I looked toward the source of the familiar voice I thought I would never hear at this moment. I was shocked when he appeared. Atlas approached in his well-tailored suit with the stern-looking Dylan behind him.The once-arrogant Kimberly now looked dumbfounded. She gawked, captivated by Atlas’s presence. She had forgotten everything while staring at him.Atlas extended his hand to me, and I instinctively held it. His expression was cold as he said, “We don’t have to continue this discussion if it’s unpleasant. No one can stop me from doing what I want.”Martin was initially stunned by Atlas’s sudden appearance. He only returned to his senses after seeing Atlas pulling me into his embrace. Martin’s expression darkened, and a standoff seemed imminent.“That statement might be exaggerated, sir.” Apparently, Martin didn’t recognize Atlas. “No one has dared to speak so boldly in my presence.”Atlas’s reply was imposing, “You’ll hear it a lot more from now on.”Meanwhile, Chad whispered
Upon hearing Martin’s words, Atlas’s expression brightened. He turned and strode toward the table, but his tone lacked warmth as he said, “What rules?”Martin stood up and glared at Atlas. The former gritted his teeth and feigned composure, saying, “The rules of Bourdamun and the Terrels.”“Unfortunately, you can’t represent Bourdamun, and your family’s rules can’t constrain me.” Atlas was firm, and the glint in his eyes made Martin uneasy.The man before Martin exerted immense pressure.Jeremiah was eager to protect Martin, stepping forward and pointing at me. “Chloe, you ungrateful bitch! You don’t appreciate kindness, do you? Since you’ve come here, it won’t be so easy to leave.”He suddenly grabbed my wrist. A moment later, Atlas snatched a fork from Kimberly and jabbed it into Jeremiah’s hand.Jeremiah squealed and instantly released my wrist. He clutched his hand in terror, with blood flowing from his wound. He looked at Atlas fearfully and retreated.“What made you think
Dylan smirked upon hearing Martin’s words. The former exclaimed, “Come in!”A squad of cops entered and lifted Martin’s injured men off the ground. Dylan handed a stack of documents to the squad leader, saying, “These are the evidence of their crimes in Bourdamun over the years and the list of the injured. The detailed process of the incidents is all there.”Martin finally understood the true meaning of fear at that moment. “Atlas, you… Brandon, who authorized you to come here? Why didn’t anyone inform me?”“Sorry, Martin, this is an order from the people above. You have no right to question them.” Brandon, the squad leader, did not even glance at Martin.“Fine. You ungrateful little—”“Take him away!” Brandon interrupted, sensing Martin might speak further. He could not allow Martin to blabber because he knew how scary Atlas could be.“How dare you?!” Martin roared, “My father is still in the hospital, and I must tend to him!”“Your father is not at the hospital but at the stat
The dinner I had with my team was significantly different, as everyone was joyful. Mine and Noah’s team were full of newfound energy. I knew Bourdamun’s future would be utterly different.Everything happened so quickly that the people of Boudamun could barely keep up. The authorities took Nelson from the hospital, where he enjoyed special treatment in a high-end ward.Before the authorities took him away, he treated the staff poorly and cursed at them. At the height of his excitement, a squad of cops barged in to take him in for questioning. Nelson resisted and cursed at the cops.A witness captured a video of it and uploaded it to the internet. The cops had arrested the two heads of the Terrell family and their henchmen overnight.I barely knew how it all happened, but it seemed someone had carefully planned everything. It was only a matter of time for the plan to take place.…Although Bourdamun’s new district was far from the old city, the people were thrilled. They flocked to
I found it hard to believe and rubbed my eyes. It was really Oliver! How could he be here?Instinctively, I looked back at Lauren.Ivanna appeared to be more surprised than we were. "Why are you here?"Oliver ignored Ivanna and focused his attention on Lauren. His eyes looked dark and uncertain, and his lips trembled. He seemed excited.Lauren's hand on my arm tightened, causing me slight pain. My eyes were fixed on Oliver, who had changed a lot. He looked remarkably thin."Lauren, you finally came back." His voice shook. I could see his hand hanging at his side, tightly clenched in anxiety.She looked at him, and her lips twitched. However, she quickly regained her composure.Lauren smiled lightly. "It's you! Have you been good?""No! No one told me where you went!" Oliver sounded like a petulant child who couldn't find a home. Lauren gave a somewhat forced smile. "You can't blame them. I didn't even know where I was going. So, I didn't inform them either. I just told them t
Lauren and I exchanged a knowing glance, sharing a laugh.She whispered to me, "Why is Ivanna so chatty now?"I couldn't help but laugh harder. Ivanna turned around to look at us. "Are you talking about me? Are you annoyed that I'm talking too much?"When we got in the car, I glanced outside. Oliver was standing at the doorway, looking on as we were leaving. The desolation in his eyes made me feel a twinge of pity.However, this was out of my hands. What he did had hurt Lauren, and I didn't want to interfere with Lauren's decision.It was a personal matter, and no third party could intervene. I had no idea how Oliver had spent the previous six months while Lauren was away. What went through his mind? Did he realize where he went wrong?I believed Lauren would never forgive him if he didn't realize his mistakes. Even if she forgave him, I wasn't sure if I could.Only I saw what happened before Lauren left. She had narrowly escaped death, and I could understand her pain.I call
Ava, acting like a little adult, quickly introduced Jenny to Lauren. "Aunt Lauren, this is my big sister. Uncle found her for me."Lauren approved, saying, "Your uncle is quite bossy!"Then she turned her attention to Jenny. "Well! What a beautiful girl!"After a brief greeting, she hugged Jenny and spoke in a soft, gentle tone, "Hello there, pretty girl. I have a gift for you."The kids were excited, especially Ava, who loved unwrapping gifts. Ryan was also there, and he was the chef for the day.After hugging my mom, Lauren playfully complained about hunger. "I haven't tasted delicious homemade food in half a year. I've been dreaming about it.""We'll have dinner right away. Chlo, call Atlas and ask how long before he gets back," my mom directed. Now that Grace was here, she played the role of a captain, organizing and managing everything happily.Ava, unable to contain her excitement, asked, "Aunt Lauren, where's my gift?"Lauren laughed. "I thought you'd forgotten. You're
Faced with everyone blaming her for her abrupt departure, Lauren responded with a calm smile, "Actually, leaving was a spontaneous decision. I just wanted to be carefree and wander for a while."She laughed. "So I truly followed my heart. I had no plans. I just wanted to get out there and see the world. I told no one, not even Chlo."Though she spoke lightly, only I knew what she was thinking when she left.I was convinced that her mindset at the time was one of living or dying based on her own choices, which was precisely what I had feared. Fortunately, she returned unharmed.Ivanna asked if Lauren encountered any dangers in the past six months."There are always challenges during a journey," she said with a sad smile. “There were many adventurous moments, including getting lost, crossing language barriers, entering desolate areas, and facing war. But sometimes, when you open up to things, fear disappears..."Oliver listened silently, occasionally serving her dishes but barely e
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