Debra jolted awake, her heart pounding in her chest. Darkness pressed in from all sides, an oppressive silence enveloping the room.Drake's mocking voice echoed in her mind. "Imagine Marion's reaction when he finds out I've taken you."Reality sank in like a stone. She flung the covers off, attempting to rise, when a wave of dizziness hit her hard.Drake had injected her with something on the plane. Whatever it was, it had drained her of every ounce of strength.Suddenly, the lights flickered on, flooding the room with a harsh brightness. Debra blinked rapidly, her vision slowly adjusting as she took in her surroundings.The room was massive and suffocating in its opulence, decked out in elaborate Baroque style. Complex carvings adorned the walls, and oversized portraits loomed down from above, making the air oppressive.A voice broke her trance. "Ms. Frazier, our boss has asked me to help you change clothes."Startled, Debra turned sharply toward the doorway. Her eyes widened i
A heavy sense of foreboding washed over Debra as she reluctantly sat across from Drake.His smugness oozed from every pore. His dark blue suit was perfectly tailored, a family crest glinting on his chest like a badge of power.He leaned back casually, his eyes flickering with amusement as he watched her."Should I call you Ms. Frazier or Mrs. Houston?"Debra remained silent, and he raised an eyebrow. "You know, Marion had me fooled. For a moment there, I thought he was going to shoot you. If I'd known you two were involved, things might have been different that night.""Did you kidnap me just to talk nonsense?" Debra spat.Drake was bold enough to kidnap her from the engagement party.There were so many high-profile guests, not to mention the security detail Marion had arranged. Yet, Drake had managed to slip past them all and whisk her away. It was terrifying how easily he had pulled it off.Drake's smile widened as he gestured toward Lara, who obediently removed the cover fro
Debra stared defiantly at Drake, whose eyes were filled with amusement.She scoffed, "A powerful CEO like you, resorting to something as crude as kidnapping? When word of this leaks out, your carefully polished reputation in Orkgate will crumble."In Orkgate, Drake was feared by all. But behind the impenetrable façade, Debra knew the truth. Drake was nothing more than a twisted man reveling in control and cruelty.Drake's smile widened. "Marion has done worse things than I ever have. Didn't he tell you? I guess he doesn't trust you enough to be honest. Or maybe he's afraid to show you his true colors."He plucked a rose from the table and added, "I wonder if you knew all of Marion's dirty secrets, would you still be so eager to become Mrs. Houston?"They had risen from the same ruthless underworld. Marion was just luckier than him.Kale touched his earpiece, his face tightening. "Boss, Marion's men are here."Debra instinctively shifted, her muscles tensing to rise. But Drake's
But if Marion wasn't coming, Debra didn't know what would happen to her.The thought sent a shiver through her bones. She pounded her fist against the door, frustration fueling her."Open up. I need to speak to Drake.""Save your breath, Ms. Frazier. No one opens that door without his orders.""So, if I die here, that's fine with you?""Even if you die, I can't open the door without his orders."Realizing the futility, she stepped away from the door, her mind racing. Waiting for Drake to release her wasn't an option. She needed a plan.Her gaze swept over the room, pausing on the stacked bottles of wine. An idea began to take shape.Hours crawled by, the silence inside the cellar thickening like a shroud. Outside, Lara shifted nervously. It had been almost ten hours, and not a sound had come from within.Upstairs in the study, Drake was playing chess alone.Kale entered, carrying a tray of dinner. "Marion's men seem to have vanished. We're still looking for their hideouts. So
"Get in!" Kale shoved Debra into Drake's bedroom.The sharp scent of wine clung to her like a second skin. Her hair and clothes were stained, droplets dripping onto the floor.Drake stepped out of the bathroom. His white bathrobe hung loosely, and beads of water rolled off his damp hair.Debra's gaze flickered across his body, noting the scars etched into his skin. They mirrored what she had seen on Marion.Catching her stare, Drake smirked, "Enjoying the view? Want me to take it all off?"Debra snapped her eyes away. "No need. There's nothing worth seeing."Drake snorted, glancing at her bedraggled appearance. "You sure know how to make an entrance, don't you? Wrecked millions of dollars' worth of wine. Is this your way of trying to get me mad enough to kill you?""I value my life. Dying's not on my agenda.""Then what were you thinking, destroying my wine cellar?"His voice grew darker, his irritation palpable beneath the surface."So, tell me. How are you going to compensa
Drake nodded. "You've got a point."Debra continued to say, "So, I want to take down the man who played with my heart. It's only fair, right?""Fair," Drake echoed. "If someone played with my feelings like that, I wouldn't just kill them. I'd make sure they bled first."Debra pressed on. "I'm not here to sacrifice myself for some guy. I've lost everything—my family, my position in the McKinney Group. I can't even go back to Seamar City. I'm asking for a chance to work for you here in Orkgate. I'll make enough money to exact my revenge."Drake chuckled, "So, you want to deal cards at my casino?""That's right." Debra didn't hesitate.Kale frowned, but Drake was interested."Alright, I'll give you a chance.""Really?""Yeah.""Does that mean you won't lock me up anymore?""Of course," Drake said, turning to Kale. "Get her some clean clothes.""Yes, sir." Kale cast a sidelong glance at Debra and left the room.Drake tossed a towel toward her. "Go take a shower."Debra caught
Debra had no choice; there was nothing else in the room to wear. With a reluctant sigh, she slipped into the dress. As she opened the bathroom door, Drake's gaze flickered over.The black dress clung to her body, accentuating her every curve. The intricate lacework caressed her skin, making her hourglass waist impossible to overlook.Drake's eyes roamed over her, and he swallowed.Sensing the intensity of his stare, Debra sulked, "What kind of clothes did you prepare for me?"Drake looked away and replied coolly, "Your work uniform.""Work uniform?" Debra glanced down at the dress. "You expect me to work like this?""Got a problem with that?""Isn't it a bit too revealing?"Though Debra didn't mind wearing mature clothing, this dress was far too provocative.Drake stepped closer, his tone cold and firm. "Your only value to me is your pretty face and that perfect body. You're here to attract clients, nothing more. Tonight is just a trial run. If you think you can't handle it, j
"Why not?""You can't tell? Kale has it out for me. I'm afraid he'll get rid of me when you're not looking.""Kale isn't that kind of man. He follows my orders to the letter.""I don't care. I want you to take me.""You want me to escort you? That's quite the request.""Come on, just take me. With you around, I would have nothing to worry about."Her words were thinly veiled jabs at Kale, who listened quietly outside the room.Drake found her antics mildly entertaining. Against his better judgment, he nodded."Alright, I can do that."Debra's eyes lit up, but he added, "But that's a waste of my time. Who is going to clean up the mess in the cellar?""Seriously? You've got a house full of servants.""They all come with a price."His implication was clear, and Debra had to give in."I'll do it.""You've got until morning. If you finish, I'll take you there. If not...""I'll finish it. I'm doing it right away."But Drake stopped her once again."Now what?""Change into t
"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,"