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
Theda's brow furrowed, but Debra's smile widened. "So, the medicine's fine, right?""The medicine's fine, but Andrew won't take it.""I figured he wouldn't.""Then why did you come? Just to figure that out?""Yes. Now I know how to handle the matter."Debra continued her way out of the café, but Theda called out again, "Are you going to let me take over?"Debra paused and turned back. "If I'm not mistaken, you're trying to pull a double-cross. You plan to buy the 45% shares I hold, right? If I sold them to you, you'd become the largest shareholder. When the time arrives, Melody will transfer her shares to you. Together with the other shareholders, you'd oust me and take full control of the company. It would be too late for Melody to stop you."Debra continued, "You've got it all figured out, but here's the question. If I'm willing to sell the shares, do you dare buy them?"Theda raised a brow. "Why wouldn't I?"Debra replied, "Sure, the Buchan family has grown under your leade
Erica gaped at Debra."That was fast. Less than an hour.""Where's Andrew?""In the study."Erica didn't know what Debra was up to, but her expression suggested something serious.Debra marched straight to Andrew's bedroom. The maid cleaning the room froze when she saw Debra enter."Mr. Andrew Potter is in the study. You can find him... there."Debra didn't respond, just rummaging through drawers and cabinets.The maid was baffled. "Mrs. Houston, what are you looking for?""The medicine that was here earlier," Debra said, pointing to the coffee table.The maid recalled. "I think he threw it away.""What? Where?"The maid glanced at the trash can, and Debra reached into it without hesitation.Erica arrived just in time to witness the scene. She was puzzled. "What are you doing, Debra?"Debra found the medicine and rushed out without a word."Debra, wait," Erica called out, quickly following her.Barton was briefing Andrew on work when the door burst open."Who's there?"
"See you around," Michael said, smiling at Marion.His action got under Marion's skin. Taking a deep breath, Marion turned off the stove and took the eggs out.Debra glanced at him. "You seem hostile to Michael.""He's not worth my time," Marion replied flatly, peeling the eggs.Then he walked over to her and gently pressed the egg against her injured spot."This will help reduce the swelling. You went too hard on yourself. It's gonna hurt tomorrow.""Michael was just messing around. Don't be fooled by his innocent look. He's got a mischievous side. I think he just wanted to see if you cared about me. He wasn't trying to provoke you."Marion hummed in response, seemingly unbothered by it.He looked down at the bruise and sighed, "He wasn't wrong about one thing.""What is it?""I failed to take good care of you.""That was my doing. It wasn't your fault.""My job is to protect you. I can't let you get hurt even in the slightest." Marion pinched her nose. "I'll carry you to
When Debra and Marion came back, Michael quickly ended the call."You didn't check in with Hannah before leaving?" Debra asked."This trip is for work," Michael replied, closing his laptop. "Hannah was just briefing me on tomorrow's schedule."He noticed her disheveled appearance. "You guys came back so early. Guess the investigation didn't go as smoothly?""Let's just say it was a bit intense. Marion can tell you about the details," Debra said, sitting down on the couch.Marion habitually warmed up some milk for her and grabbed some pre-sliced cake from the fridge.He didn't stick around in the living room but went straight to the kitchen to boil eggs.Michael raised an eyebrow. "Feels like he doesn't quite like me."Marion heard it, his grip tightening around an egg. Then there was a cracking sound.Michael added, "My visit seems untimely. Should I move out?"But he made no move to get up.Debra took a sip of milk. "No way. I can't let you leave, especially since you're th
God knew how panicked Marion was when that guard raised his gun at Debra."I..." Debra murmured, "I couldn't find you.""That's not an excuse." Marion frowned. "Do you not trust me, or are you just used to handling everything yourself? Even if you stood there doing nothing, I could find you in a second. You shouldn't have rushed it like that.""The doors were closing, and I was worried that the guy would get away, so..." she explained."I don't care about the Illuminati. I care about you." Marion cupped her face, his tone serious. "You can't go solo like that again.""What if I do that again?" Debra looked at him.Marion pinched her cheek and muttered, "I'll break your legs so that you can't run off again."Debra slapped his hand away. "It was a special case today. I won't do it again.""Remember what you said. Don't make me worry," Marion relented, pinching her nose."By the way, what's the situation now?""I've handled it.""How?"He fell silent, but she didn't press furt
The man trembled and spilled every bit of information he knew about the Illuminati."Sounds like you're not so useful," Marion said, watching the man shiver in fear. "Everyone here is guilty. To redeem yourselves, your souls will stay in this castle."Before anyone could process his words, gunshots erupted around them. Screams filled the air. In just moments, the castle was thick with the smell of blood."You're out of your mind!" shouted the man, rushing toward the exit.But before he could get close, he was shot dead."Sir, we'll take care of the rest," said a guard."Make sure to clear all the traces," Marion ordered before leaving the castle alone.His eyes reflected the cold light of the moon. The air around him was chilling.Since the day he arrived overseas, everyone was nothing more than a dead man to him....Debra had a dream of her coming-of-age ceremony.Everyone was smiling, and everything was perfect.Suddenly, a gunshot shattered everything. The world went bl
