Randy frowned. "What do you mean? Jordan doesn't want to see us?""It's Mrs. Houston," replied the guard. "She doesn't receive anyone for now.""I don't buy it. She just messaged me last night." Erica turned to the house and shouted, "Debra, it's me. We've come to see you.""Miss Mathis, please don't make noises here," the guard reminded her.Erica and Randy had stayed at the Potter Mansion before, so they were familiar with the guards."We've met before," she said. "Name the price.""This isn't about money." The guard stood his ground."Do I need to force my way in?" Erica twisted her wrists.The guard took a step back, grabbed his walkie-talkie, and spoke into it.In an instant, the alarms went off, and a group of highly trained bodyguards rushed up.Erica laughed, "Is this what Jordan is up to? Acting like some kind of gangster boss, using top-level security like this. When Andrew was around, we never had to deal with all this.""According to Mr. Jordan Potter, Mrs. Houst
Marion returned from overseas seven days later.In those few days, rumors about his and Debra's failing marriage had reached a fever pitch.Some said Debra had become numb to the idea of marriage, spending every day with hot escorts. Others claimed that she had secretly been keeping a toy boy at home and that she had started a romantic relationship with Jordan.All kinds of topics about her flooded the internet.At noon, Debra came downstairs from the second floor, biting into a piece of bread as she looked at her phone, laughing so hard she could hardly stop."Someone calls you a homewrecker. Want to see it?" she said, handing her phone to him.It had to be said, this generation of netizens knew how to dig up dirt.Many claimed to be students from Arcane Academy, fully aware of the relationship between Debra and Jordan. They uncovered old photos from two years ago when the two often hung out together and even that famous picture of Debra coming out of a nightclub, wearing Jorda
Before Marion could even leave the airport, a figure darted over and threw a punch right into his face.Marion could've dodged, but when he saw who it was, he didn't even try.Jordan pointed a finger at his nose. "Is this how you take care of Debra? You piece of crap!"He threw another punch, and Marion staggered back.The people around them stared in shock, mouths hanging open. Even the security guards stood frozen, unsure of what drama was unfolding in front of them.One party was a lovestruck man, and the other was a still-married husband. The confrontation between them was melodramatic.Just as Jordan was about to throw a third punch, Marion grabbed him. "I let you off this time, but that doesn't mean I'll keep doing it. Get lost."Jordan, unable to free his hand, yelled, "Debra doesn't want to see you, and I won't let you harass her."His voice was loud enough for everyone around to hear. His eyes were red with rage.Marion ignored the threat and turned to leave.Jordan
Marion arrived 30 minutes later.It would normally take at least 40 minutes to drive from the airport to the Potter Mansion, so Marion must have been speeding, running red lights, drifting, and overtaking cars to get there sooner.The alarm went off sharply.Drake quietly put on noise-canceling headphones, knowing Marion's style well.If he couldn't get in, he'd just force his way through. But this time, he had to play by the rules, not wanting to upset Debra.Marion hadn't broken in, but he had probably poked at the alarm.The security guards rushed to the front gate, freezing at what they saw.Marion was standing alone outside the iron gate, holding a gun. It looked like he had just shot out one of the alarms, setting off the whole system."Mr. Houston, what's the meaning of this?" The leader of the security team stepped forward to negotiate with him.They stood on opposite sides of the gate, the situation tense."I'm here to see Debra. Open the gate.""Mr. Houston, it's n
"Debra, I can explain," Marion started.Debra cut him off. "There's nothing to explain between us. I know what you're about to say, but I don't want to hear it."She paused deliberately before adding, "You should know why I divorced Juan. I've told you before. If you ever betray or deceive me, I will turn around and walk away without a second thought."Marion didn't know how much of this he was taking in, but he didn't interrupt her.She continued, "From today on, we're done. I don't want to have anything to do with an emotionless killer. Don't waste my time. I just want to find someone who loves me, while you don't even have the capacity to love."Her words were harsh, and the people around them sighed.They didn't know the full story, but they saw everything Marion had done for Debra. No other man in the world would do the same.For her, he could even give up his life. If that wasn't love, then what was?"Alright, I understand," Marion choked a little, looking sad.From his
"Pacemaker. Increase the voltage." The sound of the doctor's urgent voice echoed in her ears.There was a lot of blood. She could feel it, and the sharp pain was attacking her mind.Debra felt disoriented. She thought she saw the operating room ceiling, bright lights blinding her eyes.Everything in front of her was blurry, like something that had happened in a past life.Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her arm.A cold sweat ran down her back. When she opened her eyes, she saw Jordan sitting beside her.The house was calm and peaceful. Everything that had happened was just a dream.It had been a long time since she had such a nightmare. She didn't know if it was because Marion hadn't been by her side lately, but she couldn't shake the sense of unease.Jordan had soaked a towel in warm water and placed it on her forehead."Without Marion around, you just can't take care of yourself, can you?" he said."What's wrong with me?" Her voice was hoarse."You've got a fever, and y
