Even when Ivanna said it, it sounded ridiculous. No one would believe it. "It's not just you. Even I find it hard to believe. I've thought about it many times before but always dismissed it. But this time, I'm certain."I looked at her. "You probably remember me telling you I can't recall my childhood and adolescence, right? There's a gap in my memories, and it wasn't until my sophomore year that I started remembering. I suspect that the missing memories are related to Atlas." "My gosh, wouldn't that be too miraculous? No, no, no... This isn't miraculous—it's eerie!"When Ivanna said this, her expression was comical, but I couldn't bring myself to laugh."Don't laugh. It's true. Do you believe that there are people who can shapeshift in our real lives?" I asked her."Shapeshift?" Ivanna let out a small scream. "I know makeup can be powerful, but shapeshift? I've heard of it, but I've never seen it. Is that all just a legend? Why do you encounter such bizarre things?"Ivanna wa
I looked at Ivanna, expressing my helplessness. "So, not only do I have this inexplicable connection with Stella, but there's also a reason for them to want to kill me.""Chlo, that..." Ivanna seemed at a loss for words."So, this wasn't a random incident but a premeditated one. Now, I just want to know their reason for doing so." I looked up at Ivanna, my eyes reflecting a sense of bewilderment. "But it's a bit dramatic. I never expected that the person who saved my life would turn out to be Trinity."Moreover, I seem to have an inexplicable connection with the Huffman family. Just like that, I'm now involved with them. Even though I'm repulsed by the Huffman family, I don't have a reason to sever ties with them. After all, I owe Trinity my life.""That's not necessarily a bad thing. Everyone has their own values, and the Huffman family is no exception. You don't need to look at the Huffman family with a different view. They might have a different way of doing things, but from a c
"She told me that Trinity took a stab for you. At that moment... I was truly...” Ivanna's voice trembled, her eyes reddening. "And then Arthur ordered an early return. This time, he's feeling quite guilty too. After all, the people on the ship are either rich or noble."Ivanna involuntarily hugged me again.I could imagine the state she was in at that moment. After all, we had been through life and death situations together. When she was in danger, I felt the same way.I pulled her away gently. "Alright, let's go inside and eat together.”"What do you think? Of course, I'll eat here." She made a face like a rascal, and I couldn't help but laugh.She grinned, "Ah, it would be great when Lauren comes back. I'll have a place to freeload again, hopping from one place to another. I won't have to cook. It’s nice to have my best friend back after all.”I snorted, "How do you take care of yourself? It's really worrying. You're a grown person."We chatted at the doorway for a long time b
Before going to bed, I called Atlas. I informed him that everything was stable on the Trinity's side, and I felt a bit relieved. I sighed, grateful that I could lie down peacefully in bed, all thanks to Trinity enduring suffering on my behalf.The guilt in my heart made it impossible for me to sleep. Every event replayed in my mind like a series of scenes. Finally, as morning approached, I, sporting a pair of panda eyes, hastily took a warm shower. Urged by the three old ladies, I managed to eat something before rushing to the hospital.Surprisingly, when I arrived, Trinity had just woken up. Watching the doctor busy inside, I felt anxious. However, she didn't stay awake for long and slipped back into a deep sleep about half an hour later.The doctor brought good news from the blood test results, indicating that the excessive bleeding might have inadvertently helped as there were not many toxins remaining in her body. It was a sigh of relief for all of us.Anson also arrived at the
Perhaps there was already a familial bond between him and Trinity. Or maybe I was overly concerned with the gains and losses between Trinity and Ivanna. I couldn't think of a reason for them to coexist. In my mind, it seemed like a situation of either black or white, with no room for coexistence."Do you want the ultimate result to be coexistence?" I still didn't look at Jared, keeping my gaze on Trinity inside. I directly asked the question that had been lingering in my mind, and then I looked at him, posing a serious question, "Can you achieve that?"He stood firmly, still not looking at me but staring at Trinity inside. "I will strive for it.""But have you considered their feelings?" My guess was spot on."I will do my best to balance their relationship and make sure they both accept it," he said without hesitation.I chuckled. He was quite confident to try to control two strong-willed opposites, and I had to commend his courage for that.I remained silent because at this mom
Jared had just left when an unexpected visitor arrived—Stella.She found her way to the intensive care unit and was surprised to see me standing outside. After a brief moment of hesitation, she approached. Her eyes were fixed on the situation inside the ward. "I didn't expect to find you here, Chloe.""Who did you think it would be?" I intentionally countered, "Surprised? Didn't see that coming, did you? You wanted to hurt me, but Trinity was the one who ended up here. I always manage to turn danger into safety."Stella chuckled casually, "Chloe, you are indeed fortunate in this regard. But how did you manage to offend so many people? You’re always being chased and hunted."Her words sounded light and detached, as if she were an uninvolved bystander. Yet, every time I recalled her ruthless actions, a shiver ran down my spine. I vividly remembered the eerie smile she flashed when she turned around outside my house.Her calm demeanor now made her even more formidable."Well. I wond
Her words held a wealth of information. It seems my hunch was indeed correct—I had known Atlas for a long time.I steadied my thoughts and warned myself not to act rashly. What if this is a timed bomb that Stella set for me?I must stay vigilant. This woman is capable of anything, and she can say anything.At least for now, her words remain unverified, whether they're true or false.I told myself to trust Atlas. I have to wait for him to return and tell me the truth.However, I couldn't deny that Stella's words echoed in my mind like a timed bomb, leaving me uneasy. If I wasn’t Chloe Hartz, then who was I?While I have speculated that I might have known Atlas in the past, he was overseas, and I was in a small town up north. There was simply no way for our paths to cross. What on earth is going on?I couldn't help but think of my parents. They've always been by my side in my memories. From the day they first saw Atlas, they didn't seem to have known him for a long time. So, whe
Ivanna let out a smirk that made me uneasy, especially given the current situation.So, I changed the subject. "Just now, Stella went to the hospital.""Oh? What was she doing there?" Ivanna asked."She was probably there to gather information. I feel that when Jared returned just now, it was because there was news. They've been searching for that person all along! “This time, it's not just Atlas looking, but also the Huffmans and Jared. They're managing well, but facing three powerful forces is no simple task.""Yes!" Ivanna exclaimed cheerfully.Just then, my phone rang. I glanced at it. Ivanna immediately reached over to my bag on the backseat, pulled out my phone, and gasped."Oh my goodness, Chlo, it's Lauren!""Ah? Answer it quickly!" I called out, checked the surroundings, and returned to a safe spot.Ivanna had already swiped to answer and put it on speaker."Lauren, where are you? When are you coming back?" Ivanna shouted. "You've been gone for so long, and the hous
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