Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress novel Chapter 1683

Chapter 1683: how come that bitch is still alive?

"That drug Penny’s been studying for some time. The lethal drug."

Atlas and Dean didn’t speak. They just stared at each other, and their silence was louder than a scream.

Without a word, Dean took off his blazer, dragging a stool as he sat down by the counter. But instead of going straight for the box of pills, he checked every chemical and searched for notes. Anyone conducting research or simply testing substances like this one would need to take notes.

Meanwhile, Atlas watched Dean before turning his attention to the investigation wall behind him.

He approached it carefully, his eyes scanning the investigation board. There was a lot of information here—enough to overwhelm or confuse someone who didn’t know what Jonathan had been up to. But Atlas was aware that one way or another, Jonathan was connected to what was happening around them.

And this entire wall showed it.

The Pierson Family tree, the ones in power, the Smith Family, well-known businessmen and politicians, and even some people and organizations Atlas had never heard of.

One particular section Atlas focused on was the area detailing this specific organization.

Human trafficking.

Illegal drugs.

Scams.

Gambling.

And many more were listed under the organization’s name, with a photo of a woman connected to it.

Atlas stared at the photo quietly. Although the photo looked recent, like it was taken—if not in the present—then definitely not long ago, she still looked like someone Atlas had seen. Not in person, but in photos.

The same photo that had caused the Bennet Family and Zoren to have an emergency meeting.

Naylani Pierson.

"She’s alive," he whispered, even though he had already assumed—even Zoren said it himself—that Naylani Pierson was alive.

This was confirmation.

The only question that lingered in his mind now was: if this person was Naylani Pierson, then who was the woman who died in Charles’s last military operation, who was also Haines’s lover? And who was the woman who hung herself in prison as Zoren’s mother?

Above all, who was this woman?

Atlas’s eyes shifted to the note under her photo. There was no name there. All that was written was:

[Head/Mastermind]

Jonathan... Atlas whispered in his mind, moving his eyes across the rest of the board carefully. What are you actually trying to do with this roadmap?

If Atlas were to guess, it seemed Jonathan was plotting something else.

There was also an area for the Bennet Family, but compared to the space the Pierson and Smith Families had, it was actually very small. Atlas walked closer to their family tree, reading everything and all the small notes beside it.

The notes were short—just information Atlas already knew, such as the Global Prime Logistics piers, their shipment schedule, business ventures, including investments and projects. Then, came the Miller’s Company under Charles and Haines’ management and Prime Group’s unofficial subsidiaries.

Bribery.

Corruption.

Illegal funds going in and out of their banks under different accounts.

But the main point wasn’t the fact that Senator Smith knew about the controversial orphanage and was actually involved in it.

Atlas already knew that from Penny, who got the information from Priscilla.

But what caught his attention was...

He’s a member of this organization, Atlas shifted his eyes to the woman’s photo, Naylani’s. She’s his puppet. If so, why...

Why was Cassandra taking the fall for this orphanage scheme?

The question lingered in his mind until he noticed one of the photos in the corner of the wall. He narrowed his eyes, not sure if he knew the guy or if they simply resembled each other. After all, Atlas hadn’t met the man in person, so he wasn’t completely sure. Besides, he wasn’t following the news much lately because it was mostly about Cassandra Smith or Senator Smith.

"That’s Senator Smith’s biggest competitor." Suddenly, Dean’s voice rang from behind him.

Atlas glanced back, only to catch Dean approaching. The latter stopped a step beside him, eyes on the photo Atlas had been focusing on.

"And his chances of winning are high with the ongoing scandal with the Smiths," Dean explained, scanning the board quietly. "But I don’t care about that. All I want to ask is..."

His eyes settled on Naylani’s photo. "... how come that bitch is still alive?"