"Grandma!" Juan interrupted unhappily.Melody, sensing his frustration, softened her tone but continued to press her point."I'm giving you a chance, Debra. If I expose this, you'll be discredited. No one will want to marry a woman with a reputation like yours.""That's enough."Juan's patience wore thin. He reached for the stack of photos, tearing them in half before tossing the pieces into the trash.Melody was stunned. "Juan...""Grandma, I believe in Debra. No matter what, she is my wife," Juan said, taking Debra's hand.But Melody was relentless. "You can't keep a woman like her. She'll ruin our family name. How can you be so foolish?""Sophie, take my grandma back to her room," Juan ordered."Yes, sir," Sophie replied.Juan looked down at the hand he held and released it. "Come with me."Given the way he had defended her, Debra followed him without protest. Behind them, Melody's voice carried through the halls. "She is a vixen!"She now deeply regretted her initial
"What if Marion doesn't want you by then?" Juan asked."He's not you. He would never leave me," Debra replied coldly.Juan laughed, a laugh that held a hint of self-mockery. "Leave you? Debra, listen carefully. I will never leave you. If you ask, I'll do anything for you. If you want it, even if it means handing over this entire city, I wouldn't bat an eye. But what has Marion done for you?""He won't lie to me or disrespect me. He'll give me everything he has—his life, his heart. He won't care about status or position. He'll always stand by my side, never abandon me, and certainly won't try to kill me for another woman."Debra poured out her heart, making it clear that Marion and Juan were incomparable in her mind."Kill you? How could I ever want to kill you?"Juan grabbed her arm, trying to convey his sincerity. She shook him off without hesitation."Juan, you're crossing the line."Juan couldn't understand her coldness toward him. He had been racking his brain, but he still
After a sleepless night, the sky was still dark when Joe arrived to take Debra and Juan to the airport.The reality show they were filming was set on an island, which had been rented out by the production team. It wasn't just one pair of guests participating. Each divorced couple was assigned to their own private apartment.Debra and Juan were given a secluded villa on the island. Whether it was because of Juan's status or not, the production team had gone all out. While it wasn't as grand as the Nichols family's house, it still had two stories and covered a solid hundred square meters.The other guests were housed in different sections, ensuring they wouldn't bump into Debra or Juan anytime soon.The show's requirements were simple. Debra and Juan needed to live together in this cozy villa for at least a month. The filming could stretch anywhere from one to two months, and the producers would record everything for the show's content.They had a script of sorts, dictating that the
Debra watched as Juan took over, opening the packages and boiling water.It was obvious he wasn't used to doing this. As the water started to boil over, Juan stood frozen, unsure of how to react.Debra calmly stepped in and turned off the stove. "Why don't you go wait outside?"Seeing that she wasn't making a suggestion but more of a command, Juan nodded and left the kitchen.Five minutes later, Debra walked into the living room with two plates of pasta. They sat down together, eating in silence. The tension between them hadn't eased; in fact, it had thickened."I..."Juan tried to speak, but Debra cut him off."Don't talk while you're eating."Juan swallowed his words, focusing on his food. Debra, on the other hand, finished her pasta quickly, stood up, and headed to the kitchen to wash the dishes.Andrew had sent her to the show, but he hadn't required her to cooperate.In the control room, the director rubbed his temples in frustration. "Why is there zero interaction betwe
Debra took a couple of steps back and asked casually, "How about we just chat for a bit?""Chat..." Juan started to respond but hesitated.He wasn't exactly the best at small talk. Still, with Debra in front of him, the only thing running through his mind was the question he always wanted to ask. "What is going on between you and Marion now?"Instead, he said, "How have you been lately?""Good," Debra answered without much thought. "And you?""Not so good."Her eyebrows shot up in surprise at his blunt answer. Pausing, she glanced up at the camera and said, "Cut that part out. I'll ask again."Playing it cool, she repeated the question, "So, how have you been lately?"Watching her busy herself with cooking, Juan realized she was just trying to get some material for the show. He let out a soft laugh and replied, "Great.""Good to hear," Debra said, turning her attention back to the stew.The day had slipped by, and the sky would darken in a few hours. According to the producti
Debra yelped as the hot pot burned her hand. The sharp pain made her gasp, and she quickly grabbed her earlobes to cool down."What happened?"Juan rushed into the kitchen, immediately noticing her hand. Without hesitation, he took hold of it and pulled her over to the sink to run it under cold water.She glanced at Juan and then down at his hand.Realizing how forward he'd been, Juan awkwardly let go."Uh, you can take care of it."Debra continued rinsing her hand, unfazed by his sudden withdrawal.Juan, still flustered, said, "I'll get you some ointment."He hurried out of the kitchen, heading to the living room in search of a first aid kit.From the kitchen, Debra called out, "If you can't find it, don't worry about it."As expected, there wasn't any burn cream in the kit. Juan frowned, but Debra wasn't bothered.She walked back into the kitchen, grabbed a tube of toothpaste, and began applying it to the burn. Juan reentered the room just in time to see it."What are you
The sky had darkened, and Juan suggested that Debra go upstairs to rest.After an hour of rest, she came back down, only to find several dishes on the table that hadn't been there before."What's all this?" she asked, puzzled."Try it and see if it's good," he said.In an apron, Juan looked every bit the domestic chef.Debra sat down and looked at the dishes. "Fish, beef, and turkey? You made these?"Juan coughed awkwardly, his gaze flicking toward the nearby trash can. Following his gaze, Debra saw the trash can filled with burnt food."You made all of this?" Debra asked, her smile fading."I'm not quite good at cooking," Juan admitted, looking embarrassed."Well then, just stay away and don't waste food.""Got it."Looking at the table full of food, Debra suddenly lost her appetite. After a busy afternoon, the only thing she had made was the beef stew. The rest were takeouts, and they had been sitting out for a while, turning cold.They barely touched the dinner before st
Juan was surprised that Debra knew his favorite movie.Debra remained completely unaware of his sudden change in demeanor. She casually selected the movie and pressed play. When she turned to glance at him, their eyes met, and his suspicion was plain as day.It suddenly dawned on her. That was something Juan had mentioned before her rebirth.She remembered clearly. Before her rebirth, on their first wedding anniversary, Melody had been pushing them to get closer. She had demanded they go on a date to the movies.Debra had been thrilled. She asked what movie he wanted to watch, and he had casually mentioned 'Absurd World'. It had just come out back then. That night, after the movie, he had smiled at her for the first time while leaving the theater, saying it was a good film.But after her rebirth, Juan had never mentioned his favorite movie.Seeing the skepticism in his eyes, Debra quickly explained, "I remember Joe mentioning once that you liked this movie, so I figured I'd give
"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,"