Debra understood what Andrew was saying.Juan never talked about his parents. In her past life, Debra had tried hard to learn about Juan's past.After Juan's parents passed away, he became the focus of the Nichols family's grooming.Debra said, "I still don't quite understand. The Buchan family is just the maternal home of Claudia. They can't just send someone to take over the Nichols Group."Andrew asked, "Are you aware of their relationship with Melody Nichols?"Debra thought about Melody's possessiveness over the Nichols family, Juan, and his father. She controlled even their marriages.Claudia was the daughter of Melody's cousin.Andrew said, "Melody has absolute control over the Nichols family. She'd never let it fall into your hands. My sources tell me she has sent people to notify the Buchans. They're expected to find someone to replace Juan."Debra was taken aback. "But I've never heard they have any suitable heirs of this generation.""But they have an heiress. Her na
"Yeah, we got into a fight with a dog. Neither of us had our wallets," Randy echoed.Debra tilted her head, her expression suddenly clear. "So, you went out for a midnight snack, got drunk, fought a dog on the way, and then booked a hotel room?""Exactly.""That's right."Neither Randy nor Erica seemed to realize how ridiculous their story sounded.Debra nodded slowly. "And you two shared a room."Randy and Erica both froze.But Debra wasn't going to let them off. "Randy, you hid your thoughts until the perfect moment, huh?"Erica blushed with embarrassment and glared at him."This is all your fault," she huffed, storming upstairs.Randy paused and showed a pitiful look at Debra. "Please, don't tell Marion."Then he hurried to chase after Erica. Debra shook her head helplessly. "These two are truly a pair of bickering lovebirds."She placed the receipt on the table. Just as she stood up, the sharp sound of high heels echoed from the entrance.A tall, elegant figure then ca
Andrew skipped pleasantries and asked directly, "For what business did Mrs. Nichols Sr. call you over to Seamar City?""To help her take control of the Nichols family, of course," Theda replied. "She doesn't want it to fall into the hands of outsiders."Her smile resembled Debra's but was sharper. "Who will you help, Debra or me?""I invited you here," Andrew said coolly. "So, you know the answer.""You treat her so well," Theda murmured. "So well it almost makes me jealous."Her smile faded, and her tone turned icy. "But I won't let go of what I want. The Nichols Group is mine."She placed a small bottle of pills on the desk and added, "These should help with your condition. See you."As she exited the study, Barton stepped forward, his face clouded with concern. "Sir, I'm afraid Ms. Buchan won't give up easily.""That's her," Andrew replied. "But Debra isn't a pushover either. Let's see which of them will laugh the last."Barton hesitated. "I fear Mrs. Houston has little cha
Theda left after dropping that line, and Debra felt a twinge of unease.Theda was clearly trouble. Just then, her phone rang. It was the manager of that salon.The manager cheerfully announced, "Ms. Frazier, the equipment you ordered has arrived. It's at Warehouse No. 1. Would you like to come and inspect it?"Debra agreed, "Yeah. Please ask the delivery guys to wait. I'm on my way."She hung up the phone and saw Liza coming down the stairs.Liza was pretty but a bit spoiled. The good part was that she had a keen interest in beauty programs. Debra's plan needed someone like her."Why are you looking at me like that?" Liza asked, uncomfortable about Debra's gaze."Weren't you eager for some beauty programs the other day? Want to come with me?" Debra asked.Liza smelled a rat, eying her warily. 'Debra was never a kind-hearted person. There has to be more to it.'But despite her better judgment, she soon found herself in Debra's sports car."What is this place? I won't settle fo
Those delivery men exchanged puzzled glances.Debra explained, "I'm in business, just like my husband. The lady beside me also works in the beauty industry. To put it simply, we're looking to make quick money through some side ventures in the business.""You mean...""I've heard that arcades are doing very well these days. Several of my friends have invested, and they're making tens of millions every month. I'm interested too, but I've been struggling to find a way in. If it's just about investing, the shares in those arcades are all taken up already. So, I'm thinking of starting my own."She glanced at the machines in the box and added, "I know these machines are from Orkgate. I don't want to beat around the bush. If you guys can get me some genuine arcade machines, I promise the reward I give will be more than this."Liza realized what was going on and was not happy. They were supposed to have beauty programs rather than talk about some shitty business, especially not one relate
"So what?" Liza said, hands on her hips. "I'm the daughter of the Eaton family. What can he do to me?"With a word from her father, Drake has to bow and scrape in front of her.Debra face-palmed. 'Liza has no idea how dangerous the world could be outside her sheltered life.'"Society isn't as simple as you think," she said. "This place is not your turf. Drake could easily harm you here.""He wouldn't dare.""Why not?""Because of my dad.""He is not here."Liza thought for a moment. "Anyway, he wouldn't act against me. If he did, my dad and brother would not let him off."Knowing how stubborn Liza was, Debra didn't advise her further. As long as Liza stayed with her, Drake probably wouldn't act.Before long, the humming sound of an engine came from outside.Debra checked the time. Only ten minutes had passed since that call.Drake was faster than she had expected. His car screeched to a halt, and he stepped out."Where's Kale?"Drake and Kale were usually inseparable."H
