Drake scoffed, "Who else could you ask? In Seamar City, I'm the only one daring to act.""Says who? Marion can do it," Debra retorted.Drake sneered at her proud expression. "You'd let him take the risk?""No. You're the best candidate."Drake felt bitter. "When would you get good things for me?""This is a good thing. I've helped find a..." She paused, noticing his cold gaze. "A clue to who's been framing you."Drake scoffed, "Weren't you so capable before? In the end, you've only found a tiny clue.""Well, I'm better than someone who hasn't found anything.""What the...""Alright, I've found a lead for you. You just need to catch and interrogate them. Marion can't handle such concrete work where you excel in."Drake nodded reluctantly. "But I have a condition.""Go ahead.""If the police catch me again at the docks, I'll be kissing Seamar City goodbye. Forget the bet and consider me lost. I can afford ten million dollars.""Leave as you like. It's your reputation on the
Barton bolted downstairs.Debra walked into the room and saw a team of doctors crowded around Andrew's bed, trying to resuscitate him.Andrew's consciousness seemed hazy. Debra's gaze fell on a pill in one doctor's hand. The group was urgently discussing something.She stepped forward and asked, "What's that pill? You said it could save him. So, why aren't you using it?"The doctors exchanged glances but stayed silent. Just then, Barton returned, pulling William into the room."That pill works, but Mr. Andrew Potter refuses to take it.""Why not? Does it have side effects?""No.""Is it not for his disease?""Yes.""Then why isn't he taking it?"Debra sighed, moving to push the pill into Andrew's mouth.Andrew's eyes suddenly fluttered open. Despite his weakened state, he managed to catch her wrist.His voice was barely audible as he whispered, "Debra, put it down."Debra froze, leaning closer to him. "What?""Put it down." His eyes had regained their clarity, and his to
Barton glanced at Debra, then quickly looked away. "Anyway, this has nothing to do with Ms. Buchan.""Come on, stop covering for him," William said. "If he weren't head over heels for her, why would he treasure those pills she gave him? Did you see how reluctant he was to take them just now?"Before William could spiral further into speculation, Barton dragged him aside. "What nonsense are you spouting in front of Mrs. Houston? Ruining Mr. Potter's reputation. You're in it for trouble."William turned pale and clamped his mouth shut. He wondered if he had inadvertently spilled anything. He resolved to keep quiet from now on.Debra watched their interactions, her suspicion growing.That evening, she found herself lingering outside Andrew's bedroom. She peeked through the doorway, hesitating when a sudden noise echoed from inside.Alarmed, she pushed the door open to find Andrew sprawled on the floor. His face was pale, his forehead damp with sweat."Why did you get out of bed?" S
"From someone important?" Andrew muttered."William said they were from Ms. Buchan," Debra explained.Andrew looked away. "The medicine might be valuable, but I won't take anything from her."Just then, Barton entered with a bowl of oatmeal. Realizing they were talking, he decided to leave for now. "It's okay. I'm done here," Debra said, turning back to Andrew. "Take a good rest. I'll see you around."Andrew remained silent. After Debra left, Barton closed the door."Sir, the medicine is fine. William checked it, saying he could replicate it," Barton said."No need," Andrew said, tossing the pill into the trash. "In the future, don't show me anything from Theda.""But she meant well.""You know her aim."Barton fell silent, and Andrew added firmly, "My decisions are final. Even if I'm on my deathbed, no one else calls the shots.""Understood, sir," Barton said, bowing his head.Accepting Theda's medicine meant siding with her. Rejecting it meant having no way out.She was
Erica revealed, "Actually, Andrew didn't even pay attention to the gossip in Wrastow City."Debra was disappointed. She had been expecting drama."You don't know, but this thing spread all over Wrastow City; even people here in Seamar City heard about it. The thing is, Andrew hardly leaves the house, and he doesn't like reading the news. Even though the Potter family controls intelligence, he couldn't care less about all this gossip. Later, I don't know how it happened, but the story just grew bigger and bigger."Erica paused, clicking her tongue. "A few years ago, Ms. Buchan came to Seamar City and stayed for two days. She came to find Andrew, and they exchanged a few casual pleasantries, the sort we do at dinner parties. Some reporters saw and hyped it. Then rumors spread without Andrew even knowing.""So, nothing was going on between them?""Exactly. I thought I'd finally get to see him fall in love, but in the end, nothing happened. The love story I was expecting ended before
