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
The teacup on the coffee table slipped, and Andrew tumbled to the ground.Barton entered the room and rushed over. "Sir, are you okay? You can't try to walk like that."Barton reached out to help him, but Andrew raised a hand to stop him.Sweat had already beaded on Andrew's forehead. He gasped and propped himself up with the help of the coffee table."I know I'm disabled. No need to remind me.""Sir, that's not what I meant."Andrew looked down at his legs. He wasn't completely unable to walk, but he couldn't walk like an ordinary person.As the head of the Potter family, he couldn't appear before others in this state. The wheelchair was the last line of his dignity."Debra and Marion are getting married. The gift list I made should be modified. Also, bring back the rehab equipment," he said.Barton frowned. "Sir, your legs aren't suitable for rehab anymore."Andrew had been confined to a wheelchair for more than ten years. He could no longer walk like a normal person. Even
Debra nodded in understanding.Rehabilitation was a good thing. Even if there was a slim chance of walking again, no one wanted to spend their life in a wheelchair.She said, "With Andrew's willpower, he won't be fazed by daily rehab. What defeated him before was his pride."Andrew was a prodigy. He was too proud to endure mockery from ordinary people.Debra glanced at the closed door to Andrew's room. Thuds and crashes echoed from inside.She couldn't help but wonder why Andrew wouldn't take Theda's medication.She headed upstairs and came down again shortly after. Erica asked, "Are you going out?""Yeah," Debra replied, grabbing the car keys.She drove to the old house of the Nichols family. At the sight of her, the security guards went on high alert."Relax. I'm here for business," Debra muttered as she got out of the car.With every step she took forward, the guards took one step back.She glanced down at herself. "Do I look like some kind of monster?"The guards exch
Melody walked up to Theda, gently patting her hand. "Theda has always been a well-mannered, sensible girl. I won't let you corrupt her."Her favoritism toward Theda was written all over her face. But both Theda and Debra knew it was all for show.The truth was that Melody and Theda were distant relatives who barely had any connection over the years. It was impossible for such affection to come at first sight. Everything boiled down to interest.Theda subtly pulled her hand away and smiled politely. "It's fine, Melody. It's just a chat with Mrs. Houston.""It's not that simple," Melody said. "You're the heiress to the Buchan family and a guest here. Debra is a schemer, bent on taking over our family's assets. I won't let her brainwash you."Then she turned to Debra. "You'd better leave before I throw you out.""You misunderstood," Debra said, sitting down on the sofa. "I'm here to see Ms. Buchan, not you. Why would you stop us young people from making friends?"She poured herself
Melody couldn't let Debra talk Theda out of it.If the Nichols Group ended up in Debra's hands, they were doomed.Meanwhile, Debra and Theda arrived at a quiet café. Theda waved her hand and rented out the whole place."I don't like to discuss business with strangers around," she said. "I hope you don't mind."Before coming to meet Theda, Debra had learned that Theda was a rare genius.She had rejoined the Buchan family at 17 and started an extraordinary journey since then.Despite being raised by strangers and living in the countryside, she showed a talent for business that was beyond ordinary. She was famous in Wrastow City, and her shrewdness matched Juan's.Theda sat across from Debra, calmly sipping her coffee."You came to stop me from taking over the Nichols Group, didn't you?""Not really. I want to know if the medicine you gave Andrew works."Theda looked up in surprise. "You came to see me for Andrew? Aren't you worried that Melody might hand over their company to m
Josh had booked the most expensive presidential suite.When Debra walked in with him, Josh went over to the table and asked, "Want a drink? I noticed you haven't really had much to drink tonight.""No thanks." Debra sat down on the couch and took off her other earring, placing it on the table. "I'll buy you for the night. You don't have to do anything. Just stay in this room and don't go out."Josh was puzzled. "What do you mean?""I mean, you can go to sleep now," Debra replied. "I don't like sleeping on the couch, so you'll be sleeping there tonight."Josh gaped. "You're spending all this money just for me to sleep on the couch?"He couldn't believe his ears. The rich ladies usually lined up to date him. Yet Debra wanted nothing from him."Not really," she replied, walking over to him. "Take off your shirt."Josh paused and complied.His figure was seductive. Debra smiled, clearly pleased with what she saw.Josh thought she was just playing hard to get, so he leaned in towa
It wasn't surprising that Debra took a liking to Josh.Josh followed her out of the club, his steps a little hesitant.Debra raised a hand, and for some reason, that simple gesture made Josh feel like a nervous rookie on his first day of work."What's wrong? Don't know how to offer your arm to a lady?" she said.Her voice had a teasing lilt to it, but she wasn't mad.Josh quickly held out his arm, and Debra smiled with satisfaction."Where do you wanna go?" he asked eagerly, unable to resist Debra.Her entire presence was magnetic. Different from the other female customers, she had a glow that made people stop and stare."Let's go to a hotel," she replied.Josh swallowed hard. For a split second, he even thought about paying for the room."I have a car. I'll drive you," he blurted."Let's just walk." Debra gestured ahead. "There is a five-star hotel straight down this road.""You wanna walk in those heels? Won't your feet hurt?" Josh asked with concern.He had always been
When they heard that one earring cost 100 thousand dollars, the six escorts began to grab the wine.Debra leaned back on the couch and scanned the room, enjoying herself.Sure enough, happiness could be bought with money. Being rich was indeed wonderful.Soon, her attention was drawn to a guy sitting in the corner.He was wearing a simple white hoodie, pale-skinned, and his features looked a bit youthful compared to the others.But his eyes were deep and captivating. His lips were pressed into a thin line, and he looked a bit tense.When he looked up and met Debra's eyes, he panicked and quickly lowered his head.Debra raised an eyebrow and beckoned to him. The young man hesitated, not fitting in with the atmosphere."What's your name?""Miss, my name is Troy Phelps.""Troy..."Debra repeated his name, clearly liking it, and her gaze shifted to the others at the table.They paused, sensing her interest in Troy.The one who had interacted with Debra earlier was not happy.
