Beyond the Divorce

I could see the man trembling and gulping. Deep down, I had a hunch that this person had something to do with me. Otherwise, Atlas wouldn't have brought me to meet him in the middle of the night. Atlas didn't answer me but looked at the man and asked, "Clark, do you know who she is?"

The man gulped and kneeled before us. He looked pitiful as he pleaded, "Please spare me, sir. I deserve all the punishments you give me."

"I'm asking you a question. Do you know who this is?" Atlas asked sternly.

Clark moved backward and looked at me again, stammering, "Y-You're Ms. Stella."

I tensed when he spoke my name. I stared at him and wondered about his frightened and helpless gaze. I then turned to Atlas, wanting to confirm who Clark was.

"Clark is the man who poisoned Hailey. He's also the one behind the car accident that led to our separation," every word Atlas spoke shocked me.

"What?!" I exclaimed in disbelief.

"We later discovered that he switched Rory's briefcase. It led to the bidding proposal getting leaked, which forced my parents and Rory to plan a last-minute business trip to Estrana. That was on my birthday. My parents intended to cover their losses, but Clark kidnapped Rory just before they returned."

I was dumbfounded. I couldn't believe that the man before me was the prominent figure who tempered with Atlas and my fate.

Atlas's voice carried a frigid tone that pressured Clark. "Did you ever think the truth would come to light one day?"

"I...I deserve to die. I know I won't fare well as long as you're alive. I'll die here sooner or later." Clark stood up fearfully as he looked at Atlas.

"Did you think you could succeed without ever getting caught?" Atlas asked.

"Sir, I've paid for what I've done. I'm barely alive, and my family is in a terrible condition. What more do you want? I've lived in fear for the last few years. I don't have many days left, even if you spare me. Just leave me to die on my own," Clark cried. Material © of NôvelDrama.Org.

"Leave you to die alone, huh? So, tell me. Where is Rory White?"

I was shocked and stared at Clark as Atlas uttered those words. I also wanted to know if he knew Rory and if the latter was still alive. I felt unsettled as I gazed at Atlas. I even feared missing the address Clark was about to reveal.

Since Atlas had asked about Rory, the latter must be alive.

"I... Rory has been dead for so many years. Why are you still asking me about his whereabouts?" Clark's bulging eyes flashed with a hint of cunning, and then it instantly disappeared.

I knew he was trying to evade the issue.

"Fine! Dylan, take Jarvis to the Pierces' residence!" Atlas ordered, then turned to leave with me.

However, I felt a sense of reluctance and stood there stiffly. I couldn't just let Atlas leave. Before I could object, I noticed Clark wavering.

"No, please... you can't do this, sir! Don't hurt my son!" Clark hysterically crawled toward us. "Sir, I beg you!"

Atlas turned and glared at Clark, "Don't you dare bargain with me!"

Then, Atlas looked at Dylan and said, "Before you take him away, show him the consequences of what he did to Rory."

"Understood," Dylan promptly responded.

Suddenly, Clark blurted out, "N-No, wait! I'll tell you where Rory is hiding!"