In the stillness of the night, Juan returned home and booted open the gate.The commotion roused Melody from her sleep. With Hester's assistance, she made her way to the living room, where she saw a gloomy Juan.She wrinkled her brows and asked, "Is anything wrong?""You come over!" Juan stepped forward and grabbed Hester roughly.His furious look caused her to gasp in fear. "Juan, what are you doing?""Don't call me that!" Juan snapped. "How could you be so malicious? Did you replace that $10 billion?"Hester desperately shook her head. "It has nothing to do with me. Please, you must believe me.""Believe you?" Juan narrowed his eyes. "Debra fell into the sea, and she's still missing. If she's dead, I'll make your family pay."Hester's face turned ashen, and Melody stepped in. "Enough!"Taking a deep breath, she continued, "This has nothing to do with Hester. She didn't have the authority to change the money. It was my decision."Juan staggered back, as if struck by an unsee
"Mrs. Nichols Sr., just now, Juan mentioned Debra falling into the sea. Is she..." Hester muttered.Melody's expression hardened. "Good that she's dead. If she's dead, he'll finally give up."She didn't believe Juan would die for any woman. He couldn't die, and she wouldn't allow it.The rescue team had been scouring the vast ocean for three days and nights, their search area expanding with each passing hour. Yet, there was no sign of Debra.News of Debra's fall reached the Frazier family. Ralph paced anxiously, but Rosalie was elated.If Debra was dead, the agreement they had made would be null and void.The family fortune would go to her and her son.She watched Ralph's frenzy with a cold glint in her eyes. 'Ralph, you were so heartless to us, so don't blame me for being ruthless.'On the third day, Juan was a picture of despair. No one could survive three days in the sea.When Joe entered the office, he asked, "Have they found Debra?"Joe shook his head slowly. "Not yet."
Clarissa's acting was far from convincing. Her eyes were darting nervously.Juan frowned. "Is this her?" he asked, turning to Joe.Joe nodded. "Yes, she colluded with the kidnappers."Juan's gaze shifted back to Clarissa, who trembled in fear."Don't you know who I am?""No, your people brought me here. This is illegal! I'm calling the police. I'm going to report this.""Okay, give her a phone. Let her call the police."Juan's words immediately silenced Clarissa, her earlier bravado vanishing like smoke in the wind."You can tell them how you colluded with the kidnappers to abduct Debra."Clarissa crumpled to the ground, unable to utter a word.A nearby guard spoke up. "Sir, we caught her trying to buy a train ticket to Booton. Her hometown must be there.""No." Clarissa denied it weakly. "My hometown isn't Booton. I was just traveling, not running away."Juan asked sternly, "Why kidnap Debra? Who are you?"He had no recollection of ever seeing Clarissa before, and with hi
"No, I'll talk," Clarissa stammered anxiously.She didn't want to die. Trembling all over, she continued, "You must promise me that if I tell you everything, you'll let me go.""I can't make that promise. But if you tell me, I'll be more lenient with you," Juan said.Clarissa's face paled, the reality of her situation sinking in like a stone. No matter what she said today, they wouldn't let her off easily.Juan looked down at the crumpled figure before him, his voice as cold as the Arctic. "Go to the police or into the black box. The choice is yours."Clarissa looked up to see his cold eyes and eventually gave in. "All of this... Everything was..."Just then, the sharp ring of the office phone sliced through the tense air.Joe answered the call. "I see."After a brief exchange, he hung up and turned to Juan. "Sir, Miss Miles is here."Juan's voice turned as cold as ice. "What is she doing here? Don't let her in."Clarissa's expression stiffened at the mention of Shelia. Jua
Shelia struggled to free herself from Joe's grip."Let go of me!" she said sternly. "None of you can touch me. I'm pregnant with Mr. Nichols' child."Her voice was steady and clear, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. Some employees poked their heads in to watch.Juan's face darkened. The onlookers exchanged glances, realizing that Shelia's claim might hold some truth.Shelia took a step closer to Juan, her hand gently touching her still-flat belly. "Juan, this is your child, your first child. Are you really going to treat him like this?"Juan's hands clenched into fists at his sides. Clarissa, who had been cowering on the floor, immediately straightened her back.She knew that in prominent families like the Nichols, offspring were of utmost importance.If Shelia was indeed pregnant with Juan's child, her position in the family would be secured. Clarissa felt a surge of excitement replace her fear. She was about to become Juan's mother-in-law and the grandmother of the futu
Juan never let Debra know about the picture.When he pressed the shutter, he remembered being surprised by the warmth in her eyes. At that time, he didn't even like her, always maintaining a cold demeanor towards her.He rubbed his forehead, leaning back in his office chair with a sigh. 'Debra, you're not dead, right? Why won't you come back?'The sky outside was dark, and the TV in a certain room was airing a report about Debra's kidnapping. The subject of the news, however, was not missing but sitting comfortably on the sofa, quietly watching the reports.Marion placed a steaming cup of medicine on the coffee table. "You haven't fully recovered from your cold. Why did you get off the bed?"Debra looked up at him, her hands wrapping around the warm cup. "It's been three days. I guess I shouldn't have chosen the sea escape method. It would have been better to make a video to fool Juan."She and the kidnappers had concocted a plan. She would fake her death, and they would receive
Debra brushed off Marion's joke, but the next morning, Seamar City was abuzz with an astonishing rumor.Caleb had relinquished control of the entire Houston family assets to Marion, propelling him to the head of the family overnight.When Debra saw the news, she was taken aback. Caleb was a cunning and calculating man; he wouldn't surrender his power without a reason.Marion must have done something to compel Caleb to hand over the reins of the Houston family.The Houston family, despite their lower profile in recent years, still wielded significant influence in Seamar City. According to the timeline from her previous life, Marion shouldn't have been recognized as the successor for another three years.Yet, here they were, with Marion acknowledged as the heir and in control of all family assets ahead of schedule. Debra was naturally astonished.This sudden shift in power dynamics meant that the inevitable conflict between Marion and Juan was now imminent. With the recent blows fr
Shelia breathed a sigh of relief as Melody expressed her support.Hester, however, felt a growing unease gnawing at her. If Shelia gave birth to a boy in ten months and the child was confirmed to be Juan's, her own chances of winning Juan's affections would be reduced to nil.Melody turned to her and said, "Hester, prepare a room for Shelia to move into.""Yes, madam," Hester replied reluctantly.Shelia cast a smug glance at Hester. As a woman, she could see right through Hester's feelings for Juan. She wasn't about to let Hester have any opportunities to act on those feelings."Mrs. Nichols Sr.," Shelia began, "could you have someone more experienced take care of me? What if something goes wrong with the baby if a young girl like Hester looks after me?"Her request was clear, even to the most oblivious of listeners.Hester's face fell instantly, and she glanced anxiously at Melody. She couldn't bear the thought of leaving the Nichols family or Juan's side. If that happened, she
"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,"