"When did that kidnapping happen?" Debra asked.Erica thought for a moment. "Well, I think it happened when I was around 12, just out of elementary school.""That was about 16 years ago.""Yeah, something like that."Andrew and Erica are the same age. Going through something like that at 12 was sad.Erica stretched and yawned. "Alright. I need to put on a face mask and get my beauty sleep.""Where are you sleeping tonight?""Me? In my room, of course.""I mean, since Marion won't be back tonight, why don't we sleep together?""Oh, I thought you meant me and Randy.""I get it."Debra gave her a knowing look. They were all adults, and things happened.But Erica still felt bad about sleeping with Marion's best friend.She blushed deeply. "Debra, I thought you were a sweet, innocent girl. How could you think of something so dirty?"Debra laughed, "Innocent? Me? Never. Maybe you should find a new word to describe me.""Forget the face mask. I'm going to bed."Just as Erica w
Erica quietly opened Randy's bedroom door at the crack of dawn. She tiptoed toward her own room. Just as she thought she was in the clear, a voice rang out behind her."Erica, why aren't you wearing shoes?"Startled, Erica spun around to see Debra standing there.Erica hastily hid the high heels she was holding behind her back. "I didn't want to wake anyone up."Debra raised an eyebrow. "Got drunk again last night?""Me? No way," Erica exclaimed. "It was Randy. He drank too much. I helped him back to his room, but he wouldn't let go of me. I ended up falling asleep there."She waved it off and added, "I was just worried you'd overthink things. Didn't want to cause any misunderstandings.""So it is." Debra blinked knowingly.Erica grew flustered. "I'm serious.""Take it easy. I get it," Debra replied, her tone teasing.Erica realized Debra had misunderstood it. Worse yet, Debra's eyes were fixed on the men's shirt she was wearing.Erica panicked and explained, "I mean it. He
"You should've told me last night.""I didn't get the chance."Randy and Erica were on the verge of a full-blown argument when Debra interjected, "Exactly, no time. Randy came back and passed out. How could he even bring up the wedding?"Erica realized she had let something slip. She bolted in a panic."Erica!" Randy rushed after her.They fought in the last second and made up in the next. Yet they were still hiding their relationship.Before Debra could reflect further, Marion hugged her from behind. "The sun isn't even up yet, and you're here catching cheaters?"Debra rolled her eyes. "Give me a break. I was trying to sleep, but the racket next door was too much."Until now, she hadn't realized Randy could be so exhausting. In this aspect, he and Marion were evenly matched."Looks like we'll need to live farther away from them," he chuckled, ruffling Debra's hair. "Our wedding is half a month away. Are you ready to become my bride?""I'm always ready," Debra replied, smilin
For the most part, Debra was unbothered by the playful banter among the group.But the situation in Seamar City was far from simple. She was beginning to struggle with distinguishing friend from foe.Garland faltered, "To be honest, someone sent me here. I can't tell you who it was, but I promise I have no intention of betraying anyone here. As for Fermin showing up... I genuinely have no idea."Debra fell silent, unsure of what to do, but she couldn't bring herself to just believe him like that. Andrew had taught her to question everything, even if it pained her to doubt those closest to her."Alright," she said finally. "Words are just words. Let's check the surveillance footage. Then we'll know if you really passed out in the courtyard last night."Before he could react, he called the surveillance room. When the call didn't go through, she dialed Barton instead."Mrs. Houston, what's up?""I want to check the surveillance footage of the garden.""I'm sorry, Mrs. Houston. The
Debra led Garland into her room, and he panicked."I don't think I should go in since Marion isn't around," he said weakly.Debra sat down on the sofa. "Only Marion and I know your secret. This room is soundproof and safe for private talks.""O-Kay," Garland sighed in relief.Debra cut straight to the point. "Actually, I'm curious. Did Fermin come to Seamar City as well?""What? That's impossible." Garland was shocked.But then, he remembered the time he had been caught snooping around Debra's meals. Cornered, he had lied and claimed that Fermin liked her.Fermin's death was a closely guarded secret within the Eaton family. No one outside could know the truth. Even if Debra and Marion were his friends, he couldn't reveal it.Debra pressed, "Why not? How are you so sure?""He's always busy with work, and his trips have been handled by me," Garland explained. "Why do you ask?"Debra tossed an earpiece onto the table. "Remember this?""It's a Bluetooth earpiece. What about it?"
