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
Barton bolted downstairs.Debra walked into the room and saw a team of doctors crowded around Andrew's bed, trying to resuscitate him.Andrew's consciousness seemed hazy. Debra's gaze fell on a pill in one doctor's hand. The group was urgently discussing something.She stepped forward and asked, "What's that pill? You said it could save him. So, why aren't you using it?"The doctors exchanged glances but stayed silent. Just then, Barton returned, pulling William into the room."That pill works, but Mr. Andrew Potter refuses to take it.""Why not? Does it have side effects?""No.""Is it not for his disease?""Yes.""Then why isn't he taking it?"Debra sighed, moving to push the pill into Andrew's mouth.Andrew's eyes suddenly fluttered open. Despite his weakened state, he managed to catch her wrist.His voice was barely audible as he whispered, "Debra, put it down."Debra froze, leaning closer to him. "What?""Put it down." His eyes had regained their clarity, and his to
Barton glanced at Debra, then quickly looked away. "Anyway, this has nothing to do with Ms. Buchan.""Come on, stop covering for him," William said. "If he weren't head over heels for her, why would he treasure those pills she gave him? Did you see how reluctant he was to take them just now?"Before William could spiral further into speculation, Barton dragged him aside. "What nonsense are you spouting in front of Mrs. Houston? Ruining Mr. Potter's reputation. You're in it for trouble."William turned pale and clamped his mouth shut. He wondered if he had inadvertently spilled anything. He resolved to keep quiet from now on.Debra watched their interactions, her suspicion growing.That evening, she found herself lingering outside Andrew's bedroom. She peeked through the doorway, hesitating when a sudden noise echoed from inside.Alarmed, she pushed the door open to find Andrew sprawled on the floor. His face was pale, his forehead damp with sweat."Why did you get out of bed?" S
"Dad." Liza rushed to the bed, grabbing Bert's hand.In her mind, Bert was a stern old grump. He was always tough and sharp.But now, the illness had taken a toll on him. He had shrunk, and his hair had gone gray overnight.Fermin stood behind her, watching with pain.In fact, Bert had been ill for a while now. He had been grooming Fermin for years.But once he'd caught wind of Fermin's plans, Bert would rather kill him and trash their legacy than let him join the Illuminati.Fermin knew this day was coming. Liza didn't. Bert never wanted her to.She froze, feeling like his hand had twitched. She stopped crying and spun to Fermin."Did you see it? Dad moved..." she exclaimed.Fermin clapped a hand over her mouth, a move that confused her.He shook his head, warning her off. She nodded fast, signaling she'd keep quiet.Fermin checked the door and eased his hand off. "Dad's fine. Let's head home, alright?"Liza glanced at Bert with reluctance but wiped her tears. "Okay.""Co
Drake's mouth hung open, but no words came out."I swapped the drug for saline," Juan said. "You're on your own tonight. You've only had one dose, so there might still be a chance. If you don't wanna die here, suck it up. Don't let Kale die for nothing."Juan dropped that and left the room.Drake slumped on the bed. Old memories came flooding back, from their first meeting to their camaraderie. They had been through thick and thin together.If it hadn't been for him, Kale wouldn't have been dead....In the hospital, Liza kept watch outside the ICU where Bert lay.Two black-suited guards blocked the door. Even after surgery, they wouldn't let her in."When can I see him?" she asked, clenching her fists.The guards stood like statues, ignoring her."That's my dad," she shouted, pounding their chests. "I need to be with him. Move. Get out of my way.""Stop it." Fermin strode up, grabbing her swinging fist. "You're an Eaton. Act like it."He turned and slapped a guard hard. "Y
Juan arrived at a villa on Seamar City's outskirts. It was where Drake was locked up.It was pitch black in the room, with only a bed. The windows were nailed shut.The moment Drake handed over the stone, he'd guessed his fate. The Illuminati had rules for traitors: the blessing ritual.But that "blessing" was just injecting their latest drug into turncoats. They would be used as free guinea pigs. Death was the best outcome. Surviving meant real torture.It didn't hurt. Rather, it felt like heaven. That was why they called it a blessing."When did they shoot you up with that stuff?" Juan asked.Drake leaned back on the bed, nonchalant. "I gave them the stone. It doesn't matter to you. Just give me the drug."By night, he was a mess.The stuff could ease the pain for an hour. Then hell would kick in. Once the cravings hit, it felt like ants gnawing his bones.The pain wired into his nerves. At its worst, he'd bash the wall, tempted to bite his tongue off.He couldn't leave wit
To the bishop, Debra and her crew were small fry.A hundred years ago, the Four Great Families might've been untouchable. But now? Their roots were shaky.The Illuminati, on the other hand, had grown unstoppable.For the stone, he'd see them and let them feel the Illuminati's might. It was something callows like them couldn't touch."Tell them I pick the time and place," he said. "Get the stone ready. If it's fake, they'll get the harshest punishment from God.""Yes, Master," Michael replied, turning to leave.Lara stood up to protest, "I'm against this. We should take the chance to wipe them out and take their assets."In her mind, the four families were nothing. When they could snatch what they wanted, there was no need for deals or games."God spares all," the bishop muttered. "I'll give them a shot to live. If they bow, why kill them?"Lara fell silent, but Frederic stepped out of the shadows. He asked, "What about the stone Drake gave us?""Only one of the two stones is
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,"