Andrew's face was ashen. "It's pointless even if you knew. It wouldn't change anything. It's better to live your life in peace."Debra's eyes flashed with determination. "I'm the heiress to the Frazier family. I have the right to know everything."Andrew sighed, leaning against the table to keep his balance. "I can tell you about the Four Major Families, but I don't know who killed your parents. I've investigated for years, and I still don't know who was behind the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Houston."Debra searched Andrew's eyes and found no trace of deceit. She took a deep breath before asking, "Do you know everything about the Four Major Families?"Andrew nodded. "I know the general outline of the past grudges and disputes. The Houston family had military power and absolute authority. The Potter family had the most powerful intelligence network. Under the leadership of your great-grandfather, the Frazier family was renowned for its strategic prowess. The Osborne family, originally t
"So, what about Juan? Why does Marion have it out for him?"Debra's mind whirred with memories of her past life. Marion had swept into Seamar City like a storm, quickly becoming Juan's fiercest rival. Their competition was legendary, their battles subtle yet fierce.Marion was undoubtedly Juan's most formidable opponent. Debra clenched her fists, her nerves taut."Is it...""No," Andrew cut her off, anticipating her question. He explained, "Marion has his suspicions, but no concrete evidence. The Nichols family isn't one of the Four Major Families. Their rise caught everyone off guard.""But the Nichols family has been established for a century.""The family tree doesn't lie. The Nichols family gained power under the leadership of Juan's grandfather. It peaked during his father's reign, and under Juan, their influence has become immense."Andrew coughed. "Could you get me a glass of water?"Realizing he'd been talking for a while, Debra quickly poured him a glass and handed it
"Maybe.""Do you truly not know who killed my parents?"Andrew hesitated, then shook his head. "I don't."Debra helped Andrew to the car, and the driver got him in the backseat.Debra's mind was a whirlwind of questions and doubts. Sleep would be elusive tonight."Can you take me to our old house?""Address."Debra pulled out her phone and sent the address to Andrew, who relayed it to the driver."Drive.""Yes, sir."Tucked away in the heart of the city, it had been years since Debra last set foot there. According to family rules, visits were reserved for the New Year, and since her father's passing, she had lived with Ralph.The main estate that had only accommodated the older generations was a stranger to her now. The villa stood abandoned, its grandeur faded.The night wind bit at her, and she wrapped Andrew's coat tighter around herself. The yard was overgrown and neglected, but security was surprisingly tight.Debra pushed Andrew's wheelchair up to the door, pulling o
Andrew turned to look at Debra, his gaze assessing.Debra asked, "Is something wrong?"Andrew pressed her lips into a thin line, reaching out to button up Debra's coat."It's cold. Go home.""Alright."Even in his wool sweater, Andrew looked drawn.Debra whispered, "I'm sorry for troubling you today."She should have realized that Andrew wasn't well. The late-night chill was biting, and she had selfishly dragged him out there to satisfy her curiosity."Curiosity is natural," Andrew said, reading her thoughts. "If I hadn't brought you tonight, you probably wouldn't have slept well."Debra wheeled him forward. After a moment of silence, she asked, "Is your family's ancestral hall like ours?""Similar," Andrew replied. "Our families are locals. The Houstons and the Osbornes came later."Debra nodded. "Could there be secrets hidden in the ancestral hall that we don't know about?"Andrew's tone was noncommittal. "Maybe."Debra understood the subtext. If there were any secrets t
Andrew's car pulled up outside the apartment building.Debra got out with a heavy heart. When she reached the entrance, the security guard hurried over, his voice urgent."Ms. Frazier.""What's up?""You've got a visitor. He's been here for over an hour," the guard said, jerking his thumb toward the reception room.Through the glass, Debra saw Marion sitting inside."I don't know him. Tell him to leave.""Okay."The guard nodded, starting to turn away before Debra's voice stopped him. "Wait.""Ma'am?""Let him in."The guard blinked, thinking he had heard wrong."Ms. Frazier, if he is bothering you, we can help you drive him away.""No, he's my boyfriend.""Huh?"The guard's jaw dropped. He glanced down at his phone, where a news alert blared the reconciliation between Juan and Debra.However, the one in the reception room didn't look like Juan.He scratched his head and went back. "Mr. Nichols, your wife will see you now.""What did you call me?""Mr. Nichols?"Mar
Marion's brows knitted together as he spoke softly."I'll tell you everything you want to know. No more secrets."He cradled her face in his hands and planted a soft kiss on her forehead."There's nothing and no one more important to me than you. But there's something I need to do.""Andrew told me you were investigating your parents' deaths.""Not just that.""What else?""Your parents too."Debra squeezed her hands and asked nervously, "Who killed my parents?"Marion looked into her eyes and then glanced away."What did Andrew tell you?""He said he didn't know. But I didn't buy it. The Potter family has the best intelligence network in Seamar City. There's no way he doesn't know who the killer is.""He just wanted me to be the one to tell you.""How thoughtful! It seems like he genuinely wants to help us reconcile.""It seems I owe him a proper thanks."The pot in the kitchen began to boil over. Marion patted Debra's head gently."Wait in the living room. I'll tell y
