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Chapter 216 Silly Attempt at Finding Comfort
I gazed at the kitchen and dining area I had cleaned before washing my face. However, I didn’t return to my room. Instead, I went to Ava’s room and lay beside her. Surprisingly, I fell asleep almost immediately.Ava had already been awake and playing with her dolls when I woke up. After some thought, I told her, “Let’s change our clothes. I’ll take you out for breakfast and then to the office. If there’s nothing urgent, we can visit Grandma and Grandpa, okay?”Ava cheered and asked if she could bring her doll with her.Meanwhile, I called Ryan and told him I’d come by later. I helped Ava prepare, found her winter clothes, and packed them in a small suitcase. I also packed my belongings before we left.We went to the office after breakfast. Although it was Ava’s first time here, she quickly became the office princess. Carol brought her around while I dealt with a few matters with Ryan. I also told him I wanted to return to my hometown today to fetch my parents.Ryan looked me up an
Chapter 217 Feigning Ignorance
I got drunk that night, so Ryan had to send me home. When we exited his car, he carried me on his back. I giggled and refused to go inside.He walked around the neighborhood with me on his back while recounting everything that happened during my freshman year. I remembered how nice he had been to me. Eventually, I fell asleep on his back.I didn't remember how I returned to my room, but I felt at ease. I was no longer afraid since my parents were there to care for Ava. I felt like I could do whatever I pleased.Suddenly, a series of phone calls woke me. My head still pounded, and I knew it was a holiday. I silenced my phone and buried my face in the pillow, forcing myself not to overthink. However, I couldn’t sleep or shake the pain in my heart anymore.Suddenly, my phone rang again.I picked up my phone and saw Atlas’s name. After some hesitation, I finally answered. After all, I had longed for him to call me."Yeah?" My voice was hoarse from just waking up."Why didn't you ans
Chapter 218 A Forced Order
I didn’t know whether to answer since Atlas was calling.Meanwhile, my dad seemingly assessed my emotions. I reluctantly answered the call. The voice on the other end said, “I’m at the airport. Come and pick me up.”I was speechless at his command. He usually had assistants around him but still wanted me to pick him up. I wondered if he considered me a chauffeur or a servant.“Sorry, I have guests at home and can’t come—” I replied indifferently.Before I could finish, he hung up. I nearly cursed him aloud for hanging up on me again. I was about to leave my phone on the coffee table when I received a text. It was a picture of Ryan with bags in hand.Below it, the message read, “Is this the guest you must stay home for? When did he become so important that you can’t leave? Ava must be waiting for me to have dinner with her.”I was outraged while looking at the message. I thought Atlas was bold for accessing the surveillance footage at my house."What do you want?" I returned his
Chapter 219 His Reason
My heart sank, and I felt his words weren’t for me. I sat motionless as I gazed at the breathtaking scenery before me. I wondered if this was the home under construction he had mentioned.Atlas exited the car, took his luggage, and opened my door. He led me inside, and I matched his pace. The inside of the house was inexplicable. I heard a sudden exclamation as we entered, “Mr. Atlas, you’re back!”Several servants rushed over and took the luggage from Atlas. There was a chorus of greetings and laughter that followed. I knew these people were loyal to him.When he got to his room, he pressed me against the door and said hoarsely, “It seems you didn’t miss me.”My heart ached, and I chuckled with a hint of bitterness. I lowered my gaze. I was always stubborn and never knew how to express what bothered me. Meanwhile, Atlas leaned in and stared at me as if trying to read my thoughts.“What’s wrong? Don’t you want to talk to me?” He continued to gaze at me, making me feel trapped.Hi
Chapter 220 Provocation
I didn’t return to my place for dinner with Ryan and my family that night. Instead, I stayed with Atlas. After what he told me, I couldn’t leave him alone in his vast mansion on New Year’s Eve.He told me a lot about his happy times with his parents before he turned ten. However, he didn't mention his life after losing them, and I didn't dare to ask. I believed those were the scars he didn't want to reopen.No wonder he loved being home so much, and he was so patient with Ava. I guessed he was emulating his dad.While listening to his stories, I had a strange feeling that I had lost many happy memories. I only remembered things from my senior year of high school but had no memories of what happened before.I couldn’t recall much of my childhood or how my parents treated me. It was as if I had no friends. I even envied Atlas for speaking of his past happiness and sorrow. Still, I wondered if I had chosen to forget certain things.I wanted to ask him about Annalise, but my words wou
Chapter 221 To Turn the Tables
Given her clear purpose for meeting me, why couldn’t I turn the tables and gather some clues myself? I nodded calmly. "Ms. Stella, your mind is truly impressive.”"Oh, it's nothing. After all, no one can break through his walls. No one at all," she said. She looked at me with a malicious glint, suggesting that I was the “no one” she referred to.After all, on his birthday night, Atlas exploded in rage. I believed Stella knew what had happened"Atlas knows what he wants. His father, Louis, built the empire." Stella's tone was confident. I knew she had an influence on the Pierce family."So, the Pierce family has its own company?" I was intrigued. A conglomerate as large as ATL Empire couldn't have sprung from nothing."Our grandfather ran the Pierce family’s company until he turned sixty. Then Uncle Louis took over. He transformed it significantly within a few years...." She paused. "Later, for some reason, Uncle handed the business to my mother and started the ATL Empire him
Chapter 222 New Year's Gift
Stella’s eyes turned cold as she looked at me.I began to piece things together and concluded that Annalise's death wasn't as straightforward as it seemed.Stella quickly corrected herself, "What I meant was that there could never have been a future for them. It wouldn't have worked out even if she hadn't died!""If Annalise held such a special place in Mr. Atlas's heart, it must’ve been tough for you, too," I pointed out. "It affects you directly."Her composure wavered, but she masked it with a bigger smile. "I don't concern myself with such things. Even if a thousand Annalises appeared, he'd still be mine. I won't allow anything else." Her arrogance knew no bounds.I nodded. In reality, she had a point. The formidable Pierce family stood solidly behind her."How did Annalise die?" I brought up a topic I had avoided. However, Stella kept bringing her up, indicating she wanted to tell me something more.I wanted to hear Stella's version of Annalise since I had already gleaned s
Chapter 223 Held Back
I had known about Grayson's capabilities since I saw his file. He had received specialized training, but Atlas had clarified that I couldn't reveal any of Grayson's information.Publicly, Grayson was portrayed as a high-achieving student from a prestigious school, the only child of an average family in Foswood. That was the extent of his reputation.I did feel uneasy using Grayson to investigate the Pierce family when Atlas had assigned him to me. Most companies tended to slow down from Christmas until New Year's Day. However, ATL Empire caught us off guard. They insisted on starting work immediately on projects that were supposed to begin after the New Year. They even shortened the timelines.It was unreasonable given the upcoming New Year holiday, which typically disrupts work for 20 days. They showed no leniency, citing that properties were already sold and new owners were eager to move in.Meanwhile, the Echelon Group project remained ongoing and couldn't be paused.I called