Leroy's soup dripped onto the table as he anxiously asked, "Aspen, now that Atlas is dead, what about our money?"

"Shut up!" Christina kicked him under the table. "How can you think about money at a time like this?"

With a grave expression, Christina turned to Aspen. "We need to act fast. Contact someone in the Northern District and get your investment back immediately."

Aspen snapped out of her daze and quickly dialed Atlas' office number. A raspy voice answered, "Who are you looking for?"

"This is Aspen from the Bridgefields' Stevens family. I need to speak with Mr. Atlas Giordano," she said urgently.

"Are you stupid? Mr. Giordano is as dead as he can be. If you want to find him, try looking in hell," the voice sneered.

Aspen snapped, "Watch your tone! Who do you think you are to speak to me like that?"

"I'll speak however I want, lady. Like I said, Mr. Giordano's dead, and he's finished," the voice replied coldly.

Aspen gritted her teeth. "Atlas may be dead, but the