"Miss, would you like to buy some flowers?" A boy with a dirty face approached Debra, holding a bundle of slightly wilted flowers.Debra's heart softened, and she was about to take the flowers from the boy when Marion suddenly grabbed the boy's wrist.The boy cried out in pain, dropping the flowers and revealing a hidden switchblade.Debra gasped, shocked by the sight. Marion's voice was cold as he said, "Mugging in broad daylight? Aren't you afraid of death?"The boy paled with fright. He stumbled back and ran away without picking up the knife.Debra looked at the crude but sharp blade on the ground. "Why would they want to kill someone?""The slums here have chaotic law enforcement," Marion explained. "People do anything to survive. These kids target wealthy people, fishing for sympathy. They stab, rob, and run."Debra frowned. "Aren't they afraid of being reported to the police?""There are no cameras on this street," Marion said. "They smear dirt on their faces to avoid bei
"Take us there," Marion commanded.The staff member felt offended. "Sir, I already told you I didn't have the authority."Instead of mincing words, Marion stepped up to the staff member and pressed the switchblade against his stomach. The staff member's face paled, and he was about to call for help when Marion warned, "You can try. Let's see if someone comes to your rescue before you hit the ground."Fearing for his life, the staff member stammered, "Okay. I'll take you."He turned to lead the way, but Marion warned, "Don't try any tricks. I know all your moves."Debra understood that Marion didn't want to reveal his identity. The staff member quickly led them to the underground level.The noise down there was deafening. A vast, illegal casino sprawled out before them.Marion's expression darkened as he realized this was one of his establishments. He had come to investigate whether there were any issues with his operation.Debra noticed an inconspicuous symbol in the casino. It
Swiftly, the staff member placed the chips in front of Marion."Sir, have you played Big or Small before?""No, I haven't.""It's quite simple. You just bet on either Big or Small and place your chips accordingly."Debra chimed in, "So how do you determine what's Big and what's Small?""You see these three dice? If the total points rolled are 11 or above, it's Big. If it's ten or below, it's Small.""That simple, huh?" Debra turned to Marion. "Honey, what do you think? Big or Small?"Marion grabbed some chips and handed them to Debra. "Your choice.""Well, I'll go with Big." Debra placed the chips on Big.The staff signaled the dealer, who understood the cue. When the dice were revealed, it was indeed Big.Those who had bet on Big cheered as they won their money. Debra handed the winning chips to Marion, but he gave her some more. "Pick again."Pretending to be thrilled by her beginner's luck, Debra eagerly placed the chips on Big again. "I'll stick with Big."The two of th
The staff member's face darkened as he said, "Please wait here for a moment. I'll go exchange your chips for cash."With other customers around, they couldn't make a scene. But as the staff member took the chips away, he exchanged a glance with his subordinate."Go inform the manager. Someone cheated.""Understood."Moments later, the staff member who had been held at knifepoint by Marion entered with a group of security guards.He spotted Marion and shouted, "It's him! He threatened me with a knife to get in here."Ten security guards immediately rushed up, surrounding Marion and Debra.The leader of the guards looked at Marion. "You're the one who cheated your way in here?"Marion didn't respond, casually sipping his tea.The security guard, feeling ignored, raised his electric baton to strike Marion. But just then, the manager rushed in, his face pale as he saw Marion."Stop! Put down your weapon!" the manager shouted.The security guards halted. "Sir, these two have susp
The security guards were dragged out by other staff members, their pitiful screams echoing outside.Marion stood up from his chair, his voice cold as he spoke. "I was only gone for a few months, and you sold the place to someone else. It seems I haven't been strict enough with my subordinates. Horace, don't you agree?"Horace Thom wiped his sweat and hurriedly replied, "Mr. Houston, these were orders from higher-ups. I'll tell you everything. It was the Eaton family who approached us for a partnership. Since you weren't here, Mr. Orrell decided to collaborate with them. Who knew that the Eaton family had already been in cahoots with the Lowe family? We had no choice but to follow Mr. Orrell's orders.""Parker Orrell?" Marion asked, a cold smile playing on his lips.Horace nodded. "Yes, it was all Mr. Orrell's doing. We thought you knew about it, sir."Marion took Debra's hand, seeming disinterested in Horace's explanations.Horace was eager to explain further, but Marion waved hi
"Are you really planning to choose a new manager from those people?""I won't choose any of them.""Then why did you..."Debra stopped mid-sentence, realizing Marion's true intention. He was setting them up to kill each other. They would all die fighting for the manager's position."Ha, I told you not to kill anyone, and you found a way to make others do the dirty work?""Darling, you've got me all wrong. If they didn't have those greedy thoughts, they wouldn't have acted. Such people deserve to die."He held out his hands, showing them to her. "My hands are clean. I haven't done anything bad.""You're still talking." Debra playfully poked his forehead.Marion smiled and took her hand. "I know. Don't worry. I've made sure no one will die.""That's more like it," Debra said, satisfied.She understood that in Marion's position, many things were beyond his control. But she hoped he could minimize the bloodshed, so they could have a peaceful life together."Where are we going ne
Neither Marion nor Debra picked up the conversation.Parker steeled himself and continued, "Mr. Houston, is there something important you need to take care of this time?""Yes, there is," Marion replied casually. "Bring them in."Several henchmen escorted Parker's wife and daughter into the room, their hands bound tightly. Parker's wife, a heavyset woman, had her makeup streaked with tears, while their daughter was crying in her high school uniform. "Dad, save me."Parker's face paled. "Mr. Houston, what are you doing? I've been loyal to you for years. Why did you take my wife and daughter?""That's not quite accurate, is it?" Debra interjected. "You were loyal to the Eaton family, not Mr. Houston."The mention of the Eaton family struck Parker dumb. He panicked. "Mr. Houston, I can explain."His legs gave way, and he crumpled to the floor. Marion was known for his ruthlessness, and Parker knew that betrayal meant certain death."It was the Eaton family," he stammered. "They ap
Debra eyed the school emblem on Phoebe's chest. "Miss Parker, I've heard about your high school. The annual tuition is in the seven figures. I doubt Parker's salary could cover such expenses."Phoebe looked at her father with fear. Sibyl interjected, grasping anything that came to mind. "It's my parents' money and has nothing to do with Parker.""Mrs. Parker, don't be so hasty. I'm not finished yet," Debra said, glancing at Parker. "This doesn't even include the expenses for Parker's mistress. I noticed that his secretary has quite a figure and some expensive jewelry. He has a wife, a daughter, and a mistress to support. I doubt his salary is enough for all that.""What?" Sibyl was surprised by the revelation.Phoebe was equally shocked that her dad was keeping a mistress."Parker, how could you do this to me? You were a nobody when my family helped you rise. How dare you cheat on me? You won't get away with this," Sibyl snapped.Debra signaled to the guards, who quickly untied S
"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,"