The gambling debt was just the tip of the iceberg. It seems that Ralph has been a pawn in a much larger game. The organization behind it failed to sway your father, so they targeted Ralph.""Under Ralph's leadership, our family has been on a downward spiral," Debra mused. "Was their goal to destroy us?"Looking back, the Frazier family's decline began with Ralph. His gambling debts had nearly wiped out their centuries-old fortune.The organization had orchestrated it masterfully, swallowing the Frazier family's business in just a few years. It was chilling."The evidence we have now points to Ralph bribing a driver, Jaycob Ewing, to cause a fatal crash. But with Jaycob and your parents dead, there's no concrete proof. Who would suspect a bribe that led to the driver's own death? It seems unreasonable."Marion paused and added, "Andrew's people found Jaycob's son, who had leukemia. Jaycob took the bribe because he desperately needed money for the surgery. It was a matter of life an
"That can wait," Debra said, turning to leave.Marion swept her off her feet and carried her towards the bedroom. Debra's face flushed with irritation."Marion, put me down.""No way.""Don't be a jerk.""I'm never a gentleman."Debra's protests died on her lips as she was gently deposited onto the bed. Marion's kiss was soft, yet it ignited a fire within him. He brushed his lips against her cheek, his voice a low rumble."Let me stay with you tonight. I won't touch you.""Not touch me? Then what are you doing now?"She pushed him away, turning her back to him. Marion wrapped his arms around her from behind, his breath warm on her neck. "I'm just kissing you, nothing more."Debra felt a sense of déjà vu and sighed. "Fine. But if you touch me tonight, you won't be in my bed again."Marion's body tensed, and Debra could feel the battle raging within him. Satisfied with her teasing, she closed her eyes.Marion held her tighter, his desire a war he was determined to win. He kis
Back at the Potter Mansion, Debra stared at the equity document. Her father's handwriting and the Frazier Group's stamp stood out.She dug into a drawer, pulling out her seal which hadn't been used for two years. She pressed it onto blank paper, comparing it to the one on the document. She expected differences, but they were the same.That stamp was real. Her father had signed off on this.She didn't get it. In her memory, they and the Potters barely crossed paths.A knock came at the door, interrupting her thoughts. She stashed the seal fast. "Come in."Marion stepped inside, and she smiled, "You're polite to knock. Thought it was Erica.""Didn't wanna barge in and spook you," Marion replied, nodding at the equity document. "Still thinking about that?""I tried to figure out why Andrew has our shares," Debra said. "I've been at it all afternoon and still don't get it.""Andrew's a big-picture guy. Maybe it was just a deal between your families. Let it go," Marion said, rufflin
"Mrs. Houston." Jordan's voice snapped her back.He continued, "Pass this equity document around. Let everyone see it. With Andrew's vote, Mrs. Houston stays."The shareholders inspected it. Once they confirmed the stamp and legal weight, the outcome was obvious."What now?" Jordan eyed Jason, who remained composed on the surface but felt bitter inside."You pushed for a fair vote," Jordan said. "Aren't you satisfied with the outcome? You won't threaten them to change their votes, will you? Well, I brought some people too. They can spar a little if you like."The room crackled with tension. Those shareholders, sensing trouble, started slipping out.The outcome was clear, with Debra winning."Well then, we're out," Jason said."Hold up," Debra stood, stepping toward him. "Tell Michael he can keep the shares he bought. But the 30% I gave my friend? He doesn't deserve it. I want it back in three days. If he doesn't deliver, I'll take it my way.""I'll pass it on," Jason replied,
"I vote for Mr. Austin." Kraig kept his head down.Debra fell silent. She'd braced for the worst, but never thought a veteran on her team would betray her."Well, that settles it," Jason smiled. "Mrs. Houston, the top spot isn't yours anymore. The shareholders have spoken..."Jordan's voice cut through the room. "Who said that's the final vote?"His appearance surprised everyone, including Debra."Didn't you double-check the McKinney Group's shares?" he added.Seven shareholders were present: four from the Frazier Group, and three from the corporate side. The results of the vote were clear enough.Jason didn't flinch. "I don't think you hold any shares. You've got no say here.""I don't," Jordan replied. "But someone does."He pulled out an equity document. "This is Andrew's 1% stake in the McKinney Group. He authorized me to vote for Mrs. Houston."Jason's brow furrowed. The other shareholders swapped confused looks. They had never heard Andrew had any shares.Debra stared
The people saying these things were all entrepreneurs who'd bought shares in the Frazier Group. Debra had long known what they were. They were sexists who'd never let a woman hold real power."You guys don't seem to hold that many shares yourselves, do you?" Debra leaned back in her chair. "Anyone else want me to step down? Or got a problem with me? Just spit it out."The room went quiet. If this election could've been neutral, they'd have rather sat it out. But that wasn't an option."If no one's got anything to say, let's vote," Debra said lazily. "Let's see how many of you want me gone.""Think carefully before you open your mouth. It'll save us trouble," Marion chimed in.The sound of a gun being cocked echoed through the room. The air tensed instantly.Marion wasn't big on brain games. He preferred action. If these people hadn't contributed to the company, he'd have brought in his people instead of listening to their nonsense."Are you threatening us?" Jason said. "This ele
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