Lauren was puzzled. "Then what brings you here?"Debra replied, "I came to ask the three of you. What are your thoughts on this ring?""Thoughts?" Lauren glanced at Jenson before forcing a smile. "Well, our family is modest and humble. Since the ring is already quite valuable, we see no reason to refuse it."Debra turned her gaze to Jenson. "Mr. Vargas, do you feel the same way?"Jenson was a small-time businessman who had worked his entire life without earning enough to afford a ring like this.He simply nodded. "If sold, this ring could fetch a considerable price. I have no reason to be dissatisfied."Debra raised a problem. "Indeed, this ring is worth one billion dollars. However, you'll find it difficult to sell."Lauren was confused. "Please enlighten me. The ring is in perfect condition. Why would it be hard to sell?"The ring boasted high quality and a long history. If they put it up for auction, it was bound to bring in a fortune.Debra let out a soft sigh. "Mrs. Varga
If they annoyed the Nichols, things would not turn out well for them.Debra reassured them, "Don't worry about it. Just go and demand cash. Act like you don't know its worth. I promise you'll walk away with one billion dollars."Lauren was still uncertain, but Jenson sensed an opportunity and gripped her hand."Alright, we'll do it.""Good. Take the ring. We'll meet again tomorrow."After Debra was gone, Lauren was still hesitant."Honey, do you think we can trust Debra?""Debra and the Nichols family aren't on the same side. Remember, didn't Juan have an affair recently? I think Debra's looking to get revenge on them. We might as well give it a shot.""Dad's right," Hester chimed in bitterly. "If we can get one billion dollars, at least all I've suffered won't have been in vain."With that, they came to an agreement. Early the next morning, they marched up to the Nichols family's house and created a scene at the door.Melody was woken up by Sophie's urgent knocking."What n
Debra's remark left Melody trapped.Of course, she had the money. But all her assets had been placed under the Nichols Group's accountants, and getting her hands on such a large sum at once was impossible.Yet, as the matriarch of the Nichols family, she couldn't admit that she didn't have the cash on hand in front of others.Forcing a composed smile, she said, "Of course, I understand that not everyone can appreciate the finer things. Since you don't want it, there's nothing more I can do."She took the ring back, and Debra grabbed her arm. "That's right. Now, how about we go get the cash together?"Melody was caught in a dilemma. In the end, she led Debra back to her room.She opened the large chest she had hidden under the bed. The gleaming gold bars and bricks were stacked high, filling the chest with an undeniable, heavy wealth.Debra glanced inside, her expression an exaggerated display of surprise. "Wow, I didn't expect you to be this wealthy."Melody smirked, her finger
Melody glanced at the box on the floor. Debra's offer wasn't bad."Fine," Melody said, her voice cold and measured. "I'll pawn this box of valuables to you for now. But you'll have to present the money now and send them away.""Sure," Debra agreed. "But before we move forward, I have one condition.""What condition?""The deal is fine, but I don't want to come out too far in the red. This ring looks nice. How about you let me have it?""Are you kidding me? Do you even know how much this ring is worth? At least one billion dollars.""I'm well aware. At auction, it could even fetch more. But turning it into cash takes time, and finding the right buyer at the right price isn't guaranteed. Plus, auction houses take a hefty cut. Not to mention, if word got out that the Nichols family was selling off their treasures, it would damage your family's reputation. It would impact business, don't you think?"She laid out the logic, knowing full well that Melody wouldn't want to go through th
Sophie pulled the box out. With an impatient wave of her hand, Melody said, "Just put it up there.""Yes." "Wait," Debra interrupted. "Leave it here for now. I'll be taking it to my place in a bit."Melody shot a suspicious glance at her."What are you planning? To live apart from Juan?""I've recently bought a new place closer to my office. Juan is fully aware of it. We've already discussed it. You don't have to worry about that.""But what about this suitcase?""Don't you trust me? The contract's right here. If anything goes missing, I'll take full responsibility. Besides, Juan and I are remarried now. His money is mine to spend as I wish. Why would I care about such a small amount of money?"Melody's face darkened at Debra's subtle bragging. She couldn't understand how Juan had fallen for such a woman in the first place.Sophie, still holding the suitcase, offered, "Madam, this suitcase is quite heavy. Should I help you take it to your car?""No need," Debra replied, stan
"This is the treasure you brought back?" Randy and Erica leaned over the suitcase, peering through magnifying glasses at the contents.Debra sat off to the side, sipping on her tea. She had already seen everything in the suitcase earlier. Except for the sapphire ring, there were no noteworthy items.Erica rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Based on my knowledge of jewelry, Melody's collection here is worth at least 300 million dollars."Randy stood up, shaking his head. "Not quite. If you add in the ring Debra is wearing, it's at least 1.3 billion.""Leaving 1.3 billion just lying around at home? She sure knows how to live," Erica said with a touch of sarcasm."No kidding," Randy agreed, slapping the table lightly.He looked confused as he continued, "But what's all this treasure talk you did before? Does it have something to do with these jewels?"Debra set her teacup down. "According to what Andrew told me, the four prominent families back in the day were the Potter family, the
Erica playfully nudged Randy. "Take notes. That's how one gets a girlfriend. You? You're gonna be single forever at this rate."Randy shrugged, lighting his cigarette. "If I ever managed to land the woman I love, I wouldn't just quit smoking. I'd stop even breathing smoke."He had barely taken his first drag when Marion stood up and snatched the cigarette right out of his hand, stubbing it out.Staring at the ash scattered on the floor, Randy blinked in confusion."What the hell, man?""Debra doesn't like smoke."Randy gave him a thumbs-up."Well, romance before bromance. Fine, I'll go smoke outside."Randy grabbed his pack and headed for the balcony. Erica rested her chin on her hand, grinning at Marion."Wow, you're protective, cousin."As Marion tidied up the scattered ash on the floor, Debra couldn't help but smile sweetly.The next day, the McKinney Group's trainee team officially debuted. In contrast, the trainee program at Potter Entertainment had been shut down for s
It wasn't long before Freya caused a commotion at the McKinney Group's headquarters.Ben blocked her way, but Freya was relentless. "Let me in. I need to see Debra Frazier."Inside her office, Debra set aside the financial newspaper she'd been reading and calmly said, "Let her in."Ben stepped aside, allowing Freya to barge through the door. Her eyes were blazing with anger as she confronted Debra."You lied to me!" Freya spat, her voice shaking with frustration.Debra remained unfazed. "Miss George, I'm not sure what you mean. Haven't I given you everything you asked for?""You promised I'd debut," Freya snapped. "Oscar has debuted, but I'm still stuck at Potter Entertainment. You tricked me."Debra leaned back in her chair. "Miss George, I fulfilled every request you made. As for the timing of your debut, that's up to the Potter Group. I don't have the authority to make those decisions for them."She paused and added, "If you came here looking for some explanation, I'm afraid
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