"Alright, please wait here for a moment," said the nurse, leaving Shelia alone in the morgue.Shelia stepped forward and lifted the white cloth, revealing the lifeless body beneath. Debra's face was bloodless, with dark circles beneath her eyes. It was a far cry from the refined lady she used to be.Debra looked at her body with a wry smile. In her previous life, she had tortured herself for Juan, ending up in such a miserable state. It seemed all for nothing."Debra, don't blame me for this. Only by your death can I take the position of Mrs. Nichols," Shelia murmured, slipping the ring off the corpse's finger for a closer look.Debra remembered that ring. It was given to her by Melody after she got pregnant. Melody had said she was the only hostess of the Nichols family. Now, it all seemed like a cruel joke."I didn't expect Juan to give you the heirloom ring," Shelia mused, slipping the ring onto her own finger. "But it doesn't matter. From today on, this ring belongs to me."D
"Is Mr. Andrew Potter up?" Debra asked."Yes," the maid replied. "Do you want to meet him?""It's time for me to leave," Debra said, her grip tightening on the envelope in her hand.She held evidence of Ralph's crimes, and she could leave at any moment. But exposing Ralph would mean sending him to prison.Across town, Ralph had just risen from bed when he heard a knock at the door. The maid hurried to open it and was startled to see Debra standing outside."M-Ms. Frazier?"Ralph came downstairs, asking, "Who's it?"When he saw Debra at the door, his expression froze for a moment before he quickly composed himself. He hurried over to her, his face a mask of concern. "Debra, how did you get out? What happened? Did the police clear everything up?"Debra didn't answer any of his questions. Instead, she smiled faintly and said, "Uncle Ralph, you really care about me.""Of course. You're the only child of my elder brother. How could I not care?" he sighed. "I don't know who framed u
"You tell me, Uncle Ralph," Debra said, gesturing to the documents laid out on the table.Ralph reached for the papers with a trembling hand, his eyes scanning the first page. Soon enough, his legs buckled, and he collapsed to the ground.Debra watched him, her expression impassive, as she suppressed the surge of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. "You're my uncle, and I never imagined it was you."Ralph looked up at her, his aged face streaked with tears and cold sweat. "I had no choice. If I can't repay that money, they'll break my arms and legs, and I'll be dead.""So, you set me up?" Debra laughed coldly. "You should know, with charges like embezzlement and bribery, I'd spend the rest of my life in prison. But you still did this."Ralph's breath hitched, his words tumbling out in a rush. "I never wanted to harm you, but you were restless, insisting on divorcing Juan and running the Frazier family."He paused and added, "You don't know what my life was like. It was only af
"Debra, don't talk like that. I am your only family left in this world. If you agree with my request, I'll treat you well just like before," Ralph said.Debra snorted, "I used to think Rosalie had thick skin, but I didn't realize you were the same."Whether in her past life or this one, she had been blind to Ralph's true nature.She stood up, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. Ralph suddenly lunged forward with a raised ashtray in his hand.But before he could bring it down, several black-clad bodyguards burst into the room. Debra's eyes darkened as she looked back at Ralph, whose face contorted with rage and desperation. It was a mirror image of Stanley's twisted expression from before.She had once believed that Stanley had been corrupted by Rosalie, but it seemed they were all birds of a feather."Are you planning to kidnap me and extort Marion?"The bodyguards watched from the doorway, ready to intervene at the slightest sign of trouble. Ralph knew he had lost, dro
Rosalie rushed forward, her voice shrill and accusing. "Debra! Do you have any conscience left? Ralph was so kind to you, and what did you do in return? You made him take the blame for you."Stanley echoed her mother. "My dad must be blind to always favor you. Debra, you're an ungrateful wretch."His expression was fierce, but he dared not lay a hand on Debra, having learned his lesson from his previous encounter with Marion.Debra, however, didn't turn a hair. "Guards!"The security guards rushed into the room, their heads lowered in apology. "Madam, we're sorry. Ms. Rosalie Frazier insisted on coming in."Debra cut him off. "Ralph and she are already divorced. She is no longer a member of this family.""We see.""I hired you to guard the gate, not to let anyone in casually.""We'll get them out right away."They stepped forward to escort Rosalie and Stanley out."Hands off my mother!" Stanley shouted, holding up his phone. "Debra, you made my dad take the blame for you. You