"Take a guess," Debra grinned.Jordan sighed, "If you're just looking for some fun, I won't stop you. But you can't go overboard, alright?"Debra laughed, seeing that he was taking it seriously.It seemed that in just seven days, her reputation in Seamar City had become quite something. Word had spread that she was a flirt and was slowly letting herself go.Several partners were even trying to push male artists into her arms.She didn't see this as a bad thing. No one could resist handsome boys. That was right up her alley.After Jordan left, Ben called."Madam, we need to transfer another sum of money overseas today, about 30 million dollars.""Send it.""But in just seven days, we've already transferred 70 million dollars."Though it was Debra's decision, 100 million was no small amount for the company."Do as I say. Don't tell anyone about it. If we can't pay it back by the end of the year, I'll cover it myself.""Yes, ma'am."Debra hung up the phone and pulled out the
Drake turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.Debra then heard him locking the door. Her face darkened instantly.Clearly, that made her escape impossible.Kale stepped forward to support him. "Boss, what's the plan?""Debra wants to open a nightclub to go up against the Illuminati. She plans to gather customers and get more intel on the Illuminati," Drake replied. "It's a good idea, but she's never run a nightclub before and doesn't know the ins and outs. A new club can be easily targeted, and fights are constant, especially in chaotic places. She and Marion are in a cold war. He can't help her clean up the mess. We'll have to take care of it for her." Kale nodded. Though he hadn't liked Debra at first, after spending some time with her, he realized she was a righteous person.Drake continued, "I remember that some of our employees used to work in this line of business. Get them here and sort through them carefully. They have to be our people with decent looks."
It was afternoon already.Debra and Marion parked their car outside the valley.Looking at the sprawling terrain ahead, Debra couldn't shake the memory of trekking through it with Kale just days ago.Revisiting this place made her shiver."Your injury's still fresh," Marion said. "I can go alone."Debra shook her head. "We agreed on going together. Besides, I'm not here to fight. It will be fine."Marion ruffled her hair. "Alright, we're in this together."Enoch brought Erica here to lure them in. That much was clear.Now that they were here, they'd get her out.With night closing in, they quickly followed the route they'd mapped out and headed in.The map from Juan came in handy. In less than 30 minutes, they reached a clearing smack in the middle of four towering mountains.Mist hung light in the air, and the jagged peaks all around gave off a heavy, oppressive vibe.Through the fog, figures in black cloaks and white masks stepped out.Debra slid behind Marion, their han
Jordan signaled the guards at the door to stop Randy.But they didn't stand a chance. In three seconds flat, Randy laid them out.Jordan watched him vanish down the hall, dumbfounded. 'When did he get this good?'At the entrance, more guards tried to block Randy. He didn't slow down as he threw punches at them.Even with their number, they couldn't catch him.30 seconds later, Randy was in his car, peeling out toward the valley. Scenes from his childhood flashed across his mind."Leg up. Fist tight. Punch!" Caleb shouted.Erica eyed the wooden dummies in front of them and aimed for perfection.Randy's attention was all on her. He was not interested in these self-defense skills at all."Randy, focus!" Caleb whacked his arm with a cane. "Get real or go home."Randy couldn't care less. The truth was, he had already learned it all.At eight years old, his freakish athletic genes got him shipped off to a two-month boot camp. There, his raw talent made him untouchable in the junio
Lara came downstairs, smirking at Michael. "This time, even if you want to let them off, it won't happen."Michael was unfazed. "Don't say stuff that'll get twisted. I never plan to do that.""Oh, please. I know you better than that," Lara snorted. "Drop the act."Growing up, Michael had been given the best of everything.They were both in line to take over, but Michael got the bishop's favor from day one.Even if he didn't fight for it, he'd eclipse her. The bishop's partiality never failed to rattle her.She was a woman. True. But she was not any inferior to Michael.The partiality was unbelievable. This world's full of women outshining men.She was the one to help the bishop build something huge. The altar was only for her to ascend.She stepped up to Michael. "Wanna bet on what happens when Debra and Marion hit the valley? I can't wait to see Debra getting pierced by bullets. It would be so much fun."She observed Michael's expression, but there wasn't a crack."You done
