Across town at the Eaton Mansion, Garland was doing a handstand against the wall, groaning in discomfort. "How much longer?"Juan glanced at his watch and said blandly, "Ten minutes for each wrong answer. There are 32 questions on the test. You got 31 wrong. Do the math.""What? Are you insane? Are you here to tutor me or torture me? I'm gonna tell my dad about this," Garland exclaimed."Go ahead. Let's see whose side he takes," Juan replied nonchalantly.Just as Juan reached for his tea cup, his hand suddenly trembled, and the cup fell to the floor, shattering into pieces."Hey! Those cups are expensive. Be careful," Garland scolded."Got it," Juan said as he bent down to pick up the shards.Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his finger. Blood dripped onto the broken porcelain. Juan frowned, looking at his injured finger.At his newly acquired estate, Drake removed Debra's blindfold as Kale opened the car door.Debra stepped out to see an expansive garden with artificial hil
"I..." Cathryn struggled to find the right words.Drake stepped in. "Miss Bernard intended to make amends with Mrs. Houston, isn't that right?""Yes, that's right," Cathryn said, her smile forced.Liza scoffed, "Cathryn, you're too kind. Why bother making amends with her? If you want Marion, I'll have my dad help you."Debra couldn't help but laugh at Liza's words.Liza glared at her. "What are you laughing at?""Nothing," Debra replied, restraining her smile. "I just think your dad is amazing. He can even help snatch someone else's husband. It seems there's nothing he can't do here.""Of course," Liza boasted, then realized she was being mocked. "Are you making fun of me?""Not at all," Debra said, her expression sincere. "I meant every word."Liza fumed, "This woman is infuriating. Drake, I want her out of here."Drake smirked but made no move to comply."Are you dull? Didn't you hear me?" Liza demanded.Cathryn quickly intervened, grabbing her hand. "Liza, please don't.
Liza was in a foul mood, and Cathryn was in no state to comfort her."Liza, I'm not feeling well either. I'm going upstairs to rest," Cathryn said. "What's wrong with everyone today?" Liza muttered, bewildered.Upstairs, Kale pushed open the guest room door to reveal a room with windows nailed shut and door locks removed.Debra turned to Drake. "What's the meaning of this?""You're the head of the McKinney Group, always keeping a low profile. The last time you revealed your identity, it gave me quite a shock. I can't risk you escaping through the window," Drake replied.Debra walked to the window, examining the iron plates that sealed it shut. She laughed suddenly.Drake frowned. "What are you laughing at?""I'm laughing at how smart you are sometimes. Yet sometimes..." Debra turned to face him, her expression serious. "You're brilliant."With the windows sealed so tightly, Marion would surely notice from outside. It would be easy for him to pinpoint her location. Perfect for
"I don't think so," Kale replied. "According to our previous intel, Debra might have relapsed on our new type of drug. Once one is hooked, there's no going back, especially if they've relapsed.""You're right," Drake said, picking up his newspaper again. "Debra is just bluffing. She doesn't want to admit she can't handle her addiction and is too proud to ask for help. So, she's pretending to cooperate.""Exactly," Kale agreed."Make her suffer a bit. If she asks to see me, tell her I'm busy," Drake ordered."Understood," Kale said, quickly leaving the room.It was already eight in the evening, and dinner had been prepared and sent to Debra's room.She looked at the array of dishes on the cart—salmon tartare, cherry foie gras, filet mignon, creamy corn soup."Mrs. Houston, here is your dinner," the maid said."Do you have stewed fish, braised beef, and salads? Oh, I don't like carrots, but anything else is fine," Debra requested."Of course, Mrs. Houston. We'll prepare that for
In the guest room, Lara sat across from Debra, asking, "Ms. Frazier, is there something you wanted to talk to me about?""Yvonne is dead. Have you heard?" Debra asked pointedly.Lara stiffened. The news had spread far and wide, and everyone in Orkgate knew about it."Yvonne gave up everything for Drake," Debra continued. "She was the heiress to the Sharp family, and Drake killed her without a second thought. If he finds out you're holding evidence against him, what do you think he'll do to you?"Lara hesitated before responding, "Ms. Frazier, did you come here all for that phone?""Drake has established himself here and is practically the Eaton family's son-in-law," Debra explained. "Finding a maid in the Lowe family shouldn't be difficult, but you are a pawn in Drake's hands. He won't let you escape his control easily. That's why I had to take a risk to come here."She extended her hand. "Give me the phone."Before Lara could respond, the door suddenly burst open, and Drake sto
Drake nodded in agreement, and Debra breathed a sigh of relief.She couldn't believe he had fallen for her lies. He might be cunning with his enemies, but he was gullible when it came to women.Not even Cathryn would believe such a lie."Alright, I'll take your word for it," Drake said, tossing her a small vial.Debra saw a red pill inside the vial. She remembered what Andrew had told her about this new type of drug, sold as red pills that looked like candy to avoid suspicion.Drake watched her closely. "But I'm still not entirely convinced. What if your withdrawal symptoms disappear and everything you just said was a lie? Take the pill in front of me, and I'll believe you."Debra remained calm, quickly formulating a plan. "You injected me with the drug yourself. You should know better than anyone that it's not even been a month. No one could cure my addiction."Drake leaned back, resting his chin on his hand. "I know the dosage I gave you, but I still need to see you take it. A
Drake furrowed his brow, touching his flushed face. "Am I blushing?"Kale nodded.Drake then touched his forehead, comparing it to Kale's. He concluded that he didn't have a fever."It's too hot in here. Have someone turn on the air conditioning.""What temperature, boss?""65."Drake tugged at his collar. It was indeed hot. He hadn't noticed it earlier in the study.He paused mid-step. "Did I go overboard by sealing all the windows in her room?""No, she betrayed you before," Kale reassured him."You're right." Drake nodded and continued walking, but he soon stopped again. "Have someone remove two of the iron plates and make sure the room is ventilated daily.""Boss?""I don't want her to suffocate. That would make all my efforts pointless.""Understood."In the guest room, Debra lay on the bed, hiding the pill Drake had given her inside her ring. This pill could be crucial in the future, and she didn't want anyone to find it.There was a knock on the door, and she answe
"Alright, I'll give you the phone when you're ready to leave.""Lara...""I'm doing this for your good. If Drake searches your room and finds the phone, we're both dead. I'm just trying to save our lives. I hope you understand.""Alright, but you need to keep the phone safe. Don't let anything happen to it.""I'll guard it with my life."Lara then left the room.The night deepened. In his study room, Garland was whining, "I'm not studying anymore. I quit."Juan, leaning casually against the sofa, dodged the pillow thrown his way. "Familiarize yourself with the stock distribution, analyze market prospects, provide evidence, and give a detailed explanation of the recent financial reports. I want to see the problems, strengths, and weaknesses of the Eaton family."He sounded like it was an easy task. Closing his book, he added, "Once you're done with all that, you can go to bed."Garland was on the verge of a breakdown. "Bro, come on. How am I supposed to finish all this in one n
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