The comments section was flooded with messages from numerous viewers.[Oh my god, Debra is even more beautiful in person. She looks way better than in the photos.][I almost think I've stumbled into a celebrity's livestream. Her looks are out of this world.][She's so pretty. She couldn't possibly be involved in any crime.]...The comments kept coming, each one more enthusiastic than the last.Debra opened the document directly on camera, revealing its contents to the eager viewers. People went wild, taking screenshots and commenting frantically.[So, Ralph Frazier is a gambler.][Wow, he owes so much money. No wonder he had to embezzle funds.][I knew it had nothing to do with Debra. By the way, why doesn't she enter showbiz with her looks?]...The comments annoyed Stanley, who snatched the document from Debra's hands and snapped after flipping a few pages, "These are all fake. You're despicable for using such dirty tricks to slander my dad. He treated you like his own da
Stanley's face flushed a deep red. "You're talking nonsense.""Am I?" Debra said, turning to Rosalie. "What do you think? Ralph was your husband, and I presume you know about his doing."Rosalie was stunned. She hadn't known about Ralph's gambling, but Debra's words stirred old suspicions. She wondered if Ralph was really addicted to gambling.Unwilling to give up, Stanley interjected, "Even if he did gamble, it was just a little money. Our family raised you for so many years."Debra slammed the glass onto the table, the sound echoing through the room like a gunshot. "Don't you know what kind of life I had in your house?"In her past life, she had arrived at Ralph's house with her family's inheritance, only to be met with resentment and mistreatment. Rosalie had always viewed her as a burden, a sentiment that Debra had endured silently for years.Ralph hadn't intervened, and Debra had understood that he was busy with the company and fond of Rosalie. But now, it seemed that Ralph
By night, a steady stream of visitors began to arrive at the Frazier family's villa.Each one was a shareholder in the Frazier Group, and they all had one thing on their minds: withdrawing their investments. Among them were even members of the Frazier family itself, all eagerly awaiting Debra's solution.The expansive hall was abuzz with whispered conversations and tense anticipation. When Debra descended from her second-floor study, the room fell silent. She was a vision in a shimmering long dress, her makeup delicate yet striking.The elder shareholders spoke up."Ms. Frazier, given the current circumstances, we believe it's time for you to provide us with a solution.""All our projects have ground to a halt. We can't just sit back and watch the company go bankrupt.""And while the McKinney Group has acquired us, who's to say they won't terminate the contract, given the situation?"...Debra listened intently, her expression calm and composed. "I understand your concerns," sh
But if they both snuck out, he could blame it all on Liza. Bert wouldn't be as hard on him then.With that thought, Garland hurried after Liza, making sure to emphasize, "Remember, I'm only going to Seamar City to protect you. This is all for your sake.""I know. You're the best brother ever," Liza chirped.In Seamar City, Randy and Erica were waiting at the airport.Randy, with dark circles under his eyes, was seeing double. Everyone looked like Debra and Marion to him."Erica, we could've just waited at home," Randy grumbled. "They're not kids; they won't get lost. I finally took a break. I don't want to do fatigued driving.""Oh, stop whining," Erica retorted. "I'll drive later."Randy's eyes widened at the thought of Erica's driving skills. He suddenly felt wide awake. "You know what? I can drive."Just then, Debra and Marion exited the airport. Debra spotted Erica and Randy bickering in the crowd."What do you mean by that? Do you think I'm a bad driver?" Erica demanded,
"The waters in Seamar City run too deep. I don't want her to know too much," Juan replied, kicking the sack toward Garland. "Load him up. I'll meet you upstairs.""Hey, you're seriously dumping this on me?" Garland growled, glancing at the motionless Edgar inside the sack.His face was pale from blood loss. Of all the people he could've kidnapped, it had to be the two most cherished women. Edgar brought this on himself....Drake and Kale finally arrived at the factory, only to find the place deserted.Drake scanned the place and asked, "You're sure this is the place?""Yes, boss," Kale replied firmly. "The team tracked the signal from the phone call. It came from here."Drake glanced at his watch. Two hours had already passed since they'd set out.Maybe it was all over.His jaw tightened as frustration flashed in his eyes. "Damn Edgar! Can't even hold out for long enough to make it worthwhile."The next morning, at the Eaton Mansion. "Debra left? How could she just leave?
