Andrew gathered his thoughts and got dressed. He opened his bedroom door to find Jordan standing outside, looking concerned."Are you okay?""I'm fine."Andrew reached out to pat Jordan's head, but in the end, his hand landed on Jordan's shoulder."Let's get down."Jordan couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with Andrew. Everything had been fine during the day, but now he seemed like a different person.In the banquet hall, Debra's high school friends were celebrating her birthday. After taking some group photos, Gael took her around to greet their family friends, proudly announcing that his beautiful daughter had come of age.Andrew watched with a gentle smile."Andrew." Debra spotted him from across the room, her eyes lighting up.Debra lifted the hem of her dress and trotted over.Erica saw her unsteady footsteps. "Hey, slow down,"When Debra reached Andrew's side, she was slightly out of breath."Do I look good today?""You look beautiful.""Why did you c
Randy started unpacking the bags, but Erica was unimpressed."It's Debra's coming-of-age ceremony, and you bring durian?""What's the matter? I've got some for her, too."Randy enthusiastically handed out durian cakes to everyone.Debra looked down at the box in her hand, unsure of what to say. She never imagined that on her coming-of-age day, she'd be gifted a durian cake. Randy glanced at his watch and said, "You guys enjoy yourselves. I've got something to do. I'll be going now.""Where are you going?" Erica protested."Marion is back from overseas. I'm going to pick him up," Randy explained.Debra froze at the mention of the name. "Marion?" "Yeah. You met him when you were little," Randy replied, puzzled."Marion is my cousin," Erica chimed in. "Your memory's really poor."Debra felt like the world around her went quiet for a moment. The name sounded so familiar. He seemed to be someone important to her. She just couldn't remember."Debra, why are you spacing out th
"Aren't they the same thing?" Debra mused. "Anyway, I want to be with him every day. I don't want him to marry anyone else."Juan smiled in response. As the dance ended, he politely stepped back."Wish you a happy engagement.""Thank you, Mr. Nichols."Debra looked around and quickly spotted Andrew, as she always did.She smiled at Juan and said, "Nice talking to you. Come visit anytime. See you around.""Sure thing." He watched her leave, suddenly feeling the trip had been worthwhile after all."Andrew," Debra called out, running toward him.Suddenly, a maid bumped into her, spilling wine all over Debra's dress. The shattered glass cut her shoulder."Ouch," Debra gasped in pain.A distant voice echoed in her ears, faint and unreal. 'Debra, Andrew, wake up!""Ms. Frazier, are you alright?" the maid stammered, frightened. "Let me help you upstairs.""Wait." Debra grabbed her arm. "Did you hear something just now?""What?" The maid was confused."Any shouting? No?""Ms. Fr
Debra looked at her shoulder and smiled, "It's just a small cut. Doesn't hurt at all.""I wasn't talking about that," Andrew said.Debra was confused.Opening the bathroom door, he added, "Come on, I'll take care of the wound."A maid brought in a first aid kit, and Andrew gestured for Debra to sit on the sofa. He crouched down and carefully placed a band-aid on her injury.His movements were slow, deliberate, and cautious.Debra felt uneasy. "Andrew, what's wrong?"Andrew paused, and she added, "Normally, if I get a little scratch, you just laugh and call me clumsy. But today...""Silly girl." Andrew brushed her nose with his fingers. "It's your coming-of-age day. I don't want to see you hurt.""Just like that?""Just like that.""I don't know, but you're acting strangely today."Debra couldn't put her finger on it, but something felt different."Are you happy today?" Andrew suddenly asked."Yeah." Debra threw herself into Andrew's arms, her face lighting up with a sweet
Andrew maintained his smile. "Happy birthday, Debra. You've always wanted a birthday gift, right? I've been wanting to give you this for a long time.""Andrew." Debra shook her head frantically, tears streaming down her face.She didn't want any birthday gifts. She only wanted him to be by her side.Andrew's eyes flickered with pain as he took out a pair of sapphire rings. They glimmered, reminding her of the harsh reality."Gael gave me this ring years ago. I had a matching one made, hoping to put it on your finger one day, but someone else already did," Andrew said.Debra remembered the moment on the deck when Marion slipped the ring onto her finger. It felt like a lifetime ago."Debra, it's time to wake up," Andrew said, his voice trembling.His figure began to fade away before her eyes."Andrew, don't leave me. Please don't go," Debra cried out, but Andrew was gone.Sensing something, she turned around and saw those faces blurring.She rushed down, eager to hug her parent
When Debra opened her eyes again, everything around her was blurry.She could just barely make out a figure running toward her."Call an ambulance!""Get Andrew and Debra apart. Stretchers!"The voices around her started to fade. Soon, Debra found herself in a warm embrace. The faint scent of tobacco on his clothes made her feel an unexpected sense of peace.She whispered, "Today, I realized that if I weren't me, I'd never see you again."Marion held her even tighter. "You're going to be fine. I won't let anything happen to you."Debra could feel his nervousness and fear. She muttered weakly, "I'll be fine."Marion rushed outside to the stretcher and carefully placed her onto it.It was almost dusk. The sunset was beautiful. This was the end of it.Debra's breathing became more erratic. William urgently treated her."She's lost too much blood. Get the A-type blood immediately," he shouted into the phone.Debra drifted into unconsciousness, but Marion's voice seemed to linge
Debra woke up after a full day of unconsciousness following her surgery.She saw Marion lying by her side. She tried to sit up but couldn't move due to the pain in her shoulder.Marion felt her stir and quickly opened his eyes.Seeing Debra awake, he broke into a big smile. "How are you feeling? I'll get the doctor."Debra shook her head gently. "I'm fine.""The anesthesia should have worn off by now. Are you in pain?""I'm not.""I'll get you some water."Debra grabbed his hand. "I'm not thirsty.""Okay, I'll stay here with you." He sat back down beside her.Debra asked, "What about Andrew and the others? How are they?"Marion's eyes dimmed. Before he could reply, Randy and Erica rushed into the room."Debra, how are you feeling? Are you okay? Marion wouldn't let me see you," Erica said anxiously."I'm fine. Don't worry.""How can I not worry? This was so dangerous. If we hadn't gotten there in time, who knows what would have happened?"Randy chimed in, "Yeah, Marion wa
"Debra, actually..." Erica started.Jordan said, "Andrew left. He said he's been leading the family long enough. This time, he wanted to leave."After a brief silence, Debra asked, "Did he say where he was going?""No. Maybe somewhere overseas or a small town, living an idyllic life.""Anywhere but Seamar City.""Right."Debra understood what was going on. With the dust settling, Andrew could leave with peace of mind.She just didn't get why he had left without saying goodbye."I have so many things I wanted to ask him," she murmured.She remembered everything from her dream so vividly, as if it had truly happened. She wanted to ask Andrew about their past relationship.Her eyes dimmed as she looked down at the crest in her hand.Jordan wanted to comfort her, but in the end, he shrugged. "It's not like you'll never see him again. He just wants some time alone to rest. Who knows? Maybe he'll be back soon."Debra was a little relieved.That was right. Though the world was bi
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