"Hey, cousin. Finally, I get to see you."His words left me stunned. Cousin?Seeing my expression freeze, he gently added, "Let's talk alone after dinner."I quickly glanced at Ernest sitting opposite me and regained my composure.His eager invitation left me feeling disoriented throughout the entire meal.After finishing our meal, I pulled Atlas aside and told him about Atticus's situation, mentioning that Atticus was eager to see him while everyone was engrossed in conversation.After pondering for a moment, he said to me, "I'll find an excuse to leave in a while. You can inform him to come to Pleca Park, and I'll have Jim pick him up.""Pleca Park?" I was surprised."Yes, I can leave through the secret passage and return to Pleca Park. It's the most convenient way. Don’t worry, I'll be back soon.""Okay, I'll inform Atticus," I said. I took out my phone to call Atticus, but I found that his phone was switched off.I shrugged at Atlas, feeling a bit helpless. "His phone is
I felt worried when I saw him about to leave in a hurry. I grabbed him, wanting to remind him once more to find Atticus as soon as possible, or else he would be in danger."Hmm? What's up?" He paused, looking at me with concern."Don't let anything happen to Atticus." I looked at him, feeling a bit choked up. Atticus hadn't done anything excessive to us as far as we were concerned."I know." Atlas patted my back. "This is serious. I won't take it lightly.""Please take care of yourself too."He pulled me into an embrace and kissed my forehead. "Trust me, don't worry."Then he quickly left the room.I felt uneasy. Dylan was still in Nocturnia handling things, and only Cane and I were here. On top of that, we didn’t know much about Atticus’s situation.When I saw Atticus, I had clearly sensed that he wanted to say something to me, but he hesitated. He had changed his mind after hearing me mention Leonard and wanted to see Atlas instead, which indicated that there was definitely m
I glanced at Trinity and said, "Trinity mentioned it to me, but I’m sorry, I've never seen it. It's not in my possession now, and I don’t know where it is."My tone was somewhat cold, and I could see a hint of disappointment in Ross's gaze."I don't know why you’re looking for that brooch, but I’m sorry, I can't help you." My words became even more abrupt.Ross seemed to sense my cold attitude and looked at me apologetically. "I know it's a bit presumptuous of me to come to you like this, Chloe. Please...""Chloe." Trinity interrupted Ross's lowered tone.I looked at Trinity coldly."I understand that you feel nothing for the Avila family. It's not your fault, but don't blame your cousin." Trinity spoke up.Indeed, my indifferent attitude stemmed from the resentment I harbored toward the Avila family ever since I learned about my origins.I realized Trinity was trying to defend Ross.I couldn't help but feel a surge of anger from the bottom of my heart. "When the Avila family
Without giving Trinity a chance to argue further, I issued the order for them to leave.Although Ross seemed reluctant, he stood up with Trinity. Trinity looked at me with some reluctance, her lips moving slightly. Ross glanced at her and shook his head. They left together.I stood still, watching their departing figures.To be honest, my feelings were complex. I should have been happy to finally meet relatives from my mother's side, but their visit seemed to come with ulterior motives, which left me feeling unsettled.After Jim escorted Trinity out and returned to the living room, he respectfully said, "Mrs. Chloe, the guests have left. You should rest early."I faintly nodded in response.Back in my room, I quickly freshened up and lay down on the bed. I was tired after today's events.Ross's face and words kept replaying in my mind. I regretted being too hasty and not asking him about the brooch. Why ahd the Avila family suddenly appeared after so many years of neglect?But
Hana noticed my surprise, paused momentarily, then continued, "It wasn't until my grandfather's passing that he revealed this secret to my father and repeatedly urged him not to open the treasury unless it was absolutely necessary."He insisted that it belonged to Yare, and it was a national asset for times of crisis. Despite being the accumulation of generations of the Avila family's efforts, it was not to be misused or claimed as our own. It was meant to be passed down through the generations as a national reserve."But our adversaries, in collusion with foreign powers, targeted this secret treasury. Their financial backing is escalating, and they're actively planning to overthrow the Avila family."Though I maintained a calm exterior, I grew increasingly uneasy internally."Ross has earned the trust of his officials and has the support of the people. However, the other party is using the treasury as leverage to accuse the Avila family of corruption. With the public unaware of th
I was taken aback. My heart felt like it was being squeezed tightly as the thing I feared would happen seemed to have unfolded."Take your time, Arton," I reassured the anxious voice on the phone."Something big has happened, Mrs. Chloe. I’m sorry... there’s been an explosion at the construction site.""An explosion?" I echoed, trying to process the sudden news.My head spun. An explosion? A knot formed in my stomach as I abruptly stood up from my chair."Yes, one of our high-rise buildings that was under construction exploded." Arton's voice trembled with urgency. "It just happened. Johnson and I are on our way to the scene. We don't have all the details yet, and the explosion is still ongoing."The phone crackled with intense explosion sounds, echoing loudly."I'll report back to you soon. I have to go to the scene now..." Arton's voice trailed off as the call ended."Stay safe!" I shouted, then quickly headed outside."Carol!" I called urgently, my voice betraying my unease
Ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars rushed from all directions toward the exploding construction site.Noah was already there when we got to the site, and various news media swarmed in, instantly surrounding the construction site.Although the explosions had stopped, smoke still billowed, and the scent of explosives lingered. Amidst the haze, all I could see was rubble.I grabbed hold of a foreman on the site and asked loudly, "Are there any casualties?""It's still unclear at the moment. The bomb squad won't let anyone near. They are afraid there might be more bombs!" The foreman said, "However, we've notified the person responsible for this building to start counting their people. We believe we'll have a tally soon!"The exploded construction site had already erected a 12-story framework. The original plan was for a 23-story building. The explosion started from the eighth floor, followed by two more blasts on the third floor, causing the stairwell frame to collapse complete
He quickly reached out to support my body, nodding solemnly at me. I stared at him in disbelief.We locked eyes like that, and he still nodded confidently at me. After a while, he pulled me into his embrace again, whispering softly, "Trust me. Everything is under my control. You've been amazing. So remember, our child is the most important. Got it?"I felt an unprecedented sense of security in his arms at that moment. Though we had many challenges ahead, I knew with him by my side, we would never lose.Though accepting what he had just told me was difficult, I believed he had his reasons."Is what you're saying true?" I asked him, still finding it hard to believe.He nodded firmly. "So, don't worry. Your health and our child come first, and I'll handle everything at work.At that moment, I suddenly remembered my own health. Instinctively, I reached out to touch my stomach. The round, solid bump gave me some reassurance. "What did the doctor say?""You're too exhausted. This can'