"Debra, this is all Stanley's fault. I'll take him to the police station and let the police handle it," Ralph said.Stanley was exasperated. "Dad! How could you send me to the police station?" "You reap what you sow. This is already lenient for you."If Marion handled this privately, Stanley would have been dead."Uncle Ralph, you don't have to do that," Debra said calmly. "He's unreliable because Aunt Rosalie spoils him too much." Ralph nodded. "Exactly! He's lawless now.""Yesterday, Stanley came to talk to me about the distribution of Frazier family property. I merely said a few words, and he wanted to kill me. That's a serious lack of upbringing." "What property distribution?" Ralph was bewildered.Stanley's face flushed red. "Shut up!" "You shut up!" Ralph snapped out of it and kicked him. "You brat, I'm not dead yet, and you're eyeing the family fortune?""I didn't!" Stanley's bravado weakened.He would not admit to it whatsoever.Debra said nonchalantly, "It'
Erica came in after Ralph left. She had just been listening at the door. Though family feuds were deep, she hadn't heard of family members trying to kill each other before."Marion has always been decisive," Erica pondered, "but this time, he seems hesitant. Back then, he wouldn't have bothered with evidence. He'd have thrown them in a black box, and by the next day, his cousin would be half-dead. Handing him over to the police like this seems too easy for him.""A black box?" Debra looked puzzled."I think it's some term in their line of work." Erica shook her head. "Randy didn't elaborate."Debra fell silent.Someone like Marion, always walking on the edge, must have his own methods.Otherwise, how could he inspire fear?"He probably didn't want to put you in a difficult position." Erica said, "After all, Erbo has been treating you well."Then she added with some frustration, "Marion knew you were in trouble, yet he didn't come right away. Doesn't he understand girls' feeling
Randy nudged Erica, signaling her to stop talking.But Debra spoke up, "Yeah, I don't like staying here."In her past life, she had died on the operating table, giving her a deep fear of hospitals."Okay."Marion got up to leave the ward.In no time, the discharge procedures were completed. Randy went downstairs to get the car.After changing her clothes and leaving the ward, she glanced at the room next door, where Juan was. Eventually, she left with Erica.Outside, Debra saw Joe's car, with Shelia's face reflected in the rear window.In the evening, Juan woke up to see a blurry figure bustling around him."Debra?" His voice was low.Shelia paused and turned around with a smile."Juan, you're finally awake." Shelia set down the water and said, "I came right after class to see you. How are you feeling? I'll go call the doctor."Juan was disappointed as he found it was Shelia.With a hoarse voice, he asked, "Where's Debra?"Shelia's smile froze momentarily, but she soon re
"Give me the car keys!" Juan demanded.Joe froze, then reluctantly handed over the keys.Juan grabbed them and left the hospital. His face was pale as he hurried away. Joe followed closely behind, watching as Juan got into his car and sped off."Sir!" Joe called out from behind.But Juan didn't stop the car. Soon, it disappeared.Debra rested in bed at her apartment. Randy bustled in the kitchen with Erica assisting. Marion just sat on the sofa, quietly reading a newspaper.It was a heartwarming scene that Debra cherished.After her parents' untimely deaths, she had been living with Ralph's family. Everyone was guarded, and she hadn't felt this kind of familial warmth in a long time.How she wished it could last forever!Juan arrived outside the apartment building and called her.But no one was answering.He gripped the phone so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He got out of the car and headed towards the security office."Sir, who are you looking for?" asked the gua
"Marion, you..."Before Juan could finish, Marion interrupted, "Debra seems to have woken up. You're advised to take care of Shelia. That's it."With that, he hung up.Juan's face darkened, his hand gripping the phone turning white."Mr. Nichols," the security guard said, "why don't you come another day?"Juan shot a cold glance at him, and he shut his mouth.Debra woke up in bed. Rubbing her eyes, she groggily asked, "Was there a phone call just now?"Marion picked up the newspaper again, calmly saying, "No, you were dreaming."Debra was puzzled.She distinctly heard the phone ring while she was asleep.'Is it all a dream?'Rubbing her temples, Debra reached for her phone on the bedside table, noticing a missed call from Juan.Frowning, Debra wondered, 'Juan is awake?'Just then, Erica came out of the kitchen and called out, "Debra, wake up and have breakfast!""Alright." Debra set her phone aside.The next day, she received a drafted divorce agreement from her lawyer.
