"Wait a little longer. No peeking," Fermin said, covering her eyes as he led Liza forward.Liza frowned. "Are we there yet?""Yes." Fermin moved his hands away.Liza opened her eyes and took in the full view of the manor.She had once wanted to move out and picked out a manor. Sadly, it had been owned by someone else, and Bert wouldn't let her live outside.Now the beautiful landscaping and warm lights were right in front of her. It felt unreal."Did you buy this manor?""Do you like it? This is the one you loved most. I've always remembered.""But that owner refused to sell it."She had secretly asked several times before, but even her identity as an Eaton couldn't get her a deal.Fermin shrugged. "I have my ways. Anything you like, I'll get them for you."Liza faltered, "Did you..."Fermin smiled, "Of course not. I'm a reasonable person."Still, Liza felt uneasy.In the past, if Fermin had bought her a manor like this, she would have thought it was just him being kind t
The stern expression on Fermin's face scared Liza.He flicked her forehead and said, "The Illuminati has nothing to do with you. Forget whatever you heard and don't mention it ever again.""Are you involved with them or not?" She grabbed his sleeve and whined, "If you don't tell me, I won't be able to sleep. And if I can't sleep, I'll bug you until you spill.""Silly girl," Fermin sighed, leading her into the estate. "The Illuminati is just a stepping stone for me. With its support, we'll be free from worries. The decade-long problem will also..."His voice trailed off, and Liza didn't catch the last part."What are you talking about? Our family is loaded and respected," she said, puzzled. "What problem could we possibly have?"Fermin didn't want to continue with that topic. "Alright, you've asked enough questions today. The hot bath is ready. Go relax and get some sleep. While you're here with me, you can go anywhere you want, but you can't contact Debra and her people.""Fermi
"It came from Fermin." Marion handed her an invitation.The black-and-gold card was simple, with only the time and place written on it.Debra had seen Garland's handwriting before, but she never expected Fermin and Garland, both being in the same body, would have such wildly different styles."He wants to meet us at this estate tonight?" Debra was skeptical. "Do you think it could be a trap?""Don't worry. Even if it is, we've got people ready to handle it," Marion reassured her.Unlike Garland, Fermin had zero credibility with them. They needed to be fully prepared.Debra nodded. "Let's go then. I have a lot to discuss with him."...In the evening, a black Maybach pulled up outside the Bernard Mansion.It was sent by Fermin. The invitation and the pickup clearly showed he had been watching them since they arrived overseas.Debra and Marion got in the car, with a dozen stretched Lincolns tailing them.Then a hundred or so guards could deal with all kinds of difficult situat
"I'll take that as a compliment," Fermin said, his fingers tapping the wine glass on the table. "Actually, I want to make a deal with you guys.""Oh? What kind of deal?" Debra asked.Fermin set his wine glass down. "I want you to hand over Drake."Debra was taken aback, and he continued, "I've heard that when you were in Orkgate, Drake made things difficult for you. If I'm right, you two must only have animosity between you. Handing him over shouldn't be a problem for you, right?""That was a long time ago," Debra replied, stressing her tone. "Speaking of which, we used to sit together, discussing how to deal with Jeffery. Your pajamas were left behind in the Potter Mansion. Ring a bell?"Fermin's smile faded, and his eyes glinted with coldness.The wound on her shoulder still ached, but Debra kept her composure, trying not to show any fear in front of Fermin.She couldn't figure out what he was thinking. But Andrew had once said, the game between archrivals was like this.Mome
"You hurt Debra twice. You think I'll just let that slide?" Marion bellowed, firing a shot.Fermin didn't dodge, and the bullet tore through his left shoulder. Blood splattered instantly."Marion." Debra was taken aback.The air in the room became even more tense."Fermin!" Liza rushed over.Panic spread across her face when she saw Fermin's bleeding shoulder.Fermin endured the pain and forced a smile."Don't blame me anymore, right?""I..." His men moved quickly, as if they had expected this all along. They immediately stepped forward to treat his wound."I still owe you a stab. We can settle that too," he said."No." Liza shielded him with her body. "If you need to stab someone, stab me. I'll pay it back for him."Debra hadn't come for revenge. She glanced at Fermin, who remained nonchalant as his wound was being treated.His mental fortitude was sick."This has nothing to do with you," Fermin said. "Go back.""No. I can't let them hurt you again.""Don't worry. Th
Debra froze. "The raw stone belongs to your family?""I don't need to lie to you," Fermin said casually. "If it weren't for Liza, I'd have gone after you already. Catch you and force Drake to hand over the stone. Easy. But if I do that, Liza would be upset and nagging me."He paused and added, "If you don't want me to go after Drake, there's a way. You could trick the raw stone out of him, and then I'll deal with you. I promise I won't kill you. That would be better for everyone, wouldn't it?"Debra frowned. "We're not stupid enough to hand over something without knowing what it's for.""So, no deal?" Fermin replied nonchalantly.The bullet was removed from his shoulder, and he didn't bat an eyelid. "I'm letting you go today as a favor to Liza. Next time, you won't be so lucky."He raised a hand, and his bodyguards stepped aside to make way.Debra glanced at Marion, who lit a cigarette and shook it. "It's been a while since someone talked so big in front of me."He flicked the
"Take it easy," Fermin said, looking up. "My master gave me an order. He wants to know how your illness is."Marion's eyes narrowed, but just as he tried to fire another shot, Fermin reacted again.He grabbed the gun, and the bullet flew off toward the corner."I took one hit for Liza's sake. Never another," he said.Debra felt his anger and called out, "Marion, stop."Fermin wasn't just anyone. He was not only a member of the Illuminati but also the heir of the Eaton family. They couldn't just kill him like that."I prefer talking to wiser people like Mrs. Houston," Fermin smirked. "She knows what should be done and what shouldn't..."Before he could finish, Debra pulled out a gun from her jacket and aimed it at him.She intentionally missed, and the bullet grazed his ear.She said, "What Marion does is exactly what I want to do. I won't kill you today only for the sake of Bert and Liza. I'm letting you go, not the other way around."Fermin smirked, "I've met a lot of women,
Marion fell silent.Debra glanced at him through the rearview mirror and said, "I won't ask. But I want to hear it from you, not from someone else."With that, she closed her eyes and ended the conversation.Marion lowered his gaze. His eyelashes trembled.He had always wanted to tell her, but he was afraid that once she knew, she wouldn't be able to accept him....Late at night, Fermin finished treating his shoulder wound and knocked on the door to Liza's room.Her voice was gruff. "I'm sleeping.""Well then, another time maybe," he said, pretending to leave.Liza yanked the door open, scowling. "What do you want?""Debra and Marion are gone.""I know.""You know?""Of course. Someone like Marion would not let you just capture him that easily.""Are you saying my skills aren't as good as his?""Yep.""You're such a good sister."Her gaze landed on his injured shoulder. "You shoulder...""A clean shot through. Nothing serious," he said, ruffling her hair. "Finally, y
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