Jade's eyes were bloodshot, her once gentle face now a mask of barely contained fury.She had been hidden away by Edgar, forced to live in the shadows, while Shelia paraded around the city center, having stolen everything that was rightfully hers—her father, her name, and her very identity.Shelia panicked and cowered. She hadn't expected Jade to be alive, let alone standing right in front of her."It wasn't me. I didn't want to take everything from you," Shelia stammered. "You just weren't lucky enough. Even if you were still alive, your dad wouldn't have accepted you. The Blair family would never acknowledge a prostitute like you."Jade clenched her fists. "Yes, I'm a prostitute. But that doesn't give you the right to steal everything from me."She turned to Debra and pleaded, "I have a grudge with Shelia. Could you let me deal with her?"Debra nodded. "Everyone has to face their debts. I'll leave her to you."Shelia's heart sank. She shouted at Debra, "You have no right to de
"Yes, ma'am... I mean, Ms. Frazier," Sophie replied.Debra left with the bodyguards.Melody was shaken. Shelia tried to scream but was silenced by one of the guards.Just when they arrived at the gate, another group of people rushed over. Juan stepped out of the car, his expression indifferent as he stood face-to-face with Debra.Melody and Shelia saw hope. Shelia bit the guard's hand, and as he winced, she shouted, "Juan, save me.""Juan, get rid of this crazy woman," Melody shouted, struggling.Debra frowned, recalling the events of the other night. After sending her to the ship, he headed back alone. She hadn't expected him to make it back alive."Melody hired a hitman to kill me. I have proof. Shelia attempted murder and Jade's identity. You know this as well. What now? Going to fight me?""Name your price," Juan said calmly. "Whatever I can give, I'll give."Debra laughed coldly. "I want the Nichols Group. Will you give it up in exchange for Melody not going to jail?""Y
"Three months is it," Debra agreed, leading Jade and the others to leave.In three months, she would take over Juan's company.Juan silently watched her leave. Suddenly, the sharp crack of a slap echoed in the air.Standing before him, Melody snapped, "How could someone so foolish be part of this family? You've brought disgrace upon us all. Go after her and dissolve your promise. Do you hear me?"She pushed him, desperate to protect the family's legacy that had been built over decades. But no matter how hard she pushed, Juan didn't budge.Finally, he grabbed her hand and said coldly, "Have you had enough?"Melody froze, shocked by his tone.He added, "I've spent my life following your rules. I owe this family nothing, but I owe Debra everything. Grandma, I'll pay you back for raising me and make sure you're comfortable for the rest of your life."Without waiting for a response, he turned to Sophie, who had been lingering by the door. "Pack her things and take her back to the ol
The icy look in Juan's eyes daunted her. Shelia tried to leap off the bed, but Juan was quicker.He seized her hair, yanking her back so forcefully that clumps of it tore free.She screamed in agony, but Juan didn't stop there. He calmly reached beneath the bed and pulled out a coil of nylon rope."No, what are you doing? You can't..." Shelia's protest was cut off as he slapped a piece of duct tape over her mouth.She thrashed, but it was no use. With each twist of the rope, Juan's control over her tightened.He drew the curtains, shrouding the room in an oppressive darkness. Her muffled cries were the only sounds in the room.Shelia trembled in terror, tied down and unable to move.Juan stood over her, his voice void of emotion. "From now on, you'll stay right here as Mrs. Nichols. I'll feed you and bring you water, but you won't see the light of day or anyone else."Shelia's eyes widened in terror, her screams muffled beneath the tape."Don't worry," Juan added, unfeeling. "
Debra had returned in a hurry, unaware of the rumors.Michael glanced at Ben and said, "Debra just got back. Let her settle in and get familiar with recent business. We'll handle everything else later."Ben nodded. "Madam, there are too many eyes around here. Let's head upstairs first."Debra noticed the nervous glances from the employees. Without saying anything, she followed Michael and Ben up to the office.The moment Debra stepped inside, her eyes landed on the massive pile of paperwork stacked on her desk.She gasped, "Geeze! I'm sorry for putting you into this, Michael."Michael brushed it off, "No big deal, just a few simple contracts. All I had to do was sign."While he busied himself organizing the files, Debra turned to Ben. "Why are people avoiding me? What's going on?"Ben hesitated. "It's about you and Mr. Andrew Potter."Debra was baffled. "What about us?"Michael handed her a newspaper. Printed on the front page was a picture of her and Andrew entering the Pott
Debra said mysteriously, "This isn't about my title. This person seems interesting. Set up a meeting. I think I've found us a goldmine."She eased into the chair. Michael saw no point in it, but he knew better than to refuse her requests.He handed the newspaper to Ben. "Make it happen."Ben nodded but paused at the door.Debra looked up, asking, "Didn't I tell you to contact them? Why are you still here?"Ben held up the newspaper, pointing at a gaudy square in the bottom left corner. A cartoon Batman glared out, surrounded by decorative borders. The line went like this: "Bringing justice to the world! Add me on WhatsApp via the QR code below and submit your articles. P.S.: I'm the owner of New Age."Debra blinked, momentarily speechless. In this day and age, this was either genius or madness.She pulled out her phone and scanned the code. Up popped a profile, Batman staring back at her. She shook her head, half-expecting to hear a dramatic "I am Batman."She sent a friend req
