"I mean, it’s a pity for you," I said calmly, my voice laced with regret.He looked at me, his anger seemingly abating. He seemed confused by my words."You were supposed to be a capable member of the Huffman family, but you've strayed from that path.”He suddenly looked at me as though he had found someone who finally understood him. With a hint of helplessness in his gaze, he complained, “He’s never valued me.”"What's your name?" I deliberately stalled for time, wanting to play mind games with him. I was hoping to get some information about where my father was."Millard Huffman," he said angrily. "All I remember is my surname, Millard.”"That’s a pity," I repeated.He looked at me, growing more impatient. "Stop beating around the bush and get to the point.""Anson gave you your name, right, Millard?” I wanted to confirm this with him."Yes, he did." He stood on a stool, studying me."He meant for you to remember your original surname, even if you had become part of the Huf
He looked at me, clearly unsettled."Do you know why I said that?" I asked Millard.He seemed taken aback by my sudden question but quickly asked, "Why?""Because before I came here, Anson told me that if I encountered any trouble, I should find someone specific," I said, pausing intentionally and looking at him.He immediately became eager, putting his leg down from the stool and asking, "Who?""Someone called Millard Huffman," I said firmly.I didn't know how I dared say that, but I did. My logic seemed clear, and I came up with it on the spot.I was taking a risk, but there was no turning back now. Hence, I continued, “He asked me to find where this person is. Oh, right. He wanted me to check if this guy is still working for Navi too.”“You're lying!” Millard roared.He was right. From my understanding of Anson, he wouldn’t give Millard a second chance, even if he knew Millard was working with Navi. Millard betrayed him, after all.Plus, he had so many men working for him.
I was impressed with myself. I managed to improvise so convincingly.In the future, when I no longer wanted to hustle in the business world, I would definitely write books. I was sure storytelling was my ticket to success.Even I almost got swept away by my own story.Millard looked at me, his gaze somewhat blank. He shook his head slowly and said, "No..."His confusion only fueled my satisfaction. I was confident that I had led his thoughts astray, and even his entourage seemed caught up in the moment."That's it. He said he shouldn't have rushed you into this, that he was too impatient with you. He's frustrated because he thought you could do better, but you let him down." I looked at Millard with open arms, expressing deep regret and pity.Millard wore an embarrassed expression. He was showing signs of nervousness and regret. Seeing his expression, I quickly added more pressure."Forgive me for being blunt, but have you ever reflected on this? If Anson hadn't saved you back t
"If he trusts you, would he keep you in the dark about who Rory is and where he's hidden?" I risked it all."But Stella knows. In his eyes, you can’t even be compared to a woman. Yet you're sacrificing everything for him. What exactly has Navi given you in return for such loyalty? Is it worth risking your life for him?" I struck his sore spot because I was certain it was what he cared about most.Sure enough, he turned to me abruptly, pointing a finger at me. "How dare you try to sow discord between us?"His expression changed quickly, making me nervous.But as I met his gaze head-on, I suddenly calmed down. I feigned anger and retorted, "You're just a puppet, unable to make your own decisions. Yet Anson still thinks about you after all these years.“If you had been as loyal to him back then as you are to Navi now, you would have risen to prominence in the Huffman family. At the very least, you would have been the top commander, with everyone else beneath you."But what about now
Millard looked at me calmly as I sat back down.I spoke again, asking, "Millard, do you understand the phrase 'turn over a new leaf'?""Don't believe her!" that guy shouted. "Take her away, Millard, and you'll earn a big reward. Do you know she's the boss's best leverage? I've known for a long time. She's Atlas’s weakness! Millard, listen to me!"I looked at Millard, feeling uneasy. This guy seemed cunning and insightful. It was now or never. If this scoundrel won, I was done for.Tristan chuckled sarcastically, saying, "Mrs. Chloe, there's no need to convince him anymore. When you go back, don't mention this. Just pretend you didn't see anything. It's useless to reason with such people. “They're content being lackeys and don’t care about being the head of anything. They're not interested."The scoundrel smirked. "You want to go back? Dream on."Hearing his words, I glanced at Millard. "It looks like I was right about you being a coward, letting this scumbag manipulate you."I
He turned to me curiously.I looked at him. "This time, Navi has no way out.""What are you talking about?" He looked at me incredulously. "What do you mean?"His attitude told me he didn't believe a word I said.I looked at him, reiterating, "He has nowhere to escape.""That’s impossible! Are you really trying to deceive me?" Suddenly, he seemed to snap out of it. "Whoever you are, if you think you can fool me or play games with me, just look at what happened to these two." He pointed at the two bodies on the ground. "Don't think that I have to respect you just because you've got the Huffman family's backing. That’s nonsense. Since I left the Huffman family, I have no intention of going back to them."Tristan sneered at him and said, "Mrs. Chloe, do you see now? He's just a fool. Otherwise, he wouldn't have blindly switched to the dark side. Too much talk leads to mistakes. He's not a truly smart person.""Say that again, and I’ll kill you!" Millard glared at Tristan.I lo
The way I spoke wasn't an act but my instinctive reaction. "I won't spare anyone who dares harm my loved ones, no matter who they are."Even Tristan looked at me in astonishment after I said that."Navi kills recklessly for his own gain. He targeted my father and harmed my foster parents. Why should I let him continue to live?” I pressed Millard aggressively."Hmph! How ridiculous. Besides, Navi's cunning. Do you think he doesn’t know about the fierce conflict within his ranks? Do you really think he values you by sending you to do this? You're overestimating yourself," I sneered. "He's just using you as a scapegoat, nothing more. You..."I gestured toward his henchmen, saying ominously, "You’re just his expendable pawns. He doesn't give a damn about your lives.”"Do you think you understand him? Aren't you being a little too arrogant?" Millard still struggled, but I was sure he was just looking for a more solid excuse for himself."Arrogant? Navi is just a rat in Bermuda. Even A
"Once Atlas finds out who dared lay a hand on me, he’ll deal with them. Navi can easily abandon you at a critical moment, saying it was his subordinate’s decision and had nothing to do with him. You can judge for yourself."After saying that, I calmly sat down. The smell of blood in the room and the tension of betting my life on this story I had made up made me feel exhausted and extremely uncomfortable.I glanced at Tristan. "What time is it?"I asked that question to maintain my composure, but to be honest, I really wanted to know the time. My mind was on fire, and I had no idea what was happening inside or what this ruthless killer, Millard, would do.Tristan raised his hand to check his watch. "It's 4 p.m., Mrs. Chloe.”I grew nervous. There were only three hours left until Xavier's operation.Millard looked at me calmly, but he seemed a little nervous himself. He scrutinized me intently, afraid I would deceive him."You can take me back to your base since Atlas is there. Yo