Hannah didn't stop Debra, and before long, a sleek black car drove up.The trainees, leaving the cafeteria, watched as Debra got into the car.Whispers filled the air as they exchanged speculative glances."I told you Debra had someone backing her. She left at such a late hour. Clearly, someone is keeping her.""Can you believe Hannah was covering for her just now? We only get to leave this place once every ten days or two weeks. Debra is really an exception."Inside the car, Debra wasted no time. She dialed the hospital head's number, her heart pounding with anxiety.When he answered, his voice was grave. "Ms. Frazier, the situation is a bit serious, but don't worry, his face is unharmed."Debra's grip tightened on her phone."I'm asking about the person, not the face.""Michael is fine. He's out of danger."Debra could tell he wasn't being entirely truthful. She hung up and turned to Ben."Fill me in about the situation.""This morning, Michael was supposed to go to the P
"But..." Shelia still wanted to protest.Edgar cut her off, his voice firm. "I've had a long day. Go to bed."Shelia finally retreated to her room, her shoulders slumping in defeat.In the spacious living room, Edgar's phone rang sharply, breaking the silence. He answered it before his secretary's voice came through the line."Mr. Odom, we've found the illegitimate child of your father and that woman."Edgar's eyes narrowed. "Who is it?""They've been living in Booton all these years. We found out the child's name is Oscar Harper."As far as Edgar remembered, that woman's family name wasn't Harper. It seemed that after all these years, she still dreamed of joining the Odom family and hoped her son would become the heir."What a fantasy!" Edgar snorted."There's one more thing.""Go ahead.""It's about Miss Miles," Chace said hesitantly. "Our people said Miss Miles sent them to cut Michael's brake lines today. Michael is now in the hospital."Edgar's brow furrowed deeply. "W
"Where can we find Michael?" Edgar asked.The nurse looked at him wonderingly. "Are you a family member or a colleague of Michael?"Edgar's bodyguard, growing impatient, interjected, "Our boss is here to visit Michael on behalf of the company. Just lead the way."The nurse, fearing Edgar's displeasure, quickly complied and led them towards Michael's room.Meanwhile, Debra had already arrived at Michael's room. Due to Michael's special profession, the room was guarded. Even so, the hospital was never entirely secure, and it had been decided that Michael would be taken home by the following day for his recovery.Michael lay in bed, his face pale and his body clad in a hospital gown. His head was wrapped in bandages, a testament to the severity of his injuries.When he saw Debra, he instinctively tried to sit up."Don't move," Debra said.Michael complied, sinking back into the bed.Debra took a seat nearby and turned to the director. "Didn't you say it was not serious?""Well..
A soft knock echoed through the hospital room, drawing Michael's attention to the door.When he saw Edgar's face peering through the small window, he quickly realized that Debra's identity needed to remain concealed.He calmly called out, "Sorry, it's not convenient to see visitors right now. Please wait for a moment."Michael's refusal was direct, but Edgar merely nodded and took a seat in the corridor.Debra swiftly gathered the documents scattered across the table. She exchanged a glance with Michael, who gave her a subtle nod of understanding.Debra moved to the door and opened it, stepping out into the corridor to face Edgar. "Mr. Odom, it's quite late. What brings you here?"Edgar stood up, his tall frame towering over Debra. "I heard that Michael was injured, so I came to see him."Debra pulled away from him a bit and said, "Are you aware who caused the accident?"Since Shelia was behind the accident, she must have someone backing her up.Edgar was silent for a moment b
This was a case of intentional homicide. If a private settlement couldn't be reached, Shelia would be behind bars for years.And Shelia hadn't hurt just anyone. Michael was a high-profile star. If her involvement was exposed, she would face the wrath of fans and critics alike.Edgar expressed his remorse. "I'm really sorry. I'll make sure Jade apologizes to you tomorrow."Debra, however, was in no mood for apologies. She said brusquely, "Since you've finished speaking, you can go now. Michael needs to rest, and we won't see you out."Edgar nodded, understanding the dismissal. "Alright, I won't disturb Mr. Austin's rest any further. However, Ms. Frazier, it seems you and Michael are no longer connected, right?"Debra glanced at the half-finished documents on the table before replying, "Yes, I just came to visit an old friend. Since you mentioned it, why don't you give me a ride home?"Her sudden request took Edgar aback. He frowned briefly, but given the circumstances, he had to a
"What's so urgent that it can't wait till morning?" Shelia eyed Edgar skeptically.She didn't buy his story for a second. Men were all the same—if they weren't up to no good at home, they were sure as hell up to no good elsewhere.Her gaze sharpened as she spotted a smudge of lipstick on his white collar.She reached out and grabbed his collar, thrusting it towards him accusingly. "What's this?"Edgar's mind flashed back to Debra's calculated lean-in, her smirk as she left him in the car. He'd been played. She'd wanted Shelia to see this, to sow discord.His hesitation was all Shelia needed. "You're unbelievable. You say you love me, but you won't even touch me. It's all a lie, isn't it? I knew you were cheating.""Jade, just listen...""No. I won't listen!" she screamed. "I'm telling my dad. You don't love me. It's all just a sham."Usually, her tantrums got her what she wanted, but not this time. As she turned to storm out, Edgar's hand shot out, sending her sprawling to the
A shiver ran down Shelia's spine like a drip of ice water.She'd once pegged Edgar as a gentleman easy to push over. But she'd been dead wrong.He was as ruthless as they came, and his so-called affection was nothing more than a smokescreen.What he wanted was just the Blair family's support to boost his influence in Seamar City.Edgar's voice cut through the air, cold as steel. "If you don't want to end up like her, you'll toe the line and stay on my good side.""I won't make that mistake." Shelia shook her head fervently. "As long as I remain Jade and your fiancée, I'll do whatever you ask.""Excellent!" Edgar shrugged off his coat. "Tomorrow, you'll accompany me to the hospital. You'll apologize to Michael.""What?" Shelia blanched. "You want me to bow to Michael?""Not just Michael. Debra too," Edgar specified.Her face drained of color. "No. I can't do that."Edgar's gaze sharpened, and Shelia wilted. "Just not Debra. Anything but that."Edgar scoffed. "Would you rather
In the tense silence that stretched out, Michael made no move to let Shelia get up.Edgar, trying to smooth over the situation, interjected, "Jade was indeed harsh with Ms. Frazier, but it was due to old grudges. I had a long talk with her last night, and she assured me that she'd let go of the past."He turned to Shelia, his gaze encouraging. "Jade, didn't you say last night that you were ready to bow and apologize to Ms. Frazier?"Shelia nodded eagerly, her eyes wide and repentant. She stepped forward and bowed deep. "Debra, I'm truly sorry. I let my feelings for Mr. Nichols cloud my judgment, and I did terrible things to you out of jealousy. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."Debra looked at Shelia's innocent face, her brow furrowing slightly. Shelia seemed genuinely repentant, but Debra knew better than to take things at face value.There were only two reasons for such a drastic change: either Shelia had truly turned over a new leaf, perhaps under the influen
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