Even now, the image of those two men trapping that woman between them still haunted Debra's mind.Marion immediately barked, "Head to the hospital.""Got it." Randy understood the urgency.In places like that, it was all too easy to pick up diseases.Debra shook her head. "No need for trouble. Let's just go home. I didn't use their restroom, and I didn't eat anything there."Erica advised her, "Better safe than sorry. Marion's just worried about you."Randy, hands gripping the wheel, cursed under his breath, "Those bastards!"He knew their business dabbled in dirty stuff like drugs and gambling, but to think they'd run some sick membership system for this filth, selling women out in the open like that at a party, it was almost sickening.That explained why they didn't allow male guests to bring their wives. Even female guests from outside the entertainment circle need to be pre-approved. Only those with enough status could attend.Once at the hospital, Debra got a thorough che
Marion rubbed his temples, exhaustion pressing down on him.In the main hall, Debra was seated, photos and profiles of various people spreading out in front of her. She was trying to remember the faces she'd seen that night.Although many of the guests had been masked, they weren't strangers. Most of them were well-known figures in Seamar City, and Debra had made a point to study the local business elite before the event. As she looked over the images, she filtered through her memories, recognizing more than a few."Yes.""Yes.""No."...She methodically picked out each person. Erica, standing nearby, couldn't help but marvel, "Your memory is insane, Debra. I can't believe you remember all these people."Andrew, watching from his wheelchair, commented with a casual air, "Well, she got her master's degree at seventeen."The Frazier family's academic pedigree ran deep, and it showed in the next generation.Debra managed to identify 53 people before she started to grow weary. H
The room fell silent.Debra picked up the car keys on the table and said, "I have my plans. Whether Mr. Andrew Potter is sincere or has ulterior motives, as long as it helps me reach my goal, I'll do it. From now on, I'll handle things on my own. You two stay out of it."She glanced at Marion and left without saying anything harsh.Marion immediately followed her. Randy and Erica exchanged uneasy glances, feeling the tension in the air.Randy rubbed the back of his neck, murmuring, "Uh, we should probably head out too. Mr. Andrew Potter, we'll catch up later."He quickly grabbed Erica's hand and whispered, "Come on, let's go."Andrew didn't try to stop them. Once everyone was gone, a violent cough shook his body. The butler was worried."Sir, you've been stressing all night. You should get some rest."Andrew's face was pale. He'd been suppressing his discomfort. "Not yet. Someone still hasn't shown up."The butler was taken aback, but before he could ask further, Jordan, who h
Last night, Debra caught Ashley trying to drug her drink. She confronted Ashley, laying out all the risks and consequences, but Ashley, blinded by her desire to get close to Drake, drank the spiked wine anyway.After they changed clothes in the restroom, Ashley was immediately whisked away by Peter's people.Debra had assumed Ashley got what she wanted, but now she was dead.A chill ran down Debra's spine. If she had been the one taken to Drake's room last night, she might have met the same fate."Madam?" Ben pushed the door open and, noticing her pale expression, asked, "Didn't sleep well last night?""No, it's nothing," Debra replied, rubbing her temples and closing the news tab."Mr. Houston has been waiting downstairs for a while now. Should I let him up?""Are you his employee or mine? Why are you speaking up for him?""It's just that he's been down there for a while, and a lot of our employees have noticed.""So? It's not the first time he's come by.""He brought a car
"I was just afraid of losing you," Marion said, his voice filled with a rare sincerity.Usually, he was the epitome of rebellion and nonchalance, making it hard for others to read him. But moments like these, when he was earnest, were few and far between.Debra pinched his nose. "I'll take care of myself. And even if I can't, I know you'll be there to protect me, right?"Her words finally brought a smile to Marion's face. He feared nothing except the thought of Debra getting hurt."About those flowers...""I'll take them. Could you have them sent to my apartment, please?"She handed Marion her apartment key. "Make sure to fill the place with them.""Of course," Marion replied, holding the key tightly.Meanwhile, the Nichols family had received some news. Melody looked at the photos in her hand, her anger boiling over as she slammed them onto the table.One photo showed a man pulling a car full of flowers to the entrance of the McKinney Group, and another showed a man waiting o
As soon as Debra stepped into the Nichols family's house, she heard the sharp sound of something shattering. A teacup smashed right by her feet, sending shards skidding across the floor.Glancing up, Debra saw Melody seated on the couch, her face cold with discontent. Across from her stood Juan, straight-backed in a sleek black suit. His expression was stoic as he endured the scolding.Melody sneered, her words dripping with sarcasm. "Juan, I know you're busy with work, but you should also spare a thought for your home. Tell me, how many days has it been since you've seen your wife? She's moved out, and you don't even seem to care. If you're not careful, one day you'll wake up to find she's run off with someone."Debra sneered at the cutting remarks. Calmly, she stepped further into the room, offering Melody a polite smile. "Grandma, what's gotten you so upset? What happened?"Melody shot her a sideways glance. "I wouldn't dare let you call me 'Grandma'. Let's stick to 'Mrs. Nichol