For a moment, the castle fell silent after the gunshot. Then, more shots rang out, each one chipping away at the crowd's composure.A man, trembling, slowly raised his hands and stood up. "I'm a member of the Illuminati."Others scrambled to follow. "Me too."Within moments, nearly 70 to 80 percent of the people in the room were on their feet.The ones who stayed seated were mostly the "merchandise"—people the Illuminati had prepared. They quickly stood as well."Mr. Houston, have mercy," one of them begged. "We were just hired. We don't even know who's in charge."The men and women, who had been laughing and flirting with the wealthy elites, were now shaking in fear.Barely covered, they huddled together, terrified that Marion would kill them.Marion leaned back in his chair, glancing at the crowd. "Words don't count. Prove it."His men raised their rifles, aiming at the heads of the so-called members."I have proof," said one of them, pulling out a badge. "Here. Look. This
The Illuminati lackeys, totaling 30, were all dead now.Their bodies lined up neatly in a row.Marion took off his mask and casually tossed it into the corner. The guests recognized him and froze in place.Everyone there had heard of his infamous name. But they never thought he'd be bold enough to do a massacre.One of his men placed a chair behind him, but Marion didn't sit. Instead, he slowly stepped forward and casually removed the mask of a plump man.He smirked, When he saw the man's face, Marion smiled in a way that was hard to describe. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Pearson.""M-Mr. Houston..." Harvey Pearson sweated nervously.Marion casually asked, "Does your wife know you're here?" "We're just here to have some fun, Mr. Houston. We haven't done anything to offend you. We wouldn't dare."Marion ignored him, turning to rip off more masks."Mr. Glenn, Mr. Stokes, Mr. Salazar..." he muttered, raising his hand.At the signal, his men removed the masks of the remaining guest
The moment the gunshot rang out, Debra felt a gust of wind rush past her ear, followed by a ringing in her ears. It felt like the whole world went silent.In the nick of time, Marion had appeared and twisted the guard's neck. Then the bullet missed its target.Marion was dressed in a suit and a black mask, like many others did. Still, Debra recognized him at a glance."Let's go," he urged.With the alarm set off, all the guards would be gathering on the second floor in less than two minutes.The two of them rushed downstairs and quickly blended in with the chaotic guests.Unfortunately, the exit had been shut, and guards were closing in on them from every direction.Debra, who had inhaled too much of the gas, was already delirious.Her mind was foggy, and her legs felt as though they were floating. She focused on Marion's hand gripping hers, and memories of someone else holding her hand flooded her mind.The memory was blurry, like a dream, and the figure of the young man in t
It was the symbol of the Illuminati.A man's voice echoed through the castle."Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Kingdom Come. Here, you can fulfill your every craving."The atmosphere in the room seemed to get even hotter because of it, but the voice rang a bell to Debra, whose cheeks were starting to burn.Back in Orkgate, the scent released by Drake's men wasn't this strong.The people around her seemed hypnotized. Many had abandoned their dignity and danced wildly in the ballroom.The gamblers were all in deep, their faces flushed with excitement. Meanwhile, the women on sale started using every trick they could to satisfy the buyers.The male pets were even openly draped around the rich women, their hands roaming all over their bodies.Debra felt sick just watching it from the corner. She looked around, trying to find Marion.Without success, she focused on tracing the source of that earlier voice. She looked up at the second floor, but there wasn't a single soul.She was
The bodyguards at the entrance were intimidating.When Debra handed over her invitation, she worried there might be fingerprint scans or facial recognition. That would make things tricky.But the guards barely glanced at it before waving her through. Debra was surprised by how smoothly things went.This castle was one of the top three landmarks overseas, and it had never been open to the public. During the day, it was a tourist attraction. But now, someone managed to host a private banquet right there.Once inside, she was faced with one more hurdle. Rows of scanners stood ahead, all meant to detect any restricted items.Debra was carrying no gun, but Marion had given her a Bluetooth earpiece to stay in contact.To minimize suspicion, they decided to enter separately. She would go in first, and he'd follow shortly after.She hesitated for a moment before taking off the earpiece and tossing it into a shadowed corner.Just as she stepped forward, someone in front of her triggered