Garland knew Juan had been going to save Debra. It was a relief to learn that Juan was safe."Get inside and clean up," Garland urged. "Dad doesn't know yet. Or he'd have broken loose.""Let it break loose," Liza fumed. "Edgar teamed up with Cathryn to kidnap me. He's a dead man.""Cathryn?" Garland was shocked by the revelation."Son of a bitch!" Garland rolled up his sleeves.Liza quickly grabbed his arm. "Where are you going?""Of course, I'm going to beat the hell out of those bastards. How dare they mess with you?""Garland!"Just then, a figure wearing a mask entered the room.Liza scowled, "You have the nerve to come back. You..."Garland intervened, "Liza, go upstairs. I need to handle this. Go."She pointed at Juan, fuming. "Brother, you should punish him. He didn't care about my safety, opened fire while I was still around, and then just disappeared. No bodyguards do their jobs like that. He...""Alright, I'll teach him a lesson," Garland assured her, pushing her
Debra and Marion escorted Liza back home, where they saw Garland pacing anxiously at the doorstep."Brother!" Liza called out, making a run toward him.Garland was ready to hug her when he spotted two figures standing behind her.His smile faded, and his arms hung awkwardly in mid-air.This wasn't part of the script, and he didn't know how to react when facing Marion and Debra.And Juan was not with them.Oblivious to his strange reaction, Liza threw herself into his arms and cried, "I thought I'd never see you again."Garland glanced nervously at Marion and Debra. Liza looked up and asked, "What's wrong?"He saw her tear-streaked face and said in a deep voice, "Liza, pull yourself together. Our guests are watching."Liza was puzzled. This was their home, where she had never minded her manners.Garland then addressed Debra and Marion, "Mr. and Mrs. Houston, I presume I have you to thank for bringing Liza back safely."His polite exterior concealed a growing discomfort. His p
"But I heard you say you wanted to exchange true hearts," Marion said."I did," Debra replied. "My desire to save Liza is genuine. But that doesn't mean I have to die for it.""So why go through all this trouble? Trying to manipulate her feelings?""Not manipulation but a little strategy. Someone has to take the first step in any relationship."Marion sighed, flicking her nose. "Always scheming, aren't you?"Debra grinned, her earlier sharpness replaced by a playful gleam. This move had been unexpected, but it had worked beautifully.Not only had they caught Edgar, but Liza now owed her a huge favor. Even if there was some calculation involved, her desire to save Liza was genuine.Suddenly, Debra remembered Frederic, who had been with them. When she turned to ask about his injuries, she found him gone. Edgar was missing too.She frowned, wondering if Frederic had taken Edgar away on Fermin's orders."Hey, are you two done talking?" Liza complained. "It's freaking cold here."
The coldness in Debra's eyes deepened.Cathryn laughed mockingly, "Debra, this is all you've got? All you ever do is talk big with nothing to back it up.""If I do that," Debra said, "you'd let Liza go, right?""Of course. If you die, I'll let her walk free," Cathryn said, glancing at Liza. "We're friends. I don't want to hurt her. I just want you dead."Liza's heart sank. She didn't believe for a second that Debra would do that for her.Debra turned to Frederic and extended her hand. "Give me the knife."Frederic didn't move, and she frowned. "I said, give it to me."When Frederic still didn't respond, she added, "I'm doing this to save your lady. If something happens to Liza, how will you explain it to Fermin?"But Frederic still refused to comply. Debra leaned in closer and lowered her voice. "Trust me. Just give me the knife."Frederic's gaze flicked to the gun in Debra's right hand. Something clicked in his mind, and he slowly handed her the knife.Debra turned back to C
Debra's eyes narrowed. "I get why you want to kill me, but Drake was your ally. Isn't this a bit too cruel?"Cathryn spluttered, "Drake used me like a pawn. I just want him to pay for it. Compared to the humiliation he put me through, 20 billion dollars is nothing. It can't even restore my dignity.""Dignity is something you give yourself," Debra retorted. "Drake gave you choices. You were blinded by greed.""Shut up!" Cathryn snarled. "Don't act all high and mighty with me. You think you're so pure? If you were, why did you throw yourself at Marion? At your engagement party, Erica protected you. Randy stood by you. Andrew had your back. You have Michael and Oscar supporting the McKinney Group for you. Even Juan can't forget you. With all these people loving you, why did you have to steal Marion?"Debra hadn't realized Cathryn harbored so much resentment. She let out a cold laugh. "Everything I have, I earned with my blood, sweat, and tears. Do you think Marion would love you if yo
Frederic caught Liza, who was paralyzed with fear, and pushed her toward the car.Meanwhile, Debra kicked Edgar in the chest and pinned him under her heel. "Tell me, what's in Seamar City?"She had gone to great lengths to corner Edgar, intending to have Randy keep an eye on him in Seamar City until she could return to confront him.But Edgar had fled overseas, taking Liza and Cathryn hostage in his desperation.With his thigh pierced, Edgar could barely fight back. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he spat, "What's in Seamar City? Are you seriously pretending you don't know? It's wealth beyond imagination. The kind of fortune every merchant dreams of.""What treasure?" Debra leaned in, her expression intense. "Be specific."Edgar's hand suddenly darted to his waist. In a flash, he drew a concealed dagger and slashed toward her. In reflex, Debra caught it.Frederic immediately raised his gun, only to find it hard to aim at Edgar. He was trying to use Debra as a shield."Help
"True." Drake stood up. "Get the car ready. We're going.""Yes, boss." Kale shook his head.Drake never cared about his reputation. He just needed an excuse to go.Once in the car, Kale started the engine and asked, "Boss, where are we headed?""How would I know? Didn't Cathryn tell you where she was?""No, she didn't."Silence settled in the car.Inside the abandoned factory, Edgar glanced at Liza. "Fermin hasn't shown up yet. Looks like he doesn't care about you that much."Liza retorted, "No way. He loves me the most. He'll come to save me.""Seems like we can't rely on you. I should contact Marion instead." Edgar pulled out his phone, planning to instruct Marion to leave the money in a safe spot.Suddenly, a pair of headlights penetrated the darkness, shining directly at him."See? I told you my brother would come to rescue me." Liza pointed at the black car in the distance.Quickly, a figure emerged from the car. It was Frederic, who was dressed in a sharp suit that bo