The manager looked up in surprise. "Ms. Frazier, you're the CEO. It's unusual for the boss to meet with employees. Michael doesn't deserve such an honor."Normally, just mentioning the penalty clause would make Michael give in.But this time, he was unexpectedly so disobedient and defiant.Debra picked up her bag and left the office.She found out Michael's home address and went over.Michael's family wasn't rich. In the old neighborhood, Debra's luxury car attracted a lot of attention.The manager opened the car door for her and offered, "Madam, let me take you there.""No need. I'll go up myself."The elderly residents there didn't have elevators. They had to climb the stairs.Debra reached the third floor and knocked on a rusty door.Soon, it opened.A man in casual clothes came into view.He was tall, tan-skinned, with deep eyes that held a hint of clarity. His height, nearly 6.28 feet, overshadowed Debra by quite a bit. His handsome appearance clearly outshone that of
Debra held up Michael's previous contract with the company and tore it in half.Michael was stunned.Debra said, "Here's the new contract. You can review it carefully. If you don't trust me, you can consult a lawyer. But if you believe in me, within a year, I'll make you the hottest star."Her earnest expression swayed him. "Why not promote Sean?"Sean was now the top artist for Frazier Entertainment."After a while, Sean will be out of the picture," she said calmly.It just wasn't the right time yet.Michael fell silent for a moment before asking, "So, what are your conditions?""Conditions?" Debra looked puzzled.Michael cut in coolly, "Do you want me to handle female clients for you or..."He didn't finish his sentence, but his eyes hinted at something.When she realized what he meant, she blushed with embarrassment. "That's not what I meant! I'm not asking you to handle clients for me, nor am I looking to keep you."Michael pressed his lips together. "Then what?""If t
The manager failed to stop Sean in time."Why do you give off my resources to Michael? What do you think of him? My equal?"Sean was furious. For years at Frazier Entertainment, he always got the best resources. But now, these resources had been handed to a fresh graduate.Debra leaned back in her chair. "You want to know why?""Yes!" Sean snapped. "Did he bribe you? Or maybe you're keeping him..."Debra slammed the file on the table, making Sean flinch.He had thought Debra was just a soft newcomer to the industry, but her gaze now spoke volume."Calm down, Sean," Debra said coldly. "You're just an artist in this company. Watch your words."Sean persisted, unconvinced. "I'm the top artist here! The company's success depends on me. You've just taken over. Why give away my resources?"The manager observed Debra's expression and started sweating.Debra smirked. "Your resources? Everything you have is given by the company. Top artist? Look around. Even B-list actors barely fit y
"I'll give you two choices," Debra said.Allan had just been fired, leaving Sean feeling uneasy.He didn't know how Debra planned to deal with him.Debra continued, "Option one, stay in the company, but you'll never get any roles again."Sean was shocked.She slowly added, "Option two, join the entertainment company under the Nichols Group. I'll write you a recommendation letter."Sean was stunned, not expecting such a good offer."Really?""Yeah.""I'll choose the second!" Sean was thrilled.The Nichols Group was much better than Frazier Entertainment."Alright, you can go now. I'll introduce you to the Nichols Group tomorrow. I think they'll be happy to have you," Debra said, smiling.Though Sean wasn't a top star now, the big investment had made him somewhat popular. The Nichols Entertainment was known for poaching top stars.But this wasn't entirely good news.After all, Sean had a closet full of skeletons.And those skeletons were time bombs that could affect any co
The McKinney Group's commercial street, once unnoticed, suddenly sprang up overnight.Meanwhile, chaos brewed at the Nichols Group.An emergency meeting convened, and the atmosphere in the boardroom was tense."Mr. Nichols, this commercial street was nothing but a rumor before. Someone clearly aimed to sabotage us.""Yeah, everyone knows our mall, a year in the making, is about to open. We've spent a fortune on promotions, but now this McKinney Group beat us to it.""Numerous merchants have signed contracts with them. This could cost us billions."...The directors debated fervently.In the seat of honor, Juan rubbed his temples. "Enough!"The directors fell silent."Do you know who's the owner of McKinney Group?" he asked."The owner is elusive. We've investigated but found nothing." Joe paused. "However, this street was once part of Melody's auctioned sewage area."The revelation stunned everyone."Is this true?""Mr. Nichols, you can't let her ruin our efforts."...
