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 68ยฐF, 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
"Damn it. Can't you say something nice for once?" Erica smacked Randy on the back of his head. "The Potter family's elders showed up earlier demanding to take back the seal from Debra. I called you a million times. Why didn't you pick up?"Randy clutched her head, wincing. "It's not that I didn't want to. It's Marion..."He glanced at Marion, then awkwardly backtracked. "We were having a meeting, and I muted my phone. Wasn't ignoring you on purpose.""If you ever ignore my calls again, you're dead," Erica huffed."Got it. Won't happen again." Randy nodded meekly.Marion crossed his arms. "Seems like everything's settled now.""Settled? Then what's up with this guy?" Randy pointed at Ivan sprawled unconscious on the floor. "Why's this dude napping here?""I knocked him out," Debra said casually. "Didn't want him to overhear things he shouldn't. Used a little force.""That's a little?" Randy stared at the bruise on Ivan's neck.Erica rolled her eyes. "Put up or shut up!"Randy
Marion came back, and Randy pretended to whistle, acting like he hadn't said a word.Debra turned to see Marion holding the ledger."Was someone badmouthing me?" he asked.Randy shook his head. "No way. Everyone was praising you as a role model for modern men.""Really?""Absolutely."Erica smacked his arm. "Stop the joke and let's see the ledger."Debra spread it and said, "Based on our calculations, the Houston family's foreign goods business made 300 thousand silver dollars annually but spent 600 thousand. My family's cosmetics business earned 100 thousand and spent 200 thousand. The Osborne family's agricultural ventures brought in 200 thousand but lost 400 thousand. As for the Potter family... Their annual income was 1.2 million, but the expenditure was zero."Randy mused, "So, our families were bleeding money to subsidize the Potters?""Exactly." Debra nodded. "Those two elders claimed the 1.2 million funded their intelligence network. But that amount's way too high."S
"Not that line. The one before," Debra pressed.Randy thought for a moment. "Wrong direction of investigation?""The one before that.""These are account books, not a treasure map?""Yes, that's the one.""What about it?"Debra crossed her arms. "I always thought it was weird. If these ledgers were so dangerous, why weren't they burned? Why hide them in ancestral halls? The Osborne and Houston families probably have their versions too. Maybe combined, they are a treasure map.""I've heard of treasure maps hidden in poems or paintings," Erica said, "but account books? That's a first.""That's a wild guess," Randy echoed. "What kind of treasure would be hidden in ledgers?"Debra shook her head. "Randy, can you sneak into your ancestral hall and get something?"Randy froze as all eyes landed on him. He swallowed hard and shook his head. "I've hated going to the ancestral hall since I was a kid. Every time I go, I either piss off my ancestors or get beaten by my dad. Do you want
Erica thought for a moment. "Your task is even tougher."Garland's eyes lit up, but then Erica patted his shoulder. "The Osborne family chef's cooking sucks. Your job is to make dinner for us."Garland's smile cracked. "That's your tough task?""Obviously. Logistics are critical," Erica grinned, turning to Randy. "Let's go. Time to revisit the home you've been dreaming about."Randy hated going home or seeing his father.He sighed, "I'm only doing this for you. If it were Marion, I'd say no."Marion shrugged. "I could just raid your ancestral hall with my men. Sounds easier.""Don't." Randy paled. "My dad can't touch you, but he'll kill me."Marion was capable of such a thing. Drake and Robert were the living examples, suffering from his betrayal.That night, Randy and Erica headed to the Osborne Mansion.As Randy drove, Erica frowned. "Why are your hands shaking?"Debra chimed in from the backseat, "The car feels wobbly.""It's me that's wobbly." Randy's lips were white. "
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