? A Big Secret


    Atticus exuded maturity and a hint of worldly experience, unlike As. The former smiled at me, saying, " It''s okay. I can handle my liquor. This issue has weighed on my heart for over a decade. I couldn''t talk about it since I had no one to confide in. Chloe..."


    He pointed to his chest and continued, "It hurts a lot. Did you ever expect the grand CEO of Echelon Group to be stepped on consistently for a decade? How can I swallow that humiliation?"


    I didn''t know how to console him.


    "You stirred things up and gave me a helping hand. Although you always say it was idental, you gave me an excuse to vent my frustrations. That''s also why Liora hates you."


    I was in disbelief. "I thought Liora was just vindictive. I never thought..."


    Atticus continued in a hushed tone, "It was too sudden at that time. Everything developed too quickly for them to respond. This time..."


    I couldn''t believe my ears. I felt uneasy as I asked, "Are you sure?"


    He nodded solemnly, and a chill ran down my spine. Suddenly, I recalled Rose calling Liora a troublemaker and telling me that we couldn''t let her stay. Atticus and I talked for a long while before he escorted me out of the hotel and into a cab. We might have continued if he hadn''t had an appointment.


    My mind was a mess on the way back to Foswood. I couldn''t stop thinking about what Atticus had told me. I thanked my lucky stars that As had insisted on a driver to apany me. After all, driving alone with a distracted mind would have been dangerous.


    It was alreadyte when I arrived in Foswood. I considered checking on Lauren but ultimately had to go straight home to Pleca Park, wanting to share everything with As.


    However, he was not around when I got home. When I called, he answered, "You''re home? Is everything okay?"


    "Yeah, it was a pretty smooth journey. Where are you?" I asked.Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    As teasingly replied, "Why? Do you miss me?"


    "Of course."


    He sensed my urgency and said, "I''ll be home right away."


    After hanging up, I returned to the room and took a quick shower. I felt ufortable with all the sweat on my body. I considered visiting Rose''s room, but I saw my mom leaving Ava''s music room. She asked, " Do you want something to eat?"


    I shook my head. "No thanks. I ate a lot today. I''m going to see Grandma Rose."


    My mom walked over and held my arm, saying, "She already left. She said she had something to handle in the city and would be back in a couple of days."


    "She left?" I was disappointed because I wanted to discuss Atticus''s situation with her. After all, she was sharp-witted and experienced. Rose was a part of the old families in Foswood and familiar with the rtionship between the Thompsons, Sunnys, and Coles.


    I knew she could provide a clear perspective on their dynamics.


    I felt a little lost as I asked my mom, "Did Ava and the others finish their dinner?"


    19


    "They finished long ago. They''re practicing the piano with Jenny now. The teacher says they''ve been making rapid progresstely," my mom spoke with a proud smile.


    I wanted to enter the music room, but she grabbed me and said, "You shouldn''t go in, or she''ll get nervous again."