Erica stared at the portrait. Memories of her childhood flashed through her mind.It was Caleb who taught her to be strong and independent, trained her in fighting skills, and showed her how to protect herself. He had also shared wisdom about life and survival.She remembered one time when he took her to the greenhouse. Surrounded by roses, he said, "Loving someone is like tending to flowers. Only with care and dedication can they bloom beautifully."He taught her how to plant flowers and cherish them. Back then, she was just a budding girl. 20 years later, she was the president of the Mathis Group. She had bloomed like a dazzling rose, just as Caleb had predicted."Caleb, rest in peace," she muttered, tightening her grip on Randy's hand....At the Potter Mansion, Barton glanced at Andrew, who was staring out the window."Sir, the guests have all arrived at the funeral. Aren't you going?""No. Someone else will represent me.""You mean...""Jordan should've returned by now."
"Are you going to stay in Seamar City?" Erica asked.Jordan hummed, "For now, I'm not leaving."Marion walked up, and Jordan felt an invisible pressure.Marion spoke. "You smell like gunpowder."The atmosphere around them shifted with his words, but Jordan remained composed.Erica chimed in, "Isn't that normal since he's in the army?"Randy leaned in and sniffed. "I don't smell anything."Jordan casually lifted his coat, revealing a gun at his waist. "He's not wrong, but it's normal, isn't it? I think he has got more gunpowder on him than I do.""That's true." Randy nodded. "Alright, stop comparing. I'm starving.""Caleb is starving." Erica looked at her watch and added, "At this time, he should already be eating. Let's go. I've got all his favorite foods ready."She looped her arm through Debra's and said, "Forget about these people. Let's go."Debra glanced at Jordan, sensing that something about him had changed. And Marion wouldn't target someone without reason."I've go
Marion opened a bottle of whisky and poured full glasses for everyone.Randy raised his glass and said, "To Caleb.""To Caleb," the others echoed.Erica, known for her drinking prowess, downed her whisky at one go. Debra followed suit, though she wasn't used to drinking strong spirits. Marion was the last to drink, finishing his with a straightforward ease.The four of them sat around the table, staring at the dishes spread before them.Erica clicked her tongue. "Honestly, how did Caleb get to his age eating this kind of junk?"Randy chimed in, "Exactly. I stopped eating this stuff after high school."Erica muttered, "Was it because abalone and lobster didn't suit his taste? No. It's because he couldn't chew them."Everyone burst into laughter."Come on, let's toast to Caleb." Randy raised his glass again.Tonight, it seemed like there were too many unsaid words between them. They all poured out their hearts.Randy clapped Marion on the shoulder. "Seriously, how did you deal
Just then, Debra's phone rang.She checked it out and found it was Garland. As soon as the line went through, his anxious voice came through."Why aren't you guys back yet? I've called you so many times, and none of you answered. I thought you all committed suicide.""What's up?""You don't know? The Lowe Group has a new successor. Overnight, they convinced all the shareholders to make him the new CEO."Debra's heart skipped a beat. Her gaze darted to Marion, who immediately sensed the gravity of the situation.He shook Randy awake and roused Erica. "Something's happened. We need to go back now."Still groggy, Erica and Randy followed them, catching a cab back to the Potter Mansion. As they entered, the TV was broadcasting the news about the new successor of the Lowe Group.Randy was puzzled. "Isn't Drake the biggest shareholder? Who has the power to remove him?""Those behind the scenes," Debra said, her brows furrowed.She just hadn't expected it to happen so quickly.Eric
Everyone was deep in thought when Debra caught sight of Jordan standing a short distance away.She hadn't noticed when he arrived, and neither had anyone else. They were all too absorbed in watching the news to pay attention.Randy followed Debra's gaze and looked over. He jumped. "Jordan, you scared the hell out of me. Why did you walk without a sound?""I've been here for ages," Jordan replied calmly. "You were all so focused on the news that you didn't notice me.""Kid, looks like being in the army really changes a person. I didn't even notice you sneaking up. You've gotten pretty good at hiding your presence," Erica chuckled, patting his shoulder.Jordan frowned. "I'm not a kid anymore. I have a name. Stop calling me that."Erica wasn't bothered. "You'll always be our little brother. Don't forget who taught you how to do a spinning kick when you were little."As the tension eased a little, Debra spoke up. "Let's head to the office. Who knows what kind of chaos is brewing ou