"Grandma!" Juan interrupted unhappily.Melody, sensing his frustration, softened her tone but continued to press her point."I'm giving you a chance, Debra. If I expose this, you'll be discredited. No one will want to marry a woman with a reputation like yours.""That's enough."Juan's patience wore thin. He reached for the stack of photos, tearing them in half before tossing the pieces into the trash.Melody was stunned. "Juan...""Grandma, I believe in Debra. No matter what, she is my wife," Juan said, taking Debra's hand.But Melody was relentless. "You can't keep a woman like her. She'll ruin our family name. How can you be so foolish?""Sophie, take my grandma back to her room," Juan ordered."Yes, sir," Sophie replied.Juan looked down at the hand he held and released it. "Come with me."Given the way he had defended her, Debra followed him without protest. Behind them, Melody's voice carried through the halls. "She is a vixen!"She now deeply regretted her initial
"What if Marion doesn't want you by then?" Juan asked."He's not you. He would never leave me," Debra replied coldly.Juan laughed, a laugh that held a hint of self-mockery. "Leave you? Debra, listen carefully. I will never leave you. If you ask, I'll do anything for you. If you want it, even if it means handing over this entire city, I wouldn't bat an eye. But what has Marion done for you?""He won't lie to me or disrespect me. He'll give me everything he has—his life, his heart. He won't care about status or position. He'll always stand by my side, never abandon me, and certainly won't try to kill me for another woman."Debra poured out her heart, making it clear that Marion and Juan were incomparable in her mind."Kill you? How could I ever want to kill you?"Juan grabbed her arm, trying to convey his sincerity. She shook him off without hesitation."Juan, you're crossing the line."Juan couldn't understand her coldness toward him. He had been racking his brain, but he still
Debra felt dizzy. "Why are you telling me this?""Because you and I are alike," Theda replied. "Despite our differences, I envy your life. I know Robert can't beat Marion. If Robert fails tonight, I beg you to show mercy and spare his life.""He didn't show any mercy when he hit me. Why should I spare him?""We're all businesspeople. Name your price. If it's within my power, I'll do it. Just spare his life.""Fine, remember your promise. I'll spare his life, but I need to hit back.""Deal. Just don't kill him."In the courtyard, Robert opened a can of cat food and fed the stray kittens. They seemed familiar with him, purring and rubbing against his hand.Robert smiled, but his expression changed as he heard a noise outside. The kittens arched their backs, hissing at the disturbance.Robert patted their heads. "Go on. Don't get hurt."But the kittens refused to leave, licking their paws and sitting behind him.Robert didn't chase them away. He waited until Marion and his men a
"She can't take your call right now," Marion replied.Drake shot up from the sofa. "What do you mean by that?""Robert took her.""Robert?"Marion hung up the phone and headed straight to the courtyard where Robert used to live.Kale came into the hotel suite with a cup. "Boss, what would you like for dinner?"Drake muttered with a heavy tone, "Debra is taken by Robert."Kale froze, wondering about Robert's motives.Drake took a deep breath. He had warned Debra before, but she wouldn't listen. Now the situation was grave.He knew Robert all too well. The man was a cold-blooded killing machine, dealing with anyone who posed threats to Theda."Get the car. Search the entire city. Find Robert.""But this is not Orkgate. Our people operate in the shadows here. If Marion's men discover them, all our efforts over the years will be wasted.""I said, find him. No excuses. Get moving."Drake was irritated. He had always known Debra would cause trouble for him, but he hadn't expecte
"Kidnapped? Really?" Erica muttered."It's got to be fake," Randy replied. "This is Seamar City. Who would dare kidnap Debra right under Marion's nose? Unless they have a death wish."Erica nodded thoughtfully. "You're right."But then she realized something was off. "Wait. You left out Robert, that desperado who doesn't care about consequences. Debra went out to meet Theda.""Damn! How could I forget him?" Randy panicked. "What do we do? I'll gather people and head to Buchan Mansion.""We're running out of time," Erica said urgently. "Hurry up and call Marion."She whipped out her phone and started making calls. Randy started rallying people too....Meanwhile, Garland and Liza had just landed and were eagerly entering the Potter Mansion with their luggage in tow."Guys, I am back!" Garland laughed, hands on his hips.Liza tilted her head. "Where is everyone? Why isn't anyone here to welcome us?""Yeah. Why is the living room empty?" Garland wondered.Suddenly, two figures
