Michael was on track to become a movie star in a few years. Compared to being his boss now, it made more sense for her to partner with him for long-term benefit.Debra glanced around nervously. A male artist dragging away a junior staff member during lunch break would surely make tomorrow's headlines if caught by surveillance cameras.Michael perceived her concern and reassured her, "Don't worry, I've checked. There are no cameras around."Debra asked, "Aren't you supposed to be shooting posters?""It's already done. But I'll be busy shooting commercials.""Okay, go ahead. I've got things to do too," she said, turning to leave.Michael stopped her, handing over a packed lunch. "My grandma made this.""For me?""She made this for you."The last time she was at their house, Michael's grandmother treated her with great hospitality.Debra accepted the lunch, touched by the kind gesture from the elder."Pass on my thanks to her," Debra said, patting him on the shoulder. "Keep up
Sensing Juan's serious tone, Shelia clenched her fists, her emotions in turmoil."It's cold outside. Can you take me back?""To the apartment building. I won't come up," Juan replied.Shelia forced a smile. "Alright, I won't force you."Juan let her get into the car. At least for now, she could still stay in that apartment. It meant she still had a chance.As night fell, true to his word, Juan didn't accompany her upstairs. Shelia rode the elevator alone, her heart heavy with despair. Once back in her room, she went to the window, watching as Juan prepared to leave. Her gaze fell on the fruit knife on the table, and a desperate plan began to form in her mind.Determined, she dialed his number, her heart pounding in her chest. She waited for a while before he finally answered.Picking up the knife, she spoke into the phone, her voice filled with desperation. "Juan, I really like you. I've adored you for a long time, and I've held on all this time because of you. If you don't care
Juan couldn't understand why Debra never looked at him anymore.Her eyes, which used to be filled with adoration, now seemed to look right through him.The thought drove him crazy, consuming his mind and leaving him restless.Working overtime in her office, Debra suddenly sneezed."What's wrong?" Marion asked with concern.Only the two of them were in the office. Randy and Erica had left to have fun. During the day, Debra had to intern at Tyson Enterprises. She could only check on the McKinney Group's projects at night."Maybe I caught a cold," she replied, taking a sip of hot tea.Lately, she had gotten too much on her plate and had no time to relax."If you're not feeling well, don't go to the family banquet tomorrow," advised Marion.Ever since the big fuss caused by Stanley earlier, Debra had been using the excuse of her injuries from the car accident for the past three months to decline to attend the monthly banquets. But this time, she had to go.She shook her head. "I
"You brat, shut your mouth!" Ralph snapped, glaring at him.Stanley wisely stayed silent, knowing better than to provoke his father further.Debra had hoped that Stanley might have matured during his time in prison, but it seemed he was still the same immature and resentful person he had always been.Ralph turned his attention back to Debra. "I've decided to hand over the other companies to you. It's a good opportunity for you to gain some experience."Rosalie, returning from the kitchen with dishes, overheard the conversation. Her expression shifted slightly, a hint of displeasure crossing her face."Honey, what are you talking about? How can the family's companies be handed over to an out..."Before she could finish, she realized her mistake.Compared to Debra, they were the real outsiders. Originally, those companies were founded by Debra's father.Debra raised an eyebrow. "Rosalie, after all this time, I didn't expect you to be the same as before.""I..." Rosalie faltered,
Rosalie noticed Debra's displeasure and reprimanded the maid, "How could you be so careless? Hurry up and prepare clothes for change.""I'm sorry, Miss. I'll get clean clothes for you right away," the maid apologized profusely, keeping her head down.Rosalie explained to Debra, "She's new here and clumsy. I hope you don't mind."Then she turned back to the maid and ordered, "Take the lady upstairs to change her clothes.""Yes, madam," the maid replied nervously, guiding Debra upstairs.Debra glanced back at Rosalie, feeling a sense of unease. But considering it was the family banquet, she didn't think Rosalie would play any tricks.The maid led Debra into a guest room on the second floor and handed her the prepared clothes."Please change here, Miss. I'll wait outside."Debra nodded and waited until the maid left before carefully inspecting the clothes. Everything seemed normal.'Was it just an accident?' she wondered.Regardless, the clothes were fine, so she decided to chan
Outside the door, the maid inserted the spare key into the lock, blocking any movement from inside."Help!" Debra cried out, pounding on the door.Downstairs, blaring music drowned out any noise from upstairs. Rosalie, in a red dress, and Ralph were engrossed in an impromptu tango."Don't bother. Today, you're mine." Erick advanced.Debra shoved him away, smashed a water glass, picked up a shard, and held it to her neck. "Don't come any closer, or I'll kill myself. Then all your scheming with Rosalie will be in vain."Erick hesitated, realizing that he couldn't let Debra die there. "Damn, you think you can threaten me?"He lunged forward to snatch the glass, but Debra didn't give him a chance. Blood trickled from her neck, and Erick was startled, not daring to move further.Marion had been waiting outside the villa for a while. As their agreed-upon time approached, he called Debra but got no answer.Glancing at the mansion, he spotted a woman leaning against a second-floor balc
Marion rushed over to help her, having no time to deal with Erick. Debra was stained with blood, her face unusually red.He shouted at the maid, "Go fetch the first aid kit!"The maid hurriedly went off. When she came back with the kit, Marion snapped at Erick, "Get out!"Erick fled in a hurry. The maid followed him out, closing the door.Marion quickly tended to Debra's wounds. She was struggling to hold herself together."I feel terrible." She felt like she couldn't breathe. Her body was burning up, and her consciousness was fading."Hang on!" he said, holding her close to him.She found relief in his arms. A coolness spread through her skin. Marion placed her in the bathtub, cold water cascading down from the shower. Her thin dress was soaked.Marion kept his eyes low, focusing on wiping her body with a wet towel. Debra's hands were unusually hot. She grabbed Marion's wrist, her gaze unfocused."Marion, I feel awful," she said, tears welling up in her eyes. She had never fe
Marion's throat rolled. He reached out and supported Debra's neck. Just as he was about to fiercely kiss her, Marion regained his senses. Suppressing the desire in his eyes, he said in a hoarse voice, "If you still think this way when you're sober, I won't let you off, but... not now."Debra's eyes remained confused. Marion's hand struck Debra's neck, and she fainted in his arms the next second.Marion wrapped Debra's body tightly in a towel, then carried her up in his arms.Ralph and Rosalie were outside at that moment. Ralph didn't understand what had happened, but Rosalie looked tense.Marion emerged from the room carrying Debra. His cold gaze swept over Rosalie.Rosalie, afraid and guilty, averted her eyes."I'll settle this score with you when I come back!"Leaving those words behind, Marion hurriedly left with Debra.Ralph, puzzled by what had happened, looked suspiciously at Rosalie beside him and asked, "What's going on here?""It's Marion's fault! It has nothing to do
"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
"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,"