Ava quickly slipped into the shadows.Inside the lounge, Debra lay sprawled across the table, feigning sleep. She heard the door lock, her pulse quickening.A hand slid across her cheek, its touch making her skin crawl.Carlos muttered, "Little beauty, you're mine."The lounge was simple, but he could make do.Just then, Debra's eyes snapped open, startling him. But instead of feeling fear, he chuckled, "Awake, huh? Even better."With a wicked grin, he lunged for her, but she swiftly dodged."Oh, playing hard to get? I love that," Carlos growled, his excitement growing.He lunged again, his eagerness disgusting her. Debra braced herself to teach him a lesson, but before she could act, a faint voice drifted from outside the door."Mr. Lowe, she's inside."Debra was distracted for a split second, enough time for Carlos to rip her outer garment. She let out a piercing scream, "Help!""Stop shouting," he sneered. "No one's coming to save you."His confidence oozed from the fact
Drake's gaze flicked to Debra. The blouse she'd worn earlier that morning was now in shreds."Harland," Drake said without turning, "bring her a dress.""Right away, sir." Harland scurried out of the room.Debra instinctively stepped back as Drake moved toward her."What do you want?""Your clothes are ruined.""I'll replace them.""The top costs six thousand dollars. Cash or card?"She gaped, realizing she had no money or phone.She muttered, "I'll pay you back later."Drake snorted, clearly unimpressed.Breaking the tension, Debra said, "There's a hidden passage beneath that boutique you took me to. Care to explain what that's all about?"Drake remained silent, his expression inscrutable.Debra pressed further. "I fell through that trap door and was knocked out. When I woke up, I was here. You owe me an explanation.""I owe you nothing," Drake snorted. "Keep your nose out of things that don't concern you. Or...""Or what?" she challenged.His lips curled into a cold s
As Debra's hands stilled on the keys, Drake commanded calmly, "Continue."Debra hesitated but resumed playing, though her attention was divided. Behind her, Harland continued to beat Ava, who pleaded for mercy between sobs."Have mercy, please," she cried out."Who told you to do this?" Harland repeated.Ava finally gave in. "I'll talk. It was because I needed money. But I did it all for Mr. Lowe. Please, have mercy."Drake raised his hand, signaling Harland to stop. "Hold on. You did this for me?"Ava nodded frantically. "Yes! I did it because she is a traitor."She pointed at Debra, who paused in shock.Drake's interest was piqued. "I'm listening."Ava continued, "I saw her with a man. They were plotting to run away.""Is that so?" Drake turned to Debra. "Did you do that?""No," Debra denied immediately as she continued playing. "I don't know why she slanders me like this. Without evidence, she's talking nonsense.""Of course, I have evidence. I saw it with my own eyes. Y
Debra's heart skipped a beat. She narrowed her eyes. "Oppose Mr. Lowe? Is this a joke? In this city, who would dare stand against him?"Ava's face tightened. That night, she had only overheard fragments of the conversation, but she was sure they were plotting to deal with Drake.She looked up at Drake and said urgently, "She is biding her time, waiting for her lover to rescue her. I was just trying to protect you and show you the kind of woman she truly is."Debra arched an eyebrow. "And you have proof of this? Or is it just more of your words?"Ava shot back, desperation creeping into her voice. "No, I saw it with my own eyes. Mr. Lowe, you can't keep her around you. Who knows if she's been sent by your enemies to bring you down?"Debra smirked, sarcasm lacing her tone. "That's funny. How could a weak woman like you pose any threats to Mr. Lowe? That makes him sound vulnerable, don't you think?"Ava paled, and Debra turned her gaze to Drake. "What do you think, Mr. Lowe?"Drake
Debra lifted her head, and Drake continued, "When she said this, it didn't seem like it was baseless."Debra plotting against him was one thing, but opposing him here in Orkgate was a huge joke.Even if Ava wasn't the brightest, she couldn't have made up such a lie.Debra met his gaze with a calm defiance. "Yes, I did."For a moment, the air between them seemed to freeze. Then, with a slow smile, she continued, "I told him if he wanted to take me from you, he'd need an army. And guess what? He panicked and ran off. Ava must have misunderstood. I just didn't expect her to make up something so ridiculous."Drake's lips curled slightly. "That sounds reasonable.""Of course, it does. This is my first time in Orkgate. How could I have ties to a mongrel? And trust me, that man won't come near your casino again. Competing with you over a woman? He's probably shaking in his boots somewhere."Drake gave a noncommittal grunt, seemingly satisfied. "Fair enough."She almost laughed at his
"Yes, boss." Kale nodded and quickly exited the lounge.Outside, the casino bustled with gamblers.Harland, having just returned from handling Ava, caught sight of Yvonne entering the casino.She moved with purpose, her eyes scanning the second floor where Debra played.The music was melodious, and anyone who heard it couldn't help but feel uplifted.Harland tensed up, but it was too late to notify Drake."Miss Sharp, why are you here at this hour?" he greeted nervously.Yvonne sneered, "If I didn't come, how would I know someone had taken my place here?"She strode upstairs, the noise attracting everyone's attention. Then, without warning, she slapped Debra across the face. The crack echoed through the casino, freezing everyone in place.All the guests there knew Yvonne was a daughter of the Sharp family and Drake's fiancée. Anyone who crossed her would face serious consequences.Yvonne's long, sharp nails made their mark with that heavy slap.Debra stared at the woman in s
The air crackled with unease, as if a single wrong move could ignite an explosion.All eyes were on Drake, waiting to see his reaction.Everyone knew how volatile Yvonne could be, and this situation felt like a lit fuse, poised to blow if not handled with care.Drake's face clouded over. Yvonne noticed it immediately.Over the years, she had seen many sides of him, but never this one.Instinctively, she took a step back.Drake growled, "Kale, didn't you hear me?""I did, boss." Kale stiffened, turning back to Yvonne. "Miss Sharp, please leave."Surrounded by bodyguards, Yvonne understood the unspoken message. Drake was determined to protect Debra."Fine! Don't regret this," Yvonne spat before storming downstairs.The crowd on the first floor quickly averted their gazes, too afraid to even glance in her direction. Yvonne was an untouchable lady. Except for Drake, no one dared humiliate her like this.A ripple of whispers spread through the onlookers, all wondering about Debra
Debra rose from her seat.With what had happened just now, no one dared stop her.She looked around on her way to the restroom. Suddenly, a hand grabbed her and dragged her to the corner.The person covered her mouth before she could scream. She gasped, eyes wide with shock, but then she recognized the man.It was the same person she had seen at the engagement party. His face was obscured by a silver mask, his sharp suit blending into the dim lighting."Don't make a sound," he whispered.Debra tensed, but before she could react, a group of guards passed by the corridor. The man's swift intervention had saved her from being spotted."Who are you?""This isn't a place for you. Go back."His voice was distorted, probably due to a voice changer. She glanced down at the hand gripping her arm and shook it off."We don't know each other, do we?""No.""Then why are you helping me? What does my situation have to do with you?"The man remained silent, preparing to leave. But as he
"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,"