Marion was helping Debra organize the documents on the desk. He casually said, "Neither."Debra nodded in agreement.Lately, she had been busy with affairs of both Frazier Entertainment and McKinney Group.With the recent opening of her own company, there was a heap of things awaiting her attention.Internships would only waste her time."Is it really okay not to intern?" Erica asked.Having studied abroad before, she wasn't familiar with domestic internship mechanisms. But every time her friends mentioned it, they made it sound like writing the internship report was a painful ordeal.Randy remarked, "What could possibly go wrong? Debra can just stamp a few documents. Writing a thesis won't be a problem for her."They all could provide Debra with the necessary stamps.If not for his business overseas, Marion could have not only stamped one document for Debra but ten.Suddenly, the phone on the table rang. Randy hurried over to answer it. The caller ID showed it was the princi
"I'll give you a ride," Marion offered.Debra agreed. Marion hurried downstairs to get his car, and she followed closely.She quickened her pace after leaving McKinney Group. However, as she descended the stairs, her foot slipped, causing her to fall backwards. Instinctively, she closed her eyes, expecting to hit the ground hard, but in the next instant, she found herself in someone's arms.She opened her eyes to see Marion's smiling face.In a low voice, he said, "Take it easy. You won't be late."Debra blushed and quickly got into the car.Marion took the driver's seat, a faint smile on his face."Fasten your seatbelt and hold on tight," he said.Before Debra could fully grasp his words, he hit the gas pedal.If she hadn't held on, she felt like she might have been launched out.Not far from the apartment building, Debra saw Joe's car just arriving.Unable to enter the gated community without a key card, Joe could only wait outside.Debra picked up her bag. "I'm gonna hea
By now, Juan should have received the false information leaked by Debra.Calling her back now indicated his dissatisfaction with the investigation's results."I've never heard of Tracy McKinney before," Juan said, observing her expression.Debra remained composed, giving away nothing.Tracy was her, and she was Tracy.She had used a fake identity, so it was normal that Juan couldn't find anything."Me too. Maybe some foreign entrepreneur." Debra casually diverted the topic. "Did you call me back just to ask me this? I don't have time for such boring questions."With that, she got up. Juan took a deep breath and asked helplessly, "How much longer are you going to keep this tantrum?"It had been three months since Debra came home. He thought giving her some space would make her give in, but he hadn't expected her to stand firm this time."I'm not throwing a tantrum. Since you don't want a divorce, I'll have to force your hand."Her words ignited Juan's anger. "Is that what you
Liza slammed her hands on the table. "How could you fall for a married woman?""Liza, calm down. It's not like that," Garland tried to explain.Debra interrupted him with a sigh, "Your confession was really touching. If you had shown up a bit earlier..."Liza was shocked. "You what? That's it. I'm telling Dad.""Liza!" Garland was eager to soothe her, but she dashed upstairs.Nonchalant, Debra continued to sip her soup."How could you do this?" Garland grumbled."I was speaking the truth." Debra shrugged innocently. "Or do you have ulterior motives to ask about my daily routine?"Garland swallowed hard, knowing it was yet another test.'As Juan said, Debra is not easy to fool. And following this logic, I'd be the lovelorn third male lead, following Juan. No. I don't deserve that title.'"Mrs. Houston," Garland hesitated, "honestly, I don't have feelings for you. It's just that I have my complicated reasons."He couldn't decide whether to spill everything or keep quiet. If he
"Half true, half false.""Tell me about it.""I'm not sure about the rest, but I'm certain his feelings for you are fake," Marion asserted.Debra raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying my charm is weak? How can you be so sure?""When you love someone, you can't hide it in your eyes," Marion replied.Confession was something even he found hard to do, but Garland had been too casual about it. There was no hint of affection in his eyes. Marion figured it was just an excuse.Debra blushed under his fervent gaze. "Alright. You're an expert. No one knows love better than you do."She remembered the times before she accepted Marion's feelings. She had misunderstood his constant attention, thinking he was plotting against her.It was only later that she realized he liked her."But if Garland doesn't like me, why is he recording my every move?" Debra asked.Marion looked away. "I don't know.""You don't know, or you don't want to tell me?" Debra scrutinized him. "Are you hiding somethi
Unable to bear it, Marion broke the silence."Mr. Eaton, do you have something to say?""Actually, I am not Fermin."His confession didn't surprise them in the slightest, but their reaction surprised him.He cleared his throat. "Uh, could you at least react a little? This is getting awkward.""Oh," Debra said casually. "So, why are you suddenly telling us this?""Well," Garland started to explain, "I snuck out alone and used Fermin's identity since we're twins. The outsiders can't tell us apart, and I enjoy throwing his name around. It's embarrassing, but it's the truth. You guys are my friends, and I don't want to lie to you. Please don't rat me out, or I'm done for."Debra pressed, "So, what were you in Seamar City?""It was all for the New Age," Garland replied. "I don't have any other hobbies, but I love journalism and being a reporter."He paused and added, "I swear, I never meant you any harm. If I get caught and sent back, I'll never get out again."Debra leaned in. "T
