"Okay, let's switch gears," Debra said, pulling out her phone.She flashed Oscar a screen displaying his electronic signature alongside Potter Entertainment's stamp. "Is this your contract?"Oscar squinted at the screen, recognizing his own signature. "Yeah, that's it."His mother had pushed him into this industry, and he'd signed the contract with Potter Entertainment without understanding the complexities of the business.He handed the phone back and asked, "Where did you get this?""Do you want out?""Out? Where?""Edgar has invested in this program, and your chance of debuting is sealed."Debra laid out the worst-case scenario. "If you stay, you're looking at endless obscurity, debt, and penalties your family can't afford. Another agency might pick you up, but success? That's a gamble.""What are you suggesting?""I bet Edgar's investment tanks within three months.""What?"Oscar was surprised and skeptical.After all, entertainment companies, especially giants like th
Eve's face drained of color as she stared at her seat. "That's my seat. Freya, what did you put in my food?"As trainees, they were always extra cautious about what they consumed, and the implications of Eve's question hung heavy in the air.Freya hadn't expected Debra to have evidence of her drugging Eve. Her face turned grim. "Debra..."Debra sneered, "The show is coming up the day after tomorrow. You're scared Eve will steal your spotlight, so you drugged her to make her gain weight, didn't you?"Eve's eyes widened in realization. "No wonder I've been hungrier lately and gaining weight without eating much. It was because you put hormones in my food. Freya, you're a snake."Freya had no way to defend herself. Debra pressed on, "A leader who drugs her teammates should be kicked out."Exasperated, Freya lunged at Debra, but Debra easily sidestepped her.Just then, Hannah arrived, her voice booming as she took in the commotion. "What are you doing?"Eve, seething with anger, gra
Hannah's gaze swept over the crowd. "Debra went to find Oscar because I told her to. Who said anything about them dating?""What?" Freya staggered back, shock written all over her face. "But just now, it looked like they were... "Her voice trailed off as she replayed the scene in her mind. Debra and Oscar hadn't shown any signs of affection. It was just Oscar's protective stance that had set her off.Debra's voice was sharp enough to cut glass. "You're just jealous. You're the one who wants to keep Oscar all to yourself.""That's a lie!" Freya tried to argue.Debra snorted, "You don't even dare admit that you like someone. It shows that your feelings are trivial. No wonder Oscar doesn't even look at you.""You...""You messed up, and out of jealousy, you slandered me and Oscar. But have you ever thought that if this slander becomes true, you're not just driving me away, you're also ruining Oscar's future? You're so selfish. Why should he like you?"Freya crumpled, her shoulder
Freya leveled a warning glare at Debra. "I suggest you stay away from Oscar. His mother is not someone you want to mess with."With that, she pushed her suitcase and stormed off.Debra's mind whirred like a well-oiled machine. If Oscar was an illegitimate child, then his mother must have been the mistress of the Odom family patriarch.A plan began to form in her mind.Across town at the Nichols family's residence, Hester was dutifully massaging Melody's shoulders. "Juan hasn't been home lately. Shouldn't we call him?""He's becoming more and more disobedient," Melody huffed, guiding Hester's hands away. "His heart is with Debra. You need to step up your game, Hester. Then he'll have to marry you."Hester bit her lip, her eyes downcast. "But it's not that simple. Juan..."She was still in college, young and attractive, with a pleasant personality, but Juan had always been indifferent to her, treating her like a stranger.Melody said meaningfully, "Men are all the same. Find the
Melody's face clouded over. She shoved Shelia aside, her voice shaking with anger. "You shameless woman, how dare you show your face here again?"Shelia stumbled, falling to the ground. She'd chosen her outfit carefully. The long, form-fitting dress accentuated her swollen belly.Melody's gaze softened at the sight of the bump, but her voice remained stern. "I took you in and gave you a haven to have your baby. And this is how you repay me? You carry Juan's child and turn to another man? You're a disgrace."Shelia bowed her head, tears streaming down her face. "I was forced into it. I love Juan, you know that. The Odoms took me away, saying they knew where my father was. I had no choice."She sobbed, her shoulders shaking. Melody frowned, her expression wavering. "Is this true?"Shelia nodded pitifully. "I made a mistake, but it's because I never had a father. I just wanted to find him."Melody had seen the news, knowing Shelia's father was the head of the Blair family. Declan wa
"Is something wrong?" Debra asked.Sophie wouldn't come to find her for nothing.Sophie glanced around, and Debra said, "Come with me."Debra led Sophie to an empty meeting room, handing her a cup of tea. "Now you can speak."Sophie took a deep breath before speaking. "It's Miss Miles. She came back."Debra was surprised. 'Shelia is supposed to be with Edgar. Why did she suddenly return to the Nichols family?'She said nonchalantly, "Sophie, I'm no longer Mrs. Nichols. You know I'm in the middle of a divorce with Juan. It's only a matter of time."Sophie persisted, "Shelia isn't a good woman. Mr. Nichols was only under her spell before. He was drugged and..."She knew this was an unsavory topic but felt compelled to speak up. "I've seen how you care for Mr. Nichols since the day you entered the house. Now Mr. Nichols only wants you, and I don't want to see Shelia ruining everything, so...""I understand. You want me to reconcile with Juan." Debra shook her head gently. "But fr
