Debra almost rolled her eyes at that.Drake's smarts came and went. Sometimes he was sharp; other times, she wondered if he was just faking it.Marion had been right about one thing. Drake's reign over Orkgate owed a lot to luck."When you got hit, the Lowe Group went to Jordan," she explained. "But we know Jordan's one of us. After Jeffery died, he handed power back to you. Then you got nabbed by the Illuminati. Orkgate turned into a mess. Sure, the Trennery family looked like they were thriving, but the Sharp family, supposedly under your thumb, didn't take a single hit. Isn't that weird?""You've got a point," Drake muttered, leaning against the headboard. "But the Sharp family has always had clout in Orkgate.""The Illuminati's whole deal is sucking big companies dry to feed their members," Debra countered. "The Sharp family's a juicy target. Why would the Illuminati pass up such a fat duck?"She paused, letting the information sink in. "When Marion and I went to Orkgate to f
"What are you doing?" Debra shot to her feet. I'm telling you this so that you can get ready. I'm not sending you to Orkgate and take her head off.""Doesn't she deserve it?" Drake fumed, shoving Kale aside. "I can handle being played by you, but who the hell is she to mess with me?"Debra ignored the rant. "Chill out. This is no rushed work.""How am I supposed to chill?" he snapped. "Orkgate's my turf."He'd just visited Seamar City, and now his home base was slipping away. Anyone would lose it over that."You going back now won't help," Debra said. "The Lowe Group's a tangled mess. You're the boss, sure, but you can't take on the Illuminati behind it. What's confronting Lara gonna do? You'd stand there, powerless to even touch her. That'd just piss you off more.""Mrs. Houston has a point, sir," Kale chimed in. "Better to heal up first."Drake shot him a glare, and Kale shut up fast.Debra went on, "I faked some security footage and gave it to Fermin. Made him think the Illu
"Who are you so jumpy?" Debra stared at him, puzzled.Every time Andrew came up, Drake would clam up."I'm injured here," he sulked. "Stop bothering me. You can go if you're done"He turned to Kale. "Escort Mrs. Houston out. Do I have to spell it out?""Yes, boss," Kale said, stepping toward with a polite gesture."Rest up then," Debra said. "I won't have time to chat with you anyway."She glanced at Kale. "Keep an eye on him. Don't let him run around. The Illuminati wants his head. I'm not sure I can save him again.""Understood," Kale replied smoothly.Drake's frown deepened. "Who's your boss here, her or me?"Kale glanced between them, stammering, "You are, Boss.""Then get back here. Since when do you take orders from someone else?" Drake huffed.Debra smirked at his childish outburst. "I'm out."Jordan rushed home when he heard Debra was back."Something up? Why the hurry?" she asked."You're all relaxed, huh?" Jordan joked, dodging work talk. "While I've got a pile
"I don't want to drag them into this." Debra shook her head. "The Illuminati's got Drake in their sights. If he weren't at the Potter Mansion, they'd have nabbed him by now. Erica and Randy are too restless to stay cooped up here. Best to keep them out of it for now. I'll explain when things cool off."She noticed Jordan's face turn serious as he stared at the screen. "What's up? Found something?""Not exactly. This address looks like one my..." He caught himself. "Like an investigation I shelved.""What investigation?" she pressed."I was looking into the dark web," he said. "Black market trades. It started overseas, but it's crept into Seamar City. The prefix matches that of the black market."Debra glanced at it. "Don't tell me you didn't notice until now. It's screaming Illuminati.""Knowing that doesn't help," Jordan explained. "I don't know how big it is, who built it, or where their HQ is. Without that, it's all hot air. See why I dropped it?""Fair," Debra said, scrollin
While Jordan mulled it over, Debra dumped a pile of badges from her bag onto the table."Are these enough?" she asked. "I've got more."He was stunned, and she continued, "These are from overseas and Orkgate. Pick your poison.""Hold up," he said. "Overseas, sure, but Orkgate? Where'd you get those?""Don't have them yet," she admitted, pulling out a flash drive. "But if you want, I can. This has all the dirt the Lowe Group's collected on Orkgate's big shots. That place is a mixed bag, with tons of Illuminati members. With this, we can make them help us.""Drake gave you that?""Who else? This stash is gold. I used to think it was shady, but now? It's perfect for dealing with these creeps. Fight fire with fire.""Don't you think Drake's a little too nice to you?" He waved it off. "Anyway, this makes things easier. Overseas is locked down tight after your sweep, but Orkgate is looser. I'll head there.""You can't leave. Seamar City needs you. I'll go.""You sure about that? Wha
Debra snapped, "That's mistress behavior. You're her dad. Don't you care?""Mr. Houston hasn't accepted Lexie," Grover sneered. "No need to freak out. If he cares about you, nothing's gonna happen. If you're worried, you should go ask him instead.""Watch your mouth," Debra warned. "Piss me off, and I can't promise what happens to Lexie or your family."Grover didn't flinch. If Lexie could hook Marion, there was nothing Debra could do."We'll see about that. See yourself out," he said, brushing her off.Debra looked pissed as she led her team out. Her angry mask dropped at the gate.She turned to her guards and instructed, "Keep eyes on these people and track down those on my list.""Yes, ma'am," they replied, surrounding the estate.She decided to let Grove laugh for a while. Once she found the Illuminati's base, he'd have all the time crying.After all, the Trennery family was just a front to shield Lara. Debra didn't believe the Illuminati would waste resources on a dimwit
"What happened?" Debra pressed."Some people from the Illuminati murdered him," Ryan replied, full of hatred.Debra raised an eyebrow. "Why would they murder him?""Because he wouldn't work with them." He wiped his tears. "I know you. They're after you. Help me avenge my dad, and I'll do anything to repay you.""Deal," she said, her grin widening.He relaxed, but she whipped out her gun, aiming at him. "Too bad I don't buy a word of it."Before he could react, the guards rushed up and pinned him down.Debra stepped closer, tapping his cheek with the gun barrel. "What's up? Go on with your act. Those clowns are naïve enough to think I can be fooled by a kid like you.""I'm not with them. You've got it wrong." Ryan panicked."I picked Kurtis for a reason," she said. "I've got his whole file. He traded organs on the dark web and had dirty deals with the Lowe Group. You're telling me he wouldn't roll with the Illuminati?"She pressed the muzzle under his chin, forcing his head up
Ryan was pale and sweating, jumping at every sound."Ryan Atkinson?" Debra asked, stepping up.He nodded frantically, then backtracked. "Y-Yes... No, I'm not. Please don't kill me."Debra glanced at a guard. "No one else here?""Nope."She didn't waste time. "Take them both.""Yes, ma'am.""Don't kill me, please." Ryan trembled as they dragged him off.Back at the Lowe Mansion, the guards shoved both guys to the floor.Debra grabbed a fruit knife from the table and slashed Troy's face. His scream pierced the room. She frowned, and a guard stuffed a rag in his mouth.She tossed the knife aside and turned to Ryan. "You go first. Give me a quick intro.""W-What intro?" Ryan stammered, dumbfounded."Just do it!" a guard barked."I-I'm Ryan Atkinsonn," he blurted. "I graduated from Orkgate Community College, got a Level 1 computer cert, and...""Stop," Debra cut in, frowning. "Who asked for that?"He blinked, lost."Is Kurtis your dad?""Y-Yes...""Is he dead?""I-I don't
"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