I was taken aback. My heart felt like it was being squeezed tightly as the thing I feared would happen seemed to have unfolded."Take your time, Arton," I reassured the anxious voice on the phone."Something big has happened, Mrs. Chloe. I’m sorry... there’s been an explosion at the construction site.""An explosion?" I echoed, trying to process the sudden news.My head spun. An explosion? A knot formed in my stomach as I abruptly stood up from my chair."Yes, one of our high-rise buildings that was under construction exploded." Arton's voice trembled with urgency. "It just happened. Johnson and I are on our way to the scene. We don't have all the details yet, and the explosion is still ongoing."The phone crackled with intense explosion sounds, echoing loudly."I'll report back to you soon. I have to go to the scene now..." Arton's voice trailed off as the call ended."Stay safe!" I shouted, then quickly headed outside."Carol!" I called urgently, my voice betraying my unease
Ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars rushed from all directions toward the exploding construction site.Noah was already there when we got to the site, and various news media swarmed in, instantly surrounding the construction site.Although the explosions had stopped, smoke still billowed, and the scent of explosives lingered. Amidst the haze, all I could see was rubble.I grabbed hold of a foreman on the site and asked loudly, "Are there any casualties?""It's still unclear at the moment. The bomb squad won't let anyone near. They are afraid there might be more bombs!" The foreman said, "However, we've notified the person responsible for this building to start counting their people. We believe we'll have a tally soon!"The exploded construction site had already erected a 12-story framework. The original plan was for a 23-story building. The explosion started from the eighth floor, followed by two more blasts on the third floor, causing the stairwell frame to collapse complete
He quickly reached out to support my body, nodding solemnly at me. I stared at him in disbelief.We locked eyes like that, and he still nodded confidently at me. After a while, he pulled me into his embrace again, whispering softly, "Trust me. Everything is under my control. You've been amazing. So remember, our child is the most important. Got it?"I felt an unprecedented sense of security in his arms at that moment. Though we had many challenges ahead, I knew with him by my side, we would never lose.Though accepting what he had just told me was difficult, I believed he had his reasons."Is what you're saying true?" I asked him, still finding it hard to believe.He nodded firmly. "So, don't worry. Your health and our child come first, and I'll handle everything at work.At that moment, I suddenly remembered my own health. Instinctively, I reached out to touch my stomach. The round, solid bump gave me some reassurance. "What did the doctor say?""You're too exhausted. This can'
Due to the impact of the explosion on New Bourdamun, even I had somewhat forgotten about Atticus.When the survey concluded, and other projects in New Bourdamun resumed normal operations, we prepared to return to Foswood. This time, the security measures at the construction sites were significantly enhanced, jointly managed by ATL Empire, Tanum, and the authorities.After arranging everything, Atlas and I returned to Foswood. Although there were still many things to deal with, we didn't have to spend every day at the construction site. However, as the main person in charge, I was restricted from leaving the country and had to suspend work.I delegated all affairs to Ryan.On the way back, when we talked about clearing the scene, Atlas suddenly said to me, "Someone has taken over the abandoned building project on Celestis Island.""Who?" I looked at Atlas and asked, surprised by how quickly things moved."Denton," Atlas said confidently.I was even more surprised. This was comple
The Phillips family had all come to Pleca Park and were chatting with my parents in the living room. When they saw us return, they stood up excitedly.Gloria pulled me over. "Chlo, don't let yourself get stressed out. If there's anything, let the men handle it! Right now, you're pregnant, and your biggest task is to protect the baby. Nothing else matters!"Atlas's gaze was approving as he looked at Gloria.Seeing us chatting lively, Atlas hinted at Ryan, and the two went to the study. I sat down to chat with the elders.After such a big incident, they were naturally worried.I thought the matter had come to a close, but I didn't expect the online public opinion to keep evolving. Even the most clueless person could see that someone was definitely manipulating it.Those lurking online had started digging into Tanum's Solaris branch.With Hartz Group's company exposed, their projects were forced to be delayed. Some ill-intentioned people said that I divorced Matthew in the first pla
At noon, Arnold, who hadn't visited for a long time, brought Hana to Pleca Park. As soon as Arnold entered the yard, he ran over and plopped down beside me. "Hey! Have you missed me?"I glanced at Hana, who was already being sweetly attended to but not far away, and scoffed. "You're so distracted. Why would I miss you?"Arnold laughed uproariously and lay back on the lounge chair, looking at Hana. "She's your sister, after all. I've always said if you have a sister, I won't miss the opportunity."It seemed their relationship was becoming more stable.My eyes narrowed, and I asked him, "When did you find out she was my sister?"Arnold glanced at me. "When she was on vacation."I stared at Arnold, feeling resentment bubbling up inside me."I heard she was on vacation, so I checked where she went. I wanted to follow her, but found out that she went to Yare, back to the Avila family! I told Atlas, and we confirmed that she was part of the Avila family, a princess of Yare."Arnold
We were both drawn by a loud exclamation not far away, where Ivanna was with Lauren.She rushed over to me, excitement written all over her face. "Chloe, the cat's out of the bag!"Hurrying to my side, she handed me her phone. "Take a look."I took her phone screen, where some headlines caught my eye."Old Bourdamun attracts new investments, creating a new chapter in commercial development.""Good news after the explosion case, with Old and New Bourdamun entering a new era."There was also a large photo of Ernest shaking hands with Noah.I was petrified. This news was a bombshell to me.A brand-new resort? Attracting investment? Rebuilding Old Bourdamun?I locked eyes with Lauren. Damn! This was a dirty move to take advantage of our crisis."What do we do?" Lauren looked anxious. She knew how obsessed I was with the Old Bourdamun project."How despicable!" I gritted my teeth, spitting out the words.Arnold snatched the phone from my hand to read the news report."Looks lik
I snorted confidently. "Otherwise? I refuse to believe it. Our project proposal underwent nearly a year of scrutiny, deliberation, field research, and data analysis before it was finalized."It was also polished by top-notch economic planners. A plan like that cannot be discarded. I'll definitely grill Noah about this, so it’s crucial for us to get hold of their proposal.""But can't they come up with one as well?" Lauren looked at me with some skepticism.I retorted coldly, "If their proposal resembles ours, that’ll be a different story altogether. I have absolute confidence in our plan.""But they’re from the Morgan family!" Lauren hesitated."So what?" I countered, glancing at Lauren. "I won't back down. Don't forget, I've put nearly a year of effort into this. I can't just give up now."Taking a leaf out of Atlas's book, I added with determination, "After all, I'm a businessman. Besides, the Morgan family’s just trying to steal my project. They're acting like vultures."Laur
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