Chapter 29
The police exchanged a look with Asteria, both of them at a loss for words.
In the end, Primo wasn‘ t held
accountable, though he was placed under close surveillance.
Asteria’s plans to go swimming had been completely derailed. She had intended to take a taxi home, but before she could, her mother, Isabelle, rushed toward her, her face twisted in concern.
“Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”
“I’m fine, Mom. Let’s go home.”
Asteria smiled, slipping her arm through Isabelle‘ s.
Isabelle‘ s gaze burned into Yesha and Primo as she shot them a fierce look.
“I’m telling you both now, the Mitchell family isn’t what it used to be. No one is going to hurt my daughter on my turf, and
50% 11:11
1/6
- ))
10
Chapter 29
no one is going to take her from me.‘
“If this happens again, you’ll regret it, mark my words.”
With a final glare, she proudly led Asteria away.
As they walked out of the police station, Asteria leaned against Isabelle, grinning. “Mom, you were amazing back there.”
Isabelle‘ s voice was a mixture of affection and concern as she replied, “You are always going off on your own without a driver. What if something happened? What would I do?”
“Next time, you‘ re either taking the driver or bringing a bodyguard with you.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll listen to you!” she replied.
Even as they left, Isabelle remained vigilant, worried Primo and Yesha might try something again.
But as time passed, the two remained
50% 11:12
2/6
Chapter 29
conspicuously absent, and Asteria pushed the thought from her mind.
Word had reached Asteria that chaos was sweeping through the Chromos family. Several shareholders were covertly buying up stock, aiming to oust Primo. At the same time, other influential families circled the Chromos empire, waiting for their moment to strike.
Primo had likely already returned home.
Asteria sighed. At first, she hadn’t intended for things to spiral out of control.
But, as with any game of dominoes, once one piece fell, the rest tumbled down without mercy.
“Asteria, what’s on your mind?”
A colleague’s voice broke her from her thoughts.
“Nothing. How’s the project coming along?”
“There’s too much to do. Looks like
50% 11:12
3/6
Chapter 29
we’ll be pulling another all–nighter.”
Asteria’s smile was faint, tinged with exhaustion. She was so buried in her own work that she had no time to manage anyone else’s problems.
The Chromos family’s mess was entirely of Primo’s own making.
People always paid the price for their actions–sometimes, retribution wasn’t absent; it just hadn’t arrived yet.
With that, Asteria pushed the matter from her mind and focused once again on the
work at hand.
The workload was crushing, and the deadlines felt like an unyielding storm. Asteria might as well have set up camp at the office.
Isabelle’s heart ached for her daughter,
but she refused to let her become a delicate flower. Instead, she quietly used her extensive network to clear a path for
Asteria, always working behind the scenes.
50% 11:12
4/6
Chapter 29
Asteria threw herself into her work with relentless determination, often staying late into the night. When she was busy, everything else faded into oblivion.
Many nights, when the office was empty, and the last of her colleagues had gone home, Asteria remained. She was always the last to leave, slowly making her way out the door.
When Asteria glanced at the clock this time, it was already nearing two in the morning.
It was too late for a taxi, so she decided to
walk a bit.
The streets were desolate in the dead of
night, and the streetlights flickered like dying stars, struggling to stay alive.
As she walked, a tall shadow loomed beside her. Her instincts sharpened, a sudden unease creeping through her.
When she passed a patch of trees, the
figure lunged, grabbing her with terrifying
* 50% 11:12
5/6
Chapter 29
force.
Fear struck Asteria like a bolt of lightning. For a moment, everything went blank, and she struggled desperately, her heart pounding wildly.
