Chapter 47 Do Not Complicate Matters
Atlas thought seriously for a moment and said, "Does marrying you and taking you home count?"
Forget it, I shouldn't have asked that question.
Seeing my silence, Atlas laughed, "Are you really mad? Come on, I was just teasing you."
"When I was little, my dream was for my mom to come back to life. Later, when I grew up, my dream became inheriting the Lancaster Group and making those murderers who killed her suffer everything she went through."
Hearing his words, I asked without thinking, "How did your mother pass away?"
After hearing my question, Atlas was silent for a long time. "She got sick. The Lancaster family refused to pay for her treatment. Without proper follow-up care, she died."
Refusing to pay for treatment—that was beyond my imagination.
"Was the medicine very expensive?"
Atlas gave a self-mocking laugh. "Yeah, very expensive. Over a million dollars a month in medical costs."
Just over a million dollars?
At first, that amount did sound like a lot, but compared to the Lancaster family's billions in assets, it was just a drop in the bucket.
They weren't broke—they just didn't want to treat her. No wonder Atlas hated the Lancaster family so much.
Looking at his expression, all I could do was offer some awkward comfort. "Don't be too sad. The dead can't come back to life."
"I know. That's why I want revenge."
Atlas looked at me. "Helena, you'll be with me through this, right?"
"I—"
Before I could respond, Atlas shook his head. "No, I can never put you in danger. I'll always protect you."
His words confused me. "Atlas, what are you talking about?"
Atlas turned to look at me. "I'm not talking nonsense. If you marry me someday, I won't let anyone hurt you."
After a moment of silence, I looked up at him. "You really want to marry me that badly?"
Atlas lowered his head, his gaze meeting mine with a serious expression. "Yes. I wanted to from the first time I met you. That wish hasn't changed all these years."
"Even if one day you discover I'm ruthless and cruel?"
Hearing my words, Atlas laughed.
"Ruthless and cruel? Who, you?"
"No matter how ruthless you are, you can't be worse than me. When I'm ruthless, I won't even show mercy to my own family."
Indeed, deep down, Atlas and I were the same kind of ruthless people.
"So Helena, don't push me away. Will you let me stay by your side in this lifetime?"
I fell silent as fragments from my past life flickered through my mind. In all the hustle and bustle of daily life, I hadn't thought about my previous existence for ages.
I remembered how Knox and I had once been blissfully happy together in that past life, but sadly it didn't last. That bastard wasn't just having his cake and eating it too - he actually tried to kill me!
But what about Atlas?
I looked up at him, studying his face. He carried the same burden of hatred that I did, and in that way we were kindred spirits. No matter how I sought revenge against the Pemberton family and John's lot, he would understand.
But the thought of so easily placing my heart and soul in another man's hands again made me instinctively pull back.
Seeing my silence, Atlas said, "Don't worry about anything. I can wait."
I raised the paper cup in my hand. "Thank you, Atlas."
Thank you for your patience and help, for letting me experience the beauty of life again.
1Before I knew it, we'd talked late into the night. I don't know when I fell asleep, but when I woke up, I found myself lying in Atlas's arms.
My hand was wrapped around Atlas's waist!
My face instantly turned red. I carefully got up, opened the car door, and stepped outside.
The air outside was so fresh. I stretched comfortably.
Facing the sun, I saw dew rolling on the grass. In the distance, birds were chirping on the branches. In the sky, the sun showed just a hint of its glow. Another beautiful day had begun.
"Morning! Up so early?"
"Morning."
Hearing the voice, I turned around. "Did you sleep well last night?"
"Pretty well, except my shoulder hurts for some reason."
Feeling a bit guilty, I turned away. "What should we have for breakfast? Should we gather some firewood?"
"Yes, we should."
As soon as Atlas finished speaking, I quickly headed toward the edge of the woods.
"There's a lot of dry wood over there. I'll get some."
Behind me, I heard Atlas's soft laughter. Pretending not to hear, I hurried away.
Soon, when I returned carrying a large bundle of firewood, Atlas had already cooked a pot of oatmeal porridge.
I put down the firewood and looked at him with a resentful expression. "Why didn't you tell me you had charcoal?"
"I called out to you, but you ran away faster than a little rabbit."
Atlas looked up at me. "Did you do something bad to me last night while I was sleeping?"
I felt guilty. "Of course not. Don't imagine things."
Seeing my reaction, Atlas didn't press the issue. He just smiled. "Alright, go get the utensils. Let's eat."
Atlas had cooked the oatmeal porridge, so it smelled delicious. His cooking skills were really good.
"Let's go check on the factory again."
I nodded. "Okay."
Back at Vertex Industrial Group, the workshop was bustling with activity.
Seeing us, Elmer beamed. "Ms. Lockwood, you're back?"
I nodded. "We came to check on things today. If everything's fine, we'll head back."
"Good, good, Ms. Lockwood. Don't worry, we'll work overtime to complete the task."
Elmer's words put my mind at ease.
After returning to the city, we went to check on the injured driver.
His arm was broken. Although he wasn't seriously hurt otherwise, he couldn't be discharged yet.
I left him some money and left with Roy.
As soon as the plane landed, my phone rang.
I glanced at it—it was Knox.
I hung up without answering. The phone rang persistently again. Atlas, beside me, glanced over and leaned in. "Want me to answer it for you?"
"No need."
I panicked. If Knox found out I'd been on a business trip with Atlas, there'd be trouble.
With the wedding approaching, I didn't want any complications.
Seeing my panic, a flash of disappointment crossed Atlas's eyes.
"Atlas, don't get involved in this. Knox and I won't get married, but I have my own plan. Please don't interfere."
After I spoke, Atlas smiled. "Helena, is that your explanation to me?"
His words left me speechless. I could only nod. "Think what you want. I need to go."
Just as I was about to leave, Atlas grabbed my arm. "I'll drive you."
"No need. My driver is coming."
Before I finished, Atlas gave a wicked grin. "A driver's skills can't match mine."
Without waiting for my response, he pulled me by the hand and led me to the car.
"Hold on tight."
As he leaned in to help me fasten my seatbelt, I quickly dodged. "I'll do it myself."
His hand paused in mid-air. Watching my movements, he gave a self-mocking smile. "Fine then. Let's go."
The car roared to life and headed toward home.
When I got home, Henry was already waiting.
I explained how I'd handled things. Worried that Henry and Maria might be concerned, I didn't mention what happened that rainy day.
Just as I finished, I heard hurried footsteps. The butler appeared with Knox.
As soon as he saw me, he looked anxious. "Helena, what's going on? Why didn't you answer my calls?"