Living on the Edge


    When I arrived at the hospital, I noticed the increased security in the VIP ward.


    Guards stood every few steps along the corridor leading to Ivanna’s ward.I felt uneasy and wondered if


    something had happened.I quickly approached the ward and saw Lauren inside, but Jared wasn’t


    around.


    lvanna was awake and turned to me when I entered.


    Her voice was weak, asking, "Why are you sote?"


    "Ugh, don''t even ask,"


    Iined as I recounted what happened with Grace.


    lvanna and Lauren were surprised, and thetter clicked her tongue disapprovingly.


    "Tsk tsk.Grace’s past misfortune probably led to this, and Mnie wants to collect her debts."


    lvanna sneered, "None of the Murphys deserve pity.Chlo, don''t go soft-hearted again.You should know


    how pointless it is."


    I understood her reasoning for saying that.


    After all, she had witnessed the Murphys’ cruelty toward me and Ava.


    I put down my bag and approached Ivanna’s bedside, asking, "What''s with the increased security


    outside?"


    Lauren nced at me and said softly, "I heard Trinitye this morning but didn’t enter the ward


    because Jared stopped her at the door.Jared probably thinks she''ll force her way through.He went out,


    probably for negotiations."


    I squeezed Ivanna’s hand and reassured her, "There''s always a way out.Jared’s areal man who should


    be able to handle the situation well.Consider it a test for him."


    I knew Jared was under immense pressure.


    I had even told Ivanna about the first discussion I had with him.


    From Ivanna’s reaction, it seemed Jared hadn''t mentioned it to her either.


    Awhileter, lvanna sighed, "Trinity and him are inseparable."


    Lauren and I exchanged nces, thinking it was just willful behavior.


    Ivanna continued, almost like she was talking to herself, "When the Attwoods and Huffmans allied


    through marriage, it was to solidify the Attwoods’ foundation.


    Both families relied on each other to gain power.


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    "The Huffmans dominated their industry, while the Attwoods needed the former''s influence to navigate


    both worlds smoothly."


    Lauren agreed, "Both sides are walking on a knife’s edge and are only strong when they work


    together."


    I remained silent as lvanna continued, "But the Huffmans are weak regarding their male descendants.


    They need a mind like Jared’s to solidify their power.


    It’s a strategic alliance.


    Jared has never openly acknowledged their feelings for each other, either.


    "They resemble nothing more than two gears interlocking and can never separate.If those gears broke,


    it would destroy the ‘machine’ they built together."


    I asked, "Did Jared disclose these things to you?"


    She nodded.


    "That''s where Jared’s dilemma started, so I didn’t want to pressure him.I know he cares about me, but


    both families are interconnected.If one prospers, so does the other.The same goes for failure.Trinity is


    arrogant because of that."


    lvanna weakly continued, "Jared has been taking risks since he was fifteen.


    The Huffmans hold him in high regard, even entrusting him with many critical decisions.


    However, they also restrain Jared in some issues.


    They don''t want to let him go, so they''re constantly trapping him.


    "He already had disagreements with the Huffmans.I fear this incident could be the catalyst for a


    confrontation between the two families.I''m afraid the Huffmans might retaliate against Jared."


    Lauren and I exchanged uneasy nces as lvanna painted a murky picture of the underworld that


    ordinary business people would avoid.


    It finally made sense why Jared kept a low profile.I could imagine the type of people he associated


    with.


    He had to be cautious to thrive in such a treacherous world.


    I couldn''t help but worry about Ivanna and As.


    I had a hunch As’s rtionship with Jared was far from ordinary.


    The ATL Empire spanned various industries.


    Still, there were likely more covert operations beyond the monopolistic businesses I knew of.


    Otherwise, they wouldn''t have be the world’s top conglomerate.I realized what a remarkable


    figure As’s father, Louis, was.


    He had built his business so quickly, which was nothing short of legendary.


    However, Louis Pierce met his end at the hands of his own family.


    It remained an unsolved case, even today.