"That plot of land. Is there something wrong with the land?" Debra replied."It's not the land itself, but your over-reliance on it," Marion said.He hadn't pointed it out before because this plot of land had brought in significant profits. However, if they wanted to confront that mastermind, they couldn't just rely on this land alone."I get what you mean." Debra nodded, "If I'm just the head of the McKinney Group, I'm not qualified to meet those people.""They have been suppressing our moves," Marion said. If we want to lure them out, we'll need unconventional methods."He placed a document into her hands. "This is from Caleb, for you.""For me?" Debra was surprised.She took the folder, opened it, and found a share transfer agreement inside, along with a land transfer agreement and a will."Is this the Houston Group's land?""Yes. Caleb probably sensed that something was going to happen, so he prepared these documents and the will in advance. Now all the resources are in yo
Juan was unperturbed. "Why do you think I'd show her mercy?""Wouldn't you?" Melody asked back, taking a deep breath. "She is nothing but trouble to us. You made foolish choices for her and experienced an exile life. Now you should know how fortunate you are to lead our family."She then handed him a document. "This is the 10% stake I spent my entire savings to buy from Debra. With this, you're the largest shareholder. No one will be able to shake your position again."Juan glanced at it, a self-mocking smile playing on his lips.Melody had held onto these shares all her life, never intending to hand them over to him. Now she was offering them willingly. Clearly, things hadn't been going well for her lately."Don't worry, Grandma. I won't give them a way out. Marion will die, and so will Debra," he replied.Melody was surprised. "What?""Why? Didn't you want her dead too? You even hired someone to kill her, didn't you?" Juan asked, puzzled.Melody forced a smile. "It's true, bu
Melody fumed, watching Juan leave.She spat, "Taking the shares and turning your back. Like mother, like son. How disrespectful!"Juan stopped in his tracks and looked back at her. "Grandma, in this family, the one with power has the right to speak. Isn't that what you've always taught me? I've taken that lesson to heart. You're part of the family too. You shouldn't forget the rules."Melody was stunned. The Nichols family had always followed strict, conservative rules. Women were expected to obey their husbands and care for the household. In truth, these rules were not made from the beginning.Melody made them for her daughter-in-law to follow.When her husband was still around, he never restrained her. She was just unwilling to let go of those old-fashioned ideas, and those rules were just tools for her to control the next generations.Juan had known this for a long time but had never spoken up out of respect for Melody. But over the years, she had become more and more parano
Debra's eyes narrowed at this guy she'd never heard of.Michael had kept it under wraps, proving he had never fully trusted her."Mrs. Houston," Jason said, "I'm here for Mr. Austin to negotiate. He called this shareholder vote in the name of the biggest stakeholder. He's got the right to kick it off. Any objections?"Debra plopped into the head chair. "Cut the polite crap. Everyone's here. Objections or not, this vote's happening, right? No way it's that simple.""Mrs. Houston," Jason said coolly, "today's vote's straightforward: who's better suited as the McKinney Group CEO, you or Mr. Austin? Everyone here sees what you both bring. In the past two years, you've barely shown up. Mr. Austin ran the show, held a key role, and raked in profits. He's the clear pick for CEO.""So, you're saying I suck as the boss?" Debra shot back.Michael didn't even show, sending this random assistant instead. That already pissed her off.Now this guy's veiled jabs annoyed her even more."I'm ju
Debra's heart sank.Back when she'd teamed up with Michael, she had nothing, offering him Frazier Entertainment shares to seal the deal. Later, Frazier Entertainment merged into the McKinney Group, and she handed it off to him.To keep her identity hidden, she'd tossed him more shares. With Frazier Entertainment, he'd racked up 30%.She'd thought he deserved it. For two years, he'd run the show plenty. She'd never seen this coming."Madam, you there?" Ben's voice shook.This was huge and should stay quiet. Otherwise, the company would fall into chaos.Debra's blood ran cold. She hadn't expected Michael to go so far."I'll be there soon," she said, hanging up.She turned to Marion. "Michael scooped up loose shares. He's gunning for a vote as top shareholder."Over 40% wasn't half, but it made him the biggest player. Calling a vote was his right.Debra only had 40%. If 10% of the rest sided with Michael, he could oust her."Don't sweat it," Marion said. "We'll hit it together.