The guard at the gate quickly stepped out of the booth. "Greetings, Mr. and Mrs. Houston. Unfortunately, Mr. Osborne isn't home.""We're not here for him," Marion said flat-out. "I want last night's security footage."The guard hesitated. "I'm sorry, but without Mr. Osborne saying so, I can't just hand it over.""Randy is lying in the hospital right now," Debra cut in. "Erica went missing from your place last night. If you don't cough up the tapes and something happens to her, can you take the heat?"The guard was shocked. "Mr. Randy Osborne in the hospital? And Miss Mathis is gone? I'll grab the footage. Hang on."He dashed to the security room. But when he pulled up the feed, the screen was pitch black."What's wrong? Is it busted?" Debra asked.The guard smacked the console a couple of times, and the picture flickered on. There was Enoch, stuffing a sack into his trunk and driving off.That explained why the cameras outside had only caught Enoch.Debra felt a chill run thro
A loud crash blasted through the phone, followed by screeching static.Debra's gut sank. "Randy's in trouble. Let's hurry."Jordan quickly rounded up a crew to track down Randy, while Debra and Marion bolted out of the house.That phone call screamed car wreck. Marion had Randy's location pinned fast, and an ambulance was already on its way."Don't panic. The ambulance is almost there," Debra reminded him, watching him push the speedometer.It was fine if it was just a regular crash. But if the Illuminati had set it up, the consequences were unimaginable. Enoch must have lost his mind to target his son.Debra and Marion had both lost their parents to car accidents. Marion would be devastated if he lost another person close to him."Quick! Get him out!"Thick smoke poured from the crash site. Debra's bad vibes grew.They jumped out and saw Jordan's people loading Randy onto a stretcher."How bad is it?" Debra ran up, desperate for details."Not too serious," Jordan replied. "
The maid froze. "Didn't Miss Mathis leave last night? I don't know where she is. But she's not here."A bad feeling hit Randy like a ton of bricks. He bolted out of the room and ran to the guest room next door. When he flung the door open, Erica wasn't there. The bed was pristine, with no sign of anyone sleeping in it.Erica was lazy as hell. There was no way she'd make the bed herself.Randy lost his head until what Theda had said suddenly echoed in his mind.If Enoch were the mastermind behind the Illuminati, he might have done something to Erica."Where's my dad?" Randy asked, his blood running cold.The maid had never seen him like this. He barked, "I'm asking you where my dad is."She stammered, "I called him last night like you asked. He came back for a bit and took off again."Now he confirmed that Enoch had taken Erica."Give me the phone.""Yes, sir."The maid handed it over.Randy dialed Enoch's number but could not get through.Sweat beaded on his forehead. The
Erica laughed, getting the implication.Randy coughed dryly. "Mom, what are you even saying? I'm not that kind of person."With that, he hustled Erica out of the room.As the door closed, she frowned. "What now? Your dad is suspicious.""Well, we'll deal with it when he gets back. Now take a rest.""Alright."He led her to a clean guest room."Yvette seemed fine just now. Didn't look like she's got any mental issues.""It comes and goes. She can be normal and confused at times.""Has she seen a doctor?""Yeah. They say it's from some big shock. If she takes it easy, she's pretty much fine. Her nerves are just shot. My dad kept her locked up here all these years. Probably doesn't want folks to know he's got a crazy wife."In his mind, Enoch always put profit and reputation first.If people found out he had a nutcase for a wife, he might ditch her. Even if he didn't, he'd freeze them out.One question was always hovering in Randy's mind. If Yvette wasn't tied to the Potter f
"Erica, let's head upstairs."Randy held Erica's hand as they walked up the stairs.The second floor was dead quiet, and the hallway lights were dim. At the far end was Yvette's bedroom.The door was wide open. Inside, Yvette sat at her vanity, brushing her hair.Nearing 50, she still looked good, though she'd let time take its toll. Her face was lined with wrinkles."Randy? You're back," she exclaimed, catching his reflection in the mirror.She turned around and saw him standing there, holding Erica's hand."Mom." Randy squeezed Erica's hand. "I brought Erica to see you."Yvette's eyes shifted to Erica, and she searched in her memories.After a while, she caught it. "Erica, I remember you. Randy always talked about you when he was a kid. I thought you two were just rivals or something."Yvette walked over to Erica and grabbed her hand. "Randy's a bit of a wild one, but he's great with girls. This is the first time he's brought a girl home. If you two are serious about each o
Everyone nodded at Marion's call. They split tasks fast.Randy drove Erica toward the Osborne Mansion, speeding through the dark.When they parked, he didn't budge from the driver's seat."Don't stress. I'm here with you," Erica said, squeezing his hand.She knew what ate at him. If Enoch was really the Illuminati's head, it would spark a war. His relationship with Enoch would be unmendable."I never saw this coming," Randy said, his face shadowed with a rare gloom.He had always known Enoch didn't care about him, Yvette, or their family.In fact, he had never known much about Enoch. Without Theda's hunch today, he'd never have linked Enoch to the Illuminati."If Enoch is tied to them, what will you do?" Erica asked, watching him closely.She knew that blood was thicker than water."I don't know." Randy shook his head.Being the heir to the Osborne family never mattered to him, but he could not deny his bloodline.If it came to picking sides, he didn't know if he'd back Mar