When I dragged Ivanna back into the office, she was still resentful. She turned back to curse him again, “Go to hell, you fuck!”Inside, Ivanna asked me, “Why haven’t you taken action? Have you gone soft again?”I stood by the window silently and gazed into the distance. My voice was faint and hollow, “Grace told me not to lay a hand on him when she was alive.”My words angered Ivanna. She said, “I knew it! You did become soft again. Must I remind you of how Grace died?”I couldn’t bear to look into Ivanna’s piercing eyes.Ivanna continued, “I watched the entire video. Grace wouldn’t have confronted Matthew if he hadn’t protected the idiot who beat his mom. Melanie’s push caused Grace’s death, yet you’re still showing mercy. Matthew’s an accomplice for protecting Melanie.”I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Ivanna’s vivid narration played in my mind. Of course, I remembered my fury at that moment.Ivanna shouted at me, “You feel sorry for your mother-in-law, but she died b
When the relevant authorities discreetly withdrew their investigators, the Thompsons likely received an advance notice and replaced the materials.However, no one expected Grayson to be prepared. Another wave of related personnel caught them as they moved.As everyone felt relieved, Keegan made a desperate attempt to deflect all blame. He faked the suicide of the only knowledgeable material officer by pushing him off a building at a construction site.However, the building under construction was a blind spot for surveillance, and no clues remained.The following day, the workers discovered the body. We knew it was Keegan’s doing, but there was no evidence to pin on him. Someone wrote a suicide note in the person’s handwriting, evidently blaming Melanie.Keegan had shifted the blame to Melanie, who was under arrest at the moment. Melanie was the legal representative and person in charge of the Muborough project but had no room for defense.The evidence was solid, with inspections
Matthew’s voice was hoarse and bitter, “Chloe, I had no choice but to call you. Liora is driving me crazy. She’s taking advantage of the situation. She’s trying to bury me. They’ve shifted all the blame to Mel and even want my company.”I couldn’t fathom his emotions at that moment.He continued, “What should I do? Please help me.”Hearing Matthew’s anxious voice made me uncomfortable, especially when I thought about Grace. He was her most significant concern when she passed, including Ava.I sarcastically reminded him, “What’s the point of telling me all this now? Find her weak spot. You’ve been working together for so long. Can’t you find any leverage?”“I see her real colors now. Liora is determined to make my life hell. Mel is innocent and willing to sign any document since we didn’t hire that materials officer,” Matthew’s tone resembled an ignorant child.I didn’t know what I saw in him in the past. I thought he should’ve been charming and spirited. I wondered if he had alwa
My dad nodded, saying, "Alright, I'll go along with your decision."Atlas smiled reassuringly, sensing that something was bothering me. "You look tired. Why don't you go upstairs, take a shower, and rest for a bit? We can have dinner together."I gave him an admiring look, then stood up and asked, "Aren’t you coming with me?"Atlas quickly said, "Dad, I'll go upstairs with Chlo."Hearing him casually call my father "Dad" always left me feeling strange.This guy had mastered the art of humility.He followed me, and as we returned to the room, he asked, "Why do you look so unhappy?"I briefly explained the current situation to him. With a bitter expression, I said, "I can't get any leverage on Liora, and that's bothering me."Atlas pressed me onto the bed and kissed me. "Is that what's troubling you? The more challenging the situation, the better."I looked at him, perplexed. "Why?"He nibbled on my lip and then looked at me, saying, "People tend to reveal their flaws when th
Dylan called right after dinner. Atlas answered with a few "yeahs" before hanging up.Then he returned to the table, calmly finishing the meal with the family before saying, "I need to step out for a moment. I'll be back a little later."I could tell by his demeanor that something important had come up.I suggested, "Let's go together. I'll visit Lauren."Ava wasn't too pleased and ran over to us, standing before us like a teacher. "You guys are always so busy. Can't you spend some time with me at home? You make me feel lonely!"Aware of her loneliness, Atlas had already arranged for Jenny to keep her company. Yet, here she was, using loneliness to manipulate us.We exchanged smiles, and Atlas bent down, picking up the little troublemaker. In a gentle tone, he said, "I'm sorry. I know I'm wrong. I'll make sure to pay more attention to you next time.""What about you, Mommy? Why aren't you sorry?" Ava looked at me solemnly, waiting for my response.I quickly adopted a serious
We stayed until late, and Ava's eyelids were already fighting to stay open. I quickly bid farewell to everyone, intending to take the two little ones home to rest. However, Ava refused to leave, no matter what."I don't want to go. Uncle Atlas said we should wait for him to come back." Ava stubbornly looked at me, pouting."Uncle Atlas may have urgent matters to attend to and could be back very late. He may not be able to come to pick us up. You and Jenny have school tomorrow." "No! Uncle Atlas keeps his promises. I believe he'll come to pick us up!" She avoided my hand and ran away, saying, "I want Uncle Atlas to pick me up!"It was clear that she was starting to get sleepy and uncooperative.I felt somewhat helpless. This child had been spoiled. When I took care of her alone, she was obedient. But now she seemed too reliant on the pampering.Just as I was about to take a firmer stance, the doorbell rang. Ava immediately exclaimed and ran to the door, "Uncle Atlas? Uncle Atlas
I felt a twinge of jealousy when he mentioned growing up with the real Stella. Not to mention the affectionate photo of them together.Growing up together fostered a strong bond."So, what's her relationship with Annalise? Why does everyone say you love Annalise?" I looked at Atlas's handsome features, always wanting to unravel the mystery.The more worried I became, the more I felt that many things were hazy and just out of reach.I didn't know if it was my dullness or Atlas was genuinely trying to protect me. I'm sure he had his reasons.Could it be that, as this impostor Stella claimed, there was a secret he couldn’t reveal?Atlas hugged me tightly, making me feel at home. Perhaps he treated me this way because I closely resembled the real Stella."Don't listen to what others are saying. They’re just trying to confuse you. Just trust in what I say," he reminded me once again."Looking back, after my parents passed away, I didn't even know what happiness meant. Everyone in my
I knew this question was cruel, but I couldn't control myself. I needed to know."That afternoon, she made our favorite crab rangoons and grilled sea bass for Stella and me. Crab rangoons were Stella's favorite, and I love grilled sea bass."Crab rangoons? That was also my favorite."While eating, she insisted that we finish everything and told me I should protect Stella."At that time, I didn't think much of it. But when Stella and I came home after school, there were many strangers in the house, and even a funeral car... " I felt a chill down my spine.He paused for a long time before continuing, "Someone told me that Aunt Hailey had died. Stella was crying inconsolably, and I held her. Just then, a body was carried out toward the funeral car. "I ran over and pulled the white cloth covering the person. What I saw was a terrifying face, with black blood around the mouth and eyes..."I stiffened in his arms, feeling my hair stand on end. Atlas's warm hand gently stroked me.