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
That inadvertent glance sent shivers down my spine and made the hairs on my neck stand up. I stood still and tried not to show any reaction, but my heart was pounding intensely, and a sense of panic crept in. I made a conscious effort to stay composed.On the fifteenth floor, the man squeezed out from behind me and walked out of the elevator. His tall, slender figure gradually disappeared as the elevator doors closed, and I never saw his face.My room was on the twenty-third floor. When the elevator reached my floor, there were only a few people left inside. I stepped out, followed by the hotel staff. He escorted me to my room and turned to leave. I quickly closed the door behind him.I urgently called Atlas and asked him to come to my room.We had kept the news of our marriage confidential, so Atlas had been assigned to another room on the top floor.He quickly appeared at my door. I pulled him inside and looked at him nervously. I quietly told him, "Atlas, I saw someone from the
I looked at her and asked, confirming, “You mean Arthur Morgan?”She nodded politely. “Yes.”I glanced over at Atlas, who was engaged in conversation with Noah at the neighboring table, accompanied by an elderly man. I couldn't spot Arthur anywhere.Afraid Arthur might have been waiting for a long time, I hesitated to interrupt Atlas. I told the receptionist, "You don't need to accompany me, I can go to the rooftop alone. When he finishes talking, just inform him about my whereabouts."She nodded with a cheerful smile. "Sure. Don't worry. Once he's done, I'll let him know. Do you know the way? Are you sure you don't want me to guide you?"I nodded confidently, "No problem, I can find my way."I then stood up and headed toward the exit. I believed Arthur wanted to talk privately, considering the crowded environment in the restaurant. Hence, he asked me to meet him on the rooftop.The rooftop of the Bourdamun Hotel was a specially constructed scenic platform. I talked with Noah on
I saw a remote control that looked like a car key in his hand. I didn't know what it was, but judging from his expression, it was certainly not good.A remote control? My eyes widened, and my heart raced. He must have seen the tension in my eyes.Looking even more smug, he asked, "Do you know what this is?"A second later, he said, “Boom.”I immediately felt my scalp tingling. I thought of everyone in the banquet hall at this moment."What do you want to discuss?" I steadied my emotions, staring at the man."Haha... you’re quite bold. What to discuss? Money." He said brazenly, "Man dies for wealth, and birds die for food. Aren't you doing the project for the new city in Bourdamun for money? You’re quite audacious, daring to take on this job and stirring things up. Let's spill some blood for it."His words left me dizzy. He mentioned me stirring things up, which could only mean he was associated with Nelson. That couldn't exclude the possibility of Denton.I discreetly stepped b
The man controlled me with one hand while holding the remote control with the other. Atlas approached with his entourage, all armed, forming a fan-shaped formation to surround us.I struggled desperately to loosen the man's grip on my arm, my eyes fixed on Atlas.The man stepped backward to the rooftop's edge, his excitement evident. "Ha... Atlas, perfect timing. Since you're willing to pay for her, that’s good. Transfer the 600 million to the overseas account, and I'll release her immediately. Otherwise, you’ll perish together."Atlas stared at me, his entire body exuding an icy chill, like the sky before a storm. His eyes were full of ruthlessness.He stepped closer to us, his gaze never leaving me, struggling under the man's control. I was being forced further away from him."Let her go. Otherwise, you won't get a dime." Atlas's eyes were like a hawk, fixed on the man. “If you release her, you can get the money, and I’ll even let you leave safely!”"Atlas, if you want her ba
The man's reaction was incredibly swift. Just as he threw the remote, he viciously tightened his grip around my neck, causing me to tilt backward.Before I could comprehend what was happening, I was dragged over the platform's railing, plummeting downward. I instinctively let out a scream. This feeling was terrifying, something I had experienced many times in my dreams.The man's arm, tightly clung to my neck, refusing to let go.Just as I realized I was falling, suspended mid-air, I felt my ankle suddenly being clamped. My body abruptly halted, but the grip around my neck intensified, making breathing difficult.In the next moment, another gunshot echoed, and I heard a muffled sound as something pierced into the flesh. I felt my neck tighten even more, and my vision started to blur. However, fortunately, my neck suddenly felt relieved.A rush of fresh air filled my lungs, and I instinctively covered my neck, gasping for breath.In fear, I widened my eyes and looked up. I found
However, I distinctly heard his voice trembling. Even his arms around me were shaking.I was completely limp in his arms, making me question the reality of everything before me. I could even feel my teeth incessantly chattering.After a while, Atlas gently released me, scrutinizing my face and checking if I was injured. Then, he embraced me tightly again, as if afraid of losing me once more, and kissed my forehead passionately.Later, he bent down, lifting me in his arms. With the protection of the group, we left the rooftop and exited the Bourdamun Hotel.Only at that moment did I realize that the people in the banquet hall on the second floor had already been urgently evacuated, and the entire building had been swiftly cleared out.As we left the Bourdamun Hotel, I noticed a crowd of cops surrounding the area. A white sheet covered a figure on the ground, stained with vivid red blood.The air was still filled with the scent of blood, and not far away, there was the explosion si
I trembled, leaning weakly against his chest. At that moment, I felt an unprecedented sense of safety and happiness.It was good to be alive. He continued to comfort me, holding me close.Gradually, I regained my composure."Are the people inside the building safe? You said they've been evacuated, right?" I asked urgently, sharing with Atlas what the man on the rooftop had told me and what I had thought.Then I added, "We can't stay at the Bourdamun Hotel anymore. Someone’s pulling the strings behind this, and when he controlled me, he was in constant communication with that person. The mastermind behind this has been monitoring the situation. He told me there's a bomb in the banquet hall.”I looked at him anxiously, afraid of missing any clues.Atlas reassured me, "Don't worry. Right after we left, bomb disposal experts went in to check the building thoroughly. Everyone inside has already been evacuated.""When did they evacuate?" I asked in disbelief."After you discovered
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