After listening to As, I realized that his concerns were not unfounded. As was worried that Celine might harm me, so he carefully orchestrated the ruse with Harmony.


    Ste used Harmony to create amotion, intending to force me out, but As would never let her lead him astray. Her actions also shed with my ns when she pretended to be me during the shopping spree at the mall. That incident disrupted their scheme, and I managed to reim the items they had seized.


    Subsequently, the imposter Ste resorted to a more sinister n, attacking Harmony and ruining her face, hoping to frame me again. However, As intervened before she could execute her n.


    It seemed that Ste had been rtively quiet recently, but it was likely she was preparing a major move. She wouldn''t sit idly by while I enjoyed a smooth ride.


    When I saw As''s worried expression, I asked, "On the surface, it looks Celine has stopped, but she''s secretly using other people to do her dirty work. She got those criminals from Jitador to get rid of you while keeping herself clean. Once the job is done, she can im what she''s been longing for rightfully and without dispute. It''s a ruthless strategy."


    As was silent, but his expression gradually darkened. He held me tightly, caressing my silky hair.


    After a while, he spoke, "She''s teaming up with an external organization, but it won''t necessarily work out in her favor. Some things won''t go as nned for her."


    "How so?" I asked, still perplexed, looking at him with lingering anxiety.


    As calmly exined, "When they attacked me, the Beringer family took me in afterward. The Beringer family provided substantial support because the groundwork had beenid long before my father''s death.


    "After arriving in Foswood, I integrated into the Beringer family. After all, Celine wouldn''t dare act recklessly against the Beringer family since they had a strong background. That''s how I steadily developed my influence over the years."


    I now fully understood As''s rtionship with the Beringer family. It seemed that Grandma Rose had been quite modest when she spoke about this. She knew more than she had let on.


    As''s eyes narrowed, and he


    continued, "After that, Celine had to show goodwill toward me since she was under pressure from the Cross family and several major financial groups. However, she used the Pierce family''s rules to suppress and control me. But these rules had no


    effect on me at all."


    I looked at As, understanding what he meant.


    "I didn''t argue with her before I exposed her secrets, but she still quietly found opportunities to make trouble for me and ATL Empire."


    "She really is remorseless. Could this be rted to her mother?" I asked As.


    He nodded, "She''s an ambitious woman. Some of her cunning schemes might havee from that olddy."


    I couldn''t help but think less of the Pierce family, since they had someone like that among their ranks. Celine''s mother was definitely not a simple woman.


    "My grandfather crippled her, so she probably hates me even more. After all, I''m the only remaining heir of the Pierce family, and I pose the biggest threat to Celine.


    "Think about it. She could destroyMaterial ? N?velDrama.Org.


    my father, so why would she spare me? This is an unstoppable disaster. I suspect my grandmother also died at her hands. Otherwise, why would the Cross family harbor such deep hatred toward the Pierce family? My grandfather was the one who helped evil prosper, and this is all happening because of him.


    "On the other hand, Ste lives a stable life by Celine''s side. It''s clear that Ste is not a simple ''orphan''.


    Celine would never have the


    patience for a little girl like her


    otherwise. Ste''s not an easy one."


    As''s analysis left me feeling cold. It seemed that this covert battle wouldn''t end so easily.