That shut everyone up.If Jordan was right, Drake was gambling with his neck."That's too risky. I've gotta drag him back." Debra spun to leave.Erica grabbed her. "Jordan's guys are on it. They'll ping us if they find him. You can't go out like this and become their target.""I'm not their focus anymore," Debra said. "They'll zero in on Drake."She looked at Marion. "Get your people searching. We need his trail fast, or he's dead."Once the Illuminati squeezed the stone's location out of Drake, they'd kill him.Orkgate was now controlled by Lara. Drake had no other value for them."On it," Marion said.They split up. Erica and Randy tapped their networks."Debra, don't freak," Jordan said. "Drake is not dumb. Injured like that, he couldn't have gone far. As long as he keeps that secret, they won't kill him."Debra nodded. "Hope he doesn't do anything stupid."She should've seen it coming. A proud guy like Drake couldn't handle being down for so long.His injuries were bru
Outside their room, Drake froze mid-knock.His head was down, and his expression was hidden. Eventually, his hand dropped, and he sighed.He turned around and shuffled downstairs, leaning on the wall. He was a broken mess now, unwilling to drag them down....Debra woke up the next morning, reaching for Marion.He wasn't there. She bolted upright, threw off the covers, and ran barefoot downstairs, shouting, "Marion?"In the hall, Marion and Jordan turned as she stumbled in, still in her pajamas.Marion rushed up, slipping off his slippers for her. "What's with the panic?""I didn't see you." She heaved a sigh of relief. "Thought you'd...""Any luck?" Jordan asked Kale, who'd just walked in.Kale shook his head. "Not yet.""What's up?" Debra asked, clocking everyone's grim faces."Drake's gone," Marion said. "No note, nothing. We're looking.""Did the cameras catch anything? Could it be the Illuminati...""Not them. He walked out himself.""Why the hell would he just up a
Debra jolted awake from a nightmare, her forehead slick with sweat."Still torn up about Michael?" Marion's voice came from beside her.She settled into his arms, finally feeling a little relieved. These past two months, they'd faced everything alone. She hadn't curled up with him like this in forever."It's my fault," she whispered. "If I hadn't trusted Michael so much, the Eaton family wouldn't have been a mess. Mr. Eaton Sr. wouldn't have been in the hospital.""It's your fault," Marion said, patting her back. "Even without your trust, the Illuminati would've found a way in. That was their goal.""I just can't wrap my head around why Michael's one of them," she said.She'd spent all night recalling the past, from meeting Michael to building the McKinney Group with him. He was key to its success, but everything had been a lie."Maybe he was never with us," Marion said. "The Illuminati's everywhere. Didn't you check his background when you teamed up?""I..." Debra faltered.S
"We're all in it for ourselves." Michael shrugged. "Jeffery did his part for the Illuminati, so I'll cut you some slack.He pushed the teacup to Juan. "But I don't buy it that you're all-in. Following in Jeffery's footsteps sounds nice, but you killed him, which shows your ruthless nature. We need people like you. I don't care if you're Debra's mole or chasing your angle. Save your energy. It's pointless. Just do your job and back us up. I won't say a word about it.""Should I thank you for it?" Juan scoffed.He'd thought Michael was forced into it, but now he saw how naïve that was.Though young, Michael was already a core member, suggesting his connection to the Illuminati dates back a long time.Only intelligent and influential ones could enter the core circle. That meant he hadn't defected midway.Michael sat down across from him. "Don't look at me like that. We're not the same, and you know it.""When'd you turn on Debra?" Juan asked."Doesn't matter," Michael said, smilin
It was true they were both members of the Illuminati, but Fermin never signed up to be a lapdog.Back then, he'd teamed up with them for mutual gain. But the Illuminati wanted more than a partnership. They wanted the Eaton family on a leash.When Fermin didn't bite, Michael added, "I saw Miss Eaton crying her eyes out. We go way back. Should I cheer her..."Before he could finish, Fermin's knife flashed to his throat, nicking him. Blood trickled, but it was just a scratch."Stay away from her," Fermin growled. "Touch her, and I'll end you.""I'm just being nice here," Michael chuckled. "But if you're not cool with it, I'll drop it. But those terms? Think twice. We only help our own. If you keep playing your own game, that heart goes elsewhere. And trust me, you won't find another match."Fermin hated to admit it, but Michael was speaking the truth. Without the Illuminati's help, he couldn't find a match for Bert's heart.He lowered the knife. "Fine, it's a deal. Get your people
She only had Fermin and Bert left in this world.She had no mom and no real friends. She couldn't lose Bert or watch Fermin turn into this.She didn't want Debra's crew hurt either.Fermin pulled her into a hug. "Don't worry. Dad will be fine. I'll make sure of it."His promise unleashed her tears. The hospital hallway echoed with her cries.Once she calmed down, Fermin had someone take her away.A guard stepped up. "Mr. Eaton, our master is waiting ahead.""You've tailed me this whole way," Fermin said coldly. "Gonna keep it up? I don't like shadows."The guards stayed silent, just following orders. If their boss said stick to Fermin, they'd die before leaving his side."Loyal dogs to your master," Fermin scoffed, brushing past them.He walked into an empty ward. A tall figure in a white shirt stood by the window."You've really opened my eyes," he said, surprised."I'm flattered, Mr. Eaton," Michael said, turning around.His crisp white shirt had dried bloodstains. Notic
Liza rushed to the ICU upon receiving the news.A bodyguard stopped her. "Mr. Eaton said no one gets near the room and disturbs the patient's rest."Liza smacked him, and he bowed his head.Her eyes were red, her vibe darker than ever. "That's my dad in there. Why can't I go in? Move!""Mr. Eaton forbids it. Please, don't make things hard for us," the bodyguard said, stuck.No one there dared to defy her. They all knew how much Fermin doted on her."I don't care," she snapped. "Step aside, or I'll have my brother skin you alive. Let's see if you still block me."Her threat chilled him. She might be bluffing, but Fermin wouldn't."What's the ruckus?" Fermin's voice cut through."Mr. Eaton." The bodyguard bowed his head."Didn't I tell you no one gets near?" Fermin's tone dripped danger.Coming with him was a group of elite guards. The bodyguard was daunted by their aura.Liza stepped forward. "Dad is in a bad condition. Why wouldn't you let me see him? Does this have anythin