Ben asked, "Should I have him brought to you?""No need," Debra replied, her stride unbroken. "I'll handle this myself."She pushed open the office door. The chair was facing away, but the nameplate on the desk read: CEO, Garland Eaton.The name rang a bell, but she couldn't quite place it.The chair spun around, revealing a man dressed in a casual sweatshirt and pants, black-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. He was handsome, with bushy eyebrows and eyes that sparkled with mischief.Debra thought he was a little over the top."Looking for me?" Garland asked, leaning his chin on his hand as Debra's entourage filed into the office.Debra had learned something during her time in Orkgate. Sometimes, a show of force was necessary.But Garland seemed unruffled, pulling out his phone to record it.His voice was lazy yet magnetic. "Ladies and gentlemen, behold. Gangsters are harassing innocent citizens. Is there no justice left in this city?"Debra stepped forward, snatched the pho
Garland scratched his head. "I'm broke, you know. I'll need a million a month just to scrape by.""Not a problem.""I need funds.""I'll invest.""I don't have a place to stay.""We provide housing and meals.""Deal.""Pleasure doing business with you."Debra shook his hand firmly, and Ben watched with astonishment.Garland was soaking them, but Debra agreed without even negotiating. That was not the right way to do business.Debra said, "Draft up the contract. I want it signed immediately.""But..." Ben hesitated, hoping she would reconsider the matter.Debra shot him a look, and he quickly replied, "Right, I'll get on it."As she came out of the office, the employees hurried back to their seats. It was like a melodrama happening in real life.Outside, Ben finally dared to voice his concern. "Madam, why are you throwing so much money at this guy?"Garland was not a household name around here. His agency might have gained some attention, but it was worth millions at most
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,"
William left quickly.Marion got up to lock the door and returned to the bedside.Sitting back into the chair, he switched on a dim lamp, making sure Debra would see him first thing if she woke up."Brother..." Debra mumbled.Marion leaned in. "I'm here."Her murmurs stopped, but her hands shot up, grasping at the air. "It's so dark. Save me."He grabbed her flailing hands right away. "Don't be scared. I'm right here."But she didn't calm down. She clutched his hand, her nails scratching at his skin. "Brother, save me," she murmured, feeling like she was trapped in a pitch-black hold.Cold seawater seemed to swallow her whole. The biting chill seeped into every crack of her body. The stench of the ocean made her gag.The water was up to her chin. She stood on tiptoes, desperate for a breath in that tiny space."Save me." Her eyes flew open.Familiar surroundings came into view. Her pupils darted until they landed on Marion. Her racing heart finally slowed."Marion?" Her v
Not long after, Marion came out with Debra.William nudged Erica and Randy. "Told you it would be soon.""How's she out here fresh after surgery?" Erica gawked.Debra was supposed to recover in the hospital, but seeing her unconscious form on the stretcher, Erica figured he had his reasons."Let's go back," Jordan chimed in. "The Potter Mansion's got a top-notch medical team. If we need gear, I'll grab it.""Yeah, hospitals suck anyway," Randy said. "Let's head back. It's freezing out here."They'd planned to grab food and head in, but Erica had made them wait so Marion could have more time with Debra. Now they were all sniffling."I'm... Achoo." William sneezed again, then bolted for the car. "I'm out of there. It's freaking cold."He had treated so many patients, but this was the first time he had fallen ill.Debra, still out cold, was loaded into the back. Marion stayed close, tending to her.By the time they reached the Potter Mansion, it was the middle of the night.Wil
William rubbed his eyes in disbelief.They had taken the emergency lane to the hospital, but Marion and the others arrived right behind their heels after going through a battle."We floored it. That's not the point," Erica replied.Marion and Jordan were already striding into the hospital.Randy grabbed Erica's arm. "Come on. Let's go.""Huh? William is still here." She was puzzled.Inside, the operating room's red light glowed.Marion arrived first. The hospital director greeted him, saying, "Mrs. Houston is in surgery now. Our top doctors have assessed her. The wound's been handled perfectly, and she is out of danger."Marion's face softened a bit. Erica heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank God. She's fine now."They'd been terrified seeing Debra collapse in a pool of blood."You're wiped out. Why don't you rest a bit?" Erica said, turning to Marion."I'll wait here," he replied, his eyes glued to the red light.Until it turned green, he couldn't rest his mind at ease."Well
Michael raised an eyebrow. "My plan never included you. Does our master know you snuck here from Orkgate? And you've got the nerve to question me?"Lara glared at him, her body aching from the burns. Her face twisted with anger."Take Miss Sharp back for treatment. It will take two hours to get back, so she'll have to tough it out," Michael ordered, unfazed.Before leaving with his crew, he lamented sanctimoniously, "Such a shame, ruining a pretty face like that."Lara clenched her fists, incandescent with rage....In the ambulance, Debra coughed up another mouthful of blood. It splattered right onto William's white coat."Aw." William almost griped about the mess, holding back only at the sight of her bad condition.He had to save her, no matter what. It was a promise he'd made to Andrew.He didn't even want to think about what would happen to him if Debra didn't make it today."Maybe another shot of painkiller? We've gotta get that bullet out fast," a medic suggested."Yo