"Do you think I won't divorce because of our cooperation with the Frazier family?" Juan approached step by step.Debra looked up at him and countered, "Isn't that the reason?""Of course not!" His eyes were bloodshot as he pressed his hands on Debra's shoulders. "Listen, I will never agree to a divorce. You're not leaving the Nichols family.""Let go!" Debra pushed him away. "Don't tell me you won't divorce because you love me.""I..."She cut him off. "I don't think I have such charm to make you favor me. You embarrassed me in front of others for Shelia repeatedly, causing trouble for my friends. I've had enough of this marriage. Whether you like it or not, I'm divorcing you.""Where do you get the nerve to say that?" Juan snapped. "Haven't you been hanging out with Marion? Aren't you two close? Did you care about my feelings?""Me and Marion?" Debra laughed as if she had heard a joke. "So, that's what you think of me.""Aren't you divorcing me because you're involved with Mar
"You...""From now on, I don't want to hear you mention divorce again. As long as I forbid it, you will always be my wife.""On what grounds?""Just because I'm Juan, and I rule Seamar City. If I disagree, you won't get a divorce.""You!"Juan threw the divorce agreement into the trash and stormed upstairs.Debra angrily watched his retreating figure.She couldn't figure out why he was against divorce so vehemently.In her past life, she had cried and begged Juan not to divorce her. He hadn't even looked at her. But now, when she initiated the divorce and tore into him, he was reluctant.She glanced at the divorce agreement in the trash.Juan was right about one thing. In Seamar City, his word was law.If Juan didn't agree to the divorce, she couldn't get it.It seemed she needed to up the stakes.The next day, Debra went to register her business, taking over several of the Frazier family's loss-making companies.Arriving at the company's entrance, she saw the lazy recept
"Michael Austin?"The manager thought carefully but couldn't recall anyone by that name. He said, "Ms. Frazier, our hottest talent here is Sean Chandler. Should I call him over?"Debra glanced at the manager, smiling outwardly but with no warmth in her eyes."You have half an hour to bring Michael to me," Debra said, going straight upstairs.The manager signaled to his subordinates before following Debra upstairs.Downstairs, several employees exchanged puzzled looks.'Michael? That fresh graduate?'But since it was Debra's order, they had to contact Michael immediately.Debra glanced around the office. The manager, trying to impress, said, "Madam, this office was left by the previous CEO. I had it renovated yesterday. Do you find it satisfactory?""Not bad," Debra replied, sitting down in the chair.The manager persisted, "Sean is the pillar of our company now. Wouldn't you reconsider meeting him?"Debra smiled slyly, making the manager uneasy.She knew things about Sean.
"No biggie. I'm just that sharp," Randy grinned."Don't flatter yourself." Erica smacked his arm, turning to Debra. "If that's the play, we'll set up around the valley early.""We scoped it out last time. Here's the terrain map Marion roughed out. Memorize the basics, just in case," Debra said.Jordan spoke up. "I'll plant people inside to learn the lay. If things go down, we'll back each other up."He paused, frowning. "But we've only got one path. Without the full picture, it's still risky.""Got it here," a voice called from the door.Everyone turned to see Theda walking in with Robert. A map was in her hand."It's you guys." Debra was surprised.Theda had been busy with her business. She barely had time to breathe, not to mention show up there."This mess is huge. If the Illuminati takes Seamar City, my business is done," Theda said.She'd seen Jeffery's crazy side. The Illuminati couldn't be anything good.She unrolled the map and stuck it on the board. "This is the val
Liza eased up, knowing Debra was always faithful.She would help if she said so."Is the Illuminati really that bad?" Liza asked, having never seen Fermin cornered like that."Yeah," Debra said flat-out.Liza fought back her tears. "I'm not as smart as you guys, but if I can help...""You've done plenty," Debra said, patting her head.The once-bratty lady had grown into someone brave and kind. They'd all seen her change.But this was too risky. They couldn't bet on her life."Everything's set," Marion said, striding in with Jordan.Liza blinked at their suits. They looked solemn, as if ready for a last stand.Debra nodded. "Alright, let's go over everyone's setup and run through the plan."Randy wheeled in a blackboard that showed the outskirts map.The Four Great Families had owned Seamar City for ages. Their eyes and ears were on every corner.They'd linked up north, south, east, and west, with Juan's lines tied in.According to intel, the Illuminati hadn't sunk deep ro
"Just listen to me and go," Fermin said, pulling his hand free.The next thing she knew, he yanked her toward the emergency exit."Fermin!" she yelped.The restaurant staff, loyal to Fermin, hustled her into the stairwell. By the time the guards outside caught on, she was gone."Get her," the guards barked.If Liza slipped away, Michael would have their heads. But before they could chase, Fermin's crew boxed them in."You know what this means?" one guard spat, dropping all politeness.They knew he was just a puppet. If he broke free, Bert's life would be done."Kill them," Fermin ordered, turning back to the restaurant.A waiter dropped a tray, the crash drowning out muffled screams from the stairwell.Liza was already in a cab. She tried to turn back, but a staffer blocked her. "Miss, you can't go anywhere but Seamar City. The Potter Mansion is your safest bet. Think of what Mr. Eaton's doing for you."Her stay overseas made her a hostage. While she was here, Fermin was lea
The driver hesitated but complied. "Sure, Mr. Eaton. How long do you plan to stay? There's a meeting this afternoon.""An hour," Fermin replied.From their conversation, Liza caught on that their family was under the Illuminati's thumb. The driver would not grill Fermin about his schedule otherwise."Who're you to butt in? He'll hang out with me for as long as he wants," she snapped.The driver bit back his gripes. "My bad. Sorry."Liza clung to Fermin's arm, heart pounding. She had been pampered her whole life, and her family had always been untouchable. She never imagined they'd be under someone else's boot.The car stopped by the mall. Liza and Fermin got out.When the guards tried to follow, she whirled. "My brother and I are going shopping. What're you tagging along for?""Protecting you and Mr. Eaton," one said.She opened her mouth to argue, but Fermin cut in. "They can carry bags for you."She hesitated. With these guards tagging along, they couldn't talk about the si
"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