Debra took a detour and headed to the Nichols Group.Seemingly in a good mood, she hummed a tune in the car. Her easy air drew a glance from Ivan.He had reason to believe she was either careless or reckless. Even though Marion was sort of a legend, he couldn't just fend off those skilled fighters of their boss.It was a dead end, and yet Debra didn't look worried at all.In the passenger seat, Randy spoke up, "Don't worry, Ivan. Your family is now under Drake's protection. Even if you're exposed, nothing will happen to your family."Ivan didn't reply. He wasn't worried about his family at all. What worried him was the failure of this mission.If Debra succeeded in taking over the Nichols Group, they would be facing a serious problem....At the entrance to the Nichols Group Headquarters, Theda glanced at her watch.Joe reminded her, "Ms. Buchan, the meeting starts in ten minutes. Please head upstairs to prepare.""I'll just wait here," Theda replied.Joe tried again, "Mrs.
Theda took her seat and continued, "I didn't come right away because I was waiting for someone. As everyone knows, Mr. Nichols' shares are not in my hands. So, I was waiting for the share transfer agreement to be handed over to me. Only then can the ceremony be perfect, right?"Just then, someone knocked on the door.Theda said, "Come in."Robert entered and handed a folder to her."What took you so long?""Sorry.""Never mind."What mattered was that the agreement was now in her hands.She opened the folder, and inside was a thick stack of papers.The first page was blank. She frowned and flipped it over until she saw a big, glaring turtle drawn on it.Her face turned dark. She continued to flip through the papers quickly, surprised to find that the turtle had transformed into an animated gif. Then a fist appeared next to the turtle, and the middle finger was slowly raised toward it."What's this? Where did you get this file?" she huffed.Melody gave no heed to Theda's com
The shareholders exchanged uneasy glances.If it had been anyone else, they might have brushed it off.But this was Drake.They all thought back to the extravagant banquets he had hosted in Seamar City. Many of them had attended, leaving evidence in Drake's hands.If they offended him, he might leak those videos online. Their reputation would be ruined.Melody sneered, "Debra, have you lost your mind? He's just someone from Orkgate. How far could his influence reach? We have appointed Theda as the next CEO. What's your game to stir up trouble here?""That's just a decision. If everyone agrees, we can still revoke it. Isn't that right, everyone?" Debra argued, sweeping her gaze over the room.Those shareholders were as silent as the grave.Melody laughed sarcastically, "Debra, are you crazy? Theda's appointment has already been finalized. Why would we revoke it? Even if Drake holds 45% shares, so what? Without more than 50%, he has no right to remove the CEO.""Don't be so quic
"Well, that's thanks to you, Ms. Buchan," Debra grinned. "If you hadn't given me the agreement, things wouldn't have been so smooth.""What?" Melody caught the keyword and questioned Theda, "You gave her the share transfer agreement? What were you thinking?"She tried to hit Theda, but Robert rushed inside the room and blocked her.Theda looked her in the eye. "Melody, I still hold 10% shares. You better think twice before laying a hand on me.""Ingrate!" Melody spat. "If I hadn't transferred those shares to you, you wouldn't even be standing in this room. You traitor!"Theda was in no mood to argue with her. "Robert, escort Mrs. Nichols Sr. out. She no longer has a place in this company. Send her back to enjoy her retirement.""Yes, ma'am," Robert responded, dragging Melody out of the room.Theda turned to face Debra. "Mrs. Houston, that was a clever move, giving away your stocks just like that. You won, but don't celebrate too early. Trusting others like this isn't always a go
"No," Joe replied.What was done was done. The shareholders had unanimously voted out Theda. The company was now under Drake's control."Good," Debra said, turning to Ivan. "Let's go."Ivan followed behind her, still in disbelief. With just a few words, she had swayed the shareholders.Now the Nichols Group was firmly in Drake's hands.Randy was lounging in the car, lazily yawning. When he saw Debra and Ivan approach, he quipped, "Took you long enough. All sorted?""Yes.""Wonderful!""Yeah. And I've figured out who was threatening Ivan with his family."Ivan jerked up his head, skeptical about it."You know who it was?""I don't know who's pulling the strings, but the one who told you to act must be Robert."Ivan's brows knitted together. He didn't expect her to suspect Robert."What's wrong? You don't think so?""I don't know.""Your expression says you know something about the mastermind. Don't tell me you're still hiding things from us?"Ivan lowered his head. "I re
"Let's get ready and head to Seamar City," Drake said."Now?" Kale hesitated. "But what about here?"There were moles among them. If they left now, those lurking in the shadows might attack the Lowe Group."A few days won't matter," Drake replied, adjusting his tie. "I have to show up as the new president of the Nichols Group."He had been waiting for a chance like this for years. Finally, he got a hold of a force in Seamar City that could rival Marion.Kale nodded. "I'll book the flights then.""Oh, and make sure to have reporters meet us at the airport," Drake added. "I want everyone in Seamar City to know that I am now a force to be reckoned with.""Got it," Kale replied, puzzled by his enthusiasm.After all, this position was bought with money. There was nothing to be bragged about....Debra and Randy returned to the Potter Mansion.Several captives were tied up in the living room. At that point, Erica's high heel was pressing against one of them.She demanded, "Who se
"Just let them go like that? That's too lenient." Randy shook his head as he watched the group walk away.Debra replied, "They're just workers taking orders. They didn't complete their mission, so there was no money for them. And they got beaten up. Keeping them here is meaningless.""Fair point." Randy nodded.Debra turned to Marion. "Are you hurt?""Not at all." Marion spread his arms wide for her to check. "They couldn't even reach me."Randy mimicked their interaction as he turned to Erica."Are you hurt? Let me check.""What do you think? Just a bunch of weaklings.""Aren't you invincible?""That's right."Barton entered the room and said, "Mrs. Houston, Joe is here."Joe stepped inside. "Mrs. Houston.""What's the matter?" Debra asked, unsure of the situation.She had just left the office, and Joe came to see her. It couldn't be anything good."Mrs. Nichols Sr. would like to see you," Joe replied.Erica stepped forward. "Debra is part of the Houston family now. We
"This way, please." Barton gestured.Joe conceded, "Okay. I'll negotiate with Mrs. Nichols Sr."...In the Nichols Mansion, Melody received the call."What? Marion is coming too?" she spluttered.Marion had always been at odds with them. Then he married Debra, making the Nichols family a laughingstock.She'd never let him set foot in her house."Madam, please bear with it," Joe said.If they didn't let Marion in, the talk with Debra was out of the question.Melody took a deep breath. "Fine! Let him in."A little humiliation was nothing if she could regain control of the Nichols Group.Sophie came up to pour a cup of tea for her."Take it easy, Madam. Anyway, Mrs. Houston is better than an outsider.""Theda took my shares and defied me. If only I had another grandson, things wouldn't have been like this."Theda took her shares, and Debra dismissed Theda. It was a double blow.Sophie sighed, "If she hadn't divorced Mr. Nichols back then..."Melody snorted, "You think we s
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