"Uh..." Garland interrupted. "Edgar's just a nobody, right? He's from Flesta. How could he possibly know anything about Seamar City's affairs?""I don't know," Debra replied, her tone clipped. "But for now, he's our only lead. Let's just hope he's still alive. Otherwise, we'll be back to square one."Garland's nerves tightened at her words. Back then, Juan had handed Edgar over to the Eaton family, and they'd discreetly stashed him overseas.If these people discovered Edgar was abroad, it wouldn't take much digging to trace it back to him. And if that happened, Juan's cover would be blown. But if Garland didn't hand Edgar over, the trail would go cold, leaving them stuck once again. As Garland frantically tried to think of a way to quietly send Edgar away without exposing himself, he suddenly felt the weight of several pairs of eyes on him. Looking up, he found everyone staring at him with suspicion."He wouldn't happen to be in your hands, would he?" Debra asked.Garland'
"Debra." Randy's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.Realizing everyone was staring at her, Debra blinked. "What?"In the living room, the group sat in a circle, deep in discussion.Erica spoke up. "We were talking about the current situation. Why are you zoning out again?""Yeah, that's the seventh or eighth time today," Randy echoed. "Oh, wait, where was I?"Erica reminded him, "You were talking about how Juan and Jordan have teamed up. They signed a five-year partnership agreement.""Right. Five years," Randy continued. "If they bring all that chaos and shady behavior from Orkgate to Seamar City, we're doomed."Drake shot him a cold glare, and Randy chuckled nervously, "Take it easy. I wasn't talking about you. Everyone knows how messy Orkgate is."Drake leaned back on the sofa. "I'm not from Orkgate. Say whatever you want."Even so, Randy toned it down. "Anyway, that's the situation. The two traitors are getting chummy. I bet they're both working for that mysterious per
"The sheep all died, and the boy never lied again," Debra said. "Are you comparing yourself to the boy?"Andrew sensed her lingering frustration but remained calm. "This story is meant to teach children not to lie, but I want to show you how to deceive the enemy."Debra's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?""When a person lies too often, it becomes impossible for others to discern the truth," Andrew explained. "Take my supposed weakness, for example. You never know when I might die. The first time I fell seriously ill, you believed me. But it was all a show. The second time, you were suspicious. After observing me, you concluded I was acting again, only to find out it was another layer of deception. By the third time, I played a smaller trick to convince you I was truly on the brink of death. You trusted me once more, only to discover I was orchestrating something far greater. Each time, you couldn't fully grasp my intentions. This blend of truth and lies will confuse your enemies."
Before Garland could voice the question in his mind, heavy footsteps echoed from outside the door.Moments later, Marion came in. His clothes were covered in dirt, and his face was etched with exhaustion.Debra rushed over, her concern evident. "What happened?""It's nothing," Marion replied, shaking his head."Nothing?" Randy interjected. "Look at yourself. And you've been out of contact all night."Marion looked up and saw Barton coming down the stairs. "I got ambushed on my way back from the office.""It must have taken quite a few people to stall you," Randy mused.It was the first time Marion had been delayed for so long, without even a chance to answer his phone.Marion's gaze remained fixed on Barton. "Four vans. About 100 men."Randy gasped, "Crazy! Luckily, you managed to fight your way out of that."Marion didn't respond, but Debra frowned. "They came after us not long ago, and the second wave came so fast. How did you get out of there?"She wasn't surprised that M
Andrew, who had appeared frail earlier in the day, now showed no trace of his earlier pallor.He muttered, "Tonight was dangerous, but at least the show went off without a hitch.""Sir," Barton said cautiously, "since Mrs. Houston has started thinking for herself, it proves your training has paid off. Should we pull back our people from Mr. Houston's side?"Andrew leaned back in his wheelchair. "Let them fight a bit longer. His anger needs to burn off.""But our men are taking a beating.""They won't die. Double their bonuses."...Outside the Houston Group headquarters, on a closed-off street, four vans surrounded Marion.Wielding an electric baton, he fended off one wave of attackers, but another lunged at him immediately after.Three hours later, the bodyguards were utterly spent. Marion's face was dark with fury."Still not getting lost?""Mr. Houston, we're just following orders. You can't go back right now."One guard wanted to reason with him, but Marion delivered a
Juan glanced at the people standing behind Debra, realizing she had secured control over the Potter and Houston families.What was at stake there wasn't just connections. It was the balance of power in Seamar City.The united force of the Four Great Families was a formidable entity, and with Fermin's involvement, the situation had become even more precarious.Juan could only mutter, "Withdraw."Joe hesitated for a moment before raising his hand to signal the retreat.Before leaving, Juan warned Debra, "You may win today, but this isn't over."Debra's response was equally cold. "Don't worry. We'll fight this to the end until one side can no longer stand."With his ally gone, Jordan signaled for his men to retreat as well.Soon, the hall was empty except for Debra's people. The guards quickly brought Liza out. "Told you my brother would come to save me," Liza snorted, striding proudly toward Debra.But as she scanned the room, Garland was nowhere to be seen. "Where's my brot
"Bullshit!" Randy spat.In his mind, Juan was nothing but a backstabber.Debra had let Juan off the hook before, but he didn't appreciate it. Now he was working with their enemies against them.Jordan spoke up. "Miss Eaton is only staying with us for a few days. She'll be fine. Everyone, go home. If you don't, we may as well have a little competition and see who has more say in Seamar City.""I'd like to see about that," Debra's voice came from outside the hall.Then she came in with a group of people. Jordan recognized their uniforms and frowned."You have Andrew's seal?""We're not done yet."Debra raised her hand, and a new group of bodyguards armed with batons stormed into the hall. Wearing the Houston family emblem on their chests, they quickly spread out."If you're not convinced, we can fight it out," she declared. "Juan, the Nichols family has gone through three transitions. You must be pretty drained, right? Jordan, how are you handling the resources of the Lowe famil