"I don't care. I'll make them return everything to you," Robert said.Theda was at a loss for words. She stepped forward and propped up the unconscious Debra.She said, "The shares don't matter to me at all. You didn't have to go this far. The situation in Seamar City is treacherous. I overestimated myself. We should take Debra back to them and end everything."She reached for her phone to call Andrew, but Robert grabbed her wrist."What are you doing?" she sulked. "I've decided to stop fighting them. What you're doing is pointless and dangerous.""It's not pointless," Robert said firmly. "I don't want to see you lose. To me, you'll never lose to anyone."Without waiting for her response, he carried her over his shoulder and pocketed her phone."This is all my idea," he said. "Even if I fail, it has nothing to do with you. I've cut the phone lines in the house and locked the front door. Without the password, you can't leave. Just stay here and wait for my good news. I'll get the
"It's simple. The Nichols Group's shareholders aren't clean either. Drake has dirt on them, so they have to do what he says."Theda laughed, understanding the whole thing. That explained why the mention of Drake's name alone had influenced those shareholders' decisions during the last meeting. It was because Drake had their secrets."Alright, I lost fair and square. Actually, I hold no personal grudge against you. That's why I warned you that getting those shares wouldn't be good for you. The person behind this wouldn't let you go.""You know who's behind this, don't you?""Even if I do, we're destined to be enemies. I lost to you, but next time, someone even more formidable will come after you. You won't be so lucky then."Theda poured Debra a cup of tea and continued, "We're alike. We've both been through things others can't understand. You're lucky, with so many people around you, helping you, but the path ahead is harder for you. Not something enviable."Debra didn't get it.
In the afternoon, Debra showed up at the Buchan Mansion.Sitting across from Theda, she sipped on her tea. "The tea has been ready for a while. You knew I would come.""Let's just cut to the chase," Theda said. "It's your setup, isn't it? The termination of the partnership and the sale of Buchan Entertainment at a low price. Now everyone knows that the Buchan family and the Nichols family have severed ties. Since it's my mistake, people will force me to step down."She observed Debra's expression and continued, "You're even sharper than I expected. I mean, who would have thought a pampered lady like you could orchestrate such a complex scheme and predict the outcome so accurately?""You flatter me," Debra replied. "Your solitary nature must have been formed when you were sent to the countryside as a child, and your strained relations with your family were easy to deduce. People act out of self-interest. You cause them financial losses, and they demand paybacks. Now here we are, sit
Theda sneered in response.Everything she had done for the Buchan family had earned them enough money to last generations, but now, they were biting the hand that fed them.Robert stood up, and the sight of him made everyone visibly afraid.Theda noticed his stern expression and grabbed his arm. "Sit down."Robert frowned, unwilling to back down. These people had no right to treat Theda this way."I said, sit down," Theda repeated, stressing her tone.Robert finally withdrew his murderous gaze.Joanne scoffed, "Seriously, Theda, you should find a normal secretary. We don't know where you picked him up, but he's a time bomb. You don't want him to bring trouble to our family.""That's my business. Stay out of it," Theda countered. "As for the lost money, I will figure out a way to make it up. You don't need to worry. Now you can leave. My dogs don't like outsiders here."Joanne was annoyed, but since Theda promised to pay back the money, she relented a bit."If you're going to
Theda frowned at the news. "What's the panic? I'm busy here. Tell them I won't see them."But then, a voice came from the doorway."We came all the way from Wrastow City to see you. It's a bit disrespectful to dismiss us like this, don't you think?"The voice carried a tone of arrogance and provocation. Theda turned to see a well-dressed woman in her thirties, adorned with jewelry.Her expression remained calm as she said, "Oh, it's you, Joanne. But you're not even part of the Buchan family. What brings you here?""It's not her who wants to see you. It's us," said the major shareholder of the Buchan Group, emerging from behind Joanne Tarrant.Following him were other core family members, all wearing expressions of anger."You said you wanted to expand into Seamar City and have used a massive amount of our resources. But now, not only have you failed, you've lost the Nichols Group as a partner. How can we not be upset?""Exactly. We came all this way to demand an explanation."
Debra took the medicine and band-aids, but the atmosphere in the living room suddenly felt awkward."I'm going upstairs.""Can you put it on by yourself?""Yes.""Let me see you do it."Debra cleared her throat, determined to prove she could do it. She sat down on the sofa, opened the medicine, and sprinkled it on her wound. But since her right hand was injured, using her left hand was tricky, and some of the powder spilled.With the medicine on her wound, she couldn't move her right hand at all. The band-aid lay untouched on the table. Opening a band-aid one-handed was harder than she thought."I rushed it," Debra said, trying to save face. "If I had opened the band-aid first..."Before she could finish, Andrew had already opened the band-aid and carefully applied it to her finger. His movements were gentle and precise."Do you know where Marion went?""Probably went to find someone who knows the identity of the mastermind.""Robert?" Debra was surprised.She wondered if h