Drake was frustrated, raising his hands in surrender. "Alright, I won't argue with you. I'll check the machine first."He walked over to that unboxed machine and examined it briefly."It's genuine.""You sure?""Yep," Drake confirmed, getting up. "Where did you buy it from?"Debra looked at him warily. "What are you planning to do?""What else? To find out who's behind this."Debra let out a sigh of relief. Drake noticed her reaction and frowned."What did you think I was going to do? You thought I was going to kill someone?""You've probably killed so many people in the past that you can't even count them. Should I not be worried?"Drake pointed at her, speechless. In the end, he sighed in frustration. "You're unbelievable.""Are we done yet? When can we start the program? I'm getting tired," Liza complained.Debra glanced at her and turned back to Drake, "Your salons are quite popular. Why don't you take Miss Eaton to try it out?""No, forget it," Liza refused, unwilling
Drake scoffed, "Who else could you ask? In Seamar City, I'm the only one daring to act.""Says who? Marion can do it," Debra retorted.Drake sneered at her proud expression. "You'd let him take the risk?""No. You're the best candidate."Drake felt bitter. "When would you get good things for me?""This is a good thing. I've helped find a..." She paused, noticing his cold gaze. "A clue to who's been framing you."Drake scoffed, "Weren't you so capable before? In the end, you've only found a tiny clue.""Well, I'm better than someone who hasn't found anything.""What the...""Alright, I've found a lead for you. You just need to catch and interrogate them. Marion can't handle such concrete work where you excel in."Drake nodded reluctantly. "But I have a condition.""Go ahead.""If the police catch me again at the docks, I'll be kissing Seamar City goodbye. Forget the bet and consider me lost. I can afford ten million dollars.""Leave as you like. It's your reputation on the
Night settled in deep.Debra and the crew were still waiting for Michael's reply."Still nothing? They don't buy it, do they?" Erica paced, antsy."Give it time. They'll bite," Debra said, clutching her phone.She had promised Kale she would bring Drake back. No breaking that.A text finally pinged her phone. It was Michael.Everyone heaved a sigh of relief. Like Debra said, the Illuminati couldn't rule out her having the real stone.If theirs was fake, Michael and his crew couldn't afford the fallout."Marion, it's on you now," Debra said.The Houston family had military muscle on tap. The Potter family owned elite guards and intel. Erica and Randy were solid backups.But this meeting? Debra had to go herself."Does it have to be now? Maybe wait till you're healed?" Erica said.Debra shook her head. "Drake is at risk every day he's with them. I can't take that chance. Just like they can't risk us holding the stone.""She's right," Randy jumped in. "Drag this out, and who
"What're you looking at?" Lara asked, stepping out and spotting Michael by the window."Debra says the stone Drake gave us is fake," he replied."What? No way." Drake shot up from his seat."Are you messing with us?" Lara's sharp gaze landed on him."No. Debra's talking nonsense," Drake insisted."We'll see," Michael said, unruffled.Debra was offering the stone on the condition of meeting with their leader. It fit her style."She thinks she can just waltz in and see our master?" Lara sneered."The stone's a big deal to him. I bet he'll agree," Michael replied, shutting his phone."Don't tell me you're sweet on Debra," she hissed. "You keep letting her off. Don't wanna kill her, huh?""Unlike you, I don't get off on killing," he countered. "If she's not in my way, why bother? You're out there slaughtering, just making enemies for the Illuminati. You're venting rather than serving.""You don't get it. I'm building fear for the Illuminati," she justified herself. "They need to
Oscar set down the receiver and threw his hands up. "I'm not resisting. Don't spook my staff," he said.Chace tried to step in, but Oscar's look stopped him.This incident was major. Almost half of Flesta's people had fallen victim.Everyone at the company, Chace included, got hauled in for questioning. As the head, Oscar was the main target.The line went dead, and Debra's heart sank."Those bastards," Randy cursed, "hitting us on both sides. No wonder the Illuminati has been quiet. They have been gunning for our partners.""They're smart," Debra said. "Can't take us head-on, so they go after our allies. They want everyone to see partnering with us as a dead end. If we let this slide, we're doomed eventually.""What should we do?" Erica stomped, fuming. "We just sit here and watch them pick off our friends one by one?""They're showing us what happens if we cross them. They want us to bow. The only way out is to flip the script and strike first.""Strike first? What does th