"Yes. She rattled off the pros and cons. I didn't understand a word of it, but somehow, I managed to muddle through. The problem is, I am not the decision maker. What if she follows up and presses me?" Garland said.Juan muttered, "Her company is doing well. Why would she need to work with you?""I don't know.""Did something go wrong with her company?""I've no idea.""Is the Buchan Group targeting them?""I'm not sure."Frustrated, Juan rubbed his temples. "You had a meeting. Surely, you remember something."Garland recalled it. "Well, she said something about Theda trying to get their hands on the shares of the Nichols Group. Then she said Theda couldn't get them. In the end, she proposed to work with me to dominate overseas and Seamar City markets. I told her I'd take it back to the company for discussion, but she hit me with this thing about me being the sole decision-maker for overseas operations. I panicked and said we didn't have any assets in Seamar City. Then she drop
"Yep.""I thought you meant my company.""Not really," Garland quickly reassured her. "Even if Theda has those shares, she can't compete with you."Debra took a sip of what she thought was tea, only to realize it was Coke. She glanced at Garland, who was wolfing down his food with no regard for manners."I've heard that you have a ruthless streak and get things done efficiently," she probed. "If we join hands, dominating overseas and Seamar City markets won't be a problem. What do you think?"Garland nearly choked on the food. 'Ruthless? Efficient? That sounds more like my dad.'As for cooperation, he didn't have the authority to make that decision."What you're saying makes sense," he stammered. "Given our relationship, a partnership wouldn't be a problem. But this is a big decision. I'll need to discuss it with my dad."Noticing Debra's suspicious look, he quickly corrected himself. "I mean, I'll talk to the shareholders and get my dad's approval.""I heard that your father
Lara recounted what happened to Debra, who muttered in confusion, "Huh? He only recorded my meals?"She glanced at Marion, who was equally clueless."He didn't ask anything else. But since no one was eating in the dining room, he went back to his room.""He made his actions so obvious," Debra mused. "I'll test him again and find out what he is trying to do."Marion advised, "From the way things are going right now, his brain doesn't seem so sharp. You should be careful not to overplay your hand when probing him. I'm afraid he won't catch on.""He's the heir to the Eaton family. He can't be that dull," Debra reasoned."I'm not calling him a fool," Marion explained. "But he has been acting like one."Fermin's recent behavior had betrayed his low intelligence.When they were at the Potter Mansion, he had maintained his sophistication, but over time, he couldn't be bothered to fake it anymore, always showing his true colors in front of them."I'll go try something," Debra said, st
"Liza and Fermin are here," Debra said, changing the subject."I heard." Marion nodded."I suspect Fermin is here to keep an eye on us," Debra shared her thoughts. "He is the heir to the Eaton family. It doesn't make sense for him to come here personally. But his interaction with Liza suggests they are real siblings. I just don't get why he'd bother monitoring me."They had stayed at the Potter Mansion for a while, but nothing had happened. If Fermin was as cunning as rumors suggested, he wouldn't have been sitting around and doing nothing.Debra had deliberately let them stay to keep an eye on them. But Seamar City remained peaceful."Are you doubting his identity now?" Marion asked."Doubting is one thing. Knowing what he's up to is another, and finding out his true identity is yet another," Debra replied, shaking her head. "I don't know if he's dumb or playing dumb. We need to find an opportunity to test him.""Then let's test him," Marion agreed. "Finding out what he's monit
When Debra returned to the room, she saw Marion trying to get out of bed and walk.She hurried over to support him. "The doctor said you shouldn't be moving around right now. Why aren't you listening?"Marion brushed it off. "My physical condition is better than most people's. I'll heal faster.""Cut the nonsense," Debra retorted. "The venom may have been neutralized, but you're still weak. Don't think I don't know what you're up to. You're eager to go back and retaliate against the Buchan family."The mention of the Buchan family made Marion pause, realizing she must've interrogated Robert."So, you know.""Of course, I know. Think you could handle things without me finding out?"She tapped his forehead and said, "You didn't have to fight them. If Theda wants the Nichols Group so badly, let her have it. I don't care.""I know," Marion said, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I just don't want anyone to steal your things."He could feel Debra's obsession with the N
Debra tactfully suggested, "Your influence in Orkgate is undeniable, but sometimes you can be a bit misguided. Why don't we...""No. I'm doing this alone," Drake refused, heading toward his study.Debra was speechless. If Drake took things into his hands, Orkgate would be turned upside down. If he stirred the pot too much, the target would surely flee the city. She couldn't let him act so recklessly.Kale had just escorted Garland and Liza to the guest room.Seeing Drake return, he asked, "Boss, are you sure about letting them stay here?""Why not? It's not like we're short on guest rooms," Drake replied dismissively.He then ordered, "I need you to gather information on every business in Orkgate, big or small, whether they're our partners or not. Get their details and map out their network. Don't miss a thing."Kale blinked. "Every business? And their network?"Orkgate was vast and bustling, with countless businesses. Compiling all that information would take weeks, even with