Any woman would be amazed to see these handsome guys.Debra stepped into the middle of the group. Michael stood off to the side, one hand in his pocket and the other making a phone gesture by his ear.She knew he was signaling for her to have fun and call him afterward.The club was loud and chaotic.One man, dressed in an open-collar black suit, approached her. His deep, captivating eyes sparkled with an intriguing desire. He raised his drink and gestured toward her with an inviting hand.Debra glanced at his drink and smiled. His wine was not up to standard.She made the usual nightclub gesture, ordering ten drinks and another most expensive bottle on the menu.Her move caught the attention of those around her. Before long, she became the center of attention.A group of exotic beauties wearing bikinis and holding lighted signs danced around the club. Then they brought the wine to Debra's booth.She grinned and raised her hand again.The waitresses were all stunned.Debra r
Michael was driving a convertible, and Debra sat in the passenger seat, watching the scenery outside.Even this late at night, the city was alive with bright lights, bustling streets, and neon flashing everywhere.The wind brushed against her face as Michael picked up speed.She closed her eyes, letting the rush of the ride wash over her. Compared to everything she had been through, this was nothing.After a while, she opened her eyes. "You've circled this area for half an hour. Think it's about time we head back?"Michael slowed down. "Feeling better?"Debra nodded. "A little. Probably not as fun as bungee jumping, though."She used to be terrified of heights. But after everything she had faced over the past two years, extreme sports seemed almost childish compared to real life-or-death situations.Michael chuckled, "I'll take you somewhere fun.""Sure," Debra nodded, "if it helps me unwind.""Buckle up." Michael stepped on the gas, and they sped through the city.Soon, the
Michael held an umbrella, shielding Debra from the wind and snow.Once they got in the car, Debra leaned against the window, not saying a word.Inside the house, Marion sat on the couch, silent.Randy and Erica had been trying to reach him nonstop, but he ignored every call.As evening approached, Erica booted open the door and stormed into the house."You jerk!" She swung a punch at his face. "Why weren't you answering our calls? What's going on? Randy and I came all the way from Seamar City. Don't tell us you don't know.""Erica, calm down," Randy tried to soothe her."Calm down?" Erica glared at him. "You knew about his condition, didn't you?""I thought he was fine," Randy muttered weakly.Erica turned back to Marion. "Although I'm not part of the Houston family, I am still your cousin. Why didn't you tell everyone? You could keep it from me, but why hide it from Debra? Weren't you aware of the consequences? Now that it's exposed, not only will the company have problems, b
Debra hesitated for a moment before answering the call.There was a moment of silence before Michael started, "Are you okay?""I'm fine," she replied, her voice hoarse.She had been lying in bed doing nothing all day."I'm outside," he said.Debra froze for a second before slowly getting out of bed and walking over to the window.She lifted a corner of the curtain and saw Michael standing outside.He was wearing a white shirt, neat and clean. Probably to avoid being recognized, he had put on a mask."If you don't want to stay here, I'll take you away," he added."Okay," Debra agreed without hesitation.She hung up the phone, but her eyes dimmed.Outside, Marion saw a glimmer of hope when he heard the door opening."Debra, please listen to me...""Mr. Houston, please don't block the way."Marion's smile froze on his face. Debra had never been so different to him like that."What did you call me?""Mr. Houston. I told you before. I trust you, but if you ever deceive me, I
"Do you want a brother or a sister?" Marian Eaton asked.Fermin placed his hand on her belly and thought for a moment. "A sister."Marian laughed, "Smart boy, knowing it's a girl before she's even born."Bert walked over, concerned about her health.Marian asked, "What should we name your sister?""Liza." Fermin crouched down, pressing his ear to Marian's belly.He closed his eyes and whispered, "She's my long-awaited little sister."His thoughts drifted back to the present.Fermin remembered the warmth of that dream, but he also knew how cruel reality was.He hadn't been lost in that dream because there were more important things to take care of.He smiled at the sleeping Liza, carefully removed the face mask, and tossed it into the trash.Before leaving, he left the lamp on. Liza couldn't sleep well in complete darkness.Outside the room, his smile faded, replaced by his usual coldness.The maid stood nervously by the door."Keep an eye on Liza. Don't let her run off."
Fermin ruffled her hair and spoke softly. "You've grown up."Liza tilted her head and looked at him. "Stop fighting with Dad. Can't we just be together as a family, like we used to?""Of course." Fermin nodded. "Once I've handled these things, we'll all be back together and live happily as a family."Liza lowered her eyes. "Debra is a friend I treasure, and you're my brother. You're both smarter than me. If you two could work together, there's nothing you can't handle. We're already so rich; there's no need to get involved with the..."Fermin reached out and covered her mouth. "I think I've told you before. You're not allowed to say that word."Liza blinked, silently agreeing not to speak any further.Fermin withdrew his hand. "I have my path to follow, and you have yours. Everyone has a role in this world and a choice to make. I just want you to live happily. No matter how spoiled or bratty you get, no one will dare say anything. Even if you make the worst mistake, I'll make it