down. "Please, have a seat. Have you had breakfast?""I haven't slept all night, so of course I need a hearty breakfast to replenish my energy. Do you have a sister, Chloe?" he suddenly asked, catching me off guard.He looked at me with a sunny smile and explained, "You're so pretty, so your sister must be just as lovely. Can I get in line early?""Watch your manners, Mr. Melvin," Dylan warned, noticing his flattery.Melvin glared at Dylan. "Mind your own business."Then he continued bantering with me