I could hardly believe my eyes. Pleca Park had transformed into a vast sea of roses.The entrance was adorned with flowers, creating a romantic gateway. Inside the courtyard, two heart-shaped designs caught my eye. A champagne-colored rose arrow, and an arrangement of blue roses forming today's date adorned the lawn.The fragrance of roses filled the entire yard, and at the entrance, all the staff and family members were eagerly awaiting our return.What surprised me even more was that the family members, led by Archie, were all present, leaving me pleasantly shocked.Atlas helped me out of the car, and I quickly approached Archie. "Archie, when did you come back?"He smiled kindly and opened his arms, giving me a warm hug. "How can I not come back on such a wonderful day? You're getting married!" He patted my back gently. "You'll definitely be happy.""I will, Archie," I replied, deeply moved.In reality, in some mysterious way, Archie's invisible but boundless support for me
Honestly, I was sweating bullets for Ivanna. If the Huffman family wanted to crush her, all they had to do was lift a finger.Anson was undoubtedly shrewd. He asked me, "Is she the girl that caught Jared's attention?"I didn't know how to answer the old man for a moment. However, Rose chimed in, "Anson, this girl is quite suitable for Jared. Even more so than Trinity."Anson's face darkened, his eyes fixed on Ivanna, the emotions within them murky and unclear.I pondered momentarily, thinking I needed to do something for Ivanna."Anson, the matters of the heart can't be forced. Trinity might need someone more suitable for her." I followed his gaze and looked at Ivanna.Ivanna was chatting with Lauren, occasionally laughing and smiling, seemingly oblivious to the glances from our direction.Not far away, Jared and Dylan were conversing, but I felt he was perceptive. When I looked over, he had already noticed my gaze.Anson repeated my words with displeasure, "Suitable? Trinity li
The next day, the city of Foswood was buzzing with excitement, everyone speculating on who got married yesterday.The fireworks that lit up the entire night ignited everyone's curiosity.What I had been worried about, the scene when Atlas picked me up after work, seemed inevitable now.However, the trending topics online were filled with dazzling neon lights, blessings, and pictures of the fireworks that painted half the sky. The rest was just various speculations and rumors.However, no one could guess it. Some even went to the city county's office to investigate the information, but all efforts were in vain.This became an unsolvable puzzle, a mystery that no one could unravel.It was said that on this day, everywhere in Foswood, people were asking one question, "Hey! Do you know who got married yesterday?"I couldn't help but laugh and praise Atlas, "Well done!"He grinned, pressing against me, "Thanks for the compliment, my wife!"The next moment, he looked sad, "Sorry, it
The news hit me hard, and Atlas immediately called Jared to confirm the information.Jared decisively affirmed the news, stating that Trinity was supposed to have returned to the country. However, when it was time for her to go to the airport as planned, she was discovered missing from her room. After a casual search yielded no results, they sensed something was wrong and officially declared her missing.It had been over 10 hours.My heart skipped a beat, and I looked at Atlas in a panic. "What should we do?"Atlas didn't immediately answer my question. After contemplating, he made a call, issuing tasks to the other side.Then he said, "I've contacted our headquarters in the Jitador to investigate the situation. Concluding the current uncertain circumstances wouldn't be wise."I had never encountered such a situation before and couldn't help feeling nervous, especially since Trinity was in Jitador.After all, due to my past, there had been friction between the Huffman family a
During this uncontrollable situation, Jared was the Huffman family's pillar.Anson was getting old. He might have once dominated the scene, but now he had to admit that he was no longer in his prime.However, entrusting a big chunk of the Huffman family affairs to Trinity might be a strain on her.Trinity was still a woman, no matter how strong she was. Not just anyone could handle the Huffman family business. There were many risks even within her own sphere of influence. That was something Anson was well aware of."Jared…”Anson stared at Jared for some time while the latter looked solemnly back at him. “Mr. Anson.”I thought he had something to discuss with Jared in private, so I glanced at Atlas and quickly suggested, "Maybe we should step away."But as soon as I said that, Anson raised his hand. "There’s no need for that. You're not outsiders."I stopped in my tracks and returned to my spot.He thought for a moment, but only said a few words to Jared. "Bring her back."My
I might have sounded nonchalant, but I knew Anson would understand.He glanced at me. "Her fate? You’re right. She’s been like a boy ever since she was a child. She would mingle with them and endure all kinds of hardship without complaining. I never spoiled her. After all, she was destined to shoulder the great responsibility that is the Huffman family."Anson looked up and gazed blankly at the tree in the courtyard.He looked desolate. Maybe he really did think of me as his family.“I thought it might have been dangerous for her to do all that, but she’s been by my side handling the business since she was fifteen. She’s faced danger several times, but she has never flinched, and she’s only become more resolute."I involuntarily recalled the first time I saw Trinity. She had entered my line of sight with Jared, emanating a fierce aura. Even her gaze had been cold and ruthless.But fate was fickle, and I had discovered another side of her. She was innocent and gentle, just like a
Anson chuckled when I asked my question. He stood under a gazebo in a garden and gestured for me to sit. "Sit down. It's cooler here."Then he took a seat inside the gazebo, and I joined him.I couldn't help but wonder what he was worrying about. Maybe I could help distract him."The Huffman and Attwood families have always been close. The Attwood family started in the east of the city, and we, the Huffman family, started in the north. We were involved in similar businesses, so conflict was inevitable. However, the two families reached an agreement so they could survive. They divided Foswood into the east and west regions, with the Huffman family in the west and the Attwood family in the east. That way, we would govern our own territories, mutually complementing each other and avoiding interference.“This arrangement lasted for a while, but when the businesses became more established, the division was no longer logical, and conflict arose again. Then, the two families rewrote the a
I could sense Ivanna's frustration as she realized that Jared had left in a hurry without explaining anything to her."He left in a rush. I'll explain later. I should be in Bourdamun by tomorrow morning," I informed her.I quickly hung up and returned to Anson's side.He looked at me and said, "Go ahead and attend to your business."I smiled and sat next to him again. "I should spend more time with you since Trinity’s not around. I would have visited sooner if I hadn’t been so busy."We continued chatting until Atlas returned. After a brief conversation with Anson, we left.In the car, Atlas instructed the driver, "Head straight to Bourdamun."I wasn't surprised by his decision. The car quickly left the northern suburbs and entered the ring road. The afternoon of seemingly aimless chat with Anson had left me feeling strange.Atlas took my hand. He seemed concerned. He asked, "Are you hungry? We can grab something to eat when we reach Bourdamun."I replied, "Sure."Noticing my d
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