"What did you say? Shelia isn't a Blair?"In the opulent bedroom, Sophie dropped the bombshell.Melody's eyebrows shot up. "Where did you hear this?"Sophie leaned in, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. "Rumors are flying, but we can't take any chances. Not with Miss Miles carrying Mr. Nichols' child. We can't have some woman of dubious background waltzing into the Nichols' family."Melody nodded thoughtfully. The identity was crucial. If Juan married a supposed Blair, only to find out later she wasn't, it would be another blow to the Nichols family."Send an invitation to the Blair family in my name. Ask Declan for dinner at the Royal Grand Hotel tomorrow night.""Will do."Sophie scurried off and secretly texted Debra.Debra read the message with a smirk. She'd already dug into Shelia's past, so Melody's invitation didn't surprise her.But she needed to beat Melody to the punch. Shelia was using her supposed blood ties with the Blair family and the baby to worm her way into
Debra spoke meaningfully. "Oh, by the way, Melody has started to suspect Shelia's identity. I'm sure you'll be receiving a call soon to arrange a meeting so she can conduct her interrogation. Melody is old and cares about status. I hope that won't bother you."She stood up and signaled to the waiter. "There's no need to serve the food. Please pack everything up for Mr. Blair to take away. I believe Declan has lost his appetite, at least for dining with me."The waiter nodded, though his expression revealed confusion. Debra didn't wait for a response, turning on her heel and leaving the restaurant.Declan slammed his fist on the table, his face contorted with displeasure.Debra knew what Declan was thinking. Whether Shelia was his daughter or not, he had clearly made up his mind. After the humiliation Melody had dealt him, he wouldn't let this go easily.Melody's pride was legendary, and tomorrow's dinner invitation promised a spectacle worth watching.Outside the Royal Grand Hote
Under Randy's threat, Lara didn't dawdle. She swiped her fingerprint, and the infrared beams blinked out."My clearance only kills the lasers for three minutes," she said. "Taking me like this only slows you down. Let me go, and I swear I won't pull anything.""Three minutes? Then hustle," Randy snorted.She was full of schemes. Cutting her loose brought him nothing but danger. He would not fall for it.Lara kept her cool and led him toward the end of the hall.The place was futuristic, loaded with tech Randy had never even seen. Only people with the code could get in.Now that she had removed restrictions, it was now just another regular hallway.At the end stood a massive door. She spoke. "Our master is behind that. I can't go in, but I'll open it for you.""Do it quickly," he urged.She stepped to the side and used facial recognition. The door slid open, revealing a dark room.As he scoped it out, she broke free and tried to shove him in.Quick in reaction, he yanked her
As long as he twitched it a little, Lara would be dead.Randy growled, "Cut the crap. Try me again, and you're done."Lara didn't dare push it. She took a breath. "Okay. Follow me inside.""I know who your master is," he said. "Tell him to let Erica go, or the Osborne line ends with me."Her face shifted at that. He noticed. "What, you don't know who he is? Guess you're not that big a deal around here. So, quit stalling. Take me to him now. Touch me, and you don't live to see another day."Lara's composure crumbled.In the Illuminati, nobody knew the bishop's identity. She couldn't tell if Randy was bluffing or not.She had no choice but to lead him toward another entrance. Those goons didn't dare stop him. They just stepped aside.She took him deeper into the valley. The further in, the warier Randy got.The mist thickened, blotting out everything.At a rocky entrance, she used her fingerprint to unlock a hidden door in the mountain. It was mind-boggling that the Illuminati
Lara's face twisted. "No way he would say that. He wants the four families wiped out.""Take it up with him." Juan shrugged, heading out of the valley. "I'm not wasting my breath on you."Lara muttered in disbelief, "Our master wouldn't do that. This was our shot to take them down."Before she could piece it together, a guy rushed up. "Miss, something else showed up.""Who was it?" Lara snapped, annoyed.The four families only had Debra and Marion worth a damn to them."Looks like someone from the Osborne family.""Randy? What's that punk doing here?"Right then, a guy flew in from the mist, screaming as he hit the ground.Randy stepped out with a fierce expression. Lara barked for her crew to gear up.Everyone was puzzled, not expecting a wuss like Randy to be so good at fighting.He'd taken out every guard outside the valley solo, and not one alarm had been tripped. It meant he had memorized the layout, found the safest path, and dodged every trap.Lara sized him up serio