Seeing Debra's worried look, Marion said, "You should just focus on healing and leave the rest to us. We might not match the Illuminati, but they won't mess with us randomly here in Seamar City."The Four Great Families had ruled Seamar City for a century. Although the former heads had faded, the new generation was sharper and stronger. They could hold off the Illuminati's push.Debra's phone rang. It was Oscar calling."You free? I've got something to tell you," he said.Debra put it on the speaker. No one could guess the aim of his call.In Flesta, the Odom family's business was booming again. He should have been busy with work."What's up?" she asked."There's big trouble in Flesta," he replied. "We didn't want to bug you, but it's spiraling out of control. We're out of moves.""What happened?" She had a bad feeling.Oscar paused. "A new drug has popped up in Flesta. Tons of our staff got hooked, just like regular folks. The police are on it now. We checked our products and
Debra stared at the pendant.What had happened yesterday came flooding back.Kale was gone, and the fact hit her hard."It's my fault," she said in agony. "If he hadn't gone with me, he would have been alive.""Everyone makes their calls," Marion soothed her. "If there's blame, it's on the Illuminati. I was terrified, almost losing you.""I felt like you were nearby, so I wasn't afraid," she said, leaning into him. "They'll pay for hurting Drake and killing Kale. I'll make sure of it.""No matter what happens, we're in this together," he said.Exhaustion took over. She closed her eyes and drifted off.When she woke up, it was already noon the next day. Her injury kept her from moving much.Everyone gathered outside her bedroom. William came in to check on her."You're fine. Just change the dressings on time," he said, packing up his kit. "You guys can come in now."Debra adjusted her clothes and leaned against the headboard. "Sorry to trouble you.""We're in this together,"
William left quickly.Marion got up to lock the door and returned to the bedside.Sitting back into the chair, he switched on a dim lamp, making sure Debra would see him first thing if she woke up."Brother..." Debra mumbled.Marion leaned in. "I'm here."Her murmurs stopped, but her hands shot up, grasping at the air. "It's so dark. Save me."He grabbed her flailing hands right away. "Don't be scared. I'm right here."But she didn't calm down. She clutched his hand, her nails scratching at his skin. "Brother, save me," she murmured, feeling like she was trapped in a pitch-black hold.Cold seawater seemed to swallow her whole. The biting chill seeped into every crack of her body. The stench of the ocean made her gag.The water was up to her chin. She stood on tiptoes, desperate for a breath in that tiny space."Save me." Her eyes flew open.Familiar surroundings came into view. Her pupils darted until they landed on Marion. Her racing heart finally slowed."Marion?" Her v
Not long after, Marion came out with Debra.William nudged Erica and Randy. "Told you it would be soon.""How's she out here fresh after surgery?" Erica gawked.Debra was supposed to recover in the hospital, but seeing her unconscious form on the stretcher, Erica figured he had his reasons."Let's go back," Jordan chimed in. "The Potter Mansion's got a top-notch medical team. If we need gear, I'll grab it.""Yeah, hospitals suck anyway," Randy said. "Let's head back. It's freezing out here."They'd planned to grab food and head in, but Erica had made them wait so Marion could have more time with Debra. Now they were all sniffling."I'm... Achoo." William sneezed again, then bolted for the car. "I'm out of there. It's freaking cold."He had treated so many patients, but this was the first time he had fallen ill.Debra, still out cold, was loaded into the back. Marion stayed close, tending to her.By the time they reached the Potter Mansion, it was the middle of the night.Wil
William rubbed his eyes in disbelief.They had taken the emergency lane to the hospital, but Marion and the others arrived right behind their heels after going through a battle."We floored it. That's not the point," Erica replied.Marion and Jordan were already striding into the hospital.Randy grabbed Erica's arm. "Come on. Let's go.""Huh? William is still here." She was puzzled.Inside, the operating room's red light glowed.Marion arrived first. The hospital director greeted him, saying, "Mrs. Houston is in surgery now. Our top doctors have assessed her. The wound's been handled perfectly, and she is out of danger."Marion's face softened a bit. Erica heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank God. She's fine now."They'd been terrified seeing Debra collapse in a pool of blood."You're wiped out. Why don't you rest a bit?" Erica said, turning to Marion."I'll wait here," he replied, his eyes glued to the red light.Until it turned green, he couldn't rest his mind at ease."Well
Michael raised an eyebrow. "My plan never included you. Does our master know you snuck here from Orkgate? And you've got the nerve to question me?"Lara glared at him, her body aching from the burns. Her face twisted with anger."Take Miss Sharp back for treatment. It will take two hours to get back, so she'll have to tough it out," Michael ordered, unfazed.Before leaving with his crew, he lamented sanctimoniously, "Such a shame, ruining a pretty face like that."Lara clenched her fists, incandescent with rage....In the ambulance, Debra coughed up another mouthful of blood. It splattered right onto William's white coat."Aw." William almost griped about the mess, holding back only at the sight of her bad condition.He had to save her, no matter what. It was a promise he'd made to Andrew.He didn't even want to think about what would happen to him if Debra didn't make it today."Maybe another shot of painkiller? We've gotta get that bullet out fast," a medic suggested."Yo