Chapter 220

Provocation I didn’t return to my place for dinner with Ryan and my family that night. Instead, I stayed with Atlas.

After what he told me, I couldn’t leave him alone in his vast mansion on New Year’s Eve.

He told me a lot about his happy times with his parents before he turned ten. However, he didn’t mention his life after losing them, and I didn’t dare to ask. I believed those were the scars he didn’t want to reopen.

No wonder he loved being home so much, and he was so patient with Ava. I guessed he was emulating his dad.

While listening to his stories, I had a strange feeling that I had lost many happy memories. I only remembered things from my senior year of high school but had no memories of what happened before.

I couldn’t recall much of my childhood or how my parents treated me. It was as if I had no friends. I even envied Atlas for speaking of his past happiness and sorrow. Still, I wondered if I had chosen to forget certain things.

I wanted to ask him about Annalise, but my words would always get stuck in my throat. Atlas and I spent New Year’s Day snuggled together.

Unbeknownst to me, a reception occurred at the Pierce family’s mansion in Nocturnia that day.

However, it ended in disarray due to Atlas’s absence. As a result, it affected me, even though I was in Foswood.

I returned to work when the holiday ended. Surprisingly, the first client to visit my company was Stella.

She smiled and cheerfully entered my office, saying, “Happy New Year, Chloe!”

I was stunned but admired her acting skills and impeccable composure. It would be a waste of her skills if I didn’t engage her. “It’s been a while, Ms. Stella. You look like you had a lovely New Year. Did you celebrate in Nocturnia?”

I smiled as I spoke.

Stella casually sat on the sofa and said, “Oh, yes! The Pierce family has many traditions and events during the New Year, so I had to return, especially this year. I was in a hurry when I left and didn’t have time to say goodbye to you. No matter where Atlas and I are, we must return to visit our parents yearly.”

“Oh, your biological parents are also in Nocturnia?” I asked deliberately.

Stella looked at me in surprise, “You didn’t know?”

“What?” I feigned curiosity.

My dad used to be the assistant to Atlas’s parents. My dad and Atlas’s parents last went on a business plane crash. W The family buried them close to each other, so Atlas and I return to pay our respects yearly,” Stella spoke of these events without a hint of sorrow, “Later, my mom was heartbroken and fell severely ill.

She passed away in less than half a year, and then Mrs. Celine adopted me.

“Atlas and I share a similar fate, and it all started with the Pierce family. That’s why they take good care of me, especially Atlas. He once swore at my parents‘ grave that he would never upset me.”

“Oh! I listened with great interest but felt bitter inside. It seemed Atlas had always protected her. I said casually, “No wonder Mr. Atlas’s birthday is so important to you.”

“Haha! Yes, how could I forget? That’s the anniversary of our parents‘ deaths and the day Atlas despises the most,” She laughed wickedly, with a cunning look.

Then she stared at me meaningfully and said, “I always prepare gifts for him and find a suitable time to give them to him. It’s a way to celebrate his birthday without touching on his parents‘ deaths.”

Stella made perfect sense. She had shifted all the blame to me, causing Atlas’s outburst. I was frustrated at myself for being too stupid not to realize it sooner.

I hadn’t forgotten how Atlas shouted at me that night, asking me who told me about his birthday and calling me stupid. It meant he knew Stella was behind it. Still, he hadn’t blamed her that night.

Otherwise, Stella wouldn’t have come to refresh my memory from that night. It seemed she came to provoke me today.