He has been treating me like this, almost like a real older brother, since I arrived at Foswood University.I heavily relied on him in my career. I felt uncertain and exhausted if he was not in the company for a day.In response to his question, I replied thoughtfully, "Actually, it's not just you. It includes Eleanor and Grayson. We need to address your concerns. Dynasty Court has rather spacious floor plans, ideal for the parents to live in.""In addition, there's Eleanor, who’s a competent assistant. The current state of the market is quite good!" I excitedly shared Eleanor’s outstanding achievements with Ryan.He also expressed his approval of her, stating, "Indeed. She has strong business capabilities, meticulous management, and is particularly insightful. You chose the right person.""I want to give you all a solution to the housing problem! Furthermore, Grayson shouldn't be living with you all the time. You three are the only ones without a place to live right now. Things w
However, I could tell that Jaxfood Doors was willing to work with us because they had done their own background search on us.But this was also definitely to Eleanor’s credit. She was a skilled negotiator."But they’d like to meet you," Eleanor said."No problem. We’ll meet them. It'll be an opportunity to understand them better. I still want to visit their factory to avoid what happened with Yorksen. I’ll feel more at ease after seeing their production base." I looked at Eleanor and said, "Quality must be ensured.""Can we do it tonight? Their representative has invited their boss over to ensure a smooth discussion with us." Eleanor added, "They didn't expect us to take the initiative to contact them.""Tonight?" I hesitated.When Eleanor saw my hesitation, she quickly asked, "Do you have other plans?""I do, but it's not that important. If it has to be tonight, can we push it back a bit?" I tried to think of a solution.This time, Eleanor hesitated. I quickly suggested, "Why
When I entered the private room Michelle mentioned, I realized they were already there. But it wasn’t just her and her boyfriend. There were two men who looked like they were in their forties or fifties, and both of them looked pretty sleazy.Michelle noticed me coming in and immediately stood up, approaching me with a smile. She couldn't help but glance at the door with a hint of dissatisfaction. She remarked, "Didn't Atlas say he'd come with you, Chloe? Why are you here by yourself?"I looked at her disdainfully. I had no intention of playing along with her charade. "When did I say Atlas would come with me?"She didn't expect me to refute her and discreetly squeezed my arm. I reacted as if stung by a scorpion, shaking off her hand and glaring at her. "What are you doing? That hurts!"She quickly laughed it off. "You're becoming more hot-tempered, Chloe. You weren’t like this when we lived in the dorm back then."I didn't bother to reply and walked over to the table, taking a sea
I smiled. "Really? I suppose it’s an honor for me to meet Mr. Benedict today. How lucky am I?”Michelle immediately came over and wrapped her arm around my shoulder, excitedly saying, "You're absolutely right, Chloe! Mr. Benedict is the CEO of Havenhill Corporation. Do you know Havenhill? He practically has a say in everything.”I replied decisively, "I’ve never heard of it."The air grew awkward. Michelle responded quickly, "You don't know Havenhill? I can't believe it, Chloe. You're in the business world, and you don't even know Havenhill?""Yeah, that's why you're disappointed. I've told you before, I'm just in construction, and I’m a complete country bumpkin. How would I know anything? I don’t even know who the big shots are."I just wanted to get out of this situation quickly as my 7 o'clock appointment was the real deal. Staying here with them wouldn’t get me anything.Benedict seemed displeased when he heard what I said. "Your friend doesn't seem very knowledgeable, Michel
He glared at Michelle, slammed the table, and angrily said, "Where did you find this pretentious woman, Michelle? How dare she come here and act all high and mighty? Why is she acting like she's something special?"Michelle's face turned pale immediately. She bit her lips and said nothing for a moment before she averted her gaze to me. I wanted to get up, but Michelle's hands pressed on my shoulders, making me unable to move.Nervously, Michelle looked at Benedict, "Calm down please, Mr. Benedict. My friend here is always like this. She’s always been aloof, but once you get to know her, she's fine. She just doesn’t really know you yet.”Then, she pinched me hard. “Right, Chloe? We’ll make sure Mr. Benedict has a great time tonight, okay?" Her words clearly had a hidden meaning.I felt anxious. It wasn’t that I was afraid of them, but this might make me late for my 7 o'clock appointment. I could also sense that these people weren’t going to let this go easily. As I sat there wit
Not a drop was wasted. The whole glass of wine landed right in Benedict’s face.After slamming the empty glass on the table with a sharp sound, I glared at him and said, "Who do you think you are? Do you think you’re someone important just because you surround yourself with a few sycophants? Hmph... they’re just flies buzzing around dung!”Benedict’s face was covered in wine, and he choked on the spicy sting. He quickly wiped his face, then slammed the table, pointing at me, "Y-You little bitch! You asked for this."Tyler had been shocked by my actions, but he quickly snapped out of it and stood up. He pointed at me and berated, "Look what your friend has done, Michelle. Teach her a lesson!"It seemed like Michelle was genuinely scared, and she was desperately eager to make me submit.Michelle raised a hand to strike me. I swiftly dodged her hand, stood up, and delivered a firm slap in return. The sound echoed as my palm landed on her face.She stood there dumbfounded. I stared a
Michelle was left stunned in such an unpredictable situation.Suddenly hearing her name from Atlas, her face lit up, and she nodded frantically. "Yes, I'm Michelle. Chloe and I were college roommates and very close friends. It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Atlas. Actually... we've met before."As she spoke, her face was adorned with a coy smile, her eyes full of affection as she gazed at Atlas.Ignoring her nauseating expression, Atlas turned to look at Tyler.Tyler approached him with a flattering smile. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Atlas."Atlas cast a cold glance at him. His thin lips curled into a smile that was hard to decipher."Earlier, were you trying to force my wife to drink with you?" Atlas sounded mad. He reached into his pocket, took out a handkerchief, and grabbed a bottle of clear water from the table. With a swift pour onto the handkerchief, he walked over to me. He was delicately wiping my wrist that had been grabbed earlier. I allowed him to tend to me while Michell
Atlas completely ignored her cries, still focused on Tyler. "You want more? Go on.”In this manner, three bottles were emptied in succession. Tyler, with a 'gulp,' knelt on the ground. He looked like he was about to bow down to Atlas, but he passed out drunk.Then, Atlas glanced meaningfully at Benedict, asking, "Benedict, care for a taste too?"Benedict had already been frightened, retreating without the arrogance he displayed toward me earlier.Seeing Atlas asking if he wanted to drink, he retreated further, nervously mumbling and not knowing what to say. Atlas said indifferently, "Cheers to Benedict.”The attendant quickly opened another bottle of vodka. Benedict stammered, "I-I'll drink myself.”After saying that, he took the bottle and poured its contents down his throat. He was spilling it everywhere, but we wouldn’t know if it was because he was nervous or doing it deliberately.Atlas sneered, "How wasteful. Continue. Drink as much as you spilled.”Benedict reluctantly
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