Just as everyone turned around in surprise, they noticed the newcomers weren't strangers; it was none other than Arthur and his entourage, including Atlas. It seemed these people had been together all along, probably discussing business.Mia and I exchanged glances but didn't make a move.The tall and thin middle-aged man immediately concealed his anger, striding toward Arthur. From a distance, he greeted Athurt with a fawning tone, extending his hand, "Mr. Arthur, you're here. Sorry for startling you with such a commotion."He then nodded and bowed to Atlas, "Mr. Atlas."Atlas's face remained gloomy, his gaze fixed on me. My dress was still wet, and the disheveled look persisted. I could see the anger churning in his eyes.Arthur glanced at Mia, then at me beside her without interacting with us. Instead, he sternly asked, "What's going on?"The tall and thin man gave us a disdainful glance, sneering, "These two ill-mannered women somehow sneaked in and are causing trouble here.
Arthur took a glance at the tablet handed to him by the young man, silently watching for a while, then passed the tablet to the tall and thin man. "Is this what you claimed, that the two of them sneaked in and caused trouble?"The tall and thin man hurriedly took the tablet, nervously watched the footage, and, with trembling lips, turned back to slap the red-haired guy. "I warned you to stay away from this troublesome Carina! Why can't you remember my advice? You bastard!"Andre, furious upon hearing the skinny guy's words, exclaimed, "Robert Strickland, what the hell do you mean?""I meant exactly what I said! Look at the well-behaved daughter you've raised, causing trouble everywhere. What kind of person is she?" Robert pointed at the disheveled Carina on the ground. "Look at her, what does she look like now? This is disgraceful, utterly disgraceful!"Atlas seemed to have reached his limit. He took off his jacket, walked over, and wrapped it around me, holding me in his arms. "Se
After finishing her statement, Mia turned to leave with a high and cold stride. Suddenly, she stopped and looked at me, saying, "Ms. Chloe, shall we have a chat?"I smiled, "Sure."Looking up at Atlas, I whispered, "I'll chat with Ms. Mia for a while. You focus on your tasks."Atlas nodded with an indulgent expression, "Alright. Don't forget to eat something."I smiled, gave Ivanna a slight tug, and followed Mia as we walked toward the VIP area.From the corner of my eye, I saw Liora still hiding behind the crowd, staring at us as we walked by in astonishment.Mia's words should be enough to make her heart race.People in the crowd continued to comment, "They’re really ignorant to dare to offend these two women. One is Mr. Arthur's daughter, and the other is Mr. Atlas’s woman.”As we left the chaotic crowd, Ivanna disdainfully remarked, "Liora must be really panicking now.""I really dislike that woman. Too bad for that Atticus. He's a very astute man," Mia said casually, show
After coming out of the private room, we all went to the restaurant together, feeling very happy.I was happy because I finally got what I wanted, and if all went as planned, I could also acquire the Phase Two of Avalon Hills, which was already within Liora's grasp.During dinner, I had Dylan notify Ryan to join us in our private room.I formally introduced Noah to Ryan, making this cruise party a true success for me.We had a joyful dinner.After dinner, we went back to the main hall. I strolled on the deck with Joyce. The sea was calm and vast, the deep expanse of the sea and the sky merging into one. It was the first time I had seen such a seascape. It was like the entire firmament was within arm's reach.Joyce asked me, "Chloe, how do you manage to make Ryan always love you?"Her question was too direct, making me a bit awkward. This was likely due to our different upbringing environments, shaping different outlooks on life."Well, there's no need to deliberately do anythin
I was nervous and glanced at Ivanna for support. Surprisingly, she met Trinity's gaze with calm composure. "Ms. Trinity, there's no need to be so aggressive. This isn't like you. I thought your demeanor would be more refined, but I overestimated you. Your behavior can only be described in one word—inferior."Ivanna's boldness took me aback. I was worried things might get out of hand.I glanced at Jared, who remained as composed as ever."So?" Trinity's tone turned icy."So, it doesn't matter who speaks. Mr. Jared seems to be in high spirits!" Ivanna addressed Jared directly for the first time, repeating herself deliberately. Then she casually added, "We won't disturb you any longer."With that, she reached out to take my arm and turned to leave.As we walked away, she tossed a parting remark to Trinity, "Ms. Trinity, broaden your horizons a bit. Don't resort to common tricks!"Suddenly, I reassessed Ivanna. She was proving to be more formidable than I had thought. I couldn't h
I instinctively screamed as I fell. It felt like a scene from a recurring nightmare, where darkness consumed me.With a loud splash, I instantly felt suffocated. I was swallowed whole by icy seawater, with no way out.I didn't know how to swim. I thrashed desperately, but my body continued its descent.Then, a powerful arm wrapped tightly around me, pushing me upward.Amid the prolonged darkness and silence, I thought someone was calling my name. "Chloe...""Chlo!"When I woke up, I was in Atlas's arms, and his face was filled with worry. Seeing me move, he asked urgently, "Chlo, how do you feel? Is anything hurting?""Cold..."My lips trembled. I clung tightly to him, shivering from the seawater's coldness.Atlas tightened the coat around me, lifting me gently. He then instructed someone nearby, "Get a doctor to the room!"He carried me past the crowd up to our room.Once inside, he quickly undressed me and rinsed me with warm water. He settled me on the bed, wrapping me
Atlas's handsome face was as cold as ice, and his lips pressed tightly together. His sharp eyes gleamed with intensity. He stared icily at the steward. Every word he uttered seemed laced with frost, sending a shiver through the room.Seeing me come out, he settled me on the sofa. I turned to the steward. "Who told you to deliver the message?""It was a woman, Ms. Chloe. I didn't get a clear look at her. She told me to inform you to go to the fourth-floor lounge. She also said that you should go alone." The steward's face was deathly pale, trembling as if he had seen a ghost. It was clear he was terrified.One of Atlas's aides entered, holding an evidence bag. "Sir, these are the clothes salvaged from the sea!"I quickly looked over. It was a dark gray tracksuit. I was confident. "Yes, this is the right color. A dark figure in a hooded tracksuit attacked me. That's why I couldn't see the face."I closed my eyes, trying to recall the moment. A dark figure rushed toward me, causing
Carina seemed a bit agitated, scanning the room. "What exactly are you trying to do? I haven't done anything! I've been locked in my room the whole time.""Can anyone vouch for you?" Dylan inquired.Her face twisted angrily. "No one. They've got me cornered, and who would vouch for me? A bunch of backstabbers! They were the ones who told me to do it, and now that things have gone south, they're all hiding. They don't even stay in my room anymore. No one will testify."She was genuinely stubborn, displaying a fearless, almost reckless demeanor. She reminded me of Harmony in that regard—headstrong and fierce.I kept my gaze fixed on Carina. Her expression, her attitude, everything felt off. Her personality wouldn't allow her to remain so composed if she were indeed behind this.Before long, the attendant returned, shaking his head at Dylan.Dylan handed her the surveillance footage. "Is this you?"Carina's eyes were fixed on the screen, staring for a long time. She seemed unable t