The Illuminati crew scattered into the mist.The leader stayed, pulling off his mask.Juan's brow creased hard. This was all he could do for them.Debra and Marion hauled out of the valley.Earlier when they were talking to that guy, she had clocked his limp. Plus, he had tapped his leg to drop hints.Through those details, she had figured out it was Juan.Juan had fed them a load of crap.Erica was inside. The bishop would show himself if they managed to find her. He would let them go if they could make a deal.It sounded reasonable but did not hold up.The Illuminati had an edge over them. If the bishop wanted to meet, he wouldn't need to snatch Erica. Even if he had her, it'd be to trade for the gemstone they held.He commanded, and they had to comply because they had zero leverage to negotiate. If they had no leverage, the bishop would not let them go.This was the tip-off dropped by Juan. Her business instinct enabled her to perceive it.Erica wasn't in the valley at a
It was afternoon already.Debra and Marion parked their car outside the valley.Looking at the sprawling terrain ahead, Debra couldn't shake the memory of trekking through it with Kale just days ago.Revisiting this place made her shiver."Your injury's still fresh," Marion said. "I can go alone."Debra shook her head. "We agreed on going together. Besides, I'm not here to fight. It will be fine."Marion ruffled her hair. "Alright, we're in this together."Enoch brought Erica here to lure them in. That much was clear.Now that they were here, they'd get her out.With night closing in, they quickly followed the route they'd mapped out and headed in.The map from Juan came in handy. In less than 30 minutes, they reached a clearing smack in the middle of four towering mountains.Mist hung light in the air, and the jagged peaks all around gave off a heavy, oppressive vibe.Through the fog, figures in black cloaks and white masks stepped out.Debra slid behind Marion, their han
Jordan signaled the guards at the door to stop Randy.But they didn't stand a chance. In three seconds flat, Randy laid them out.Jordan watched him vanish down the hall, dumbfounded. 'When did he get this good?'At the entrance, more guards tried to block Randy. He didn't slow down as he threw punches at them.Even with their number, they couldn't catch him.30 seconds later, Randy was in his car, peeling out toward the valley. Scenes from his childhood flashed across his mind."Leg up. Fist tight. Punch!" Caleb shouted.Erica eyed the wooden dummies in front of them and aimed for perfection.Randy's attention was all on her. He was not interested in these self-defense skills at all."Randy, focus!" Caleb whacked his arm with a cane. "Get real or go home."Randy couldn't care less. The truth was, he had already learned it all.At eight years old, his freakish athletic genes got him shipped off to a two-month boot camp. There, his raw talent made him untouchable in the junio
Lara came downstairs, smirking at Michael. "This time, even if you want to let them off, it won't happen."Michael was unfazed. "Don't say stuff that'll get twisted. I never plan to do that.""Oh, please. I know you better than that," Lara snorted. "Drop the act."Growing up, Michael had been given the best of everything.They were both in line to take over, but Michael got the bishop's favor from day one.Even if he didn't fight for it, he'd eclipse her. The bishop's partiality never failed to rattle her.She was a woman. True. But she was not any inferior to Michael.The partiality was unbelievable. This world's full of women outshining men.She was the one to help the bishop build something huge. The altar was only for her to ascend.She stepped up to Michael. "Wanna bet on what happens when Debra and Marion hit the valley? I can't wait to see Debra getting pierced by bullets. It would be so much fun."She observed Michael's expression, but there wasn't a crack."You done
The guard at the gate quickly stepped out of the booth. "Greetings, Mr. and Mrs. Houston. Unfortunately, Mr. Osborne isn't home.""We're not here for him," Marion said flat-out. "I want last night's security footage."The guard hesitated. "I'm sorry, but without Mr. Osborne saying so, I can't just hand it over.""Randy is lying in the hospital right now," Debra cut in. "Erica went missing from your place last night. If you don't cough up the tapes and something happens to her, can you take the heat?"The guard was shocked. "Mr. Randy Osborne in the hospital? And Miss Mathis is gone? I'll grab the footage. Hang on."He dashed to the security room. But when he pulled up the feed, the screen was pitch black."What's wrong? Is it busted?" Debra asked.The guard smacked the console a couple of times, and the picture flickered on. There was Enoch, stuffing a sack into his trunk and driving off.That explained why the cameras outside had only caught Enoch.Debra felt a chill run thro
A loud crash blasted through the phone, followed by screeching static.Debra's gut sank. "Randy's in trouble. Let's hurry."Jordan quickly rounded up a crew to track down Randy, while Debra and Marion bolted out of the house.That phone call screamed car wreck. Marion had Randy's location pinned fast, and an ambulance was already on its way."Don't panic. The ambulance is almost there," Debra reminded him, watching him push the speedometer.It was fine if it was just a regular crash. But if the Illuminati had set it up, the consequences were unimaginable. Enoch must have lost his mind to target his son.Debra and Marion had both lost their parents to car accidents. Marion would be devastated if he lost another person close to him."Quick! Get him out!"Thick smoke poured from the crash site. Debra's bad vibes grew.They jumped out and saw Jordan's people loading Randy onto a stretcher."How bad is it?" Debra ran up, desperate for details."Not too serious," Jordan replied. "