My heart raced as I narrowed my eyes. I pushed Stella aside, not paying attention to her stumbling a few steps away. My sole focus was reaching the emergency room, but dark-clad bodyguards blocked my way.I saw a doctor speaking with Celine, but I couldn't make out their words. The doctor returned to the emergency room in less than two minutes, and I could not help but notice the chilling amount of blood staining his gloves.My gaze remained fixed on Celine. Her expression revealed nothing about the nature of the news, whether it was good or bad.She stayed in that dazed state before finally saying something to Kenzie, who was behind her. Stella took this opportunity to pass by me and enter the room. Stella reached out and grabbed Celine's arm as if inquiring about something. Celine's cold eyes met Stella's, and she immediately lowered her head."What's his condition? Let go of me!" I roared, far from composed.Celine's eyes met mine, deep and merciless. She then said something
It was as if I had finally opened a mysterious door. I rushed in, checking room after room, but there was no sign of anyone.Then, a nurse saw me. "What are you doing? This is a sterile area. How did you get in? Get out!"I grabbed her. "Where's the person they were just trying to save? How is he?""Get out! Which one are you talking about?! There are many people here!" She tried to free herself while pushing us towards the exit. "Hurry up and leave!""Mr. Atlas, the one they were just trying to save, how is he?" I persisted.The nurse forcefully pushed me out. "I don't know!"Then the door shut, and I heard the lock click.I slumped against the wall, feeling deflated and lost. I wanted to cry out, "Atlas, please tell me how you are!""Chlo, listen to me. Let's go back," Carol said.We left the hospital, but I couldn't shake the feeling that he was somewhere in the building. If I left now, I might miss him.Carol drove directly back to the office. It was nearly the end of the
Seeing Stella's name flashing on my phone sent a shiver down my spine. I answered, my patience wearing thin, "Stella, if you're not going to say something useful, spare me. I don't have the patience for you right now. Whether or not you tell me about Atlas, I'll find out eventually!"Stella's tone dripped with sarcasm as she enjoyed the spectacle. "Looks like you're genuinely worried, Chlo. Such a fiery temper!""It seems like you have too much free time!" Before ending the call, I knew showing indifference was the best way to deal with her.Predictably, my phone rang again, and I reluctantly picked up after three rings. "Don't test my patience!"Stella couldn't resist taunting me further, "Haha, Chlo! I just want to tell you he's fine! Really! But I'm afraid you won't be seeing him for a while. What a pity! I didn't want you to worry too much, so I thought I'd give you a heads-up!"With that, she hung up, and I clenched my fists. The battle was on. It was better to face her openl
The unknown caller asked to meet me in person, claiming he had information about Atlas. I asked who he was, but he hung up and sent me an address instead.I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs. I set up my navigation system and rushed to the location, my heart pounding. It was the first time someone had mentioned having information about Atlas, and I couldn't afford to miss this chance.I didn't even question who the caller was. I wanted to hear what he had to say, even if his information was false. It was better than remaining in the dark.News of Atlas’s accident vanished from public attention. There weren’t traces of Atlas or even updates on his condition. I was about to go insane, wondering how they swept such a significant accident under the rug.After all, the accident involved six people, with one reported dead.The person’s call resembled a light at the end of a tunnel. The location was remote and unfamiliar. Although it was still in the city, it wasn’t a part of town I f
Two cops entered my office. I didn’t know what could have happened to attract the cops’ attention. I offered them a sweat, feeling puzzled. One of the officers asked sternly, “Do you know someone named Kennedy Brawford?”“Who?” I said, “I don’t know that person.”The officer wasn’t satisfied with my response. He glanced at his colleague and said, “Show her the photo.”I accepted the photo from the other officer. I saw a man who appeared to be in his twenties in the photo. He was good-looking, almost like a student. I shook my head and said firmly, “I don’t know this person.”Suddenly, I thought about the cafe.“Are you sure you don’t recognize him?” the officer who handed me the photo asked. He seemed accustomed to interrogating suspects.Displeased, I looked at him, saying, “I honestly don’t know him. I’ve never seen that man before.”“The last call he made was to you. How can you claim not to know him?” The officer’s tone became even more severe. Then, he passed me a piece of
I felt a chill run down my spine. The person on his way to meet me had died tragically in a car accident. I suspected it couldn’t just be a coincidence. Moreover, he only wanted to share information with me about Atlas, yet it cost Kennedy his life.It was disturbing that a refined and polite-looking person could die so suddenly. I realized this incident was far from simple.I grew increasingly uneasy as I watched Grayson rush off to investigate. I also wondered why the officers didn’t ask me about the information regarding Atlas.Since Kennedy had died due to a drunk driving accident, why would the cops still conduct an investigation? It was contradictory.However, if it wasn’t a simple coincidence, who killed that young man? Was it Celine or someone else?I couldn’t imagine Atlas's involvement in this conspiracy or what secrets the Pierce family held to drag innocent people into their web. These things haunted me all afternoon.I left the building after clocking out and saw the
I slowly returned to the main road after finally collecting myself. The traffic had eased up by then, and I headed straight home.My mom was relieved to see me and began cooking. I seldom had time to eat with them since I was always so busy, especially these days. My parents had eagerly awaited my return. My mom even said freshly cooked food was best.After dinner, I called Ivanna to see if she was home. She said she had just arrived, so I took Ava for a walk and headed to Ivanna's place. Since I hadn’t seen her for several days, her first question was about Atlas.However, I could only shake my head in response.Ivanna reassured me, “Harmony has been quiet recently, too. She’s been restless, probably due to the lack of news on Atlas. Don’t worry. I told her assistant to inform me if anything unusual happens.”I was grateful to have friends who looked out for me. “Ivanna, I can’t help feeling something’s amiss here,” I confided to her and looked at my daughter, who was playing gam
Ivanna looked at me in confusion and nervousness. “Why? Is someone forcing you?”“N-No, it’s not that!” I shook my head and explained, “For some reason, I feel there’s an inexplicable force pushing me. It’s not just about Atlas’s love.”Ivanna stared at me, still not wholly understanding my words.“I wanted to escape many times. I know I don’t deserve Atlas. Anyone would think I’m delusional for even considering being with him. Still, I always feel like there’s a prevailing connection between us, and it keeps getting stronger.”I spoke solemnly to Ivanna, “I’ve had that thought for a while but always doubted myself. That inexplicable force pushes and pulls me whenever something related to Atlas arises.Ivanna chuckled, “Did you fall too deeply into this? Is that it?”I looked at her with severity and asked, “Do you think I’m trying to justify being with him?”Ivanna hesitated before nodding. “A little.”“No, I even feel like he has appeared in my life before,” I surprised mysel