I said to Carol, "Let's go."When Eleanor walked us out, she complained, "I was planning to have lunch here with you two. There are a few new small places around here, and they serve really delicious food."I turned to her and said, "Why didn't you mention it earlier? If you had, I would have asked Benjamin to kick him out."Carol quickly added, "Go ahead and call Benjamin now. Check if Melvern is still in the office. If he isn’t, we can grab a bite here before heading back."After a moment of thought, I nodded. "Alright, go ahead and make the call."Carol immediately called Benjamin.The answer was exactly what I had expected. Frustration showed on Carol’s face, and she pouted.I shook my head helplessly and said with a smile, "Hurry and get the car. We'll head back to the company."Carol had no choice but to head to the parking lot to get the car. I turned to Eleanor and said, "If necessary, we'll make a trip to Liswell soon to visit the factory and ensure everything is preci
Back in the office, I spotted Melvern waiting for me in the small meeting room with a cup of coffee on the table.I walked over and smiled at him apologetically. "I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. I got tied up with some discussions and couldn't break away."He chuckled nonchalantly. "No worries. I happened to have some free time today, so I thought I'd wait for a bit. Sorry for making you rush."Internally, I couldn't help but smirk. I'd never seen him busy. Every time I met Melvern, he was either shopping with a woman or wandering around aimlessly.He glanced at his watch and suggested, "Well then, Ms. Chloe, how about grabbing a quick bite together? It's lunchtime, after all."I promptly declined. "It's okay. I told my assistant to order lunch because I have a meeting at one o'clock. I can’t exactly go out for a meal."Just as I spoke, Carol entered the meeting room with a lunchbox.I said, "If you don't mind, Mr. Melvern, we can have this takeaway together."As I said thos
Melvern didn't interrupt my words but regarded me with an appreciative gaze.I continued, "I'm someone who sees things in black and white. And my opponent, Liora, is an extremely tasteless woman."He gazed at me, still not interrupting and seemingly interested in hearing more."She’s been arrogant and persistent from the very first day we met, like a crazy dog biting everyone in its path. Even my patience has limits. Since she disregarded the respect I've shown her, it's become a life-or-death struggle between us." My tone carried a hint of disdain.“You invested in someone like her to undermine me, then you came to me claiming to be a friend. Tell me, why did you do that? I'm not one to turn a blind eye. I have my own principles," I asserted myself.I smiled while I said all this, but my words were sharp and far from comforting.Melvern looked at me and commented, "You're very straightforward. That's why I came to see you.""Tell me, then." I kept it short and to the point.
He ate quickly and seemed to enjoy the meal. He smiled at me and said, "Yum! This is the best lunch I've had so far. Thank you, Ms. Chloe."I smiled without saying anything, feeling like this man was beating around the bush too much.After finishing the meal, he checked the time and stood up. "It looks like it's time for your meeting soon. I won't disturb you any longer, Ms. Chloe. Thanks for the lunch. How about we have dinner together another day?"I nodded. "Sure, provided I have the time.""Great! I can wait until you're free," he said confidently. "I'll take my leave now. I believe we'll become friends, Ms. Chloe."He strode out of the small meeting room and left my office.Watching his departure, I couldn't help but mutter, "Who gave you such confidence?"Carol rushed in, reaching out to tidy up the utensils and curiously asking, "Is he gone?""Yeah," I absentmindedly responded.I was pondering Melvern's purpose in coming here. I reviewed our conversation, contemplating
"When he invested in Liora, it was a probing move. Didn't I tell you? He came back for revenge this time, and I'm his target."Think about it. He needs to figure out everything about the people around me. He won't give up on any clues. The current situation between Liora and me forces him to pay attention to her opponents. He's afraid I might have allies, especially someone like you."I found Atticus's words quite reasonable. "But one thing I can't figure out is how did he know we might have a connection?""That's not hard to find out. After all, we have some apparent cooperation," Atticus said casually.I chuckled. "True!""Would you and your husband join us for dinner tonight?" Atticus suggested."No, I can't make it tonight. I have some supplier issues that I can't delay. Another time, perhaps." I declined Atticus's invitation.I didn't ask him how he found out about my relationship with Atlas. Otherwise, he wouldn't have said, "You and your husband." These people are all sha
I sighed with a bitter smile. In the end, human relationships are all about using and being used.However, reflecting on the events surrounding Liora and the incident with Atticus, his assistance to me is indeed a drop in the ocean.No wonder Atlas has been observing Atticus's moves. It seemed that Atlas was my true behind-the-scenes support, the one manipulating the situation.Atlas was the one pulling the strings.I assumed that Atticus would never dare to act rashly against me. If Atlas wanted to push him into bankruptcy, it would only take a few minutes, and I believed that Atlas was capable of that.Judging from the fact that he could pocket such a big project in the capital, it was trivial for him to give up on a project in Rivendell.On top of that, I was in trouble at that time. Of course, he wouldn't let anyone succeed. He retreated in order to advance.That was the real reason why Atticus had always treated me differently. To be honest, Atticus has constantly scrutin
Annika smiled and said, "Myra has talked a lot about what you've done for our Charlie. How could he not remember you? We won't let him forget your kindness.""Alright, I'll go visit him one of these days! It's been quite a few days, and I miss him," I said.We chatted for a bit more before ending the call.Annika's words deeply affected me. Charlie had an ungrateful mom. Hopefully, the Reese family would raise him right and not let him turn out like his mother.I contemplated how to bring up the matter of testifying with Arton. It was a real dilemma. Convincing a father to accuse the mother of his child might not be an easy task.If not handled carefully, my intention of sending the child home to them might be misunderstood. I could be seen as having ulterior motives, and Arton might get entangled in the case, even though it was Matthew's crime.This made my head ache. I couldn't let a situation involving Matthew jeopardize the warmth Charlie had just regained.As I was lost in
I quickly stood up and walked away from my desk, warmly greeting Jordan. "Mr. Jordan, hello." I smiled, gesturing for him to take a seat, and asked Carol to bring water and coffee.I had heard from Eleanor that Jordan handed over the reins of Yorksen Doors to his son for health reasons. Seeing him, it was evident that his complexion wasn't great."Ms. Chloe, it's been a while. Sorry for the trouble." He was humble. But his son, Jesse, had an unpleasant and restrained expression. Even though they came to see me, it seemed like he wasn't too willing."You're being too polite. Please, have a seat." I gestured again.Jordan nervously sat on the sofa, glancing around my office. "This is quite a big change. I used to be very familiar with this office."He was trying to bridge the gap between us."Yeah. Time flies. It's been over ten years, and we've been working together for quite a while." I glanced at Jesse, who still looked displeased, inspecting my office. Perhaps he sensed t
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