Beyond the Divorce

I discreetly assessed the newcomer and I found him to be a gentlemanly and refined middle-aged man, accompanied by our little cousin who had saved us the night before, Melvin.

Atlas quickly went to greet him. "Hello, Uncle."

The man nodded. "I've come to discuss a few things with you, Atlas."

Atlas nodded, walking side by side with the man into the study on the first floor.

Melvin immediately approached me with a mischievous smile. "How are you, Chloe?"

I gestured for him to sit down. "Please, have a seat. Have you had breakfast?"

"I haven't slept all night, so of course I need a hearty breakfast to replenish my energy. Do you have a sister, Chloe?" he suddenly asked, catching me off guard.

He looked at me with a sunny smile and explained, "You're so pretty, so your sister must be just as lovely. Can I get in line early?"

"Watch your manners, Mr. Melvin," Dylan warned, noticing his flattery.

glared at Dylan.

he continued bantering with me. He reminded me of Arnold but with a bit

quite liked this little

night. It seemed that both the Cross and Lively families had

uncle, Atlas came out of the study and briefly introduced us. That was when I learned that the refined man was Brock, Melvin's father. He was also the husband of Atlas's aunt.

they left, Melvin ran up to me, playfully asking, "Can I visit you in Foswood,

nodded. "Of course. You're

stuck out his tongue at me

plan to visit the bank, which was said to

tedious, so

few people were here

scrolled through my phone, drawn to the headlines reporting the recent incidents involving several major conglomerates. The

acted swiftly. Several corporate giants had collapsed like dominoes overnight, sending

leisurely while the bank verified

nervous, eager to know if what we wanted was