Garland returned to his room and quickly locked the door, ensuring no one was around. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number."Hello? Verna? Get my dad on the phone. What's going on? You heard me. Fermin is alive. Get my dad on the line now."Verna stared at the receiver, baffled."Who's calling?" Bert asked, slowly coming down the stairs.Verna snapped back and replied, "Sir, it's Mr. Garland Eaton. He's saying something about Mr. Fermin Eaton coming back to life."Bert frowned and came over to pick up the phone.Garland's voice came again. "Verna? Are you listening?"Bert took a deep breath. "What nonsense are you spouting now?""Dad," Garland exclaimed. "You won't believe this, but your beloved Fermin is still alive."Bert's expression darkened. "Nonsense. You know he died in that car accident. How could he still be alive?""But he is," Garland insisted. "The new president of the Lowe Group caught Liza yesterday. Debra asked me to impersonate Fermin to help with negot
The next day, at the McKinney Group headquarters, Ben handed a file to Debra."Since Juan took over, the Nichols Group has been recovering. Here are a few brands and shops he's recently acquired," he reported.Debra opened it, scanning the contents. Most of the pages detailed partnerships with big-name brands, but a few unfamiliar names caught her attention."They have partnered with several major brands and acquired a few smaller ones," Ben explained. "The brands we originally intended to sign with are now choosing the Nichols Group because of Juan's takeover. Given their recent moves, it's clear they're expanding their business scale and trying to take our market share. If this continues, our market share could drop from 70% to 40% or even less."When Debra didn't respond, he continued, "Madam, we need to come up with a plan to safeguard our profits.""These brands look familiar.""That's normal since they're some of the most well-known brands on the market.""I'm not talking
Debra wished she was wrong.She looked down at the file in her hands. Pure Color hadn't even launched yet. It didn't make sense he was interested in it unless he was also reborn.She closed the file and made a call.A calm, professional voice answered, "Hello, Nichols Group."Debra stayed silent for a moment, and the receptionist spoke again."Hello?""Does Mr. Nichols have any appointments today?""His schedule is fully booked for the next few days. You can leave your name and number, and we'll contact you within eight hours.""Never mind."Debra hung up the phone, remembering something told to her by Theda. If Theda and she could be reborn, there could be more cases.If Juan had also been reborn, the future would hold even more uncertainties.The office landline suddenly rang, breaking her train of thought.Debra picked it up, and Garland's urgent voice came through. "Debra, get back here. Something's happened.""What's going on?" Debra tensed up.Garland replied, "A lo
"You're not part of the Houston family. Stay out of our business," one of the shareholders snapped."Exactly," another chimed in. "Your ancestors were just deputies. You have no right to speak here."Randy's face darkened. "Say that again?"Marion raised a hand. "So, you want me to step down?""We want an election," Corey said. "The Houston family has had its time at the helm. As shareholders, we're obliged to choose the most suitable candidate. It doesn't have to be you, Marion.""Let's vote, then." Marion shrugged.Randy was shocked. "Are you serious? These people are just trying to force you out. You can't...""If it's an election, let's have it," Marion said, tapping the table.A group of shareholders then filed into the room. They were all old associates of the Houston family, loyalists who had stood by Caleb for years. They lined up behind Marion as a show of support.Corey scoffed, "There are ten of us, and we control 55% of the shares. What's the point of calling in th
Marion wiped the muzzle of his gun and instructed his men, "Clean this up.""Yes, sir." The guards stepped forward and swiftly disposed of Corey's body.His supporters were scared out of their wits.Marion sat back in his chair and glanced at them. "You have two options. Sell your shares or end up like Corey."The shareholders exchanged nervous glances and shook like leaves."We're willing to give up our shares.""Yes, please take them."Though the air conditioner was set to a cool 68°F, the shareholders were drenched in cold sweat.Marion glanced at the lawyer, who stepped forward and handed out the share transfer agreements. The shareholders had no choice but to sign them.Marion holstered his gun and said, "That's all for today. The meeting is dismissed."The guards quickly escorted those shareholders out of the room.Randy glanced at the bloodstains on the floor. "Wow, that was brutal."Marion shot him a look, and he quickly added, "But it's much better than before."M
Then there was a prodigy hacker, who, at just 13, had crashed machines and made groundbreaking contributions to science. His hacking skills had spawned countless legends 30 years ago.The last one was an ultra-intelligent physicist, who had been received by presidents of various nations. By the age of 30, he had begun developing nuclear weapons, earning countless domestic and international accolades. Each of these individuals commanded an aura of immense power.From the second floor, Erica and Garland spotted Debra appearing at the entrance. They hurried down, but even Erica, who was usually fearless, slowed her steps, careful not to make any noise that might disturb the formidable figures below.She reached Debra's side and whispered, "How did you get back so quickly? Marion and the others aren't back yet."Garland raised his hand. "I told her to hurry back."Erica was speechless.These people were no ordinary opponents. Debra might not be able to handle them on her own. They
Iwan collapsed to the ground.Debra glanced at him and turned to the two elders in the center. "Gentlemen, there's no need to test me anymore, is there?"Erica and Garland were both stunned. They couldn't believe the stunt was just a test.Freddy studied Debra's expression, and for a moment, he saw the same unshakable confidence he had once admired in Triston."You think we're joking with you?" he sneered.With his words, Erica and Garland tensed up once again.Debra, on the other hand, remained unfazed. "If you guys wanted the seal, there'd be no need to come here and talk to me. You could've just sent someone to take it. After all these years of ignoring the Potter family's affairs, you've traveled all this way just to put on a show. You must have been informed that the seal is in my hands and wanted to know if I'd give it away easily, right?"She couldn't think of anyone other than Jordan who might have tipped them off.To save Liza, she had shown up with people from the Pot
Garland's curiosity was piqued. "So, does that mean only Andrew knows about the treasure?"Freddy shook his head. "This generation is an exception. The kidnapping incident that took Andrew's parents' lives also buried the secret. As for whether Andrew knows... You'd have to ask him. But I doubt it. The incident was too sudden. His father likely didn't have time to pass on the secret.""Mrs. Houston," Josh interjected, "is the Potter family's heirloom gemstone in your possession?"Debra thought of the gemstone Jordan had given her. "It is. If you want it back..."Josh waved his hand with a gentle smile. "No. Since it's been given to you, it's yours. Just take good care of it. Don't lose it."Debra nodded solemnly. "I'll keep it safe, Mr. Palmer."Freddy spoke again. "Our visit is no longer a secret. We've spread the word that we reclaimed the seal. Next time you use it, it must be for something really important. Don't show it to anyone.""I understand," Debra replied.The last t
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