Henry, who had been worried about Eve, shouted, "Everyone, stop!"His usual composure was thrown to the wind, replaced by a father's desperate cry.The trainees, who had been relentlessly frog-jumping across the field, crumpled to the ground. Exhaustion clung to them like a second skin."Let's see how you're going to make me lose money," Edgar said.Debra smiled enigmatically, her eyes giving nothing away.Edgar walked away, and Henry scurried after him.By nightfall, the intense training had taken its toll. Everyone was too worn out to even lift their forks."My legs feel like they're made of lead.""It's all Debra's fault. If she had just danced earlier, we wouldn't be in this mess."The complaints echoed through the dining hall, but Debra was nowhere to be found.Tomas, puzzled, voiced his thoughts. "What's Edgar playing at? Is he just messing with us, or does he have a screw loose?"Oscar put down his fork and knife and cleared his plate. Tomas shouted after him, "Hey! I
"Okay, let's switch gears," Debra said, pulling out her phone.She flashed Oscar a screen displaying his electronic signature alongside Potter Entertainment's stamp. "Is this your contract?"Oscar squinted at the screen, recognizing his own signature. "Yeah, that's it."His mother had pushed him into this industry, and he'd signed the contract with Potter Entertainment without understanding the complexities of the business.He handed the phone back and asked, "Where did you get this?""Do you want out?""Out? Where?""Edgar has invested in this program, and your chance of debuting is sealed."Debra laid out the worst-case scenario. "If you stay, you're looking at endless obscurity, debt, and penalties your family can't afford. Another agency might pick you up, but success? That's a gamble.""What are you suggesting?""I bet Edgar's investment tanks within three months.""What?"Oscar was surprised and skeptical.After all, entertainment companies, especially giants like th
Eve's face drained of color as she stared at her seat. "That's my seat. Freya, what did you put in my food?"As trainees, they were always extra cautious about what they consumed, and the implications of Eve's question hung heavy in the air.Freya hadn't expected Debra to have evidence of her drugging Eve. Her face turned grim. "Debra..."Debra sneered, "The show is coming up the day after tomorrow. You're scared Eve will steal your spotlight, so you drugged her to make her gain weight, didn't you?"Eve's eyes widened in realization. "No wonder I've been hungrier lately and gaining weight without eating much. It was because you put hormones in my food. Freya, you're a snake."Freya had no way to defend herself. Debra pressed on, "A leader who drugs her teammates should be kicked out."Exasperated, Freya lunged at Debra, but Debra easily sidestepped her.Just then, Hannah arrived, her voice booming as she took in the commotion. "What are you doing?"Eve, seething with anger, gra
Hannah's gaze swept over the crowd. "Debra went to find Oscar because I told her to. Who said anything about them dating?""What?" Freya staggered back, shock written all over her face. "But just now, it looked like they were... "Her voice trailed off as she replayed the scene in her mind. Debra and Oscar hadn't shown any signs of affection. It was just Oscar's protective stance that had set her off.Debra's voice was sharp enough to cut glass. "You're just jealous. You're the one who wants to keep Oscar all to yourself.""That's a lie!" Freya tried to argue.Debra snorted, "You don't even dare admit that you like someone. It shows that your feelings are trivial. No wonder Oscar doesn't even look at you.""You...""You messed up, and out of jealousy, you slandered me and Oscar. But have you ever thought that if this slander becomes true, you're not just driving me away, you're also ruining Oscar's future? You're so selfish. Why should he like you?"Freya crumpled, her shoulder
Freya leveled a warning glare at Debra. "I suggest you stay away from Oscar. His mother is not someone you want to mess with."With that, she pushed her suitcase and stormed off.Debra's mind whirred like a well-oiled machine. If Oscar was an illegitimate child, then his mother must have been the mistress of the Odom family patriarch.A plan began to form in her mind.Across town at the Nichols family's residence, Hester was dutifully massaging Melody's shoulders. "Juan hasn't been home lately. Shouldn't we call him?""He's becoming more and more disobedient," Melody huffed, guiding Hester's hands away. "His heart is with Debra. You need to step up your game, Hester. Then he'll have to marry you."Hester bit her lip, her eyes downcast. "But it's not that simple. Juan..."She was still in college, young and attractive, with a pleasant personality, but Juan had always been indifferent to her, treating her like a stranger.Melody said meaningfully, "Men are all the same. Find the
Melody's face clouded over. She shoved Shelia aside, her voice shaking with anger. "You shameless woman, how dare you show your face here again?"Shelia stumbled, falling to the ground. She'd chosen her outfit carefully. The long, form-fitting dress accentuated her swollen belly.Melody's gaze softened at the sight of the bump, but her voice remained stern. "I took you in and gave you a haven to have your baby. And this is how you repay me? You carry Juan's child and turn to another man? You're a disgrace."Shelia bowed her head, tears streaming down her face. "I was forced into it. I love Juan, you know that. The Odoms took me away, saying they knew where my father was. I had no choice."She sobbed, her shoulders shaking. Melody frowned, her expression wavering. "Is this true?"Shelia nodded pitifully. "I made a mistake, but it's because I never had a father. I just wanted to find him."Melody had seen the news, knowing Shelia's father was the head of the Blair family. Declan wa
"Is something wrong?" Debra asked.Sophie wouldn't come to find her for nothing.Sophie glanced around, and Debra said, "Come with me."Debra led Sophie to an empty meeting room, handing her a cup of tea. "Now you can speak."Sophie took a deep breath before speaking. "It's Miss Miles. She came back."Debra was surprised. 'Shelia is supposed to be with Edgar. Why did she suddenly return to the Nichols family?'She said nonchalantly, "Sophie, I'm no longer Mrs. Nichols. You know I'm in the middle of a divorce with Juan. It's only a matter of time."Sophie persisted, "Shelia isn't a good woman. Mr. Nichols was only under her spell before. He was drugged and..."She knew this was an unsavory topic but felt compelled to speak up. "I've seen how you care for Mr. Nichols since the day you entered the house. Now Mr. Nichols only wants you, and I don't want to see Shelia ruining everything, so...""I understand. You want me to reconcile with Juan." Debra shook her head gently. "But fr
"What did you say? Shelia isn't a Blair?"In the opulent bedroom, Sophie dropped the bombshell.Melody's eyebrows shot up. "Where did you hear this?"Sophie leaned in, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. "Rumors are flying, but we can't take any chances. Not with Miss Miles carrying Mr. Nichols' child. We can't have some woman of dubious background waltzing into the Nichols' family."Melody nodded thoughtfully. The identity was crucial. If Juan married a supposed Blair, only to find out later she wasn't, it would be another blow to the Nichols family."Send an invitation to the Blair family in my name. Ask Declan for dinner at the Royal Grand Hotel tomorrow night.""Will do."Sophie scurried off and secretly texted Debra.Debra read the message with a smirk. She'd already dug into Shelia's past, so Melody's invitation didn't surprise her.But she needed to beat Melody to the punch. Shelia was using her supposed blood ties with the Blair family and the baby to worm her way into
"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,"