Marion raised his hand. "Take them back."The Potter family guards moved forward. The Eaton family's bodyguards stood no chance. Their leader knew better than to fight. Debra had already spared them a bloodbath by handling this quietly.He clenched his teeth. "We'll consult Mr. Eaton Sr. If he insists, we'll come again."Marion shrugged. "Go ahead."He had accomplished his task. The rest wasn't his problem.Back at the Potter Mansion, Garland and Liza huddled together."I thought I'd be stuck eating fancy meals and shopping forever," Liza sobbed. "That life's soul-crushing."Garland sniffled, "Back to being CEO of that boring company? No thanks."Erica and Randy exchanged exhausted glances.Debra ignored the drama, focusing on the man tied up before her. "Mr. Odom, remember us?"Edgar remained silent, wrinkling his brow."We're old friends. Take a seat and relax," Debra added.He sneered, 'Sit? I'm trussed up like a turkey.'"Standing's fine too." Debra shrugged. "Same dif
Garland fidgeted, never expecting Bert to bring over Edgar.Back then, Juan had brought Edgar to him and asked him to interrogate Edgar. Garland had pretended to be Fermin. Now the charade was crumbling.Garland stammered, "What? It has nothing to do with me."Erica jabbed a finger at him. "You knew the secret all along and kept mum?"Randy side-eyed him. "Made us run in circles."Liza, on the other hand, was totally confused.Garland quickly turned to Debra for help. She figured that it must be Fermin.Unwilling to expose anything in front of Edgar, she chimed in, "He already told me, but I need your confirmation. Edgar, what is the secret?"Edgar sneered, "This is pathetic. The Four Great Families don't even know their own treasure."Erica's fists clenched. "Want me to rip that mouth of yours?"Randy tugged her back. "Chill. Beat him up after he talks."Erica held back her temper for the greater picture.Edgar revealed, "Think ordinary stuff lured everyone here? Centuries
Edgar scoffed, "Who doesn't want more power? My family is influential, but it can't match the Big Four.""Fine," Debra pressed. "Say your family chased the treasure for those reasons. But your partner is after more than that, right? Why else set up this elaborate scheme?"Erica and Randy gaped, while Garland and Liza looked lost.The room fell silent. Those words hung heavy in the air.Edgar stared Debra down. "What nonsense are you spouting?""Think about it," Debra said. "Your base isn't even near Seamar City. How'd you learn about its secret? The Lowes knew too. Coincidence? No. Both your families struck a deal with him years ago. The treasure Intel? A carrot to dangle while he pulled your strings."Randy whistled, "Damn, Edgar. You've been holding out on us."Erica crossed her arms. "Spill it. Who's the puppet master?"Edgar's jaw tightened. "I have never met him, and you're right. He fed my family intel years back.""So, you started plotting over a decade ago?" Debra frow
"What? You pulled all that heinous crap without even knowing the full story?" Randy nearly spilled his tea.Edgar shot back, "What heinous crap? Compared to you people, especially the one upstairs, I'm a saint."All eyes snapped to the second floor, where Drake leaned against the railing, glaring down.Randy cleared his throat. "Hey, redemption arcs exist. He's one of us now.""Who said I'm redeemed?" Drake strolled downstairs and flopped onto the couch. "I'm just crashing here while my wounds heal. Not joining your club.""Semantics." Randy waved a hand. "To outsiders, you're one of them. Your house has already burned down, and you have nowhere else to go."Kale, who also had been recovering at the Potter Mansion, rarely lumbered down with a glass of water. "Boss, want me to reclaim your company?"Randy choked on his tea. "Come on. It's not like snatching toys. That's an empire.""You talk too much." Drake rubbed his temples. "Marion, control your dog.""He's Erica's problem,
Edgar's face twisted like Randy had hit a nerve.Randy smirked, "Know your place, Edgar. We're being nice by chatting. Push us, and we'll demand repayment. You'd be jumping off a building by noon.""Why are you rapping so much?" Erica sulked.Randy mimed zipping his lips.Debra turned to Ivan, who'd been hovering near the kitchen. "Escort Mr. Odom to the guest room upstairs. The one at the end. He prefers privacy."As Ivan approached, the bruises on his neck from Debra's strike were still visible.Drake narrowed his eyes, figuring out her plan to isolate the two.Once they were gone, Debra tapped the table. "The ledger."Randy shrugged silently.Erica kicked his shin. "The ledger." "You told me to shut up.""Want another kick?""It's in your bag. You forgot."Erica blinked, then dug through her bag. "Got too intrigued by the story."She then placed the Osborne family's ledger on the table.Debra compared it to the Fraizer and Potter records. "Only the Houston family le
Before Garland could react, Drake had already shoved him into the room and pinned him against the door.Garland gulped nervously. 'What the hell? I'm not into guys.'"What's this about? This closeness is a bit much," Garland laughed awkwardly, trying to duck.But Drake flipped the lock with one hand and blocked his escape with the other.Garland's heart dropped. 'Gosh! Is Drake really gay?'"Back off! I'm straight.""What the hell are you babbling about?""You dragged me here alone. Isn't it obvious you want to..." Realization hit Drake. His face darkened, and he smacked Garland's head. "You think I'd hit on you? I'd need brain damage first.""Then why the sneaky moves? And why'd you hit me?" Garland hopped back, indignant."Cut the act. You're not Fermin." Drake got straight to the point.Garland stiffened but doubled down. "Of course, I am. We've fought before. You know my face.""I don't know what game you're playing, but Juan is in it with you," Drake hissed."Juan?
Drake's face darkened. "What nonsense are you spouting?""If you're not a spy, why stare at Mrs. Houston? I stare because I like her. You too?"Garland's words made Drake bark a laugh. "You like Debra?"Though shaky, Garland puffed his chest. "Yeah. I confessed to her right in front of Marion, and she let me look. You? Suspicious."Drake clenched his teeth. "Is Debra out of her mind?""See? You're the shady one." Garland jabbed a finger. "Admit it. You've got a crush.""Kale." Drake yanked open the locked door and shoved Garland out. "Get him out of my face.""Yes, boss.""Hey. Don't get mad just because I called you out. Drake, you're just..." "Gag him." When Kale returned, Drake paced angrily."This guy's identity is questionable. Should I...""He is not Fermin, but why is Debra keeping him around?""But Miss Eaton calls him brother. Maybe they're twins?""Twins?""Explains the mismatch. The other one is a genius, and this one a clueless idiot.""Clueless and blin
The dust on the lock was uneven. Clearly, someone had opened it recently.Marion pulled out an old key. "These locks are century-old designs. No key, no entry."He clicked it open, revealing rows of tablets. The hall was wider than that of the Fraziers.Debra hesitated. She'd never properly paid respects here since marrying Marion."Mom, Dad, Grandpa, and Grandma," Marion said softly, squeezing her hand. "I'm here with Debra."Debra tightened her grip. "We're here to visit you guys. Please watch over us. Help us find who's targeting the four families.""They will." Marion nodded. "Let's find the ledger."To her surprise, it sat under a pillar, barely hidden. "This isn't exactly hard to find.""Getting in is the challenge." Marion checked the ledger's age. "Let's head back. See if combining all four families' records reveals anything."If the ledgers combined meant a map, they'd be one step closer to the treasure.At Potter Mansion, Erica glanced at her watch and gaped. "Back
"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,"