Atlas was entirely consumed by thoughts of Ember, so much so that he had been absent from the Ferguson Group for days. When Wade heard about it, he flew into a rage and immediately ordered hist wayward son to be dragged back.
When Atlas was brought back to the Ferguson residence, the first thing he saw was his parents sitting silently in the living room.
As soon as Wade saw him, he shouted, “Come here!”
Atlas walked over expressionlessly, only to be met with a resounding slap across his face. His head snapped to the side, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
Alana, who was standing nearby, immediately rushed to her son in panie.
“Talking is enough. Why did you have to hit him?” She scolded her husband. Her voice was filled with concern as she pulled Atlas closer to inspect him.
The more she looked, the more horrified she became.
“What… what happened to you?” she asked in shock. “Atlas, why are you covered in bruises? And who hit you in the face?”
Unable to bear seeing her son in such a state, Alana clung to him angrily. “This is outrageous! There’s no justice left in the world! I’ll go find whoever did this and demand an explanation!”
“Stop!”
Wade slammed his palm against the coffee table, his voice thunderous as he pointed at Alana. “This is not the time for your meddling!
“This useless mess of a son is your doing–you’ve spoiled him rotten!”
His chest heaved with anger as he turned to Atlas. “Speak! Where have you been?”
“I was looking for Ember,” Atlas replied coldly. “You may not care about her, but I do. For the rest of my life, she will be my only fiancée.”
Alana asked in confusion, “And your injuries…”
“It’s from Forrest Jackman of Oceanus,” Atlas said as his tone turned grim. “Ember’s… boyfriend.”
The emotionless words Ember had left him with before their parting echoed in his mind, over and over
again.
How could she so decisively throw away everything they had shared over the years?
“Ridiculous!”
Wade’s fury boiled over at the sight of his disheveled son. “Atlas, look at yourself! You’re like a stray dog!
“You neglect your work and the company for the sake of Ember Sloane? Do you have any idea how much Ferguson Group’s stock has dropped in the past few days?
1/3
+25 BONUS
Chapter 20
“You’re a grown man running off to brawl with others aren’t you embarrassed? Because I certainly am!
“And traveling all the way to Oceanus? Do you even wilerstand the standing of the Jackinan family there? Stirring up trouble on their turf–I’d say you deserved the beating!”
Alana added bitterly at the mention of Ember, “It’s all because of that cursed Emberl
“I’ve said it before–she’s nothing but bad news. She does nothing but bring trouble to Atlas. And now, she’s back to causing us problems even after surviving-
“Mom!” Her words were abruptly cut off by Atlas‘ low growl.
“How exactly has Ember wronged you?” Atlas‘ eyes bmed with sorrow and anger. “Why do you have to target her like this?
“The only reason she’s been in this house all these years is because her parents died saving you! And now this is how you treat her? Do you even have a conscience?”
